Plumerias are beautiful tropical trees that produce fragrant and stunning flowers. However, if you want to propagate them, you need to know how to cut plumerias properly. In this post, we will discuss everything you need to know about cutting plumerias for propagating.
Getting Started
Before cutting your plumeria, make sure it is healthy and disease-free. Choose a stem that is at least 12 inches long with two or three nodes present on it. Nodes are the small bumps on the stem where leaves have grown from in the past.
Tools You Need
To properly cut your plumeria, there are some essential tools you should have:
– A sharp pruning shears
– A clean cloth or towel
– Rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide (for disinfecting)
– Rooting hormone powder
Steps on How To Cut Plumerias For Propagating
Step 1: Disinfect Your Tools
Sanitize your pruning shears by cleaning them with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide before using them.
Step 2: Identify The Right Spot
Look for a part of the tree where there is new growth but not yet matured enough as flowering branches grow fastly than vegetative ones making rooting difficult.
Step 3: Make The Cut
Using your sanitized pruning shear make an angled cut of approximately 45 degrees around one-eighth inch above each node present in stem near the bottom portion keeping care not curving downwards towards lower side so that water doesn’t settle over the wound causing rotting.
Here’s another important thing; never rip off any branch from its tree because doing so can cause harm and damage due to tearing all plant tissues involved.
Step 4: Remove Leaves
After cutting ensure removal of leaves from upper half part leaving some intact too much leaf material can lead to extra transpiration loss leading failure in roots development which needs proper moisture conditions minimising any excessive moisture loss.
Step 5: Apply Hormone Powder
Apply rooting hormone powder on your cutting’s bottom end, and shake off any excess. This will help stimulate the growth of new roots.
Step 6: Plant Your Cutting
Plant the cuttings in a well-draining soil mix, making sure to leave only one node above ground level. Water well but avoid overwatering as that may lead to rotting.
Caring for Your Cuttings
To ensure successful propagation, you need to take good care of your plumeria cuttings. Here are some tips:
– Keep them in a warm place with bright indirect light.
– Mist regularly with water; this helps to maintain proper humidity.
– Avoid exposing them to direct sunlight or extreme heat.
– Covering plants with plastic bags creates humidity or use propagating boxes, which can create an environment for healthy root development.
Conclusion
Knowing how to cut plumerias properly is essential if you want to propagate these beautiful trees successfully. With the right tools and steps in place, you can quickly grow new plants from existing ones through cuttings. Following our guidelines ensures success by giving sufficient effort and keeping patience while waiting for rooted cutting establishment taking time depending upon variety and circumstances surrounding it!
