Frangipanis root easily from quite large cuttings. I don't know anyone who has used a 2m high cutting but imagine it should be possible (I'm assuming you want to keep it that size to have an instant frangipani tree?) so long as you can keep the cutting upright and firmly in place rather than have it wobbling or keeling over. This means somehow staking the cutting in place because if you planted it deep enough to stop it keeling over, most of the cutting would probably be underground!

This is what I'd do: If the soil is well drained, you can plant it in the ground. Dig a hole, insert the cut end of the cutting, then backfill. If your soil is sandy, use that; otherwise buy a sandy potting mix and backfill with that. Then somehow stake the cutting, using two or three stakes and maybe tying it with pantyhose, to keep the cutting upright. For extra drainage or a bit of extra weight, you can even add about an inch of gravel around the cutting. You can water it *lightly* once now, preferably with a few drops of Seasol in the water, but then do not water again until you're sure that the soil around the cutting is dry. (Rain would probably be sufficient.)

The problem with planting it outside is that it will be rained on; if it rains heavily before the cutting has struck, it might rot even if the soil is sandy. Also, it must be in a spot where you're not regularly watering other plants around it, for the same reason.

If you can't root it in the ground, buy yourself one of those old-fashioned plastic rubbish bins, drill many holes in the base, fill it with a sandy mix and plant your cutting in there. But you'll have to find a way to keep the cutting upright again--maybe by placing the bin up against a pole or pillar and tying the cutting to that? Water lightly with Seasol. This way you can completely control the level of moisture the cutting gets. Keep the cutting in a warm and sunny/brightly lit spot. If it won't fit in such a bin, buy one of those 200L compost bins and use that.

Hope that helps. The main reason that frangipani cuttings fail is (1) too much water; and (2) too cold temps. The latter shouldn't be a problem at this time of year, so just make sure that you only water if the soil around the cutting is definitely dry. And then, water lightly only; don't saturate the soil/mix.

I'd do the same with the other large 1.5m pieces but, as an insurance policy, I'd cut one piece into foot-long lengths and root those in pots of sandy potting mix. Check out the plumeria website for extra info: http://www.plumeria101.com/cuttings101.html

Normally frangipani cuttings are supposed to be allowed to dry a little (at least until the sap stops running), so don't worry that you might have left it too late to plant the cuttings. They can be planted right now or in a week or two weeks' time, easily.

Hope this helps. Your neighbour's loss is your gain!

Hi cestrum, thanks for your great info!

I am intending to plant the whole trunk into my sandy soil (Perth). The area I am planting the trunk in receives sunlight all day long. In addition, we get average daily temp of 32-34 degrees. However that place also receive frequent watering as it is in the midst of my other plants. I am trying to find a way to stop water flowing down the area i am planting the frangipani.

When you said putting gravel around the cutting... is it at the base of the dug hole before i put the trunk in or around the trunk ?

{{!gwi}}

This is the main trunk with main branches. It is matured hardwood with hardly any sap!

{{!gwi}}

The base where it is chopped from the roots. Do I need more cleaning up around the base?

Thanks!

Hi there, I'm no expert, just thinking about what I would do in your situation. I meant to add gravel around the base of the cutting when you've planted it and backfilled, to help weigh it down and keep it in place (it'll still need staking). Your sandy soil should be great for planting, it's just the frequent watering around it that could be a problem until it forms roots. Normally I'd say plant it in a raised hill/bed (made of your sandy soil), but you'd still have to stake it to something. If you can plant it in a raised hill/bed, then watering your other plants around it should be OK. With sandy soil and warm weather, the cutting shouldn't rot.

I don't think you need to 'clean' the cutting up further. Given warmth and sandy soil, you need to ensure only two things: (1) that the cutting isn't watered regularly until it forms roots; (2) that it is held firmly in place so it doesn't wobble.

Hope that helps!