Hi!
I am new here and would like to ask your advice.
I have plumeria cutting that was put to a soil 2 months ago.
About a few weeks ago the cutting got getting dry and brown at the soil level (see pictures).
I removed it from the soil and checked - it has 3 strong roots (3/4 inch long) and the cutting itself is green a healthy below the soil level.
Do you know what is going on with it? I will appreciate any advice.
Thanks!

@epyzhyk, unfortunately that looks like a stem rot. Even if there are roots below the rot, the whole stem might eventually rot.

What time zone are you? Not sure how far the rot is. You might have to start over and cut the rotted part until you have just a healthy stem. (Sanitize after each cut.). If the remaining stem is long enough, you might be able to save it. Then you will have to dry and let it callous again before attempting to reroot. Needs to have bottom heat and keep at 6 hours of full sun (not below 50's). Water once and do not water until leaves start to grow, unless the soil is totally dry you might have to mist but do not overwater.

@GigiPlumeria - thank you for your answer, I appreciate it!
I am from San Diego, CA - and I planted the cutting early August. I watered it once and did not water for 3 weeks, just did mist and kept in shadow place. But due to hot weather I watered it a little every 7-10 days then - which probably may caused the stem rot. If I do the cut to get healthy stem it will about 5 inches long - will it be enough?
And is there any chance to do the same for the part that is below the soil - since it has roots and it healthy (green)? That part will be 2-3 inches long only...

If the 5 inches is not too green or young (meaning the stem left is still mature) then it will still have a possibility of rooting. When rooting a cutting (calloused/ends totally dry) you get better chance If you don't put it under the shade. Use a black nursery pot and place it on a paver so it can get bottom heat.

As for the 2 inches cutting with roots, it doesn't hurt to try and grow it. Put it in a smaller black nursery pot and still needs bottom heat. Make sure there are no rotted part left. Sanitize the cut with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide and let the top dry out and you can seal it with cinnamon.

Also, it helps to mix some hydrogen peroxide to your water if you have to mist it. I usually put 2 to 3 tbsp per spray bottle. I had even started using it to include in my first watering it helps to prevent root rot. Hopefully you still have enough warm weather to root it.

Hydrogen peroxide is optional and keep it out of children's reach. caution, you have to wear gloves too. It burned my skin (not bad but still stings) when I first used it. I used the 3% hydrogen peroxide.

@GigiPlumeria
Great, thank you very much for the advice!
I will try to revive this stem and, hopefully, one the cuttings will grow. The weather still should be fine and allow me to try what you advised.

You are Keep us posted, if you are able to save it or not. Hoping you can save both.

Well, here is the update:
The shortest cutting did not make it - it got stem rot again. I think this is due to temperature change between day/night and a few cases of the night fog.
I decided to keep longest cutting indoors until spring and try to root it when we get warm enough weather.

Looks like my plumeria also has stem rot. The soil is now dry and I dug into it a bit and found the trunk is dried brown and the center looks black. Not sure if I should just cut it above the rot and start over since it does have new leaves starting. Any suggestions? I'm in hardiness zone 9a.

Yes you should and let it callous.

Thank you! On my to do list for tomorrow!!

You are welcome! And once the tip is calloused water thoroughly and placed the pot on a hot pavement. Bottom heat is important to promote rooting.

for the s

The tip is calloused and ready for planting. It's only about 6 inches long so any recommendation on how deep into the soil I should plant it?

Six inches is kinda small.. Not sure if it has enough stored energy to actually root. I would personally AVOID soil / potting mix. Use PURE Perlite.

Thanks for your reply.
Should it be dry or moistened perlite? Also, how deep into the perlite should I plant it?
With rooting hormone I assume?

Kalamodo said: Thanks for your reply.
Should it be dry or moistened perlite? Also, how deep into the perlite should I plant it?
With rooting hormone I assume?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

For that method, you want about 8" of perlite in a container with no holes. Fill the bottom with about 1/2"- 1" water. Put the cutting about 2" deep in the perlite. Place in a warm spot, not direct sun. Time will do the rest.