Information on the Native Frangipani Tree Seed

About

• Mature frangipani seeds are hard to come by commercially, though you may be able to obtain them from members of Plumeria societies and other noncommercial sources. Seeds of frangipani or Plumeria plants form when flowers are pollinated, whether by wind, animal agent or human hand. The seedpod begins to grow immediately after pollination and takes eight or nine months to mature. Even in colder climates where trees are brought indoors for frost protection or go dormant in the garage for the winter, developing seedpods will continue to mature.

Collecting

• In spring, loosely wrap ripening seedpods with cheesecloth or a leg from women's pantyhose to catch the mature frangipani seeds when the seedpod dries and opens up. The point is to catch the seed while allowing good air circulation for continued seed ripening. Individual seeds look something like maple tree seeds, complete with a papery wing and a plump embryo at one end. Keep in mind that all frangipani plants grown from seed are not genetically identical to the parent plant, even if flowers and other traits seem similar.

Germinating

• One way to germinate frangipani or plumeria seeds is to imitate nature -- planting seeds directly in the ground, papery wing and all, with the plump end down. "Presoak" seeds by placing them between layers of moist terrycloth for 24 hours. At that point viable seeds will have absorbed a great deal of water and plumped up greatly. Plant these plump seeds in a germination tray or other containers filled with sterile germination soil. Water thoroughly and place containers in a warm, sunny window. Seeds will germinate in three to 14 days.

Growing

• When seedlings have three or four true leaves, transplant each seedling to its own container and planting soil suitable for mature plants. Water frangipani plants regularly, and feed them monthly with a balanced fertilizer such as 20-20-20. Seedlings will typically grow to 6 inches tall within eight weeks and stand about 1 foot tall in a year. Treat young plants as adults after this first year. Young frangipani trees grown from seed will be ready to bloom after three to five years of growth.

Rooting

• Grow frangipani or plumeria from cuttings to generate plants exactly like the parent. Take cuttings in spring or summer if possible. Choose healthy, vigorous branches -- with two or more growing points for more compact, pot-friendly plants -- and take cuttings 12 to 18 inches long, with some wood with gray bark. Cut stems at an angle, using a very sharp knife sterilized with rubbing alcohol between each cut. Dip cut ends in rooting hormone powder containing fungicide, then set the cuttings aside in a warm, dry place for several days to allow the cut to heal. Dip cuttings in hormone again before rooting them, then stick them in shallow, moist sand, perlite or potting soil in a well-drained container; stake cuttings if needed. Place the planted stems in strong or full sunlight in a warm room -- or on sun-baked concrete, in warm climates. New leaf growth, usually within six to eight weeks, tells you that roots have formed.