1.    While a somewhat unusual method, egg rooting has been reported to produce some excellent results. Remember that tropical cuttings root best in late spring and early summer.

2.    The first step is to make sure that the plumeria cutting has had time to callous over at the bottom. A freshly cut stem should be place in a shaded spot and allowed to dry for 3-5 days.

3.    Fill about 2 inches in the bottom of a one-gallon pot with a blend of 50% cactus mix and 50% perlite.

4.    Then place a whole egg (uncooked) still in the shell on top of the soil mix followed by another inch of soil.

5.    Next place the cutting (with a bamboo stake for support) in the container (above the egg). It helps to dip the cutting in a rooting hormone like Wood’s Rooting Compound.

6.    Fill the rest of the pot with the soil mix.

7.    Keep the pot warm (in a morning sun location) and water when the soil is dry down about an inch.

Plants should begin to develop strong root systems in 3-4 weeks.

So whats the science behind this method?

Bob Walsh provides the following information on his website:

•    The egg itself is one powerhouse of nutrients. The egg shell, which has about 9000 pores, serves as a permeable membrane for nutrients and moisture. 95% of the egg shell is made up of calcium carbonate. Minerals, such as calcium phosphate and magnesium carbonate make up the remaining 5%.
   
•    The albumen is made up of 90% water and seven major proteins as stated by the USDA’s National Nutrient Database. The albumen in fresh eggs contains carbon dioxide which passes through the egg shell as the egg ages. It also contains 50 mg of sulfur.
    
•    All vitamins found in an egg are contained in the egg yolk, including several B-vitamins as well as vitamin A, D, and E. The egg yolk also contains many antioxidants and trace amounts of iron, magnesium, phosphorus and other metals. In addition, the egg yolk contains about 25mg of sulfur.

•    According to Biofeed Probiotics “plant stimulants, plant hormones, are produced during the metabolism of some bacteria, yeasts, molds, and cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae and blue-green bacteria). These plant stimulants and hormones, include auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, florigen and salicylic acid.
   
•    Auxins are named for the greek word “auxein” meaning to grow or to increase. Auxins were the first of the major plant hormones to be discovered. How auxins are distributed within plants is one major factor for plant growth. The distribution of auxins throughout plants is accomplished by the well executed transport of auxin molecules. Auxins usually work with or against other plant hormones that is most advantageous for the plant.