Growing hydrangeas from cuttings is a great way to propagate new plants. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
1. Selecting Cuttings:
- Choose healthy, non-flowering stems for cuttings. Look for stems that are green and firm, without any signs of disease or damage.
- Cuttings should be about 6 inches long and taken from the tips of the stems. Make a clean cut just below a leaf node (where leaves emerge from the stem).
2. Preparing Cuttings:
- Remove the lower leaves from the cuttings, leaving only a few leaves at the top.
- If the remaining leaves are large, you can trim them in half to reduce water loss and encourage root development.
3. Rooting Hormone (Optional):
- Dip the cut end of each cutting into rooting hormone powder. This can help stimulate root growth, but it’s optional.
4. Planting Cuttings:
- Fill small pots or containers with a well-draining potting mix.
- Make a hole in the center of the potting mix with a pencil or your finger.
- Insert the cut end of the hydrangea cutting into the hole, pressing the soil gently around the stem to hold it in place.
5. Watering:
- Water the cuttings thoroughly after planting to settle the soil around the stems.
- Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Hydrangea cuttings need high humidity to root successfully, so consider covering them with a clear plastic bag or placing them in a propagator to maintain humidity.
6. Placement:
- Place the pots in a warm, bright location with indirect sunlight. Avoid placing them in direct sunlight, as this can cause the cuttings to dry out.
7. Care:
- Mist the cuttings regularly to keep the humidity high around them.
- Monitor the soil moisture and water as needed to keep it consistently moist.
- After a few weeks, gently tug on the cuttings to check for resistance, indicating that roots have formed.
8. Transplanting:
- Once the cuttings have developed roots (usually within 6-8 weeks), they can be transplanted into larger pots or planted outdoors in the garden.
- Harden off the rooted cuttings gradually before planting them outdoors by exposing them to outdoor conditions for increasing periods each day.
By following these steps, you can successfully grow hydrangeas from cuttings and propagate new plants for your garden.