"Litl Fish" wrote in message
...
Hi folks,
I read recently (but threw the paper out!) that frangipani can be cut
at
this time of year (winter in southern Australia) and that all you have
to do
is cut it and dry it for a couple of weeks before planting it.
Somehow, I
feel I've forgotten some of the crucial parts, such as: should I stick
the
cutting in hormone gel before planting? Should I put it in a
particular type
of soil? Does it love sunshine/shade?

I DO remember reading that you make sure the white milky substance
that
oozes from the cut must be kept away from the eyes (but hey, I usually
don't
insert foreign liquids in my eyes anyway!) and children. That goes for
animals too, I guess.

Anyway, any advice on getting some cuttings from this plant would be
greatly
appreciated. It was going great guns until winter, when it started
getting a
bit cold and tired. I've since protected it from the cold winds with a
clear
plastic surround, which seems to have halted its decline.

Regards,

--
Casey Herman

bizArRTe® digital imagery and twisted IRONy® metal sculpture
t/a twisted IRONy®
Melbourne, Australia
www.twistedirony.com



You will have trouble growing this well in Melbourne - it's too cold.
Full sun and a warm sheltered microclimate is going to be important for
the tree to succeed. I know people in the Southern Capital who have
given up on Frangipanni. If your spot is suitable it will sprout new
leaves in spring. If no leaves in spring them wave bye bye.

I start them in a pot, keep it damp but not wet and let the piece
callous over where it was cut before planting. No hormones are required.
The cutting doesn't need sun until it sprouts new leaves, then move it
into the sun. When the leaves have opened and it looks vigorous plant
it out being careful not to break off the new roots.

David