‘Dear Garden Doctor,
I have a lawn and a narrow garden bed which is very bare except for the frangipani tree. I was thinking of filling in the bare space with a few more as they are stunning plants and seem low maintenance. I see them growing happily everywhere around and mine has been doing very well despite the lack of care. My neighbour says that if I cut the branch I can grow a new tree. I really have no idea. I am so excited about the prospect of growing more frangipani and filling out my yard because it flowers brilliantly. Is it really that simple as cutting a branch and putting it into the ground? Is there anything else important that I need to do to make this a success? Thanks so much for any tips in relation to this.
Yours Sincerely, Lorraine.
Most plants can be reproduced from a cutting with varying degrees of success. The good news is that the frangipani is right up there as one of the easiest to do. People are often amazed at the ease with which you can grow new plants from cuttings once they have done it, and for me it is one of the true joys of gardening!
But before we get into the details of how to do it, let’s get to know a little more about the history and origins of the fabulous frangipani!
Origins and History
Frangipani are originally native to Central America. They are also commonly referred to as Plumeria, which is their botanical name, and the two terms are used interchangeably. Plumeria was named by Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) in honour of Charles Plumier (1646-1704), the French botanist who worked extensively throughout the Caribbean.
Linnaeus was a Swedish botanist, zoologist and physician, considered to be the father of modern taxonomy, and is responsible for the development of the plant classification system that still endures today. From these associations with both Plumier and Linnaeus I have deduced that the name Plumeria has its roots in ‘botanical royalty’. Very fitting considering its revered status within many cultures in addition to the high esteem in which it is held within the landscape and garden community.
On the other hand, the common name frangipani is not so royal, said to derive from the French word ‘frangipanier’ or coagulated milk, referencing the milky sap of the plant, which by the way you should avoid getting on your skin where it could cause a nasty irritation. That reminds me, on the topic of frangipani and skin irritation, apparently these days they are a very popular tattoo, right up there with the rose as the flower tattoo of choice amongst the ink master aficionados. If you ask me, ink on skin has become so common and unoriginal these days that having no tattoo is the new tattoo! But I can’t really protest to people inking flowers and plants, being a garden enthusiast myself! Anyway, that’s a rant for another day…. I digress.
Having its origins in central America, the frangipani is thought to have been esteemed by the Mayans, evidenced by the discovery of glyphs and tablets that display flowers believed to be plumerias. Sometimes it goes by the common name ‘the temple flower’ for obvious reasons, often planted around temples and burial grounds where it’s fragrant perfume fills the air. It is a popular ceremonial plant in Asia, the Pacific Islands and Central America from where it originates. Frangipani can be seen all over Bali, even lining the dusty alleyways of Kuta where the local stall holders offer an abundance of it painted on canvas!
Cuttings: How to do it
Now let’s get down to the serious business of taking cuttings. The uninitiated, whether old or young, will find it amazing that you can grow another plant simply by cutting a branch and sticking it in the ground. It’s can be an interesting scientific experiment for both adults and kids, especially considering that most adults are just big kids anyway!
It really is as simple as cutting a branch and sticking it in the ground. If you have a healthy disease-free plant, taking a cutting is a very good way to replicate it. You can also bolster the variety of scents and colours in your garden by swapping cuttings with your friends and neighbours who may be growing different varieties. Take a cutting from a branch 30-50 cm length. Remove excess leaves other than a few sets close to the tip. You can cut the branch if you like but it is just as easy to simply break it off with your hand. Many gardeners profess that frangipani cuttings will grow with a higher success rate if left out for a few weeks to allow the wound or cut to heal over and dry. I have found just as much success by planting it straight into the ground. It is a very hardy plant, as tough as the succulents in terms of its hardiness. Frangipani off cuts that have been trimmed and left in a heap can be salvaged weeks even months later to be replanted and regrown, if you don’t believe me then try it!
With your new cutting, plant it into a pot or direct into the ground, the main requirement being consistent moisture with adequate drainage. Frangipani are drought tolerant once established, though new cuttings will require regular watering and care until new root growth develops. This means watering every few days, allowing the soil to dry out between watering. Even if your new cutting loses its remaining leaves, keep caring for it as it will most likely come back. When the first new leaves appear, you will know that your plant has taken root and the entire process has been a success.
Most disease problems with frangipani, as with most other plants occur in conditions of poor drainage or high humidity. Err on the side of less water rather than too much, frangipani don’t like to have wet feet. They will do quite well in sandy soils that may otherwise be unsuitable for growing many other types of flowering plants. They are tough and most will live to be a huge tree with no care.
The only thing that bothers them is high humidity, which can cause the proliferation of an unsightly fungus known as ‘frangipani rust’ which covers the undersides of the leaves with a yellow/orange toned pustules, hence the name ‘rust’. It spreads from tree to tree either through leaf or soil contact and the spores also hitch a ride and travel on the breeze, meaning it can be almost impossible to avoid the ‘frangipani rust’ in places like Bali where frangipani trees can quite literally be seen growing everywhere. The fungus can cause the tree to drop its leaves and look rather sick. Thankfully trees that are afflicted usually recover once the wet season has passed and drier atmospheric conditions return.
Once you have mastered the art of growing plumeria from cutting you will easily be able to fill your garden with all types of fragrances and colours, and I have no doubt that you will succeed. Who ever knew that gardening with coagulated milk could be so fun!
Dr. Kris
Garden Doctor
Contact: dr.kris@ymail.com
Copyright © 2017 Dr. Kris
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