Rooting a 6-8’ Plumeria Tree Cutting

[Jetson1950]

Yes, I know this really doesn’t count as a bonsai project, but I figured there are lots of folks here who have and grow Plumeria and I’m looking for advice.

I first started this tree from a branch 15 years ago and have kept re-propagating it every time I’ve moved all over the country. A lot of those moves required growing it inside because of the climate. When I moved here, I decided it’s time to put I in the ground. Well, it loved that and just started growing crazy. It’s about 8’ tall and 10’ across now. The problem is it’s on the north side of the house. The leaves never dry out making it quite susceptible to copper fungus and I want to move part or all of it to the south side of the house where it will get full sun most of the day. As you can see in the pictures, it’s already been hit with copper fungus and losing all its leaves. I was spraying with different fungicides every two weeks and staying ahead of the fungus, but being stuck in Virginia with a broken leg for 6 weeks allowed the fungus got a foot hold again. Digging up the entire root ball may be possible, but I’m also thinking maybe just cut off one of the three main branches/trunks, root it and make another tree to put on the south side of the house. I know Plumeria are very easy to root, but I’ve never tried one this big.

If I go with cutting off the leaning trunk, I have a spot picked out to put it directly in the ground. I could also shorten the trunk part by about 1-2 feet to bring the branching closer to the ground. It will be easy to brace it with ropes on three sides for stability until it roots. The trunk/branch to cut off is 2.5-3” across.

Has anyone ever tried to in ground root a main branch that big? Soil here is perfect for Plumeria. I would do this in March when our temperatures are again in the 60-85F range. Would appreciate any guidance or thoughts on doing this.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Are you sure your plumeria isn't just dropping leaves for the fall?

 

[nuttiest]

Yes, I know this really doesn’t count as a bonsai project, but I figured there are lots of folks here who have and grow Plumeria and I’m looking for advice.

I first started this tree from a branch 15 years ago and have kept re-propagating it every time I’ve moved all over the country. A lot of those moves required growing it inside because of the climate. When I moved here, I decided it’s time to put I in the ground. Well, it loved that and just started growing crazy. It’s about 8’ tall and 10’ across now. The problem is it’s on the north side of the house. The leaves never dry out making it quite susceptible to copper fungus and I want to move part or all of it to the south side of the house where it will get full sun most of the day. As you can see in the pictures, it’s already been hit with copper fungus and losing all its leaves. I was spraying with different fungicides every two weeks and staying ahead of the fungus, but being stuck in Virginia with a broken leg for 6 weeks allowed the fungus got a foot hold again. Digging up the entire root ball may be possible, but I’m also thinking maybe just cut off one of the three main branches/trunks, root it and make another tree to put on the south side of the house. I know Plumeria are very easy to root, but I’ve never tried one this big.

If I go with cutting off the leaning trunk, I have a spot picked out to put it directly in the ground. I could also shorten the trunk part by about 1-2 feet to bring the branching closer to the ground. It will be easy to brace it with ropes on three sides for stability until it roots. The trunk/branch to cut off is 2.5-3” across.

Has anyone ever tried to in ground root a main branch that big? Soil here is perfect for Plumeria. I would do this in March when our temperatures are again in the 60-85F range. Would appreciate any guidance or thoughts on doing this.

You can root that but you can put the long ones on top (2 yr wood) in the ground right now, easier to stabilize with a stake.
Also look up Plumeria rust, best to keep leaves picked up and just pull all the rest once they are half gone in November, as it is close to dormancy anyway.

 

[Jetson1950]

Are you sure your plumeria isn't just dropping leaves for the fall?

Yes. The bottom of the leaves are covered with the rust. Plumeria rust is very obvious. Bright orange or copper nodules cover the underside of leaves. The rest of the plumeria trees in the area all still have their leaves and look fine. Some have a little rust, but not enough to cause defoliation. It’s just this area on the north side of my house that is shaded most of the day and always stays wet. That’s whey I want to dig it up and move it to the south side of the house.

You can root that but you can put the long ones on top (2 yr wood) in the ground right now, easier to stabilize with a stake.
Also look up Plumeria rust, best to keep leaves picked up and just pull all the rest once they are half gone in November, as it is close to dormancy anyway.

Yes, it’s Plumeria rust. Right now I’m still on crutches. Another couple of weeks before I can walk on both feet. That’s why the rust won this year. I couldn’t keep up the maintenance to keep it at bay. I could cut off the top sticks and start over, but I’d like to save the entire tree.

 

[SWfloirda]

I'm pretty sure you can put any size limb in the ground and it will root as long as you can keep it from moving around. I have 4 of them, the rust doesn't do any long term damage that I can tell. It comes and goes, they always leaf out just fine in the spring.

 

[Jetson1950]

I'm pretty sure you can put any size limb in the ground and it will root as long as you can keep it from moving around. I have 4 of them, the rust doesn't do any long term damage that I can tell. It comes and goes, they always leaf out just fine in the spring.

True, but I feel bad that they are in an area that allows the rust to flourish and destroys all the leaves. The first thing I will try to do is see if I can dig up the majority of the root ball and move the entire tree. If not, try to root one of the three major branches. Once I’ve accomplished one or the other, I’ll probably cut the rest of the tops off at the secondary branches and make more trees. Just feel it’s cruel to leave it there and watch it get covered with rust every year.