What am I doing wrong!! orange plumeria cutting

11 years ago

hey everyone!

My nieghbor has this beautiful full orange and red strip plumeria and it smells so fragrant and I have never seen anything like this one. She says she doesnt Know the name of it and that her grandmother gave it to her.

the tree she has is about 4 feet tall and doent have alot of branches so I dont want to chop up her tree too much. but ive always admired this tree soo so much and she was very kind enough to give me a nice thick cutting with four tips!

I tried the waterbottle method used potting soil and mostly perlite. I only watered it one time and two weeks later it ROTTED:( super disapointed she wants to give me another cutting (she is so kind)

What do I need to do for the next cutting?? should i let it dry out for two weeks? longer?
what do you guys do with your "hard to root" cuttings? is it just luck?
should i request more tips?
Please help!!!

ill post pics of of how short the other cuttting is now since I chopped off the part that rotted. and the new one shes going to give me.

-Shelly

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Comments (5)

PRO
the_first_kms2
11 years ago
Shelly,
It may not have callused over. Also I did not read anything regarding bottom heat from a seed mat in your post.

My best advice is to look for a post by "Citizen Insane" regarding his pine bark callusing method and also "freak4plumeria" (not 100% sure on that one) has a partial water rooting method.
tdogdad
11 years ago
the soil mix is a most critical step. Any mix that stays moist for days is deadly. Also the amount of mix is a factor which is why I use 1.5 liter plastic bottles which is almost a fourth of what you have in a one gallon pot. Keeping your cutting warm especially at night is helpful. Rooting when the plant is naturally waking up increases your odds (mid to late spring). Finally, leave the cutting alone- more cuttings are killed by mother hens who cannot keep their hands off the infant. Good luck. Bill
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ShellysPlumies
Original Author
11 years ago
Hello,
I think the problem was that I didnt let the cutting dry out at all. I forgot to mention that I used a product a product called "root tone" and it says to use on fresh cuttings which is what I did. I have done this in the past with cuttings and the seem to root with no problem. But maybe orange plumeria are more prone to getting rot.

thanks for the feedback!
-shelly
Loveplants2 8b Virginia Beach, Virginia
11 years ago
hi Shelly..

All great advice given to you...

I also think you need to let the cutting callus before you try and root. Like K mentioned, it needs to be callused before you try and root. Some do like the water rooting method and James is the king of water rooting! He can root anything ... I have tried, but my tried and true methods are like Bill mentioned. He taught me how to root my cuttings and I will say that this is the best time to start the rooting process. They still need bottom heat and that is the real secret to getting great results.

I'm sure you are feeling bad about your cutting and wanting to start another.. Especially when the mother tree is limited.. Your neighbor is very generous to help you... But, just try again and let it callus, use a fast draining mix. Give it bottom heat and water once, then leave it alone. Bill's voice is always there to remind me and others to leave the cutting alone. Once I understood what he was talking about, the rooting process became easier. Like he mentioned to someone.. ". Find something else to do..." Lol... In 4 -6 weeks you will hopefully see some signs of activity. Seems like the other cutting was fast to rot.. Can't quite figure that Out. Oh.. I wouldn't wait more than two weeks to let it callus.. ( my opinion). As far as luck... It is up to you and Mother Nature.. They want to thrive.. But sometimes we get in the way. It will work for you.. Be patient and remember that we all have lost cuttings.. So don't feel bad. It happens! I also use Roottone on my cuttings when i pot them up to root. ;-)

Good luck and let us know how you and your cutting are doing!

Take care,

Laura
ShellysPlumies
Original Author
11 years ago
Hey Laura,

Ive always thought that you give such great advice! so thanks for the feedback:)

With the previous cutting I fiddled waaaaay to much with it especially scince I was so excited about it. I was also always checking to see if there was any rot. But for this next cutting I do want to just leave it alone. Lol everytime I look at it Ive got to think " leave it alone Michelle keep it together" Ughh sometimes its so hard to just not take a little sneak peak :)

but anywho thanks for your feedback! ill keep you guys updated on the new cutting.

-Shelly

What am I doing wrong!! orange plumeria cutting

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the_first_kms2

tdogdad

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What am I doing wrong!! orange plumeria cutting

Comments (5)

the_first_kms2

tdogdad

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ShellysPlumiesOriginal Author

Loveplants2 8b Virginia Beach, Virginia

ShellysPlumiesOriginal Author

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GET HELP

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