David,

Good looking tree! Do you know the cultivar? Your questions answered below:

1) Will the larger branched structures above the yellow lines root the same way as a smaller cane cutting would root, or is there some magic in using a single straight smaller cane with no branching when one propagates a plumeria cutting?

• yes! The larger the cutting, usually the quicker it roots in my experience. There, of course, are many variables to consider. But there is no magic to the one tip cutting, it’s just usually the minimum amount of branch needed for rooting and it’s also less prone to tipping over issues during the rooting process. With those cuttings you will have insta-trees once they root, but plan for a taller rooting area to keep them from falling over during their rooting period.

2) If I lob off both main branches where indicated, will the original potted stump survive and branch out, or would the lower half of my tree die after the two branching arms are removed?

• yes! It will survive and branch out from the old leaf nodes.

-s

Thank you Phalanx! Both those answers make me happy!! I do not know the cultivar, unfortunately. I bought it as a cutting in Hawaii in 2004. The flower is yellow and white.

I completely agree. I do recommend you use a pruning saw rather than lopping shears to cut those branches.

How is your plumeria doing? I really appreciate your question and all the answers. I did not know I could make a larger cutting and transplant. I am excited.

Hi HU - So I waited until just a few days ago to do the surgery. It was a late, cold spring here and I wanted to make sure we were done with the cold, which literally took until about a week ago. They seem to be doing fine so far. I doubt they've rooted yet, but I suspect they will now that it's hotter. Finger's crossed!

HU - I am reporting back to say all three pieces (the two arms I cut off and the original main trunk) are alive and doing well. The surgery was a success!

Give us some pics, please , David!

you original tree had a very nice branching overall. just perfect! i’d like to see how the base branched too.

in my experience with trees in pots i’ve noticed that when you trim the trunk overtime it extends higher.

just curious if your new branched trees will grow the lower part of the trunk higher too.

Thank you! Here is a pic of the two pieces I cut off on either side of the row of boxwoods. There is also a pic of the original tree which is branching out nicely.

They look fantastic. how long did it take to root them and in what mix? is it the 1st time you did it or you knew how? just asking ’cause i got 2 plummies last jan and am hovering over them in anticipation.

i love to root nice long branches on Ficus, but i usually air-layer them.

so just wondering if you were nervous if these big ones would root.

The top two pieces rebounded first. i could tell they rooted because the ends stayed green. After about six weeks I saw growth on the small leaves.

The original bottom piece took another four weeks or more to show signs of life i think because it had no leaves left after the surgery and had to flush entirely new buds

my mix was roughly 2 parts sand, two parts potting soil, one part perlite

Mine will always be in a pot too. good to know that it is possible to maintain them small. you original tree is just like i would ideally want mine to be. 😁

one of mine yellow and white too: Lemon Drop that is good for pot culture and branches freely.

and now you have 2 perfect trees 👍 and slowed down mama-tree too. nice !

Do you live in Michigan? Maybe you want my original one?

No, i‘m in NJ. but thanks! i would’ve taken it with pleasure! 👍. one of mine is pushing out inflos on 2 branches: first bloom. it’s on rooted stock, grafted. I will be taking it to Miami for winter. in ground plummies there hold thier leaves and continue blooming till January. We got it at the end of Jan and it was in the sun in 75-80F for 3 months before it leafed out. so it had solid 5 months of growth.

how often do you repot? And do you trim roots from time to time? do you bareroot repot or just uppot? yours are in such great shape after 7 years in quite small pots too. do you feed regularly?

mine is still in original mix but i will need to repot in spring . all my plants are on water wicks , i mix my own mix for that . so i will be bare rooting it .

Those look fantastic and healthy! Congratulations.

I repot about once every two years. i fertilize maybe twice a year with miricle grow. And once a year with triple phosphate granular.

You Just uppot with existing soil intact ? or clear it out ? i am just wondering if they are sensitive to root disturbance . as i need to replace the existing mix: it’s not wicking very well. and i need to be able to leave them for a few weeks on wicks if i am away. not sure if i’ll be able to bring them up north next summer. if they are too large then i’ll have a problem. but if they only start leafing out in may it may be ok.

I rake the roots out. I don’t think it bothers them much at all.

Great! thank you!