Plumeria
'Frangipani'
Plumerias (/pluːˈmɛriə/) are easy to grow and care for. They thrive both outdoors in warmer climates, and indoors, with bright light, in almost any climate. Plumeria are drought-tolerant and suitable for xeriscaping (zeer-i-skey-ping or zeer-i-skeyp) as they only require average watering. Once acclimated to their new environment they are relatively carefree and can do well for short periods when neglected. Maintenance can generally be kept to a minimum, and they are not usually affected by insects or viruses.
Very few plants and flowers in the world can compete or compare to the beauty and pleasure that these plants will provide their owners. The flowers are both long-lasting and fragrant, and usually bloom over long periods of time. Plumeria flowers make beautiful arrangements and the plants are suitable for growing in containers. Plumeria species have a milky latex that, like many other Apocynaceae contains poisonous compounds that irritate the eyes and skin. Caution should be used where small children or pets are present. With new hybrids and species, the array of colors and fragrances are almost endless .
Plumeria is a genus of flowering plants in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae. Most species are deciduous shrubs or small trees. The species variously are indigenous to Mexico, Polynesia, Central America, and the Caribbean, and as far south as Brazil, but are grown as cosmopolitan ornamentals in warm regions. Common names for plants in the genus vary widely according to region, variety, and whim, but frangipani or variations on that theme are the most common. Plumeria also is used directly as a common name, especially in horticultural circles. There are more than 300 named varieties of Plumeria. (American Plumeria society, Florida.)
Rooting & Caring For Plumeria Cuttings 101
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Measure and mark the cutting about 3 to 4 inches from the bottom.
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Fill your container with a good quality potting soil to about 1 inch from the pot rim. Adding about an inch of loose stones to the bottom of the pot will help with drainage.
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All the cuttings come with a rooting agent already applied to the rooting base.
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Carefully remove the tape from around the bottom section of the cutting. (NOTE: If you see some small white spots beginning to protrude from the lower portion of the cuttings when you remove the tape, do not be concerned about it as it is likely the roots already starting to form.)
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Make a hole the size of your cutting to a depth of 3 to 4 inches to comfortably accommodate the cutting.
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Leaving the rooting agent on the cutting, insert the cutting into the prepared hole.
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Press and firm the soil all around your cutting making sure to fill in any air pockets. Add more soil if needed.
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If planting indoors, it is optional to fill the pot with pea gravel or decorator stones. If stone are added, again press and firm it down.
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Water well and place in a shaded area outside, or near a bright window if inside.
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Roots should start to form almost immediately. Leaves should appear in 2 to 3 weeks.
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Once your Plumeria is growing, water sparingly when the soil is dry to the touch to one inch depth.
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Fertilize in early spring with a fertilizer high in phosphorus. (i.e. 15-30-15 or other “Blooming Fertilizer)
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Sit back and enjoy one of the most beautiful and easy to care for plants on earth. Happy Gardening!
