Buzz
Plumeria, also known as frangipani, is a visually striking tropical flower that comes in a wide array of vibrant colors and can thrive both indoors and outdoors when provided with suitable conditions. To cultivate plumeria, you can use cuttings taken from a mature plumeria plant to grow a new one. Begin by cutting a healthy branch, removing most of its leaves, and allowing it to dry. Then, plant it in appropriate soil. By following these steps carefully and using the right materials, you can grow your very own plumeria plant.
Steps
Cut and Dry the Branch
Select thick and healthy branches that are at least 30 cm long. To obtain a cutting, use pruning shears or a saw to remove a sturdy, lush branch from a mature plumeria plant. Opt for branches that are brown or dark green, as these indicate maturity. If you’re cutting the branch yourself, the best time to do so is during spring or early summer.
- Disinfect your pruning tools with rubbing alcohol to prevent the spread of bacteria or diseases to the cuttings.
- You can also purchase plumeria cuttings from nurseries or online retailers.
Remove flowers and leaves from the cutting. Flowers and leaves on the branch will compete with new root growth and hinder the cutting's development. To prevent this, use sterilized scissors or pruning shears to remove all leaves and flowers from the branch.
- Wear gloves while working, as plumeria sap can irritate your skin.
Allow the cuttings to dry in a shaded area for 1-2 weeks. Plumeria cuttings must be dried before planting. Leave the cuttings undisturbed for 1-2 weeks to allow the cut ends to callous and the rest of the cutting to dry out.
- Place the cuttings in a warm or humid location for optimal results.
Plant or store the plumeria cuttings. Once the cut ends have calloused and the cuttings are dry, they are ready to be planted. If you plan to store the cuttings before planting, wrap the cut ends with plastic wrap and secure them with rubber bands. Dried cuttings can be stored for 2-3 months.
- Discard any cuttings that show signs of disease or mold.
Planting the Cuttings
Use a 4-liter or larger pot for each cutting. The size of the pot will determine how large the plumeria can grow. Ensure the pot has drainage holes at the bottom to prevent waterlogging, which can cause the cutting to rot.
- Even if you plan to grow the plumeria outdoors, start by planting it in a pot indoors first.
- Each cutting should be planted in its own pot.
Fill the pot with 2 parts perlite and 1 part fast-draining potting soil. You can purchase soil labeled as fast-draining online or at nurseries. Thoroughly mix the perlite and soil until evenly combined. Fill the pot with the mixture, leaving about 2.5 cm of space from the rim. This ensures the cutting has enough soil to grow and prevents spillage when watering.
- Fast-draining soil mixtures help prevent mold from forming on the cuttings.
Water the soil until it is moist. When watering, ensure excess water drains through the holes at the bottom of the pot. If water doesn’t drain, use a lighter and more porous soil mixture.
- If desired, add 1 part vermiculite to the soil mix to improve drainage.
Dip the cut end of the cutting into rooting hormone, if desired. While optional, rooting hormone encourages root growth. You can purchase rooting powder online or at nurseries. First, dip the cut end into water, then into the rooting powder to coat about 2.5 – 5 cm of the cutting.
- Dipping the cutting in water first helps the rooting powder adhere better.
Insert the cutting into the soil, burying it about 7.5 – 10 cm deep. Place the cut end of the cutting into the center of the pot. Add more soil around it to secure the cutting. Firm the soil around the base to prevent the cutting from wobbling or shifting while rooting.
- Burying the cutting 7.5 – 10 cm deep provides enough space for roots to develop.
Use a stake to support larger cuttings. If the cutting is too heavy and droops, use a stake to keep it upright in the pot. Insert the stake deep into the soil and tie the cutting to it with string. This will help stabilize the cutting while roots form.
Place the pot in a warm area and wait for the cutting to root. Typically, plumeria takes 4-8 weeks to develop roots. You can place the pot on a seedling heat mat to increase soil temperature and encourage root growth. New shoots appearing at the top of the cutting indicate that the plant is thriving.
- Plumeria prefers environments with temperatures above 16°C.
Caring for Plumeria
Water the plumeria with at least 2.5 cm of water weekly. If it rains frequently, outdoor plumeria may not need additional watering. However, during dry spells or for indoor plants, water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom of the pot once a week.
- Avoid overwatering. Plumeria can die from excessive water. Check the soil moisture by ensuring the top 2.5 cm is dry before watering again.
Place the plant in an area with 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. Plumeria will not bloom without sufficient sunlight. If kept outdoors, choose a spot with direct sunlight.
- Even if you plan to keep the plant outdoors, it’s best to grow plumeria in a pot.
Bring the plant indoors when temperatures drop below 10°C. Plumeria is not cold-tolerant. While it thrives in room-temperature environments, frost and cold can kill the plant or force it into dormancy. To prevent this, move the plumeria indoors when the weather becomes too cold.
- If the plumeria is planted in the ground outdoors, it will enter a 3-month dormancy period when temperatures drop too low.
Apply liquid fertilizer to the plant every 1-3 weeks during the growing season. Purchase organic fertilizer specifically designed for plumeria or tropical plants. You can find liquid fertilizers online or at nurseries. Spray thoroughly on the leaves and branches during spring and summer; stop fertilizing in fall and winter.
- Mix or dilute the fertilizer according to the instructions on the product label.
- Spraying liquid fertilizer on plumeria during its growing season encourages blooming.
- Diluted fertilizer also promotes healthy growth. Avoid over-fertilizing, but regular applications every 1-3 weeks are essential for flowering.
Prune the plumeria to shape it or remove dead branches. Disinfect pruning shears with alcohol and cut branches away from the main stem, leaving about 2.5 cm. Compost or discard the cuttings. Pruning helps prevent disease spread and corrects unwanted growth patterns.
Spray mild horticultural oil on the plant if it is infested with pests. If the plumeria is affected by mites or flies, use a mild horticultural oil (1% solution) on the leaves and main branches to protect the plant.
- Use a Malathion solution if the leaves curl, as this indicates an aphid infestation.
- Avoid placing the plant in excessively hot areas before and after spraying.
- Insecticidal soap can prevent pests but requires weekly application.
What You'll Need
Cutting and Drying the Branch
- Pruning shears
- Rubbing alcohol
- Handheld pruning scissors
- Gardening gloves
- Food wrap (optional)
Growing adenium from cuttings
- Large planting pot
- Perlite
- Potting soil
- Water
- Growth hormone (optional)
- Vermiculite (optional)
Caring for adenium plants
- Water
- Horticultural oil (optional)
- Sterilized pruning shears
- Liquid fertilizer for tropical plants
