I am writing this article on election day, November 8th, 2016.
Don’t forget to vote for the Donkeys, they are Running for President!
Annabelle Hydrangeas grown from hardwood cuttings.
The plants right in front of Cathy are Annabelle Hydrangea. We stuck those cuttings last November, potted them up in late June and I took this photo in October. They bloomed like crazy this summer and we sold a bunch of them this fall for $5.97 each.
Annabelle Hydrangea in one season.
The date, the time of year that I am sharing this, is important because here at Mike’s Plant Farm in Perry, Ohio we are patiently waiting for a good hard freeze so we can start sticking our hardwood cuttings. As soon as we get that first night when the temperatures dip down below 28 degrees and stay there for a few hours that triggers plants into dormancy. Then it’s game on!
What time of year can you do Hydrangea Cuttings?
Propagation season for Hydrangeas starts around June 1st in most parts of the country and ends around March 1st. In other words, the only time you can’t do them is in the spring when they are putting on all kinds of new growth. We really don’t propagate anything in the spring.
However, summer time cuttings are very fragile and need special conditions to survive. Winter time cuttings are tough as nails and require very little attention as you will see.
Early summer cuttings are known as softwood cuttings. Learn more about that here.
Early winter cuttings are known as hardwood cuttings. Learn more about that here.
All Summer Beauty Hydrangea
The propagation technique that I am about to show you can be used for all kinds of hydrangea. We are doing Nikko Blue, All Summer Beauty, Forever Pink, Oak Leaf, and Annabelle.
Forever Pink Hydrangea
Taking a Hydrangea cutting.
As we remove the cutting from the plant we are cutting right below a leaf node, or bud union. That’s more important with hardwood cuttings that it is with softwood cuttings but to be sure to get the best results I suggest you do it this way. Of course ideally we should have cut just about the next bud union down so as to not leave a dead twig sticking up on our stock plant. The section of stem between the two bud unions really needs to be thrown away because it will die back once we make this cut.
In all honesty when we are collecting the wood to make our cuttings we pay little attention to that and just gather the wood then once we get the wood inside on the work table we make the cuttings exactly as we want them.
Cutting right below the bud union when taking hydrangea cuttings.
Hydrangea cutting before being prepped for sticking.
Trimming the leaves on a Hydrangea cutting.
Since hydrangea cuttings are so big we give them a little trim before we stick the cuttings. We stick our cuttings close together and they do need air circulation around the leaves so the leaves can dry. Leaves that are constantly wet just invite disease.
Hydrangea cutting ready to stick.
The only thing left to do is dip the cutting in a rooting compound. Or not. Rooting compounds help but many things root just fine without them. I usually use a rooting compound because it costs me almost nothing to use them so why not? Any kind is fine, they all work about the same, liquid, powder or gel.
I use Dip and Grow because it’s a liquid and I can change the strength as needed for the different seasons. Softwood cuttings need a weaker solution that do hardwood cuttings. With a powder you have to buy the strength you need.
Hydrangea cuttings in a propagation bed.
We stick our cuttings in a very coarse kind of sand. Since we don’t apply water on a regular basis to our hardwood cutting some of them go into sand others will go into the potting soil that we use. In this bed you can see the Spray Nozzles that We Use to Wet Our Softwood Cuttings.
Sand? Yeah, I Wrote a Detailed Article about Sand Just for You!
Hydrangea cuttings in a propagation bed at Mike’s Plant Farm in Perry, Ohio.
In the far bed in this photo you can see the Hydrangea cuttings that we stuck in early October. Since we did them then we’ve had to keep them wet. Had we waited until they were dormant that wouldn’t have been necessary. The cuttings right in front of the camera are some Annabelle Hydrangea and Oak Leaf Hydrangea that we stuck in July. They are well rooted and in bloom.
Off to the right you can see some Emerald Green Arborvitae sneaking into the picture. Those cuttings have been in that bed for almost two years! Since evergreens are slow growing I’ll often just leave them in the propagation bed for an extra growing season to let them beef up a little.
For the record! This is for our members. I should have fertilized those Emerald Green since I left them in the sand for so long. But guess what? I did not. Not a drop. Never got around to it. We just potted them up a few days ago and they are beautiful. They rooted into the soil below the bed and got a little nutrition that way but even with no fertilizer at all they did fine.
Hundreds and Hundreds of Hydrangea cuttings in a rooting bed.
When we stuck these cuttings we did three different varieties so we left a big gap between each variety. Here in a week or two we’ll go back and stick something completely different in those gaps. Probably Purple Sandcherry.
Hydrangea cuttings stuck close together.
I said we stick them close together. Each cutting gets about one square inch. At least that’s my goal. This bed is about 44″ wide and there should be at least 40 cuttings in each row. The rows are probably about 1.5″ apart.
Me and The Donkeys made a video for you as well. We shot this awhile back.
Questions or comments? Post them below.
Hello. I am planning on buying your misters for softwood cuttings in spring. In your hydrangea article you mention that taking cuttings in October will require water until they go dormant. I have 2 questions.
1) Would I need the misting system now (September zone 5) like for softwood cuttings in spring or would simply watering the semi-hardwood cuttings a few times per day suffice until dormancy?
2) For hardwood cuttings taken in winter, when should misting begin or is misting only for softwoodcuttings?
Hilary,
If you take the cuttings in Sept. put them in the shade and water, or at least wet them several times a day that should work. Hardwood cuttings don’t need mist, but they need to be watered once or twice a day once they start to leaf out in the spring. Misting them might increase your chances of success but I never have. But I now take my hardwood cuttings at the end of winter and they seem to work better.
Hi Mike, I live in Ontario Canada, it’s late fall with a few weeks until the ground freezes, I have successfully propagated my hydrangeas they are potted but I don’t know if I should plant them in the garden, leave them in a clear tote in the house or outside? Some of the leaves have a black colour to the in spots. Please help.
Sandra,
They need to go dormant, I’d leave them out in the tote but bury the tote about half way and cover with leaves.
Hi Mike, I propagated niko blue and lace hydrangea in plastic bins with pearlite and rooting harmone. Covered with the lid and with holes drilled for drainage. It’s been about 6 weeks and all have great roots. Should I leave in the containers with pearlite covered for the winter, plant in pots or directly in the ground? What if I want to give to friends and family? Would pots be ok? I live in charleston sc. thank you
I think I’d get them potted and protect the best you can over the winter. Keep them out of the wind and don’t let them get too wet.
Hi Mike I have propagated 2 types of hydrangea from cuttings, I put them in a plastic bin with holes, rooting hormone in perlite and vermiculite .. they did great! Its been 6 weeks and now its time to plant them in pots or directly in the ground. .I’m not sure which I should do. I live in MA.. zone 6 I think. We haven’t had a freeze yet.. I would say I have about 3 -4 weeks before that happens. Is that enough time to get them in the ground and acclimate before the freeze.. or should I put them in the garage in pots. I have a heated garage with light. Thanks for your help!
Anne,
Depending on the variety really, but I’d probably put them in the ground and hope for the best.
Im attempting to make a lot of hardwood sticks from my hydrangeas bush. But i would rather do it later in the season once my bush goes dormant. Can i still make hardwood sticks once my bush has gone dormant if so what temperature is dormant temperature? Im hete in Toledo, ohio.
Rose,
Complete dormancy usually happens around Thanksgiving in Ohio. But I do my hardwood cuttings at the end of winter and they do great. Around March 20th or so.
Hi Mike .
Today the 3rd August I took some Hydrangea cuttings and planted in well drain pots and kept in my warm greenhouse . Can it be ready to put outside in the soil next month or wait until next year ?
Deepa,
If those are macrophylla hydrangeas they are going to need some winter protection. They should be allowed to go dormant, but somewhat protected. Possibly covered with white plastic, a very low covering.
Can I propagate my hydrangea cuttings in a wheel barrel filled with sand to be left on a covered deck for the winter?
Maureen,
No. The bed needs to be on the ground, no air circulation under it. And it would be too dry under that deck. Wait and do them in flat or dish pan with holes in the bottom in mid to late March.
Hey Mike! Is it too late for me to take hardwood hydrangea cuttings now? I’m about 75 miles northwest of Louisville, KY in zone 6ish. If it’s still not too late, do they need any special care? I’m not sure of the variety. The shrub has been here for decades. Gorgeous white flowers. Any general old-fashioned hydrangea pruning advice? Thank you!
Carolyn,
You should still be able to do them now. https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2015/01/easy-winter-time-plant-propagation-can-home/
and this; https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2016/09/hardwood-cuttings-winter-of-20152016/
Hi Mike!
I took some hydrangea paniculata hardwood cuttings today…I dipped them in rooting hormone, put them in a well draining pot with a sand mixture. Right now I have them covered with a garbage bag in the shade outside…should I leave my winter hardwood cuttings in a garbage bag or leave them open to the elements? In zone 6b. Thanks!
Frankie,
Hardwood cuttings I leave open. Just water daily once it warms up.
Thanks so much, Mike! Love all the videos and articles. Does it matter if they are in direct sun or shade?
Frankie,
some shade is always better when rooting cuttings, but in the spring full sun is fine. All of my hardwoods always get full sun.
Thanks, Mike! Here’s hoping they root!
Hi mike,
I am in zone 6 and started hydrangea cuttings In fall but they are in my home in a clear covered tote they have green but some are getting fungus should I put them outside and hope they can go dormant it’s about 40 degrees outside
Jamie,
Putting them outside now will likely kill them. Open the tote and make sure they get plenty of air flow but keep them watered.
Hi, I took cuttings from my hydrangeas in June. They are in small pots on a covered porch. Can I leave them there all winter? Should I water them? I’m in northern NJ. Thanks.
Beth,
Yes, they’ll need water. But they might be more protected on the ground, close to the foundation and maybe even mulched in.
I have a softwood cutting from an unknown variety of Hydrangea that rooted in water unintentionally. I’d like to plant it outside in the spring. I’m in Atlanta. Would it make it through the winter if I put it in the ground now? If I pot it should I keep it inside or out over the winter.? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
.
Kathy,
That’s a tough call. This is going to sound crazy but pot it up, dig a hole way bigger than the pot, place your potted plant in the hole, and cover the hole with a board for the winter. However, if you are clay soil that holds standing water that would be an issue. Your cutting really needs to be outside in a protected area.
Thank you Mike! My cutting is about 12 in. Long. Including the flower. Should I cut it back?
Kathy,
I’d at least remove the flower and maybe two inches of the stem.
Thank you Mike! I’I’ll give it a try.
Hi Mike. I am a new gardener and decided to try to propagate hydrangeas. I was folliw9ng a step by step video and when it said cut off the leaves, I cut them all off instead of cutting the bottom and 1/2 of the top two, so now my plant is leafless. Is it possible for these plants to still grow without leaves? I did but just below a “,leaf base” (not sure the right term) and left one a few inches above ground too.
Cece,
At this time of year I think they’ll be fine. During the growing season you for sure want to leave the leaves on.
I bought an adana hydrangea this year in georgia and accidently threw out the tag. It hasnt bloomed yet and I cant find any info on it. When does it bloom? How much sun does it need?
Nicole, I’m not familiar with it, just google the variety.
Hello Mike,
I have been trying to propagate hydrangeas for the last two years. I have use rooting hormone both liquid and powder and I was not successful. I’ve been also buying Hydrangeas from someone on Kijiji for the last two years and they have been blooming. The person from Kijiji told me too cutThe hardwood hydrangea about a feet and a half long and then stick it into the ground before winter. He had showed me his garden and he had been very successful each year propagating them. What is your opinion on that? Oh and I don’t think he uses rooting hormone.
This year I want to try to propagate the hydrangea using only water. Where would be the best place to store them? Last year I try to propagate with water and honey and again I was not successful. So this year I am going to try water only.
Where would be the best place to store them? Last year I try to propagate with water and honey and again I was not successful. So this year I am going to try water only.
Thank you in advance and stay safe
Jennifer,
You would be far better off doing them as hardwood cuttings outside in late winter. See this; https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2015/01/easy-winter-time-plant-propagation-can-home/
and this; https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2016/09/hardwood-cuttings-winter-of-20152016/
Hi Mike
I just read the article about the Hydrangea cuttngs – it is just below freezing here along the north shore of Lake Ontario, her in Ontario Canada. zone 5
We are moving and I would like to do what you did. I will have a basement with no light that is about 50F all winter. Also have a raised rock flower bed right against the house ready to plant in. It faces south east. We have a garage but is not finished – no roof yet but hubby said he is heating it when done. I also have porches with a roof but open to the elements.
Any advice or should I just forget about it?
Thanks
Raye
Raye,
The basement might be too warm, you need the cuttings to stay dormant. I think your best bet is to stick them outside in a somewhat protected area.
Mike please help. Sold a house, great grandmas bushes outside. Took cuttings sept 1. Put in solo cups w/rooting compound. Put inside a plastic bin w/some water in shade. I’m in southern VA. I’ve got cuttings that look awesome but I’m afraid to put in the ground now. I’ve got mid-40’s right now. I’ve got a front porch that is enclosed but cold. Suggestions? Leave in the box with water. Plenty of light in my porch. SO afraid to lose my cuttings. Want to plant in spring. Advice on how to overwinter them PLEASE?!!!
Sally,
That depends on how cold that porch gets. Another option and I really can’t say which is best, would be to bury the bin about half way then over with bags of leaves. As long as the bin doesn’t fill with water over the winter. No holes in the bottom. ??????
The porch is enclosed but probably 30’s and 40’s. I also have a very bright area at the front of my house, inside. If I kept them inside in the solo cups in the plastic bin, will they make it? Thoughts?
Bin has no holes in it. Greenhouse effect. The cuttings look AMAZING and healthy. Just want to know how to beat keep them to plant in spring? Temps right now are miss 40’s at night and they are still outside. Starting to get edgy about bringing them in. No prediction of a freeze in the near future.
Sally,
I honestly can’t say for sure, macrophylla hydrangea are tricky. I’d try the porch.
I will give it a shot and thanks a million Mike!
Why did you not put a cover over those hydrangea cuttings? Or do you need to?
Scott,
Hardwood cuttings done in the late fall or winter do not need to be covered. Just watered when temps are warm. Last winter I did my hardwood cuttings on 3/31 with great results and will probably always do them that way from now on.
Hi Mike
Its Sep 29th, Im in Illinois & just came across your article. Ive never done anything like this before but want to try to grow a dozen or so hydrangeas from cuttings. So its safe to cut them now, as described…put them in coarse sand, leave outdoors out of direct sunlight all winter? Im unsure on the watering though? How wet do they need to be and how long do I water…until the first freeze or snowfall? Sorry to bug you. Im a huge rookie at this lol.
Shelly,
Right now the cuttings are still actively growing and if done now would need to be put in the shade and watered a few times a day. If you wait until Thanksgiving when they are dormant they need a lot less care and can be left outside uncovered.
I have taken cuttings from three hydrangeas given to me after losing my 18 month old son four years ago. They have all successfully rooted in pots.. My plan is to auction them off at our event this year, which is in october. Any tips for keeping them leafy green and not trying to auction off a dormant old wood cutting?
Laura,
Sorry for you loss. I can’t even imagine. They hydrangeas? A slow release fertilizer like Osmocote, some shade and lots of water.
Hi – I live in New Hampshire and just encountered something new. The hydrangea branches which I cut back last fall were laying in the garden under a pile of leaves. While raking to clean up the bed I found the branches and they are all (20) growing new buds but there is evidence of roots yet. Do you have any suggestion about what I can do for these to give them a chance at growing into plants? Thank you!
You can stick them in your garden, make cuttings about 5″ long. Being under the leaves kept them viable. Can’t say for sure that it will work, but it’s worth a try.
How closely should these be planted?
I’m looking at propagating hydrangeas from my grandmother’s collection. I dont know what kind they are, I’m assuming Annabelle. White poms, bloom on new wood, theyve been there for over 20 years, GORGEOUS.
I want to do a border around my yard, but dont want them to be too close.
Thank you!
Kate,
Plant them at least 48″ apart.
Thank you so much! I’m happy to report I did this in the dead of winter and the branches are starting to bud. So cool to see it working! Quick question, I plan on putting them in various places in our yard. When can I plant them in their permanent spot? I’m in zone 5. Thank you!!!
Jacinta,
Not before mid summer. They won’t be well rooted until then.
I bought an expensive hydrangea plant 5 yrs ago and have not seen any flowers yet. What can I do to get it to bloom?
Also can I propagate an aspen tree cutting in Colorado and take it to Illinois to grow.? I visit my daughter and she has beautiful Aspen trees.
Helen,
Best thing to do is just make sure the hydrangea is getting enough sun and leave it alone. It knows what it is supposed to do. But some varieties are frustrating. Endless Summer, All Summer Beauty, Forever Pink all bloom well for me. And Annabelle is like a blooming machine. You could try the aspen cutting as a softwood. https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2015/01/easy-summertime-plant-propagation-techniques-can-home/
Need help! I live in Louisiana and I’ve just cut some pieces of Hydrangea from a friends plant (a few yers old and rather big), however I don’t know just what to do from here… I do know that my ground soil is terrible for it has killed everything I planned this summer and even caused some to mold ( i’m guessing because of no good drainage and clay). However, can you please help me??? Thank you
Ken,
Just stick those cuttings in some trays, dish pans with holes drilled in them, filled with play box sand. Put slats under the trays so the water can drain out. Put them in the shade and keep them moist. Make cuttings about 4″ long stick 1.5″ in the sand. See this; https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2015/01/easy-winter-time-plant-propagation-can-home/
and this; https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2016/09/hardwood-cuttings-winter-of-20152016/
Hi, I rooted a bunch of Endless Summer cuttings September 21st (I’m in zone 7 or 8, I can never remember). I have them in pots to transplant in the spring but I wasn’t sure if I should bring them in. Losing all green will make me nervous and having to wait to see if they come back will drive me nuts! LOL However, I want to do the best for them. Should I leave them in their pots against the house over fall and winter, bring them in? Should I go ahead and plant them without knowing if they’ll all come back? Thanks!
Stephanie,
Outside is best for them, planting or at least heeling them into the ground is the best way to over winter them. You might expect some top die back over the winter, but don’t be concerned, just leave them be and you should see new grow once growing season begins.
I have a few hydrangeas I rooted from cuttings. I have never done anything like this before So don’t know how to proceed. I transplanted them at about 6 inches now there about 12 inches but going straight up. If I cut the top out will they branch out? One stock going straight up won’t Look To good next year!
Thank you very much for any suggestions
John, Yes, you have to prune them. See this https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2014/04/rooted-cuttings-how-to-pot-and-or-plant-them-how-when-how-often-and-how-much-to-prune-them/
I have taken cuttings and put them into plastic ups with the soil and put them into the large plastic tub, there is moisture there. now. My question is do I keep them in the tub all winter in my home without watering or do I need to water them throughout the winter.
Helen,
Once rooted they really need to be planted in your garden for the winter. Sounds crazy I know, but they need to go dormant.
Hi Mike. I started some Oakleaf & Paniculata hydrangeas in a Solo cups & a moist environment late July 2018. They seem to be OK so far(3 wks later). What should I do with them over the winter? Plant them in the ground, keep them inside with grow lights, leave them in cups outside? They are small 16oz cups.
Thx for all the tips.
Kendra,
Plant them in the ground as soon as they are rooted. They need to be outside for the winter.
Great. I really couldn’t find that answer anywhere. Thank you Mike.
We will give the Hardwood cuttings a stab. Neighbor has these Hydrangea ‘trees’. The two are about 10′ high and right now ( August) have just popped out with all their blooms. Almost cannot see the greenery. Here in northern NY we have long, cold winters. Our temps do drop to where we should be considered a Zone 3. but ‘they’ have us at a 5. Anywho, we will wait to a decent frost as you say and clip away. The neighbor is so willing to let us play. He loves the trees and is happy to pass along the beauty.
Your Bed is outside.. yes?
Tony, yes it is. Everything I do is outside, no greenhouses.
Mike,
Love your methods and information! In reference to the rose propogating method you posted wrapping in newspaper?, Could I do that for Winter hardwood cuttings from Confederate roses (which I think are actually hibiscus)? If not, would the hydrangea method be best?
Vikki,
You could try or use another hardwood cutting technique, see this; https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2015/01/easy-winter-time-plant-propagation-can-home/
and this; https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2016/09/hardwood-cuttings-winter-of-20152016/
Mike
I can not speak English, so it will be machine translation, I hope it’s understandable 🙂
Reading this kind of advice, I’ve been tempted to propagate my horizons.
I am a lovers of horticulture, I have 125 varieties in my collection 🙂
It is very mild the winter here in Hungary this year, I may be late with the woodcutter, as the buds are already starting.
On the table there is a cistern tray and there is a bottom heating. It has about 15-25 ° C at its bottom, air 0 ° C at night, 10 to 25 ° C, if the sun is shining, the air is warm enough in the foil.
Is this the temperature appropriate? If the buds hit me, you can not get cuttings?
Nem tudok angolul, így gépi fordításban lesz, remélem azért érthető 🙂
Olvasván ezt a sok tanácsot, nekibuzdultam, hogy szaporítsam a hortenziáimat.
A hortenziák szerelmese vagyok, már 125 fajta van a gyűjteményemben 🙂
Nagyon enyhe a tél itt nálunk az idén Magyarországon, lehet elkéstem már a fásdugványozással, mert mintha már megindulnának a rügyek.
Az asztalon vannak dugványtálcán, és alulról villany fűtés is van. Kb. 15-25 °C-on van az alja, a levegő 0°C éjszaka, nappal 10-25°C között, ha süt a nap, elég meleg a fóliában a levegő.
Megfelelő ez a hőfok? Ha megpattannak a rügyek, akkor már nem lehet dugványozni ?
Agota,
Once the plants leaf out it’s too late to take cuttings for a while. About 6 weeks from the time they leaf out you can start taking cuttings again. In the spring when the new growth is soft it is not rigid enough to stand up on it’s own, that’s why we wait 6 weeks to start propagation again. Then we propagate all summer, fall and winter.
Maybe I missed it. If so, I apologize. There’s no plastic over the top of them necessary?
Thanks a bunch!
Heather
Heather,
If the plants are done while not dormant then they either need to be covered or misted, see this; https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2015/01/easy-summertime-plant-propagation-techniques-can-home/ Dormant plants can simply be outside in the cold, see this; https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2015/01/easy-winter-time-plant-propagation-can-home/
and this; https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2016/09/hardwood-cuttings-winter-of-20152016/
I have lots of Oakleaf babies that I’d like to share with friends. Will the be ok to transplant this time of year.
Barbara,
Yes if you can move them without damaging roots. Or wait a few weeks until dormant, then it would fine.
(I am an amateur, as the below will make clear but learning quickly).
My propagation last year failed, but perhaps I cut bait too soon. What do they look like dormant so immature? Mine wilted and looked very very dead. If in pots, do the need to be buried and in sand (mine were above ground and in dirt w vermiculite).
This year I let them root for several weeks in water (we went on vacation and they hadn’t rooted before, but they looked great). I planted them again in the same soil combo in a more shaded area, in very late Aug and they seem to be doing well (Sept 30) but – now what, giving my state of affairs?
Make / transfer to this sand plot and let them sit there till spring (late April), shake ’em off and plant them in ground (w rich compost soil) for the rest of their amazingly giving lives?
Does the sand plot have to be in be shade? When do I stop watering? When do you start? If I do a second batch (hardwood), really just cut and leave ’em till spring?
Last question, in DC we often get one last frost very late, after some buds. I just cover my mature plants on those nights and keep my fingers crossed. Same for the new guys?
Mia
Mia,
I do my hardwood hydrangea cuttings after we’ve had a good hard freeze. Just stick them in sand and leave outside all winter, water when warm and dry, water in the spring as needed. They root by June.
I was hoping to take my hyrdangeas to a new home. we are planning to move next spring or summer, would I plan to put cuttings in sand or pots now and let it go dormant over the winter and plant them when we move?
Katie,
I’d put them in sand, bury the pot in the ground for the winter.
Thank you!
These were my wedding hydrangeas that i planted more than a year before I got married and 6 years later I was searching for a way to take them with me to a new house. Thanks for the info I will take your advice so maybe I can bring them with me!
Hello! Thanks for the help! Great article So I put the cuttings into the ground in sept. They start rooting until it gets to cold for growth in the fall/winter. Then they lay dormant all winter, then when spring arrives they wake up and continue growing again? Am I correct? I’m from Massachusetts zone 5a.
Mike,
Yes, that’s pretty much how it works. Amazing really.
Good afternoon Mike,
I just received my stock Hydrangeas (Annabelle and All Summer Beauty). They are badly in need of pruning. Is it currently to late to take softwood cuttings for rooting? Should I wait for December to do Hardwood cuttings?
Thank you so much for all of your help sir!
Nikki,
You can take the cuttings now and maybe hardwoods later.
Hi Mike, I thoroughly enjoy your videos and tips. How much sand do I put in the box to root the annabelles? and should the box be set on a soft bed of dirt? Thank you for all your down to earth tips.!
Barbara,
8″ of sand is about the best depth and yes, just set it on an area that has been cleared of grass and weeds. Or just spray the grass and weeds first.
Mike is great, great, great !!! Knows the subject and gets it across with no frills no fuss – quick and dirty – pardon the pun….
Pls sign me up if the below does not do it automatically.
Brian from Toronto, Canada
Mike is great, great, great !!! Knows the subject and gets it across with no frills no fuss – quick and dirty – pardon the pun….
Hi Mike, I am at a loss. I take my cuttings, get my rooted plant and plant in a quart size pot (sometimes smaller) and keep watered. I use your recommendations for potting soil. My plants don’t grow, they just sit there. What am I doing wrong? Do I need to pot up in a bigger container? Please help. I get so excited to see the sticks root but am discouraged that the plants don’t grow.
One quart containers are a bit small for hydrangeas. But your plants should do fine with one tablespoon of Osmocote 14-14-14. Not garden fertilizer. See this on potting soil. Here are some tips on getting good potting soil;
Looking online for mulch is probably not the best place to look because many of the dealers who sell mulch really have little to no web presence at all. I’m sure there has to be some hardwood bark available in New Jersey.
I’d pick up the phone and start calling around. Garden Centers, landscapers and excavators will know who sells bulk hardwood bark mulch. These dealers are often hidden away on some side street.
I’d take a full day and visit as many garden centers and nurseries in your area that you can. Browse, ask some casual questions.
1. Do you know of anybody in the area that sells bulk mulch.
2. Do you know of anybody in the area that sells bulk potting soil.
3. What do most growers around here use as a potting mix.
Bulk potting soil is available, usually around $55 a yard, but worth it. But it’s not readily available in all areas and in most cases you need to send a truck to get it.
But it won’t cost anything to ask these questions. You’ll either get really good, answers, might get the brush off, or you might find somebody who loves to talk about growing plants and will bury you in valuable information.
Good info here about potting soil, https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2014/12/mike-mcgroartys-secret-bed-building-and-potting-soil-recipe/
and here;
https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2015/10/how-to-make-your-own-awesome-potting-soil/
Thanks so much Mike! I do know someone who sells bulk mulch. I can ask around about the potting mix cause like you said, “don’t cost a thing to ask”! 🙂
I will vote for your elephants when you get some. We have enough jacka**’s in Washington DC now. Thank you for clear instruction and encouragement.
I didn’t see a place to subscribe to the youtube channel. I’m an old dog…any help out there? 🙂
Thanks,
Judi
Mike,
I have enjoyed your newsletter so much. By the way I vote for both your donkey’s as Pres. and Vice Pres.
I have just put about 20 sticks of Hyd. in a bucket of sand. I find you can use most anything to root plants. I also stick some in containers of water and find they root and transplant very well. I have transplanted some maple seedlings and a white pine. I planted some Jap. Maple seedlings that I found under my son’s tree and they are doing well. The Maples are about two years old and or about 2 and 3 feet tall. Using your methods folks can’t go wrong.
Dan,
Sounds like you are doing well with this. Good luck and have fun!
Mike, I live in North Alabama and I’m wondering if it would be okay to order Japanese Maple seedlings at this time of year and go ahead and put them in the ground and what should I expect to see out of the seedlings through the winter. Should I provide some sort of cover from frost? I’m guessing they will stay dormant until spring, I just mainly want to make sure they will live through the winter. Thanks!
Heath,
Of course I can’t promise that your Japanese maple seedlings will live through the winter but I will tell you that here in Ohio I prefer to order them in the fall, put them in the ground for the winter, then leave in the ground or pot in the early spring. So I think you are fine. You don’t have to protect them from frost, they need to go dormant.
I’d like to give this a try for my own use. Apart from Annabelle, I am new to hydrangeas; mine are all 2 years old or less.
They grow so slowly that I would like to beef up the planting a little. I can’t do a whole bed, or irrigation, but I could put some sand in the corner of my raised vegetable bed.
Do you sacrifice bloom if you do tip cuttings in fall, though? I know some bloom on old wood, and so far I ave never pruned them, hoping for blooms.
I have:
Twist and Shout (Endless Summer group) (2 1/2 years old)
Nikko Blue (have 2 small single stem ones, bought online this year, have done well)
Endless Summer (that has never bloomed ) (8 yrs+)
Lemon Daddy (that has not bloomed ) (2 years old)
Alice, oakleaf (that has not bloomed ) (2 1/2 years old) only 2 stems, tall and skinny
Linnea,
The flower shoots often come from deeper in the plant so if you only do tip cuttings you should be fine. With the Annabelle it doesn’t matter, they bloom on new wood. Some of the ones that you listed are patented and you are not allowed to propagate them for your own use. Endless Summer is patented and I’m guessing that Twist and Shout is as well. You should google them all to see if they are listed with patent numbers. See this; https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/?s=patented
I’ve been enjoying your posts this summer, and have attempted making late softwood cuttings with perhaps a 25% success rate. Will try with hardwood cuttings next month. Growing on a very small scale for our garden club. Please keep me on your list–You are the best!
Roma,
Late season cuttings take time to root and not everything responds as hardwood cuttings. Many things that don’t can be done as softwood cuttings in June. https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2015/01/easy-summertime-plant-propagation-techniques-can-home/