When searching the internet for plumeria
cuttings to purchase, it's easy to get
carried away.
Practically every cutting you see is one
you want for one reason or another.
Some you choose because of the name.
The other choices you make are based
on the color, fragrance and/or the price.
In the end you order a bundle of cuttings
and all purchased are justified based on
your needs and wants to complete your
plumeria collection.
The day that the cuttings arrive at your
front door, you open the boxes and get
even more excited as you plant each new
cutting noticing how many of them already
have developed small "claws".
These claws soon will develop into leaves
and new growth on any plumeria cutting is
reason to celebrate.
Arranging all your newly ordered planted
plumeria cuttings where you want them,
you proudly and excitedly admire these
new additions to your collection.
But this excitement soon can turn into a
problematic logistic question, "Why did I
buy so many cuttings?", once the
plumeria cuttings have rooted and start
to grow "full steam ahead" developing
leaves more than a foot long.
It's relatively easy to plant and space
15 or more unrooted cuttings as the
picture below of some of the cuttings I
planted at the beginning of September
2012 illustrates.
 |
| Plumeria cuttings planted on Sept. 4, 2012 |
It's important to consider the growing space you
have available for your plumeria cuttings after
they start actively growing.
The overlapping and crowding newly growing
leaves open the door to harmful disease and
insect problems due to interference with
proper lighting, humidity and airflow of each
individual planted cutting.
The overlapping and crowding newly growing
leaves open the door to harmful disease and
insect problems due to interference with
proper lighting, humidity and airflow of each
individual planted cutting.
The picture below shows Plumeria 'Makanani'.
The cutting was planted on May 12, 2012
in Chicago with the spent inflorescence
still attached and three branches just
emerging.
in Chicago with the spent inflorescence
still attached and three branches just
emerging.
As of September 6, 2012 the plant
already had a span of 28 1/2 inches
with leaves up to 13 inches long.
already had a span of 28 1/2 inches
with leaves up to 13 inches long.
 |
| Plumeria 'Makanani' |
The picture below shows Plumeria 'Pink Pansy'
which is considered to have a compact growth
habit.
The cutting, which had just flowered and started
to develop two branches, was planted, like
Makanani above, on May 12, 2012 in Chicago.
As of September 6, 2012 the plant had a span
of 16 inches with leaves averaging 8 inches
in length.
of 16 inches with leaves averaging 8 inches
in length.
 | ||||
| Plumeria 'Pink Pansy' |
When comparing the sizes of Makanani and
Pink Pansy, the young plants already exhibit
the difference in growth habit at an early
stage.
Thankfully, many internet retailers list the
growth habit of plumerias offered as cuttings
and/or plants.
Next time you're purchasing plumeria
cuttings and/or plants consider their growth
habit if growing space is an issue for you.
If the growth habit of a specific plumeria you
want to purchase isn't listed, contact the
retailer by email.
When purchasing plumerias on the internet,
it is important to consider the big picture of
where am I going to put all the cuttings I want
to buy.
And where can they be planted to provide
the best growing conditions without
endangering them and preventing them
from proper and successful growth.
My plumeria book,
How To Grow Plumeria - Frangipani Anytime Anywhere!,
which is currently offered with FREE SHIPPING,
gives you step-by-step instructions what to do
with your plumerias now and enjoy them again
flowering during the 2013 growing season.
Happy Growing,
Bob Walsh
www.HowToGrowPlumeriaFrangipani.com