...how should I trim and propogate cutting(s)?
Two shots of a plumeria I bought from Loresco Tropicals in Puerto RIco and planted at our place in Vieques last December. This is an Aztec Gold, and has flowered once already, and had a branch broken off in the Spring. Soaker irrigated, near a roof drain and gets full sun all day.
You'll see it in this first shot on the left.
This second shot shows the plant as of a couple weeks ago.
Lots of growth, awkward shape.
Any advice?
Yes, the bloom was sublime. I will skip the irrigation and let the roof drain suffice from now on.
Query: if I cut off the branch on the left, down where the bark is woody, will a cutting of that size root and grow? Or is it perhaps better to take a smaller cutting?
Another: if some part of a well-established plumeria branch ends up resting on the surface of the soil, will it re-root at that contact point without being cut from the main plant?
Obviously, I'm new to this, but trying to catch up on FAQs, stickies, as well as soliciting plant-specific expert advice.
Thanks.
Should I try to straighten the plant up?
I don't think water has anything to do with the growth habit of the cultivar. I certainly would not decrease the water. That area looks very dry, and the grass is no doubt absorbing a lot of the water. I would increase your watering if anything. Plumerias love and need water in the warm seasons. I water mine year 'round, even in winter. Out of the hundreds that I have, I only have one weepy type, and I simply stake it. You can certainly prune next spring and root the cutting by planting it in well-draining soil. You might be able to just stick the cutting in the ground and let it root there, but the ground must have some moisture for the roots to be able to grow into the soil. You might get some sturdier new growth by pruning it, but I would wait until the spring to prune. It should be noted that there seems to be two types of Aztec Golds in circulation -- one weepy type that is low growing, and the other is tall and straight. In some cases, thin spinly branches could be due to lack of light, but I think it just might be the growth habit of that particular cultivar. It can be pruned to avoid this.
If I were going to prune yours, I would prune the branch on the right, about six inches below where it branches, or you can wait until the three branches grow more and cut them off and root them separately. Cuttings can be anywhere from 8-12 inches to 3 feet or taller. Roots come from the cambium layer so you can propagate by layering, but the branch has to be cut to expose the cambium layer. This is not the ideal way to propagate. The easiest way is to take cuttings and root them: http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/45/
This message was edited Oct 13, 2007 9:39 AM
Thank you so much, Clare. I have taken in some of the considerable wisdom you've provided others in this forum, now glad to have specific advice from a real expert.
I'm going to try rooting the large cutting as you suggest. We get consistent heat down there, and I've had other plants root when I left them too long in a rubbish heap, so I count my prsopects as good.
FOr any other newbies like me, who might be looking for nuance, or to substitute hope for reality, take note: the difference made by full sun vs anything less is really dramatic. I planted many cuttings in spots I'd generally describe as sunny, though a dappled sun by noon and light shade by late afternoon, and they are all still just sitting there, reluctantly leafing, with nary a new branch among them. The one pictured above gets sun by 8AM and takes it all day until 4 or 5 and is growing nearly to excess --as if "excess" is something that would bother a plumeria fan...
Need I say that I plan to move all the others (like the ones pictured here) into similar spots?
This message was edited Oct 13, 2007 9:32 PM
uncropped version of same pic
Thanks for the kind words;-) The first picture isn't coming out for me, but I can see the second picture. You are so right that full sun, heat, water, and nutrition are the key elements to growing and flowering plumerias successfully. A lot of people don't realize that plumerias are heavy feeders and need a regular fertilizer regimen to grow and bloom well. Plumerias do store water in their stems so they are drought tolerant, but many people underwater them for this reason, and they suffer for it. Since cooler weather is approaching here, they need less water, but that may not be the case for you in Puerto Rico. I think maybe you might be in an ideal climate for plumerias. It looks like your soil might be very sandy so you may want to amend your soil before planting by mixing in a good soil amendment prior to planting. Digging a hole twice as deep and twice as wide as the root ball gives the plumie's roots easy material to expand into. For rooting plumerias cuttings, warm soil is a must. Cuttings root best at a temp of 80 degrees or higher, which is why we recommend a heat mat for rooting cuttings on during the winter here. Some cuttings will root no matter what, but Aztec Gold can be tough to root in the winter in my experience. Also, the lawn will keep an area cooler than one with just dirt or one surrounded by concrete so that is something to consider as well.
I forgot to mention that you have a lovely yard;-)
