I have be growing this cutting for a little bit in Las Vegas and it seems like it is starting to grow faster now. I have heard not to water fully until it has complete leaves, but wanted to double check. I give it a drink once or twice a week but not much at all. The dirt is just so dry! lol! When should I start really soaking it? Thanks!!

Hi mtrhowe85! I usually wait for at least one fully open leaf, before I give it a thorough watering. It is a bit of a wait, just be very patient with it. At least it has very nice leaf claws, so it is getting ready. I think the very poor humidity in my area makes it far longer than usual to grow the new leaves faster.

@mtrhowe85. I am no expert here but do grow and root a lot of plumeria. For me at least, when I am rooting cuttings, seeing leaf-growth is simply an indication that (perhaps) there is root growth. The roots are what you care about, not really the leaves. A cutting can grow leaves but still have no roots, though those roots should be close to forming. Without roots, your cuttings really can't utilize water per se. I will just mist my cuttings every week or even every other week. I don't water the 100% coarse perlite I root mine in. Watering the rooting media with plants having roots invites rot.

Thanks! I am pretty sure it has had roots for a while. I read to try and gently twist the stick to see if it moves freely and mine is stuck in one place. I will keep it dry until the leaves fully open. Thanks again!

That's a good sign, @mtrhowe85. I would never trust the "gentle-tug" test to be the defining action though. I always remove my plants to check on rooting. If yours is in some sort of soil, you can just hit the sides of the pot in several places with the heal of your hand, invert the pot, holding your palm against the surface/plant base, and let the root-ball fall free of the pot. Did you actually root the cutting in "dirt"? If so, and IF the pot is large enough, you can leave it in its pot. However, if the root-ball is really full of roots, and the roots have already extended to the pot itself, I would up-pot the plant, root-ball and all. Plumeria, once they root and begin to actively grow, need a lot of root-space. Keep in mind these are trees, not houseplants.

If you do see lots of roots, and whether you up-pot or not, I would not hesitate to water your plant. That's just me, you understand. I would be the first to admit I am no plumeria expert.

You are too modest, Ken All of your plants are awesome! Every plant I have that came from you is strong and healthy. AND there is that beautiful record breaking plumeria you have grown.

Hi,
Thanks ken for your advice in the past, the 2 plumeria cuttings I have left now are growing as the pictures show but I think the 3rd one is lost as once again the rot set in even after waiting for a callus to form and then repotting, it is now about 5cm long and maybe 3rd time lucky but I think it's unlikely 🙁
The other 2 have not yet been watered, and I think that the single stem is still without roots but the twin stem may have roots as he feels more secure. My mum has one and she has watered it and it has gone mad... it looks to me almost at the point of flowering, so she obviously has the gift!
Should I water my 2 yet seeing as they have developed leaves?
Any advice as ever is welcome, as having got them this far I don't want to loose them