Puakenikeni (Fagraea berteroana) is a popular flower in lei making in Hawaii, especially during graduation season and mothers day, which coincide with the flowering period. Most of the propagation is done via air layers, to promote early flowering. Propagation via rooted cuttings has been reported in the literature, however, there are is no information in regards to best practice, and it is a common question asked to the the University of Hawaii at Manoa Cooperative Extension Services. This trial used different powder rooting hormones to compare their effectiveness in propagating semi hardwood cuttings of puakenikeni. Cuttings were dipped in the rooting hormone, and the lower 2 inches of each cutting was inserted in a mix of 50% perlite and 50% vermiculite and placed in a mist bench for 2 months. Three treatments were compared (no rooting hormone, and 0.1%, 0.3% and 0.8% IBA). A total of 80 cutings were used, or 20 cuttings per treatment. After two months the control treatment with no rooting hormone had only 10% rooting. The 0.1% IBA and 0.3% IBA had 30% and 10% rooted cuttings, respectively. The 0.8% IBA treatment had 85% rooting success. Results from this trial indicate that a rooting hormone with 0.8% IBA should be used when rooting semi hardwood cuttings of puakenkeni (Fagraea berteroana). Future trials may be performed to compare other concentrations and types of rooting hormones (powder, liquid and gel), in order to achieve higher rooting percentage rates.
