Hydrangeas are deciduous flowering plants that can vary in size from a bush to a sapling. If you want to grow hydrangeas, you can start with cuttings. There are various methods of propagation, choose the one that best suits your needs considering the number of cuttings you want to take root and if you have a mother plant.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Choose the Cuttings
Step 1. Brush away soil and mulch from the back or side of the mother plant
Step 2. Look for a branch without inflorescences, with 2-3 pairs of leaves
It is important that it is close to the base of the plant, as woody cuttings will generally produce more roots.
Step 3. Make sure that the branch intended for cutting is 13 to 15 cm long
Step 4. Cut the cutting in the morning
Avoid cutting it off when the leaves are wilted.
Method 2 of 4: Rooting a Cutting directly from the Plant
Step 1. Bend a low branch of the mother plant so that it touches the ground
Step 2. Hold it still
Secure it to the ground with something heavy, such as a stone or brick.
Step 3. Continue watering the plant normally
Keep the soil moist.
Step 4. Remove the brick or stone and check if the branch has taken root
Step 5. Replace the stone or brick if there are no roots or if they don't reach the ground
Check it out a week later.
Step 6. Cut the branch off the mother plant
Step 7. Dig around the section with roots to get it out of the ground
Be careful not to cut off the roots of the mother plant when you dig.
Step 8. Move the hydrangea to an area where it can grow
Make sure it has partial shade.
Method 3 of 4: Growing Pot Cuttings
Step 1. Prepare the jars
- Use a mix with a part of soil or sphagnum moss and a part of sand or vermiculite.
- Add the potting soil to the pot and moisten it well. Check to make sure there are no dry parts.
Step 2. Take the cutting of your choice using sharp scissors or shears
Cut at least 5 cm below a leaf node
Step 3. Remove excess leaves
Remove the ones below the top pair, being careful to cut over the knots. This way the plant will produce more roots.
Step 4. Cut the top leaves
This is an optional step, but by reducing the size of the larger leaves by half, you can help with root production.
Step 5. Dip the base in rooting hormones
You can use those in liquid or powder form. Hydrangea cuttings also propagate without hormones, but the roots will grow faster if you use them.
Step 6. Place the cuttings in the ready pots
Push them gently until they penetrate 5 cm into the soil.
Step 7. Wait for them to take root
It will take 2 to 3 weeks for each cutting to root, but depending on the temperature and humidity, the process may be faster.
- Place the cuttings outside if the temperatures are between 15.5 and 26.7 ° and you have an area that is sheltered from the wind and in partial shade.
- Keep the cuttings inside if it gets too hot or too cold. Make sure they get filtered or partial sunlight.
- Keep the soil moist, but don't overwater it. It must not soak otherwise it could lead to root rot.
Step 8. After 2-3 weeks, gently pull a sprig
If it resists, it has taken root. You can transplant hydrangea to allow it to develop further.
Method 4 of 4: Rooting a Cutting in Water
Step 1. Prepare the cutting by removing excess leaves
It must be at least 10 cm long and free of both flowers and buds. Remove the leaves at the base and cut the larger leaves in half at the top of the cutting.
Step 2. Place it in a vase or glass filled with water
It is preferable to use a clear container as it will allow you to control root formation.
Step 3. Wait for the roots to appear
Step 4. Change the water frequently to avoid mold growth
Step 5. Plant the cutting once the roots appear
Advice
- Most gardeners are most successful by putting the cuttings in water.
- You can put your cuttings in the refrigerator overnight if you can't plant them right away.
- Hydrangea propagation is most successful in the summer, because the seedlings will have time to mature before autumn.
Warnings
- If you take the cuttings from a flowering branch you will not have any inflorescences on the new plant. The flowers develop on the branches every other year.
- Keep the cuttings far enough apart to prevent the leaves from touching. Otherwise they could rot.
