Propagating hydrangeas from cuttings is an excellent idea for gardeners who want to expand their hydrangea collection without putting a strain on their wallet. You may have to experiment a bit, but it's relatively easy whether you propagate hydrangeas in the ground or in a glass of water. Since these techniques are also inexpensive, it won't be a big problem if you make mistakes on the first try.
Propagating Hydrangeas – First, gather your materials
If you've decided to propagate hydrangeas, it's time to get the materials you need before you start cutting.
- Clean secateurs:Make sure your pruning shears are sharp and disinfect them with rubbing alcohol to prevent your new cuttings from becoming infected with fungal diseases.
- Water glass or pots:You can repot the hydrangeas into larger containers as they grow, but it's easier to start with small containers to begin with.
- Plastic bags:Plastic bags serve two purposes. First, they protect the cuttings from drying out if you need to transport them before rooting, and second, they act as a mini greenhouse once you've planted the cuttings.
- Culture medium:Choose either potting soil or water as your growing medium. We will explain the different options in more detail later in this article.
- Rooting hormone:Using a rooting hormone is optional, but if you choose to use it, it can increase your success rate with new plants.
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How to root hydrangea cuttings in the ground
Propagationof hydrangeas– After gathering your materials, you can begin taking cuttings from your hydrangeas. The best time for this is spring or early summer. Don't wait until the end of the season because you want your hydrangeas to take root and have enough time to grow before they reach dormancy. Choose a trunk that is at least 6 inches long and has new growth. Avoid stems that have buds or flowers. Cut 2 inches below a leaf node and make sure there is at least one set of leaves above the leaf node where you made the cut.
Once you have your cuttings, you may want to move them elsewhere to complete the rest of the process. If you need to move before planting the cuttings in their growing medium, you can temporarily place them in a plastic bag to preserve moisture levels. But don't take too much time.
When ready, remove all but the top two leaves from each cutting. The remaining leaves of theCut hydrangeasCross them in so that the seedlings do not lose too much moisture when rooting. Now dip the end of the cutting in the rooting hormone if you are using one. Next, place the cutting in moist potting soil (of course, this step is different if you are rooting in water) and cover it with a plastic bag. Be careful not to let the leaves touch the edge of the bag.
Keep cuttings away from direct sunlight. Some begin to root in as little as a week, but they typically take two to three weeks to root. If you root the hydrangeas in the ground, you should water them when the surface of the soil begins to dry out.
How to propagate hydrangeas in a glass of water
Propagate hydrangeas in water –If you've ever accidentally left a hydrangea arrangement outside for too long (no judgment), then you may already know that hydrangeas sometimes start to take root in water. If you want to try water instead of soil, cut a stem two inches below a second or third leaf node. Then cut off all but the top two leaves. Cut these leaves crosswise in half.
If you choose a rooting hormone, consider using a liquid one. Rooting hormones in powder or gel form are less effective in water. Finally, place the cutting in a glass of water. Make sure the water level covers the lower leaf nodes. Although hydrangea bouquets sometimes root in dirty water that you forgot to change, you will get better results if you change the water every 3 to 5 days. As with propagation in soil, keep the cuttings protected from direct sunlight.
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Propagating Hydrangeas – Which Option Works Best?
If propagating hydrangeas in water is not much different than rooting in soil, then why isn't water used more often? The problem is that cuttings planted in water have a lower survival rate. Hydrangeas take longer to root in water, so there's more time for something to go wrong. Additionally, the roots that hydrangea cuttings develop in water are not as strong, and the new plants are less likely to survive the transition into the soil.
Some gardeners have success rooting hydrangeas in water, and it's fun to watch the roots develop in the water instead of hidden underground. However, most gardeners find that hydrangeas perform better when the cuttings are rooted in soil. The soil method is more reliable for hydrangeas and just as easy to do. Of course, if you have access to multiple cuttings, you can always try both methods and see which works better for you.
Watering hydrangeas – how much water do they need? Thefind out here!
