Saving broken branch with small spring leaves

13 years ago

I have a 1 foot broken branch from a small young two branch plant that I have grown for three years (thanks to some house maintenance workers!). I'm so sad! It is early June with mid 70's Southern California beach weather and it had just begun growing for the summer (5 small leaves). Can I root it now or do I need to let it rest--I can't see it waiting until next spring! What should I do with it NOW? Keep it cool, dark and dry? Water? Right into the mix? Please help!!!

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Comments (4)

Pharaoh4
13 years ago
David,
I'm fairly certain that almost everyone who chimes in, will tell you to cut the leaves, let it callous, and then plant.

HOWEVER, I have planted many broken cuttings right away and left the leaves and found they have rooted in record time. At the very least, I would leave the top 2 or 3 that are open. I really feel like the photosynthesis that occurs speeds up the rooting process. The plant will quickly figure out whether it can sustain those leaves or not. These are very smart plants!
DelWH
13 years ago
Since it was in the rapid growth spring phase, I agree with Pharaoh4. A good chance it will just take off.
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Loveplants2 8b Virginia Beach, Virginia
13 years ago
I would let it callus and take off most of the leaves except the small new ones emerging, then pot up.

Make sure you have a clean cut . If it is uneven, i would recut dip in rootone and let callus for 10 days. JMO.

This is the best time to root, so i would not wait until later...

Good Luck!!

Laura
greyghost61
13 years ago
I have never really read up too much on plumerias so I have done some things with mine just to see what would happen. I had one a couple of years ago get the green tip broken off and my girl friend just stuck the tip in a pot when it happened (well maybe 30 minutes or so afterwards) I now have a plant about 3 ft tall from that tip that wasn't much more than an inch long. It hasn't bloomed yet but it has been growing since we moved it outside back towards the end of april.

I think they are alot tougher than people give them credit for. I don't do much at all with regards to mine and they are always blooming. I have never repotted them or anything, just bring them into a dark room in the winter. Need to repot a large portion of them soon, they are getting 5 to 6 feet tall with lots of branches. I live in south Georgia with HOT and HUMID summers, already this week we have been around 100 degrees with upwards to 85% or higher humidity...maybe that is why they do so good here in the summer time and grow so fast. Mine root real fast (the ones I have done this year did so within a week or so it seems) and put on leaves fast also. I think I let my cuttings this year go unplanted for a few days. Further more I don't think I have ever fertilized one....In my younger days I spent alot of time in central america and the places I saw them grow had very thin and unfertile soil but lots of heat and humidity.

I know this probably doesn't help you much other than to point out that they are a whole lot tougher than alot of people seem to think.