I recently got a cutting of a plumeria that is about 24" tall with 3 tips. It is a little sad looking though. I picked it up the other day and was a little discouraged by it. It was free so who can complain. The lady I got it from had not planted it anywhere to my knowledge. She said it was just a cutting with root and some leaves.

Description from bottom up: small root system that looked really dried up, bottom half of stalk is firm and is brown. Top half of stalk looks shriveled slightly and is softer to the touch. At the very top there is some new leaves sprouting off and the very tips are green.

I am new to plumeria so I have been doing research about them constantly but have not found anything like my description.

I have potted it in a home depot 5 gallon paint bucket(I drilled holes in the bottom), in potting soil/perlite (50/50) and watered it well. I set it out in my backyard to soak up the sun and have been moving it under a covered area for rain, So its not getting anymore water.

My questions are:

1. Anyone seen this before?

2. Is it likely that the softer shriveled area is rot even though there is new growth at top?

3. Did I do something wrong?

4. Are there signs I should look for to know if it is going to make it or if it is a lost cause?

5. Any particular fertilizer I should use to help it?

I am really worried that the root system that was there was too dry, but then again I have never seen a root system on a plumeria before.

Any advice is appreciated...