Buzz
Hydrangeas are deciduous plants that come in various sizes depending on the species, ranging from small shrubs to larger, tree-like forms. If you wish to grow hydrangeas yourself, you can propagate them by taking cuttings or layering stems. There are several propagation methods, depending on whether you have an existing plant and how many cuttings you'd like to grow.
Steps
Select hydrangea stems
Clear the soil and mulch from around the base of the mature hydrangea plant.
Find a stem with 2 to 3 pairs of leaves and no flowers. It’s best to choose a stem near the base of the plant, as older stems tend to root more successfully.
Ensure the stem you plan to cut is at least 12-15 cm long.
Cut the stem in the morning. Avoid cutting during times when the leaves are wilting.
Take Cuttings from the Bush
Gently bend a stem near the base of the bush so that it touches the ground.
Secure the stem in place. Use bricks, stones, or any heavy object to hold the stem down.
Continue watering as usual. Keep the soil moist.
Remove the brick or stone and check if the stem has started rooting.
Replace the brick or stone if roots have not yet appeared, or if the roots haven’t touched the ground. Check again in a week.
Cut the stem away from the mother plant.
Dig out the roots underground. Be careful not to sever the roots of the stem or the parent plant.
Plant the stem in the location where you want it to grow. Ensure the plant is placed in a spot with partial shade.
Planting Hydrangea Cuttings in Pots
Prepare a pot for one or more cuttings.
- Use a mixture of one part potting soil or peat moss and one part sand or vermiculite.
- Fill the pot with soil and moisten it thoroughly. Check to ensure no part of the soil is dry.
Use sharp scissors or pruning shears to cut the selected stem.
- Make the cut below the leaf node, leaving at least 6 cm of stem.
Trim the leaves. Remove the leaves below the top pair. Be careful and make sure to cut above the leaf nodes. Pruning the leaves will encourage the plant to produce more roots.
Trim some of the upper leaves. Although not required, cutting half of the larger leaves can help the stem produce roots more quickly.
Dip the cut end of the hydrangea stem in rooting hormone. You can use either liquid or powder rooting hormone. While hydrangea cuttings can root without this hormone, using it will speed up the rooting process.
Insert the cutting into the prepared potting soil. Gently press the stem down about 5 cm into the soil.
Wait for the stem to root. Typically, hydrangea cuttings take 2-3 weeks to root, but this time may vary depending on temperature and humidity conditions.
- Place the pot outdoors if the temperature is between 15.5°C and 27°C. Ensure the pot is in a shaded area and protected from the wind.
- If the outdoor temperature is too hot or too cold for this range, keep the pot indoors. Make sure the cutting receives partial or indirect sunlight.
- Maintain moisture in the soil but avoid overwatering. Excess water can lead to root rot.
Gently tug on a branch after it's been planted in the ground for 2-3 weeks. If you feel resistance, it means the branch has taken root. At this point, you can either transplant the branch or wait for the roots to grow stronger.
Encourage root growth in water
Prepare the branch by trimming off excess leaves. Select a branch that does not have flowers or buds, and is at least 10-15 cm long. Trim the lower leaves, and cut off about half of the leaves at the top.
Place the branch into a glass or jar of water. A transparent glass or jar is ideal, as it allows you to monitor the growth of the roots.
Wait for the roots to develop.
Regularly change the water in the vase to prevent mold growth.
Advice
- Most successful gardeners prefer rooting plants in soil rather than water.
- The best time to propagate hydrangeas is early summer, as the new growth has time to strengthen before fall arrives.
- If you're unable to plant hydrangea cuttings immediately, you can store them in the refrigerator overnight.
Warning
- Maintain adequate spacing between branches to prevent contact between leaves, which could lead to rot.
- If you plant a cutting with flowers, the newly rooted hydrangea will not bloom. Additionally, branches that bloomed last year will not flower again this year.
Items You Will Need
- Hydrangea cuttings
- Planting soil or moss
- Sand or vermiculite
- Flower pot
- Water
- Sharp scissors or pruning shears
- Rooting hormone
- Brick or large stones
- Gardening tray
- Vase
