follow up a week later: plant seems ok..... not growing as fast as it was initially, but still producing some new leaves. still a very brown color along the branches....

Hi Dennis, I'm afraid it sounds like it is gettting way to much water for the type of soil it is in right now especially this time of the year. Plumeria like to stay on the dry side in a fast draining mix. I see there is a saucer under your container and I hope that is just to protect the floor and not to let the tree sit in water? Plumeria don't like to sit in water and they don't like wet feet( roots) this will cause root rot. It does sound like it may be suffering from a root issue and I would think that there is some root rot happening . I'm sure you have taken good care of your tree by watering it on the schedule, but I'm afraid it is to much water.. So with that in mind, I would get it out of that soil to protect what good roots you have on the rootball. You have two choices.. This is my opinion and I hope others will chime in as well.... Since you have the gritty mix all ready available you could take the tree and do an emergency re pot to help save the tree from more damage. I'm afraid it you leave this tree in its soil as is, it will continue to decline . I would take the tree and gently get rid of the soil it is in now. Look at the roots and cut away any brown dead roots that you might see. You can use the gritty mix if you like right now since you are going to have to replace the soil or you could use a mix of cactus mix mixed with perlite and fir bark ( you can buy this at Petsmart called Reptibark by zoo med) make a light mix like the 5-1-1 . You could use either mix. Both would be fine.. I would find a black nursery container and since you will be trying to encourage new root growth, I would use a one gallon container and after you repot, stake the stem so it won't move in the new container and mix. You will have a smaller root system and the roots will be fragile. Keep it in a sunny location in your home and you could even place the container on a heat ( seedling heat mat) to give it heat to try and encourage new root growth . So I hope you understand what I am saying.. I think it is to wet in that container and it needs a faster draining mix. I usually wouldn't encourage someone to repot now, but I feel like it may have root issues with the root system now and I think it is suffering. Your wife is loving this tree too, but she needs to give it less water especially this time of the year. I haven't given my trees any water for about a month now and when I do, it will be limited amounts since they will go dormant. The ones that will stay active are still dry, but I give them a little water when they are dry and that's usually two weeks or so. You can use a wooden skewer to test the moisture level In Your mix.. They like to stay on the dry side. If the wooden skewer is wet or moist, don't water.. During the summer you will be able to water more with a fast draining mix. ... I would also keep that saucer off of the container to allow the water to drain freely . Just be careful when you remove the old soil. Try and keep the rootball from breaking and cut away all dead roots. Have all of your soil / mix ready. Container ready.. Then work on the repot. Good luck and keep us posted as to how it is doing. If you could take a pic of the roots, that would be helpful to see.. But if it is to much during the process and it might cause issues, then don't try to take a pic. . I want you to get that tree back to its full potential and once the roots are happy the stem will harden up again and will be able to support the leaves. It will love being out of that wet soil. Take good care, Good luck with your tree!! Laura

I've heard a few different methods about working with dehydrated plumerias. One is to stick the cutting into a pitcher of water for about 48 hours and it should rehydrate. I have not tried this method personally. I instead wrap moist paper towels around the stems and the cutting will draw moisture that way. Just keep the paper towels moist with a spray bottle and change the paper towels once a week. This has worked for me in the past. I also suggest bag rooting, even though its a method I just started using. I like to be able to see the roots developing. As jedoba stated, only lightly moisten the soil as the moisture will stay in the bag. Too wet and you will get stem rot, too dry and it may not do anything. I tape my bags up with electrical tape

Oh wow, I am so sad to see that :( You can try to save it but I'll be honest, it is hard to stop rot that advanced. More so that the plant is very dehydrated at this point and may not have the strength to make it through the time it takes to callous and root. But you can try! Although it will most certainly not make you feel better right now, I will say we have all been where you are right now. I can STILL have cuttings that won't root even after growing for years. Don't be too hard on yourself, I know it feels awful. Don't give up on owning plumeria if you really love them - you can always buy rooted plants and skip this entire process if it is just too frustrating - many experienced growers do this anyway just so they don't have to deal with it / so they can get their plant already ready to go. I will send you some free cuttings in the spring for just postage if you decide you want to try again. Something went awry here and that may not even be your fault. A few key tips may help set you up for success in the future and possibly shed light on what might have gone wrong. #1) The foundation of rooting any cutting is to make sure you have a good callous to start with. After it is cut the cutting must be allowed to sit for at least 10-14 days to scab the end so it is nice and hardened over. Cut the leaves off the cutting. Leaves drain moisture from it while it's trying to root. #2) Root the cutting in a smaller container such as a Gatorade bottle or something of that size, with drainage holes drilled in the bottom. A clear container will also eliminate doubt as to when it has rooted, you will see them. This helps stop the temptation to pull it out and check to see if it rooted. The smaller container as opposed to a pot will also hold less moisture after that one initial watering. #3) A well draining soil (or some even root in pure perlite) - potting soil of any kind needs to be amended for plumeria. I can't emphasize this enough. You should have at least 50% or more perlite to your potting soil, probably even more. If you have water retentive soil and it does not dry out quickly the plumeria does not like that at all. #4) A well draining pot. Do not let the plant grow in a container without adequate drainage holes, do not let the plant sit in a saucer or tray with water in it. #5) Warmth. A rooting cutting has a much better chance if it is kept warm (not hot), bottom heat helps a lot such as a heat mat, warm concrete, etc. It doesn't need a lot of sun while it is trying to root, this can be too stressful. After you're calloused and your container and well draining medium is all set, get something to stake the plant with. Optional is to wet the end and dip in rooting hormone. Pot and stake the cutting and water it one time, thoroughly until the medium is all wet. And then you wait. Keep it warm. Do not water it again until you see roots in the container. Again, so sorry for your loss of all that hard work and hope. Hopefully this info helps you or someone else in the future to root a cutting. :)