Propagation of hydrangeas by cuttings. Action algorithm

Large caps of flowers - paniculate inflorescences of hydrangeas - attract the attention of many. Such a charming bush in the garden can be a source of pride and admiration. Therefore, the question of how to propagate hydrangeas by cuttings on their own is of particular relevance. To begin with, we suggest that you study the general recommendations on how to harvest material for planting, and the algorithm of actions.

What is the timing of hydrangea cuttings?

Vegetative propagation can be carried out in three stages: in spring, summer and autumn. In the first case, it is necessary to start even before the sap flow of the plants starts. Take lignified branches from the bush. As a rule, they remain after forming pruning - and they did a useful job, and propagate the hydrangea. Bring them home, warm, and let stand in the water for several days.

Propagation of hydrangeas by cuttings in summer can be started from June-July, when the shoots of the current year are already well developed and have gained strength. Choose those that have not had time to woody and have not yet bloomed.

Harvesting cuttings: technology

Processing cuttings

Not every hydrangea garden propagation by cuttings is easy and simple, and therefore treatment with special preparations is desirable. However, this step is, in principle, advisory in nature, but improves the chances of rooting and the rapid growth of new plants. Prepared hydrangea cuttings (regardless of the season) should be soaked in a weak solution of the Epin preparation (at a concentration of 2 ml per 2 liters of water) for 10-12 hours, or use HB101 (1-2 drops per 1 liter of water) and reduce time up to 30 minutes. At the end of the procedure, you should use Kornevin or Root powder, which stimulates the formation of roots. To do this, simply dip the cuttings in powder to the first internode, from which the leaves are cut. Then immediately start landing.

rooting process

Keep in mind that propagating hydrangeas with green or spring cuttings is a rather lengthy process and requires patience. Before you start the procedure for processing root growth stimulants, you need to prepare the soil. You can find quite a lot of recommendations for its compilation, and the component composition is quite different. We recommend using the usual washed coarse-grained river sand. Plant the cuttings at an angle of 45 °, while immersing the lower part by about 2-3 cm. At the same time, make sure that they do not touch each other, and the remaining leaves do not touch the sand. After planting, lightly spray the top of the cuttings with water from a spray bottle.

Organize a small greenhouse for them, cover the top with either a glass jar or polyethylene, and place in a shady place, this will protect them from overheating and drying out. If hydrangeas are propagated by cuttings in the summer, then you can take them to the garden or greenhouse. The main thing is that the temperature should be within + 20-25 ° C during the day and + 15-18 ° C at night. Under these conditions, the roots appear in about a month.

Seedling care

As soon as the roots on the cuttings reach 2-3 cm in length, you can seat them in separate pots. Large dishes are not required, a diameter of 10 cm and the same depth is enough. The soil for young hydrangeas should be light and nutritious. You can buy suitable land in a specialized store, or make it yourself. For an optimal soil composition, you will need to mix peat, ordinary garden soil and river sand in a ratio of 2: 2: 1. Keep seedlings at first in a shady place and do not forget about regular watering. Propagation of hydrangeas by cuttings is not a quick process; young specimens will be ready for planting in open ground only next spring.

Planting seedlings in open ground

For the winter, young seedlings should be dug into the ground directly in a pot so that the root system does not freeze. Or, after the leaves fall, stop watering completely, and place the plants in the basement, where the temperature is kept within + 1-5 ° C. In the spring, when signs of growth are visible, start watering the plants gradually, and then plant them in the ground. You can immediately choose a permanent place on the site or organize a small garden-"school" and hold them for another year on it.

Dig up the soil well before planting. In each well, it is desirable to add 1 tbsp. l. universal mineral fertilizer. Plant a hydrangea with a clod of earth. In order to easily pull it out of the pot, do not water the plant for 2-3 days. Sometimes, to get a lush bush, immediately after planting, it is recommended to cut the seedling to 2/3 of the height.

Large-leaved hydrangea: propagation by cuttings

The basic principles of reproduction of this species are those that were named above. However, the plant has a capricious character, so when cutting it, you need to know some subtleties. Firstly, large-leaved hydrangea reproduces only by green summer cuttings and dividing the bush. The most suitable dates are June - September. Choose a not too hot overcast day for the procedure and cut the apical cuttings with a sharp knife. You can, of course, take from the middle of the shoot, but, as practice shows, they develop more slowly and worse. The further algorithm of actions is similar to that described above. Do not forget to cover not only the young large-leaved hydrangea, but also the adult one for the winter, as it is very sensitive to cold weather.

Hydrangea paniculata: propagation by cuttings

The terms for grafting in this species are very short, so it is important not to miscalculate, otherwise rooting is very often unsuccessful. The ideal moment is when the shoots already contain enough moisture, and young leaves do not evaporate it so quickly. In Central Russia, it falls approximately in mid-June. Take cuttings at the bottom of the trunks, without flower buds. It is recommended not to cut them with a pruner or a knife, but to pinch them off together with the so-called “heel” up to 1.5 cm long. The cut is very carefully sprinkled with Kornevin powder, avoiding contact with the bark, the lower leaves are removed, leaving only a few upper (2-4 ). Next, the cuttings are planted either in open ground, on a pre-prepared bed, or in separate pots. Panicle hydrangea has such growing features. Propagation by cuttings in water is ineffective. If flower stalks appear on a young plant in the first year, then it is better to remove them so that the plant puts all its strength into the growth of the root system. Young plants after planting in the ground in the first couple of years should be covered for the winter with spruce branches or special material.

A few words about other methods of reproduction

Not every hydrangea is successfully propagated by cuttings, so it makes sense to think about other ways to get a new plant from the mother.

First, layering. The optimal time is early spring, when the buds are already swollen, but have not yet begun to bloom. Near the bush, you need to dig up the soil and level its surface. Shallow furrows (1.5-2 cm) are made in the sides in a circle, then the lower shoots are laid in them. To prevent the branches from straightening, use metal arcs (they gently press them to the ground), and sprinkle a little soil on top. Toward the end of summer, several shoots form on each layer. When they reach 15-20 cm in height, you need to gradually hill them up with an interval of 7-10 days. The separation of layering is carried out in October, after which the seedlings must be dug into the ground.

If the propagation of hydrangeas by cuttings is possible at any stage of the development of the bush and over a long period of time, then it is best to do this with shoots when transplanting the mother plant. Some species, under favorable conditions, form a lot of root growth, which is simply necessary to separate. In spring or autumn, around the mother bush, the top layer of soil must be carefully removed, the child shoot carefully separated and planted in a permanent place. Care for him is the same as for an adult plant.