Hi everyone, this is my first attempt at rooting a plumeria cutting and I need some help reading the signs. I first potted the cutting a month ago in 2/3 perlite 1/3 potting soil in a terra cotta pot with a layer of pebbles on top. The cutting arrived with two existing leaves which I left on, but they started curling and looked unhealthy so yesterday I cut them off. The stem is firm throughout, but has significant wrinkling and some dark scabs near the top. There are some small leaves forming which look healthy. Since the new leaves appeared, I've been watering lightly 1-2 times a week since it has been very hot & humid in NYC (85F) and my moisture meter shows the soil draining very quickly. I pricked the stem near the dark areas and white sap came out.

Today I carefully removed the cutting to check for roots and I didn't see anything obvious, but there were some tiny bumps, kind of hard to see with the dirt. I put it back in the pot with more rooting hormone. I'm wondering if someone can look at the photo and share your opinion on whether roots are coming or not. I'm also not sure how to judge the stem - whether it's dehydration or potential rot. Any input you can share would be so helpful - I really don't want to lose this cutting!

Anyone? Or have I stumped you all?

Welcome! I'm new here too!

I think you just need to be more patient- if the cutting is producing new leaves, just leave it and let it do its thing. You'll disrupt it more by taking the clipping out of the pot constantly to check for roots. I did a new clipping in February, and mine didn't start rooting solidly until May or so. Do you keep it indoors or outdoors? Keep watering it regularly, probably every other day at least if it's kept outside, and make sure the bottom of the pot has plenty of drainage - I use river rocks in mine. Good luck!

It looks like it's just dried out. As mentioned by kanona82, try not to get curious or impatient and un-pot it. It could have developed or been developing a few small roots that were knocked off when being pulled out of the soil. When the roots are just starting, they are very fragile. Just be patient. You can water occasionally if it is really hot and dry, but generally just mist it occasionally to keep it from drying out, and don't truly/deeply water until full leaves are formed. Definitely try not to keep it moist, as this will cause rot. If it is firm and wrinkly, then it is dehydrated. If it is soft and wrinkly, it is rotting. kanona82 also pointed out a key item--good drainage. If you are going to be watering it, then definitely make sure that it has plenty of drainage and good airflow.

This is my plumeria cutting that I got back in March. It has been doing good, but I just noticed this morning that the stem is wrinkled and soft. Can someone help me figure out what's going on. I would greatly appreciate the help.

Mik.
I suspect it's trying too hard to do two things at once: rooting, and trying to sustain that inflorescence. However hard this is to do - you should remove the inflo and then the stick will put its energy solely into rooting.

Thank you for your advice. I will give that a try and hopefully it will come back for me