Hydrangea is a shrub of the genus Hydrangea very widely grown for the beauty of its flowers which bloom profusely from June to September. More generally, the different species of Hydrangea represent a large family of shrubs which bring a sumptuous note to the garden and they can be grown alone, in a group or in a hedge. It is also quite easy to cut a Hydrangea like most Hydrangea elsewhere. For guaranteed success, here are the main steps to follow.
When to cut a Hydrangea or Hydrangea?
The best time of year to Propagate a Hydrangea by cuttings is located between July and September. Depending on the region, the cuttings can be taken more or less late because it is necessary to wait until the Hydrangea has started to deflower. By cutting the Hydrangea during the summer, good rooting is achieved in barely four weeks.
It is strongly advised to choose only shoots that have not borne any flowers and whose wood is still very soft.
How to cut a Hydrangea or Hydrangea?
We start by selecting a few young lateral branches that have not flowered. The ideal is to prepare about ten head cuttings. This consists of cutting each branch about 15 cm from the end. The cut is made bevel, 1 cm below a leaf node. It is essential to use pruning shears with previously disinfected and perfectly sharpened blades in order to obtain a clean cut. Once the cuttings have been taken, all that remains is to follow the following procedure.
- Remove the leaves, taking care not to touch the buds, and keep only the leaves located at the top of the branches.
- Fill as many buckets as cuttings either with a special cuttings soil or with a mixture of 50% heather soil and 50% river sand.
- Plant one cutting per cup, pushing it down about 3 cm.
- Wet the substrate by pouring about 20 cl of water into it.
- Place a makeshift bell on each cutting, for example using plastic bottles with a cut bottom and the cap on which should be left.
- Install the buckets outside, in a well-shaded corner of the garden.
Tips for successful cuttings of Hydrangea or Hydrangea
Here are a few tips and tricks for making your Hydrangea cuttings a success every time.
- Place the cups in full light most never expose them to direct sunlight who would only burn the cuttings. For example, they can be placed in the shade of the mother plant.
- Once the small branches are planted in the buckets, it is necessary to think of airing them regularly by opening the cap of the plastic bottles.
- The substrate must be maintained wet. It can be sprayed so that it does not dry out, but care must be taken to never waterlog it because this would inevitably lead to the rotting of the small roots in formation. It is possible to place the cups in a plastic box with an undrilled bottom.
- Check the state of rooting of the cuttings after two weeks. If, by pulling lightly on the twigs, there is resistance, this means that roots have indeed formed. It is then time toremove plastic bottles.
The appearance of new leaves on Hydrangea cuttings is the sign of success. We can therefore proceed to the stage of transplanting. It is essential to handle the root ball with delicacy so as not to damage the young roots. To get it out of its bucket more easily, it is necessary to wet the substrate beforehand. Many gardeners prefer to opt for biodegradable cups because it allows you to transplant the cuttings with their container, whereas it is obviously unthinkable if you have chosen to install your Hydrangea shoots in plastic buckets.
But be careful, we do not transplant Hydrangea cuttings in the ground than in regions with a mild climate. Where the winters are harsh, it is absolutely essential to opt for a transplanting in pot in order to place its cuttings under cover until the following spring, as soon as the risk of frost has completely passed. In the meantime, it is essential to store them in a well ventilated, bright, cool and dry place.
So ! Young people Hydrangeas from cuttings are now in place, but it will be necessary to wait until the following year to see them bloom. During their first year, they need regular watering so that the soil is never completely dry. But beware of excess water which promotes many diseases. The best solution for watering less frequently, especially when it is not raining and it is very hot, is to limit the evaporation process by placing a slate mulch or even made up ofpine bark for example, which also avoids having to weed too often.