I have 3 cuttings , no roots, that I got late summer and placed in dry soil all winter. We live in NE Tx. Finally put them outside 2 weeks ago. One I used root hormone and put in better soil and lightly watered. The other no root hormone. I read that I need to keep the soil from getting wet until they have roots. Well, I went out of town last night. They are outside and it rained. Should I repot in drier soil, or just make sure they don’t get rained on again till roots grow? Thanks.
Plumeria cuttings
- Thread starter Goodroot
- Start date
leatherback
The Treedeemer
Not sure why you are asking this in a bonsai forum, but well.. If you planted the cuttings last summer, I would have expected them to have rooted by now...?
Young plumeria I would water lightly once I see growing tips and then let dry out pretty much completely slowly increasing watering, if I see the plant responding with growth.
Young plumeria I would water lightly once I see growing tips and then let dry out pretty much completely slowly increasing watering, if I see the plant responding with growth.
Wires_Guy_wires
Imperial Masterpiece
They need moisture to survive, which they will take up from the cut site.
I don't know if you know, but there is a difference between wet, and damp or moist. Wet is like wet mud, if you squeeze it, water comes out. Damp or moist is damp to the touch, in the sense that you can feel there's water in there.. But you can't squeeze it out. A wet towel is leaking water, a damp towel is not. But both will leave a stain on untreated wood.
If your pots are draining properly, it takes about a day or two for soil to go from wet to damp. In most cases, this is not an issue at all. Constantly digging up cuttings can damage the little rootlets that form, and will inhibit proper root growth.
Rain should not be an issue whatsoever. If it is, your soil is suboptimal for this goal; increase the amount of perlite or add something that helps drainage.
I don't know if you know, but there is a difference between wet, and damp or moist. Wet is like wet mud, if you squeeze it, water comes out. Damp or moist is damp to the touch, in the sense that you can feel there's water in there.. But you can't squeeze it out. A wet towel is leaking water, a damp towel is not. But both will leave a stain on untreated wood.
If your pots are draining properly, it takes about a day or two for soil to go from wet to damp. In most cases, this is not an issue at all. Constantly digging up cuttings can damage the little rootlets that form, and will inhibit proper root growth.
Rain should not be an issue whatsoever. If it is, your soil is suboptimal for this goal; increase the amount of perlite or add something that helps drainage.
leatherback
The Treedeemer
Hm.. plumeria being a succulent that loves the dry heat I would say that unrooted cuttings do have problems with water at the wrong moment?
Wires_Guy_wires
Imperial Masterpiece
Not having roots after about six months would make me think that this might be the right moment for a proper watering.
I've seen them grown with nearly constant irrigation in Italy, and I believe that all succulents love a good soak every now and then.
One of the big issues with succulents is long lasting wetness and bacterial infections that come with it. But too dry will cause tissue to shrivel and die off, which makes rooting impossible. Water once after a death provoking drought and they'll become mush in days. The balance matters of course, and that starts with a good soil. A good succulent soil should never be wet for more than two days.
I’ve read that if you get a cutting late in the growing season to either put it aside in a cool dark place over winter. Then come springtime, plant it up. Mine have life in them definitely. Just time to get roots growing. Thanks so much for all the help. That’s why I asked here on a general page. Lots of smart folks here.
I chop them anytime and place them in fish tank water until they root which takes time, maybe a month or so, works for pineapples as well 
you can see the pest snails working hard. I occasionally drop a leaf or two in there. Haven't had much success with other methods but who knew this would work? I certainly didn't
you can see the pest snails working hard. I occasionally drop a leaf or two in there. Haven't had much success with other methods but who knew this would work? I certainly didn'tAttachments
Similar threads
