Take cuttings in the morning when plants are well watered and turgid. Try to take non-blooming stems. If this is not possible, remove all blooms or buds.(The cutting wants to live; help it out by directing its energy to producing roots, not flowering and setting seed.)

Best species for Softwood Cuttings: Hydrangea arborescens, Smooth Hydrangea and its subspecies and cultivars (‘Annabelle’, INVINCIBELLE) Hydrangea macrophylla, Bigleaf Hydrangea and its many cultivars (this includes all lacecap and mophead cultivars)Hydrangea paniculata, Peegee Hydrangea or Panicle Hydrangea and its many cultivars (‘Limelight’, ‘Pink Diamond’. ‘Tardiva’)A little more difficult but worth trying are the Oakleaf Hydrangea, H. quercifolia, and its cultivarsEa

siest

Var

ietie

s

Hydrangea

Softwood Cuttings

Cut a 6-8” non-blooming stem.Roots will form at the leaf nodes, the places on the stem where the leaves are attached.Remove leaves from the node which will be in the rooting medium.

Supp

lies Hydrangeas: Healthy, well-watered,

young specimens will produce the best results

Clippers, plant labels, pencils, plastic pots, plastic bags, stakes to hold the plastic bags off the cuttings

Potting mix: 3/4 perlite + 1/4 soiless potting mix (with no additives such as fertilizer and water absorbing material)

Low dose rooting hormones such as Dip ‘N Grow or Rootone are effective

Softwood Cutting Supplies

How-T

o

How to Take a

Softwood Cuttings

1

Insert cutting and firm in gently. Water again and drain.More than one cutting can be placed in each pot if space allows.Record name of plant on one side of the plant label and date, type of cutting and name/strength of rooting hormone on the other side. Insert plant label in pot.Put potted cutting in a plastic bag with a stake cut a inch or so taller than the cutting. Seal with twist tie.Place in a shady spot outdoors, completely out of direct sunlight. It is not necessary to water your cutting when it is in plastic.

Remove other unnecessary large leaves.Cut bigger leaves in half to reduce transpiration and stress on the cutting while it is attempting to root.

Cuttings root at different rates--some in as little as 4 weeks, others much longer. To determine if rooting has occurred, you may gently tug on the cutting or look at the bottom of the pot to check for roots.If rooting has occurred, very gradually remove the plastic bag to reduce the risk of wilting (it has been very humid inside the plastic bag). As soon as the plant is acclimatized you may water it and give it a very low dose of fertilizer.Allow the plant to go dormant and place in a protected location (such as cold frame or unheated garage) for the winter, checking occasionally for dryness and water when necessary.

Make slanting cut slightly below the leaf node to expose more of the root producing cells. Dip in hormone and gently shake off excess.Make hole in moistened rooting medium (Perlite/soiless potting mix) with pencil or stake.

Aftercare of Rooted Cuttings

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