Can You Root a Dormant Plumeria Cutting?

Taking Cuttings

• Dormant cuttings root best if the parent plant is healthy and vibrant. Avoid weak, spindly growth, which often isn't vigorous enough to root. Cut stems measuring at least 12 inches, making each cut flush with the main stem to avoid unsightly stubs. Pinch remaining leaves from the cuttings, and then trim the stems to 8 or 9 inches. To remind you which way the stem should be oriented, trim the tops of the stems -- the part furthest from the plant -- at an angle and the bottoms of the stems straight across.

Planting Cuttings

• Dormant cuttings root easily in an open patch of well-tilled soil. If the soil isn't already loosened, spade the area thoroughly to a depth of at least 10 to 12 inches. If the soil contains clay, the addition of 3 to 4 inches of compost improves drainage. Planting the cuttings is a simple process -- just insert each cutting vertically into the soil until the top 1 to 1 1/2 inch of the stem is above the surface of the soil. Be sure to plant the cuttings with the angled ends facing up. Water deeply to saturate the soil around the cuttings. If you are rooting more than one cutting, leave 4 to 6 inches of space between each one.

Rooted Cuttings

• Hardwood cuttings often take several months to root, but by the end of the next growing season, healthy new growth will appear at the top of each cutting. Dig the cuttings in fall and transplant the new plumeria plants to their permanent spots. Alternatively, you can plant the cuttings in decorative pots or 1-gallon containers.

Dermatitis

• Wear gloves when you work with plumeria because the milky sap of plumeria stems often causes skin irritation, including redness and a rash. In some cases, the skin irritation can be extremely painful. If the sap touches your skin, wash the area with soap and water as soon as possible. Call your local poison control center if the reaction is severe.