Agree with Hetty ..Not dumb at all, Mike...it is just that for me I have been finding it hard to root a plumeria cutting. So by grafting, instant plant. Some are really successful with rooting plumies, but I am not one of them so far I have read too that there are some plumie cuttings that are really stubborn to root, but some are easy..I guess it depends what type you got. And I have made blunders in my growing culture too..so learning along the way..my ultimate last resort is to get a grafted one. I planned to do that this year, but since I got another nice cutting, I will give it another shot before heading to buy grafted plumie.

Tarev? It's not supposed to be in full sun? Why didn't you tell me that? I thought it liked sun! My Attempt #3 Red Plumie survived the rain storm and the wet dish it was sitting in. I will move it so that it gets less sun. The good news is that it looks like it want's to put out 3 branches on it's itty bitty 8"!

Oh, don't get confused Cheryl..what I am finding out..if it is still a cutting, with no roots yet, still trying to form one, in my area, it likes to be in part sun/part shade and ambient temps at stable 80's and higher during daytime and lows at 57F to 65F.

Plumerias do like full sun, I think, eventually as it gets its bearings right, when its roots are fully formed, with good leaves, ably drinking away.

Tarev,
So, what are you trying to grow? Earlier you wrote, "...my ultimate last resort is to get a grafted one."
Are you not able to get a "plummie" that has already rooted and perhaps has a couple of branches already?


I DON'T UNDERSTAND!!!

Hi Mike..unfortunately I do not see any rooted plumeria sold here in my area. I can order one online, but I want to grow one directly from a cutting..there is one nursery in the Bay area that has them now but it is grafted and a bit pricey for my pocket I have been good in growing succulents..but the plumie by far has eluded me..but I am trying to learn and adapt my growing ways.

I see plumies a lot in Southern Cali..but not here in Northern Cali..I was hoping the big box stores will carry them this year..but they don't..

Ahhhh....thank you for clearing that up. I guess I should count my blessings that they're so abundant here.

I WILL say however, that there's something noble about doing it that way. And I'm sure those who graft appreciate them even more!

Maybe I'll give it a shot. Although (without being too obvious) I have some reading to do!

How is the connection actually made?

There are other reasons for grafting, besides creating "rainbow trees ", such as when you're trying to save cuttings that are far too short too root easily...(1-2 inch tips), or when trying to create a cross -species tree (smile) say, a standard tree with a P.rubra trunk, and P. stenopetala branches, with a pendulous, "weeping " growth habit, or when attempting to shorten a plumeria plant that's grown too tallish. ("Down -grafting ") There are other reasons, too
Not a stupid question at all..
And Tarev, I agree. Dappled shade or an easrern exposure for rooting plumies, or for those that haven't grown enough leaves to protect their trunks from sunburn or sun damage. I agree with your other observations, as well, at least when growing plumeria here!

Thanks Cyra it has been a learning curve for me really....adjusting what I know and read about to what I actually see happening in my garden..micro climates..the Achilles heel at times

I also think humidity plays a role in getting plumies to root. You don't want to water so much that the cutting rots, but keeping it evenly moist is good. More of a challenge for you Californians than for us here in FL. Spray, mist, shower . ..

I've never had a cutting fail to root, not bragging, I just think I'm lucky and have lots of humidity. I always keep them in the shade until they have leaves fully open. A plant can't use sun to make food for itself unless it has leaves to collect the sun. (well, some plants can do photosynthesis with their stems, but not many). So direct sun won't do much besides dessicate a cutting. Shade, humidity and luck are my best ingredients for success.

After they're well rooted and leafed out, most can take full sun all day here - except my variegated one, which seems to like just morning sun. The white areas on the leaves burn a little.

Agree with you Elaine..about that humidity factor..we do not have that here in my area..sadly...and I do not dare mist it either..the cuttings just do not like it..we get a fast cool down at night..so dry as it goes..

I do know Plumies are really tough cookies once fully rooted..have seen them grow very big and tall in my home country before..true veterans of floods and moonsoon rains. I guess that is why I got blindsided rooting cuttings, I forgot the equatorial humidity the plants get in my home country oh well......anyhow, learning as I go forever and ever..

When I visited San Diego last year I couldn't believe how different the growing conditions are from ours.

I have a friend in San Diego, nearer to the coastline and they get June gloom weather..those cloudy, cool days, temps not going beyond 70F..she has successful plumies growing in her yard. And recently one of them had to be cut down, collapsed by its weight..and her cuttings are leafing faster, even stored indoors, totally neglected, no sun, cooler ambient temps..so go figure..cranky pots cuttings..

Our local HD is finally carrying plumies...oh well..just when I got my plumie from Ken..but it's okay, Ken's plumie is a bit longer and the stem is thicker,seems to be a month or so more mature than the ones in HD when I compare the number of growing leaves. So got to remember, they carry the rooted plumies in August. Our weather has been exceptionally nice last week..so fall-like, good timing to break-in the rooted plumie I got from Ken. Keeping fingers crossed!

Going to ditch 3rd attempt.. Anyhow..will continue with 4th attempt. This one still doing a bit better considering I started the cutting in July, though the leaves has yet to open, still making claws, I hope it will try to open up its leaves before summer ends. Thankfully our hot weather is back, can't believe am saying am thankful for it But for my plumies, am thankful for it.

It's photo as of 14Aug2013


I do have a rooted cutting which I got from Ken, it is doing okay I think, though for some reason some lower leaves turned yellow. I do not know if it was just adjusting to our area, maybe it is. At least even if I have ditched my 3rd attempt, I have this rooted plumie and the 4th cutting to watch out for. Try and try and try

Lower leaves will yellow and fall off over time. That's normal. That process will be speeded up when the plant is stressed, such as when shipping it. You will have noticed that I do not cut my leaves off when shipping rooted plumeria, as many people do. I will let Mother Nature do that as the plant recovers from transit. I want my rooted plumeria to have as many viable leaves as possible as it recovers. I don't know if this is the "right" thing to do, but it seems to work for the rooted plumeria that I ship. Ken

Thanks Ken, I am glad you did not cut the leaves, I like seeing how full grown they were. I am closely watching the stem, and so far it has remained firm, so that's okay with me, and the upper leaves are holding on.

I initially planned to ditch my 3rd attempt..but decided to hold on to it..chopped off the rotting end..now left with 3 inches. I know it might be futile to grow this short cutting..but what have I to lose for it..I read somewhere to put dehydrated cuttings in water, and it will plump back. As much as I feel it might be contrary to what I know, have dabbed some rootone, put the 3-inch cutting in a little glass container with a little water in it. Have placed it on top of our internet player, since this machine has passive heat. Who knows, maybe it will try to root..

Well, surprise, surprise..little cutting is plumping back Maybe there is still a chance after all! Will see how far along the little one goes.

My Plumie Celadine from Ken has finally managed to open a new leaf! Just so happy to see the plant acclimating well. At this time, I just want to see it grow more leaves, to see it settle even more. I initially lost two lower leaves..for awhile it seemed touch and go.At least now I know, the plant likes my area too after all But am not off the woods yet...I want to see how when it will start to sleep for winter..and if I can make it come back next season....in the meantime..baby steps...

Looking good Tarev!