Plumeria propagation
The propagation of Plumerias and its breeding is not difficult, especially in tropical or subtropical countries. But it is also possible in colder regions like northern america or central europe. There are three ways to propagate Plumerias:
Seeds
When Plumeria seeds are fresh, germination in warm conditions can be quick. Prepare the soil to be moist, but not wet. Then put the seeds with their head into the soil, so that the wing stands upright in the air. Within 3 to 7 days 70-90 % of the seeds should have emerged. Some throwing their sheats away imideately, others need some help with moistering them and gently peeling off.
Under tropical conditions seedlings will grow fast and bloom within 1 till 2 years. But dont put them in full sun.
Cuttings
Cuttings should be taken only from mature wood with a sharp knife to make a clean cut. Remove all leaves and dry the cutting some hours (some experts recommend some days) and put it in rooting hormons (powder or solution). Then stand the cutting on the prepared moist soil, fix it safely and cover it only 2-3 cm with soil. The rooting will appear from the bottom (base) of the cutting, not at the sides. Keep the soil slightly moist, never wet (risk of rotting !). The rooting process should need some weeks (in the tropics) or some months. Keep the cuttings in shade to prevent drying of the soil to rapidly. If the rooting is successful, the first leave will grow up from the tip of the cutting. Blooming can follow soon.
My own experience in Thailand proofs that the rooting of cuttings can start after just some days and without rooting hormons.
Graftings
Using standard grafting techniques, grafting Plumerias is easy and successful. The stock and the cutting (scion) must have the same diameter, which should be more than 1 cm. Make sure that the cutting fits perfectly in the V-shape of the stock. Then fix it firm with a glue tape and protect the graft from falling by fixing it with a stick (e.g. bamboo stick). After four to five weeks the grafts normaly are well joined and the tape can be removed. Blooming will follow soon.
The rooting of cuttings and graftings have been successful, when the first leave is growing.
After growing as a seedling, Plumerias need some months to years till blooming the first time (depending on the climate conditions). Growing from cuttings or grafting make blooming and growing quicker.
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