Hardwood cuttings are 8-10 inch lengths of the current years stem growth taken from the plant in late autumn after the leaves have fallen. Make a horizontal cut just below a node and trim the upper end of the cutting at an angle (This allows you to identify which is the top and which is the bottom). Dip the cutting in rooting compound, shake off any surplus and insert vertically into a pot filled with sand. This pot can then be kept in a cold greenhouse until rooting occurs, usually by next summer. A quicker version of this method is to place the potted cuttings on a windowsill or in a heated propagator at approximately 60 degrees and given sufficient water to keep just moist until new growth appears. Once rooted, the cuttings may be individually potted. Keep cool and frost free until ready to plant outdoors.

Hope this helps
Ian

Couple questions for Ian
Do you treat the entire stem with hormone?
Do you bury the stems completely in the sand? (no tips showing above the sand)
Thanks
Marshall

Hi mrgpag,

Just treat the lower 1/2 inch with hormone and insert the cutting about an inch to 2 inches into the sand. The roots will appear from the lower leave node on the stem.

Ian

Understand and Thanks. I've heard of taking hardwood cuttings as you described and burying them in sand/whatever over the winter to form callouses , then take them out and plant them in the spring. This works on some plants - not others.

Ian,
I have a few cuttings I rooted from some of my hydrangeas (none mopheads). I removed them from the rooting bed they were in and potted them about 2 weeks ago. Is it necessary to keep these frost free in my zone until Spring when I plant in the ground? I had planned to sink the pots in the ground and mulch around the base and the plant with mulch/bark/leaves. Thought I would ask before I proceeded with this and killed my newly rooted plants. Of The ones that I have potted in small pots, a couple of these have new leaves although several have no new leaves but they do have roots.

Hi mohicansong,

Go ahead and sink the pots in the ground. Mulching is very important to protect the plants from the elements. Wait until the ground warms up in the spring before removing the mulch.

Ian

Thanks for the help Ian !