By Mike Atkinson, Atkinson Plumeria Farm, La Mesa, CA It's not uncommon to see posts or ads for plumeria cuttings for sale in autumn. Or someone in the neighborhood did some trimming and put the cuttings on the curb for free. (Or you won a cutting at Sunday's luau.) Some of us just have to trim our plants and want to share the bounty. But rooting this late in the season is very difficult. Our plants have already begun their slow transition toward a long winter sleep. Our weather also contributes to the challenge with colder temperatures. I'm not saying it's impossible. If you can provide a warm environment, they may root. You actually don't even need light to root them. I know some people who root over winter in a house closet! If you're not able to provide that, I would suggest one of two methods: 1. Prep the cutting for rooting as usual - see my rooting instructions: https://atkinsonplumeria.com/plumeria-rooting-instructions/ 2. Put 3 or 4 inches of perlite at the bottom of a bucket or tub and place the cutting end down in the perlite (see photo above). If you have multiple cuttings, this may make more sense because you'll pot up only the ones that survive in the spring, rather than all of them now. Then store it out of the weather, like under a patio cover or in the garage. You do need to mist it with water a few times a week to help keep it hydrated. As long as you adjust your expectations and understand that this is a time with the highest risk of losing those cuttings, then give it a try! (fb)

Flower show winners list is here! Thanks to all who entered. Big kudos to SCPS founders Joy & Carl Herzog, who won the Jeannette Mattson Best in Show award with an Aztec Gold bloom. (fb)