Thanks to anyone who can help me...
I have ordered a Plumeria cutting tip
Should I use a rooting hormone to root them? Would they do better in a tropical bark (Orchid) mix then in potting soil?
I will be keeping it as a potted plant since my zone doesnt get warm enough until the end of May.
Thanks
Bre
Few questions from a Plumeria newbie ;)
first off, is the bottom calloused? if so, just dip them in the rooting hormone, and put them in normal potting soil. don't keep it wet, but it can stay moist. also, keep it warm... probably a nice bright window with a heat source.
i'm sure clare will be along sometime soon... she can fill in my gaps and correct me on things.... i'd trust her more than me, as i still consider myself a newbie. until she or dutchlady or dbrooks or tusconplumeriaz... the "smart people"
oh and welcome to the plumie forum
Thanks diehrdsouthrnr.
I have not actually received my cuttings yet so I am not sure if they will be calloused.
I have read alot of different opinions on here about the type of soil saying it should be able to drain well (thats why I thought of the orchid mix).
So should I do a bottom water with them? What type of fertilizer do they like?
Sorry I have so many questions - I just like to get a good feel about my plants before I get them so I can know enough aout how to care for them
Thanks so much!!
no problem! thats why we have these forums... to ask questions. well, i just give mine normal old fertilizer....whatever we have in the garage... i know/think high phosphorous promotes blooming. miracle gro for flowering plants usually works, but i wouldnt fertilize until the cutting is rooted. i just pour water onto the soil whenever it looks like it is drying out.... just dont keep it wet. especially if it isnt warm... cold+wet=dead
Diehard, you did good! No need to fill in the blanks:-) You are a smart person too! I will just add to your comments.
Bre, any potting mix that doesn't hold water will work fine. I wouldn't use the Orchid bark mix for rooting as bark actually holds water. That's more for epiphytes, and plumerias are tropical trees.
Your cuttings will probably be calloused when they arrive, especially if it will take a few days in the mail to reach you.
Watering from the bottom isn't advisable since you want the water to drain right through. Those catch trays at the bottom of pots usually keep the bottom layer of unused soil wet, and drainage is impacted, and bacteria can develop and ruin the soil and rot the cutting.
I agree with Trent not to fertilize the cutting until you have a full set of leaves -- i.e., until it is rooted. It takes 60-90 days to root a cutting so you probably won't be fertilizing this year. When you are ready, there is a great section on fertilizing in the FAQ Sticky Thread. There is also a lot of reading material there on care.
This message was edited Apr 9, 2008 10:58 AM
Thanks so much for all your help! Im sure my Plumie would not have made it without your advice!!
hooray!.... could you tell my biology teacher that?? lol
I sure would ;)