Good question!
Have no idea! I know alot of people do grafts but haven't heard of air layering.

Ah well, gotta ask....What is air layering?
Lauri

That's a good question. I've used air layering on many plants, especially those with woody stems but have never heard of it being used for plumeria. I'd think that if it were possible there'd be more discussion about it with all the problems that can happen with rooting cuttings.

Lauri air layering is a propagation method where the "mother" plant has a branch cut part of the way through. The cut is held open (I use a toothpick) dusted with rooting hormones and covered with moist sphagnum moss then that is covered in plastic. Eventually the roots grow into the moss and the rooted portion can be removed and potted.
Karyn

There are some on another board that have successfully air layered plumeria. They used it with cultivars that are notoriously hard to root and that they did not want to graft.
Mike

Mike is it done the same way that it is with woody stemmed plants?
Karyn

To air layer plumeria, I've read one must remove about an inch length of 'bark', girdling the branch, leaving the inner woody tissue exposed.

Then dust with hormone and wrap with just-moist sphagnum moss. Tape plastic wrap around the moss, top and bottom (I'd poke a few holes in the bottom of the plastic to allow any excess water to escape) with water-proof tape. Then wrap entire thing in foil to keep temps down.

I've tried to air layer by cutting partway thru the stem, but that did not work. I think you have to girdle the branch.

Thanks for the diagram Dave. I would have just cut a wedge out of the stem and killed it. lol I wonder why I've never heard of air layering a plumie before? It's such a common propagation method. Do you know how long it takes to root with air layering? Is it about the same that it takes to root a cutting?
Karyn

Karyn,

I've actually not done it yet, but need to on several of my plants. I've read it can take 6-8 weeks and works best during hot, humid weather.

Another option described in Jim Little's book is to cut most of the way thru a branch, let it hang (by what's left) for several weeks. There is enough plant tissue to sustain the branch, but the plant tissue near the cut on the branch will form roots readily once it is severed and potted up. I've not tried this either.

Hi Dave - your diagram is very encouraging, I'm going to try it on my Michelia Alba.

Kasie

Kasie, I didn't do the drawings, but pasted links from another website. I would think this type of air-layering might work on Michelia, since it is advocated for Magnolias.

Kasie I've been very successful with the regular air layering technique on my magnolia. I air layered 3 branches last summer and all took. I still have them in pots because I can't figure out where I want to plant them. I wish I could grow a Michelia alba outside here, heck I'd even like to grow one inside. I've heard that they will do well and bloom in a container. I had a few seedlings of Michelia champaca but the tree rats decided to dig them up : (
Karyn

Hi Karyn1 - that's encouraging. I want so badly to reproduce M.Alba. Beside growing roses and plumerias, I just love, love,love M.Alba. You mentioned on another thread that epsom salt is good for the leaves, so I'm going to give M. Alba some of that. The sun is scorching the leaves but not disturbing any of the blossoms. Ohh...the scent is heaven.

Kasie

I'd like to follow up on this discussion. Has anyone tried air layering plumerias by now and has it worked? I have several leggy plumies that I would like to shorten but would like to try something different than cutting off the top portion to root it in soil.

Sunseeker,

Stay tuned. I'm going to try this with one of my 6 foot tall trees. I'll post pictures of the experiment so you can see.

Dave

Ok, here is the victim. It's about 6 feet tall and going to undergo air layering this weekend.
{{gwi:1174736}}From Garden 2011

Hi Dave,

How did this work out for you?

Very curious...

Ken