Materials You’ll Need:

1. Healthy, mature plumeria plant with disease-free branches
2. Sharp, sterilized pruning shears or a pruning saw
3. Rooting hormone (optional but recommended)
4. A clean, dry container or tray
5. Well-draining rooting medium (perlite, potting soil (without additives), or a mixture of perlite and peat moss or choir)
6. A Spray bottle with water.
7. Clear plastic bag or humidity dome (optional)
8. Warm and bright location (without direct sunlight)

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Selecting the Right Cutting: When taking cuttings from a plumeria plant, it’s important to select a mature plant that is at least 1-2 years old and has healthy, disease-free branches. The ideal time to take these cuttings is during the spring or early summer when the plant is in its active growth phase.
2. Preparation: To prevent the spread of diseases, it’s important to ensure that your pruning shears or saw are clean and sterilized before taking cuttings. You can achieve this by sterilizing them with rubbing alcohol or a mixture of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water.
3. Identify the Cuttings: When searching for branches, aim for those that measure 12 to 18 inches in length and possess a minimum of two to three growth nodes, which are the areas where leaves or branches sprout.
4. Cut the Stem: To propagate a plant, use sharp pruning shears or a saw to make a clean cut just below a leaf node at a 45-degree angle. This angle helps maximize the surface area for rooting. Some people believe cutting at a 90-degree angle will produce more roots, but you can experiment with both methods to make your own decision. If the cutting is large, you can divide it into smaller sections, making sure each section has at least one growth node.
5. Apply Rooting Hormone (Optional): If you want the best possible outcome, it is advised to use rooting hormone right after taking the cutting. Waiting too long can decrease its effectiveness. To speed up and increase the chances of successful rooting, dip the callused end of the plumeria cutting into rooting hormone powder and shake off any excess to avoid overdoing it.
6. Remove Leaves: To prevent water loss through transpiration, it’s recommended to remove the majority of leaves from the cutting, leaving around 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) of the leaf stem attached to the stem. By doing this, the cutting can still undergo photosynthesis while minimizing water loss.
7. Callusing Time: Once you have cut the plumeria, it’s important to keep the cuttings in a warm and dry location for around 1 to 2 weeks. This will allow the cut ends to callus properly. It’s important to make sure that the callus is hard and not soft before planting. This process of callusing helps prevent rotting when the cutting is placed in the rooting medium.
8. Prepare the Rooting Medium: To propagate a plant, prepare a clean container or tray with a well-draining rooting medium. This can be a mix of potting soil, coarse perlite, or a combination of perlite and peat moss or choir. Make sure the medium is moist but not overly saturated with water. A recommended ratio is 1/2 coarse perlite.
9. Plant the Cutting: To plant a plumeria cutting, create a hole in the rooting medium and insert the callused end. Make sure to bury at least one growth node and plant the cutting about 2"-3" deep, depending on its size. Then, gently firm the medium around the cutting to secure it in place.
10. Provide Humidity (Optional): To create a more humid environment for your plant cuttings, you have the option to place the container inside a clear plastic bag or use a humidity dome. This helps to retain moisture and promote healthy rooting.
11. Place in a Warm and Bright Location: For best growth results, put the container in a warm, well-lit area that receives indirect sunlight. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight, as this can harm the cutting. To promote rooting, aim for a soil temperature between 75-95°F.
12. Mist the Cutting: To ensure the health of your cutting, it’s important to mist it regularly. If you’re using a humidity dome, be sure to spray the inside of the plastic bag or dome to maintain a moist environment. However, be careful not to overwater your cutting, as too much moisture can cause it to rot.
13. Rooting Time: The amount of time it takes for a plumeria cutting to root can vary depending on the type of plumeria and the environmental conditions. It may take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months. Signs that the cutting has rooted include the emergence of new growth or resistance when gently tugging on the cutting.
14. Transplanting: Once the cutting has developed a robust root system, typically with several inches of fresh growth, it is ready to be relocated to a well-draining potting mix that is suitable for plumerias.

If you follow these steps, you can take plumeria cuttings like a professional nurseryman and successfully propagate new plants. This is an exciting and rewarding process that enables you to grow more beautiful plumeria specimens to share with others and enjoy.