Lauri,
Darned if I know. I tried it on several cuttings. Got to the "cottage cheese" nubs, and potted them up. All of them rotted in the pots. Someone, somewhere, posted that you cannot transfer them directly from water to soil, that you have to gradually add soil to the water bath, slowly creating a soil bed as the water evaporates. Seems like too much work to me. I have had more success rooting in a shallow potting soil mix over a heat mat.

Others swear by it and claim almost 100% success, but I could not duplicate that.

What you do is put the calloused cutting in a container of a few inches of tap water (some add ST) and let it sit in a lighted area. Be careful not to let the water get hot in direct sunlight, and, if using a glass container, protect the cutting from any magnifying effect from the lip of the container. Some change the water daily, others not at all, and some change it when it looks dirty. Watch for white "nubs" on the bottom of the cutting, indicating new root formation, then pot the plant. You may leave the cutting in the water until real roots form.

As always, YMMV.

Mike

I tried water rooting an Aztec Gold which is one of the easier varieties to root. I left it in the water for a week or 2 and I think it started getting nubbies but I freaked out and decided to put it in soil. It's doing fine and has just started coming out of dormancy. I soak my cuttings in B-1 and ST for a day or so before I plant them but I'm much more comfortable rooting in a soil/perlite mix.
Karyn

I might just experiment a little this season with the water rooting just for the heck of it. I know one time there was a link on here as to where to get B1 but can't remember what post it was. I checked on Ebay but came up with bathroom vanities. Hmmph. So, anyone know a good link for B1? I've checked in local stores but can't seem to find it.
Lauri

Hi Lauri: Walmart has "Lilly Miller Vitamin B1 Plant Starter" for under $5.00 for one quart size. They sell a smaller size of the same brand for under $3.00. I also buy the Super Thrive at Walmart for $7 and change. Been using this B1 for my Brugmansias and have no complaints. Gloria

Thanks Gloria, That's where I've gotten my SuperThrive also. I'll look for the Lilly Miller.
Lauri

Lauri: Sorry, I just checked the Vitamin B1 bottles... The small size (under $3) is the quart; the under $5.00 size is a gallon. Knew it was more reasonable than my first post. Gloria

Hi Lauri,
That is all I do is water root. I leave them in water till they are covered in root nubs. I then plant them in 1/2 soil and 1/2 perlite. I water them really well so they don't freak out. I set them on heating pads and let them dry out completly. I let them stay dry till they make branches Or start to get leaves. (I have mostly center cuts) I also do this with regular cuttings. I have had great luck (Beginners Luck) I am new as of September 2006. There are alot of very kind and helpfull people here that are always willing to help. Right now I am just a listener soaking it all in. I just thought I would share this with you.
Valerie

Thanks for all the info. It sounds like this water-rooting works quite well. Now my new question is, why don't they rot? When I have over watered cuttings in the past they have rotted.
Welcome to the Plumeriaholics club Valerie!
Lauri

Karyn, You say that you soak your cuttings in B1 and SuperThrive. What sort of percentage. And do you put anything in the water that you start them in? Doesn't need to be specific, just approximate. I found Lilly Miller at Lowes and am now all ready to start a bit of water rooting. Still concerned a bit about rotting, but I trust you all. And sounds like you all know what you're talking about. And there are always more cuttings to be had!
Lauri

This cut was in water for 2 weeks. I poted it up cause it was putting out roots in the water.

Lauri I don't measure the amount of ST & B-1. I just pour a bit (about a cap full) in a small container and let the plumies soak overnight, sometimes a bit longer if I'm lazy. I save the water that the cuttings have been soaking in and add that to a larger container of plain water and use that to water in the newly potted cuttings.
Karyn

Lauri: How are you doing with the water rooting? I've got 3 cuttings, each about 12" long that I've put in 2" of water shot with Super Thrive. They've been in the water for about 10 days. No sign of nubbies. I'm getting a little nervous .. afraid they will begin to rot. I'm still not sure why they would not disintegrate since they are so prone to rot from overwatering. Are you having any luck? Should I pot them in perlite mixture or leave them in the water? I'm really worried that I may lose them ... can you tell I'm a newbie? TIA Gloria

Well I think I've only had mine in their water for maybe five days now, so nothing yet. I added a dash of B1 and a little dash of ST. I'm concerned they will rot too because I have a couple cuttings I've lost due to overwatering. So I don't really understand the concept of water rooting because cuttings rot if you overwater. But I figure if these rot there are always more to be had. And goodness knows I have a "few" more that are already rooted so it won't be a huge loss. I certainly don't have near as many as SOME people have, but I have plenty for me.
Thanks for the words of wisdom those who have done this before and for the pic of the one that you had water rooted Valerie. Gives me hope.
Lauri