Have you tried to Propagate?

2 years ago

Anybody try to propagate hydrangeas? Where you successful? I have alot of piculatas I would like to try hardwood cuttings.

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spswash

2 years ago

I put the containers in our basement/garage. No freezing/frost. I occasionally will add some water - maybe a cup or so, but not usually enough to run out of the bottom. It sort of replaces the rain. The soil does get very dry before a short watering. Other than that - I just leave them alone. Plants when dormant do not need sunlight. I do NOT fertilize at all - just use the cheapest potting soil I can find that does not have large particles or lumps of wood. I do water the soil right after striking (putting in soil) the cuttings. It is moist and holds moisture but not running out of the bottom. I don't have enough saucers for all the containers, so they are just plopped on the cement and I don't want water running all over the floor. The cuttings will look positively dead! They are not and when the time is right, they will leaf out. When? depends on the daylight/night time relationship. Even though the basement had very limited daylight - the plants know. If you are worried about this - put them outside - shade or partial sun - after frost and they will figure it out. It does not seem to depend on the temperature. As I tell all my people in the workshops on Propagating, it is not brain surgery! Don't fret each step - just do it.

Here are some facts that might make it easier to do.

1. You can use any branch, if it has blooms - just cut them off.

2. I do cuttings at any time of the year. Cut a branch, trim and put into soil.

3. Put twice as many as you want to root. 50% success is a great goal.

4. Make sure your containers have drainage. No rocks or pot pieces, just solid soil.

5. At least 2 leave nodes under the soil - they will be root nodes when buried.

5a. Wound or slightly score the stem that is under the soil. Roots will emerge there.

6. You can cut the leaves on the branches in half - to reduce water loss.

7. Run your hands softly over the leaf nodes a couple of months after they drop their leaves and you might feel new branches starting to emerge.

8. If you don't see new growth from leaf nodes, watch for it at the base of the cutting.

9. Be patient, some cuttings will take several months to show any growth.

10. Good luck!

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Comments (12)

luis_pr
2 years ago
Most types of hydrangeas are very easy to propagate (oakleaf hydrangeas are more difficult though). See here:

https://plantaddicts.com/propagating-hydrangeas/
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
2 years ago
One member here I know personally propagates a LOT of hydrangeas, mostly macs and serratas. I have several of her babies :-) But I don't see why paniculatas shouldn't work the same way. She does semi-hardwood cuttings in mid to late summer, sticks them in regular potting soil and then overwinters them in her garage. They are ready to plant out the next spring.
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I have attempted after seeing information in several books. But none of the books other than mentioning it is done gave any information other than a poor picture of a row of cutting in a box. I think a month is way too soon to expect roots. If anyone has done this I would like to know did you use new wood or old, time of year cut, was a bud left on or was it blank, was the entire stem placed underground, or what. I have not tried it yet because I keep forgetting but supposedly if your plant starts developing green side shoots the shoot can be cut off with a bit of the stem, placed in moist sand, and according to the books the bud will start sending out roots. In my area this could be late June or early July. I imagine that the time would vary depending on your area.
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I wouldn't say that you are doing it wrong..they need to go into soil eventually, right? My guess is that they haven't been acclimated correctly..if they have been in a cloner with 100% humidity and they get thrown into your air, they get shocked..i would try putting them in potting mix, but making sure you had something over them to keep humidity in, so you can gradually get them used to less and less. are they shriveling up and dying, or are they turning black first? black is usually too much water, sometimes cold..green and dead, I would go back to guessing humidity, assuming that you watered them!! You got roots!! That is the hardest part..so keep playing with your methods, you'll be a pro in no time! Donna
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mzdee
2 years ago
I just tried. I think I failed. I'm not giving up though.
gumneck 7A Virginia
2 years ago
I’ve propagated macs, paniculatas, and arborescens. I occasionally will trim hydrangea limbs blocking a walkway and instead of throwing in the trash or compost will cut the limbs into short lenths and stick in a container of potting mix, put the pot in shade and see what happens. Sometimes I take more care and stick the cuttings into rooting hormone before potting. Or I will tent the potted cuttings with a plastic bag. If I were to guess I would say I probably have a 30 percent success rate. Sometimes Im surprised to see a cutting i thought didnt take and left out over winter only to see leaf out in spring. My yard probably has too many hydrangeas. I’ve given away many cuttings.
pennlake
2 years ago
Dormant hardwood cuttings on paniculata can work if you have the right set up. Summer softwood cuttings are much easier especially earlier in the season before the flowers form. Here in MN, prime time would be June.
hostalavista
2 years ago
Do any of you trade cuttings?
spswash
2 years ago
I have propagated hydrangeas for years. I am successful and have modified the directions for our PNW growing conditions. Many of the uTube directions are great for nurseries, but are more steps than most home gardeners need to follow.

I use branch cuttings, cut to 7 to 10 inches, scrape or wound the stem that will be under the soil be sure to put at least two leaf nodes in the soil with the rest of the branch sticking up. Sometime I use Dip and Grow - power or liquid (mixed at the last moment) regular non-organic potting soil and a gallon container for 5-20 cuttings. My rooting rate is about 85% for most Macs and Serratas and 70% or so for some hard to root varieties such as Asperas and Hayes Star Burst. Some root withing weeks and other take months - over winter and leafing out in spring. If you can't wait to see if they have rooted, carefully dig out the branch from the container - don't cut the roots and look. Carefully place back in the hole that you made and gently push the soil to firm it. Some people gently tug the cutting and if it does not move, then it has probably rooted. The magic word is GENTLY! Hope this helps.
mzdee
2 years ago
Spswash, tell us more about how you handle this process in winter please
hostalavista
2 years ago
Spswash, the reasreason I asked if anyone trades cuttings, is to get different hydrangea. I only have 5 different ones!

Limelight, Tardiva, Annabelle, I cant remember the other two. Oh forgot I just bought Twist and Shout!

yes I tryed propagation, had Pretty good results!
spswash
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Hastalavista,

I am sorry but I don't trade cuttings. Ask in your neighborhood. Most gardeners are happy to give you a branch or two. I don't send cuttings, it is very time consuming to do correctly and expensive to mail. Not sure where you live, but if it is close to Seattle, I would be happy to cut some branches for you if you visit the garden.
hostalavista
2 years ago
Thank you for your timtime 🙏

Have you tried to Propagate?

spswash

Comments (12)

luis_pr

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

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