Grow your own Plumerias from cuttings

I first became familiar with Plumerias during my Navy tour of duty in Hawaii. They come in a variety of colors from white, yellow, pink, red and other variations. Their wonderful fragrance makes them ideal for the colorful leis Hawaii is famous for.
Plumerias  are originally from Mexico and Central America, it is believed that they were imported to Hawaii by the Portuguese where it grow so profusely that people believe its native to Hawaii. You too can have your own garden with flowering fragrances year-round.

The soil
Most people will tell you just plant them in a dry area or use some cactus mix, this could end up in a disappointment for you. There is a certain balance of nutrients needed to successfully propagate this seductive flowering plant. I have found the following popular mixture easy to prepare, easy on the budget and easy to maintain:

One bag of all purpose garden soil what ever is on sale at your
garden store will work fine. Two cubic feet size

One bag of peat moss this is decomposed organic matter.
 It helps maintain moisture by absorbing water. It help maintain a good acid
 ph balance. It remains springy keeping soil from getting dry and hard. I used an 8 dry quarts bag

One bag of perlite ( 6 dry quart bag size) It looks like white round non organic specks used to improve the aeration of the potting soil. It allows water to drain in order to keep
 the proper moisture balance.

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Pots with good drainage a friend of mine, Bob, never throws out old pots because
 they are very useful when growing new plants from seeds or cuttings.

If you want a healthy plant you need a strong healthy root. Many novice gardener do not use it
 they feel that is just an added expense. But I found it very useful. Plants root faster and stronger,
they also flower sooner. A healthy plant is easier to transplant to a larger pot or garden.

The soil mixture

I put my soil on a medium size plastic storage bucket large enough for the soil, perlite and peat moss fit
loosely. Mix thoroughly the garden soil and the other ingredients one bag a a time. I use a small shovel.
Once you are comfortable with you mix, let it rest while you prepare your cutting.

The cuttings.

When garnering your cuttings insure that you acquiring them from a healthy plant. The branches
should be solid and green, the leaves complete and firm with an aromatic healthy flower.

Select your  cuttings from the bottom or the back so you can maintain proportion
 of the mother plant. Cut then at an angle.

Peel all the leaves and set aside for two or three days in a shaded area. This will give that branch the
opportunity to heal the cut and build a scab.

After the wound has healed wipe the stem of the cuttings with a clean cloth and Windex.
 Dip the stems into the rooting powder and plant them snugly into you pots and water them.

Once in pots keep them in partial sun for about one month, water once week about 1/2 cup.
Move to a sunny side for another month continue watering once a week 3/4cup.
After two months your plant should be rooted and strong enough to move to your desired place.
Good Luck

This in  my first cutting to bloom, two and a half months, see close up on the right side.