This is a long one.
A friend of mine gave me a couple plumeria cuttings when he visited Hawaii (it was originally supposed to go to someone else but they didn't get it so he just gave them to me).
I hadn't done any research beforehand because it was a last second thing, but I tried my best and still am trying so hard.
I am in zone 8b. I can't tell if my biggest plumeria cutting is entering dormancy or straight up dying. I have been keeping it inside in a dark but well vented place, and it still looked like it was going strong. But I also understand that sometimes you can give your plumeria a drink of water. Mistake one: I definitely overdid it. I tried to keep them at a window area so that the sun could assist drying out the soil. However, every couple days I would check, the soil would still be damp.
Her trunk started feeling squishy at the bottom and I was worried about root rot. Likely my second mistake: I repotted her in a panic. Took note that her roots didn't smell bad. Third mistake: I saw a video of a guy who talked about water rehabilitation, so I put her in water while I made the potting mix. I was freaking out, and I realize now how dumb it is to put them in water when I had understood that the initial problem was it being overwatered. I think I might've repotted her a little less in the soil—she was way taller than I realized. This point in the timeline, that was four days ago.
The thing is, I can't tell how much squish is bad. I just know that her trunk used to be super hard and stable. I am constantly second guessing myself and I believe it has lead me to this point. My last shot is to ask for help before doing more things that will end up hurting her.
Her leaves are super droopy (she looked this way before, when she needed water and it was summer, but now I am unsure if I should give her water). Has a squish-—a type of squish that has a little give, meaning not super squishy but just enough to tell that it wasn't hard like it used to be. Vertical wrinkles are forming on her.
I put three pictures down below. First one was before I had last watered it. She is the taller one. Looking good, she still looked this general way after I had watered her, all but the squishy trunk. Middle picture is of her roots, I tried to search what different roots looked like on plumerias but I just—I don't know, dude. Last picture is the wrinkles on her and very droopy leaves behind. If you think there's something wrong with the second one too, let me know. He seems to be doing just fine though. Just losing leaves, which I try not to worry about because they are supposed to be going dormant.
Is she entering dormancy? Did I ultimately seal her fate and she will die? What can I do? I have been trying to get into plants and this was such a big jump for me starting from scratch. I tried to do a lot of research but ultimately, something went wrong. I listen to some websites over others based on the points they make, and I think I just made a bad move. I would hate for her to die. If there's anything I can do to save her (or if this all just an overreaction), please let me know.
