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How to propagate hydrangeas? | Part 1

How to care for hydrangea cuttings?
There are two methods to take care of hydrangea cuttings:

1️⃣ Outdoor method – Place the pots with cuttings in a shady outdoor area and mist them frequently (even every hour during hot weather).

2️⃣ Covered method – Cover the pot with a transparent plastic bag and mist regularly. The bag helps retain moisture, creating the perfect humid environment. This way, the cuttings can be kept on a windowsill or any shaded place. We personally keep ours outdoors and cover them with a small greenhouse.

When are hydrangea cuttings ready?

After two months, the cuttings (regardless of the method used) will have developed a healthy root system. At this point, you can reduce misting and start feeding them with fertilizer, as the nutrient-poor soil used for rooting encourages strong root growth.

How to overwinter hydrangea cuttings?

Keep them in the same container in above-freezing temperatures and ensure they have access to natural light.
A veranda, winter garden, or unheated shed are good storage options.
Protect the pots from frost.
You can also transplant them into 1.5-liter pots with rich compost and grow them indoors or in a winter garden until spring.

When to plant rooted hydrangea cuttings in the ground?
Mid-May of the following year is the safest time for transplanting young hydrangeas into their final location. By then, the risk of frost has passed, and the plants will be strong enough to thrive outdoors.

🌱 Bonus tip: If the stems reach 20 cm in height but have no flower buds, trim them back to 10 cm and wait for them to bloom. After one month in the new pots, start fertilizing.

📌 Save this video to your "My Garden" tab, and we’ll remind you when it’s time to propagate hydrangeas!

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How to propagate hydrangeas and share the beauty of your garden

Have you ever marveled at a beautifully blooming hydrangea in your garden and wished you could have more of them? Or perhaps you've seen a stunning specimen in a friend's garden and wondered how you could introduce it to your own? Well, you're in luck! In this article, we'll show you how to propagate hydrangeas and spread their beauty. We'll also share some personal experiences and tips that have helped us succeed in our gardening journey.

Why propagate hydrangeas?

Propagating hydrangeas is a rewarding way to expand your garden or share your favorite plants with friends and neighbors. Not only do you get to enjoy more of these gorgeous blooms, but you also get to experiment and learn about the fascinating world of plant propagation. We’ve propagated many varieties of hydrangeas over the years, and each time, it's like creating a little bit of magic in our garden.

Personal experience: A hydrangea success story

Two years ago, we had a beautiful white hydrangea that was the centerpiece of our garden. Its blooms were so radiant that passersby would often stop and admire it. We decided to try our hand at propagating it to see if we could recreate its beauty elsewhere in our garden. With a bit of research and patience, we successfully rooted several cuttings, and now, two years later, those tiny cuttings have grown into thriving plants that add charm to multiple corners of our yard. It's amazing to see how much joy a single plant can bring when shared and multiplied!

Step-by-step guide: How to propagate hydrangeas

Select the right hydrangea: Before you start, choose a healthy plant. Paniculata hydrangeas and hydrangea macrophylla are popular choices for propagation.
Take a cutting: Use clean, sharp scissors to take a cutting from a mature, non-flowering stem. The cutting should be about 4-6 inches long.
Remove leaves: Remove the lower leaves, leaving a couple of leaves at the top. This helps the cutting conserve moisture while it roots.
Dip in rooting hormone: Although optional, dipping the cut end in rooting hormone can encourage faster root development.
Plant the cutting: Insert the cutting into a pot filled with a mixture of sand and peat. Keep the soil moist and cover the pot with a plastic bag to maintain humidity.
Place in a warm, bright location: Indirect sunlight is ideal. Avoid placing the cutting in direct sun, as this can cause it to dry out.
Wait patiently: Roots typically develop in a few weeks, but patience is key. Keep an eye on the moisture level and be patient.

If you're wondering when to cut back hydrangeas, the best time is during the dormant season, usually in late winter or early spring. This is also a good time to take cuttings for propagation.

Hydrangea care tips

Once your cuttings have rooted and you've successfully propagated new plants, it's important to know how to care for them. Here's a handy list of hydrangea care tips:

Water regularly, especially during dry spells, but avoid waterlogging.
Provide adequate sunlight; most hydrangeas prefer morning sun and afternoon shade.
Fertilize in the spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer.
Prune to remove dead or damaged stems and to maintain shape.
Protect your plants in winter if you live in a colder climate.

With these care tips, your propagated hydrangeas should thrive and bring you joy year after year.

Common challenges in hydrangea propagation

While propagating hydrangeas can be a fun and rewarding experience, it can also come with its share of challenges. One common issue we encountered was mold developing on the cuttings while they were rooting. This is usually due to excessive humidity or poor air circulation. To fix this, we started opening the plastic bag for a few hours each day to allow air to circulate, and it worked wonders.

Another challenge can be getting the timing right. Understanding when to cut back hydrangeas and knowing the ideal conditions for rooting can significantly impact your success rate. In our experience, patience and persistence are key. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, a cutting may not take—but that's all part of the learning process!

Lessons learned: Embrace the process

Propagation teaches us to be patient and attentive to the needs of our plants. It's a journey filled with small victories and occasional setbacks. The thrill of seeing new roots emerge from a cutting never gets old, and the joy of nurturing a plant from a tiny cutting to a full-grown shrub is incredibly rewarding. It's a reminder that, just like gardening itself, propagation is about embracing the process, cherishing the journey, and celebrating the fruits of our labor.

Conclusion: Share the joy of hydrangeas

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, propagating hydrangeas is a fulfilling way to enhance your garden and share its beauty with others. By following these steps and learning from both successes and setbacks, you'll be well on your way to growing your own hydrangea collection. So why not give it a try? Imagine the joy of gifting a blooming hydrangea to a friend or neighbor, knowing that it started from a simple cutting in your garden. What could be more rewarding? Happy gardening!