How to Root Plumeria

Take 23-inches-long cuttings from dormant plumeria stems during November, measuring from the tips. Use a sharp scissors and angle the lower cut at 45 degrees.

Place cuttings in a large plastic bag. Coil the cuttings loosely to make them fit. Cover with dry sand and store in a dry, shaded spot until February.

Prepare rooting medium by filling a medium-size pot with equal amounts of sand, peat and perlite. You also can use fine gravel to root the cuttings. You can plant three to four cuttings in the pot spaced 2 to 3 inches apart.

Insert a pencil at a depth of about 2 inches to create planting holes in the rooting medium. Space holes 1 to 2 inches apart.

Pour about an inch of rooting hormone into a plastic cup. Remove cuttings from the plastic bag. Dip the base of each cutting into the rooting hormone and place immediately it in the individual planting holes.

Firm the soil around the cuttings and water well. Place the pot in a warm, bright area out of direct sunlight. Water enough to keep the rooting medium moist. Do not overwater. It takes several weeks for the cuttings to root. Tug very gently at the cuttings to test for roots. Rooted cuttings will hold their ground. If the cuttings feel loose, let them stay a couple more weeks before testing again.

Transfer rooted cuttings to individual pots filled with well-draining potting soil. Let plants get well established over the period of two to three months by developing new leaves and stronger stems before your transplant to permanent spots in the garden.