Hydrangeas are the perfect addition to any garden. Not only are they beautiful, but they’re also relatively low-maintenance and require little effort to keep them looking their best.
If you’re interested in adding some hydrangeas to your garden, or if you already have some and want to add more, then propagation is one of the most effective ways to do it.
Read on for our expert tips on how to propagate hydrangeas like a pro.
Types of Propagation
When it comes to propagating hydrangea plants, there are two main types of propagation: softwood cuttings and semi-hardwood cuttings.
Softwood cuttings are taken from new growth that has not yet had time to mature and harden off. Semi-hardwood cuttings come from slightly older growth which has begun to harden off but is still relatively flexible and pliable.
Both methods can be used successfully, although softwood cuttings tend to be more successful due to their higher success rate when rooting.
Timing Matters
The timing of when you take your cuttings is another important factor in successful propagation. For softwood cuttings, the best time is typically late spring or early summer when the new shoots have just started emerging.
For semi-hardwood cuttings, the best time is usually mid-summer when the wood has begun its transition from softwood into hardwood but hasn’t fully hardened off yet.
By taking your cuttings at these times, you drastically increase your chances of successful rooting.
Take Care with Your Cuttings
When taking your cuttings, make sure that each cutting has at least three sets of leaves attached and that the stems are between 4 – 6 inches long (10 – 15 cm).
Once you have taken your cutting(s), dip them into hormone rooting powder which will help stimulate root growth once planted in soil or a potting mix specifically designed for propagating plants such as hydrangeas.
After this point, all you need to do is wait for roots to start growing!
Conclusion
Propagation is one of the most effective ways of creating new hydrangea plants without having to buy new ones every year.
The key thing with any type of propagation is timing; if you take your cuttings too early or too late then there’s a very real chance that they won’t root properly or may even die before they get a chance at life!
Take care with each step in the process and keep an eye on progress and hydrate regularly until those roots start growing – then it’s smooth sailing from there! Good luck!
