The 7 key steps for cutting your hydrangeas
- In August-September, collect branches vigorous non-flowering plant about fifteen centimeters long. Choose shoots of the year whose wood is still forming (semi-woody shoots).
- Remove the leaves from the base of the branch using a grafting postwithout damaging the side eyes.
- Trim the base from the cutting just under a node.
- Remove the head from the cutting whose wood is too weak above a knot.
- Halve the leaves to limit evaporation.
- Dip the base of the cutting in a rooting hormone solution. Plant several cuttings per pot. Embed them in a mixture of peat and river sand.
- A few months later, when the cuttings are rooted, transplant them into individual pots to make them expand, then in the open ground if the winter does not look too harsh. Otherwise, keep them in a frost-free place until spring.
Some tips and tricks for successful hydrangea cuttings
Here are some tips and tricks to optimize your chances of succeeding with your hydrangea cuttings:
- Choose healthy and vigorous branches, which have not been attacked by diseases or parasites. Avoid branches that are too old or too young, which are less likely to take root.
- Use a clean, sharp tool to take and trim your cuttings, such as pruning shears, a knife or a grafting post. Disinfect it before and after each use, with rubbing alcohol or diluted bleach.
- Label your pots with the name and variety of the hydrangea that you cut, as well as the date of the cutting. This will allow you to follow the progress of your cuttings and identify them easily.
- Water your cuttings regularly, without drowning them or letting them dry out.. Maintain constant humidity of the substrate, using a spray bottle or saucer. You can also cover your pots with a pierced plastic bag or a cut plastic bottle, to create a mini-greenhouse.
- Place your pots away from direct sun, wind and cold. Choose a bright but shady location, such as a conservatory, greenhouse, or windowsill. Avoid artificial heat sources, such as radiators or fireplaces.
- Monitor your cuttings regularly, and remove any yellowed or wilted leaves. Also check for the appearance of roots by gently lifting the cuttings. You can also try to lightly pull on the cuttings, and if you feel resistance, roots have formed.
Hydrangea or hydrangea?
The hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) is known to everyone with its large inflorescences: it is the hydrangea of florists and its numerous hybrids offer us a wide range of shades.
Other forms of hydrangea exist, little-known wonders, which deserve to appear in any shady and cool corner of the garden: oak-leaved hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris) hydrangea with panicle flowers (Hydrangea paniculata).
Shaped cuttings
Give your cuttings the best growing conditions: properly moisten the pots and place them in a shaded area. If necessary, to maintain satisfactory humidity, cover the cuttings with transparent plastic.
How to choose the right time to plant your hydrangea cuttings?
Once your cuttings are well rooted, you can plant them in the ground or in larger pots. But you have to choose the right time to do it, depending on the climate and the season. Here are some indications:
- If you live in a region with a mild climate, you can plant your cuttings in the fall or spring, when temperatures are mild and the soil is moist. Avoid periods of frost or drought, which can compromise plant recovery.
- If you live in an area with a cold climate, you must wait until spring to plant your cuttings, when the risk of frost has passed. You can also keep them in a frost-free room during the winter, watering them lightly and protecting them from the cold.
- If you plant your cuttings in a pot, you can do this at any time of the year, as long as you provide them with good drainage and water supply. You can also bring them indoors during the winter, if the temperatures are too low.