I just wanted to add that here in FL, JJ sells cuttings wholesale to commercial growers that pot them up in spring and then sell to places like Lowes. I could be wrong but I have assumed these were unrooted cuttings. When you think about it, from spring to mid-summer is not a lot of time for a brand new cutting, and by that time the plants are now on a truck getting driven around the state, getting slung around and then slung around again by the guy at Lowes and then handled even more by customers. I guess it work out OK in most cases, and the commercial growers don't want to keep the plants in their greenhouse for a year. However I think the customer might get a stronger plant, albeit one that most (present forum members excluded) aren't willing to pay a premium for :)

Well, for my growing situation, which is much different than people in CA or TX or FL, I prefer to make longer cuttings, because I think they root more easily. The cutting just has more reserves to weather the rooting process. My growing (and rooting) season is shorter, so they need all the help they can get! I take a cutting of from 14 inches to 24 inches in length. If the cutting has several growing tips (which usually indicates a more mature cutting), you might get away with a shorter cutting...at least 12 inches long. I've rooted cuttings that were much shorter though. And some varieties are just easier to root than others. I've rooted 5-inch Aztec Golds with no problem. But may have lost a 12" Puu Kahea. Also, I try to select a cutting that is mostly grayish in color -- this indicates more mature growth. New, softer growth is a bright green color. Very green 'wood' does want to form roots as readily and is much more sensitive to moisture (more prone to rot) in the rooting process. Another important factor is the fresh cutting should be allowed to air dry for a week to several weeks. some say the more difficult-to-root cuttings should be left to air dry longer. Jim Little in his book "Growing Plumeria in Hawaii" suggests another method where he cuts through the branch not quite all the way, and lets the nearly-severed cutting hang from the tree. This way the cut heals but still receives a minimum of sustenance from the mother plant through the 'bark'. After a few weeks it apparently will root more readily. I've never tried this though. Has anyone else??

Hi, Karen and Karen B., I have no idea what the name of this plumeria is. I got it as a gift 2 years ago from my cousin in TX. The bright yellow was the 1st branch that bloomed. The other 2 pics are of the new red rimmed flower on the 2nd branch that has just opened up. If you look at the buds in both pics, they are very different. The yellow has bloomed 2 years in a row now and they've looked exactly alike. I hope these pictures come through so you can see them! I have no idea what I'm doing! lol I wanted to put bigger pics on here so you could easily see the buds. Crafty Here is a link that might be useful: http://s218.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/craftymama132001/?action=share

Congartulations. Its a great feeling to get one of these plants to bloom especially for the first time. They come in so many colors and sizes its hard not to be addicted to growing them. Good luck and enjoy it! My first pluemria to bloom bloomed around late august or early september and its indoors now and still blooming, so if your lucky you might have some buds still opening in time for the holidays.