The shade-loving hydrangeas also decorate those corners of the garden that otherwise often look a bit dreary. What many do not know: the romantic flowering plants can be propagated quite easily, so that you can also realize the dream of a blooming hydrangea bed at low cost.
Hydrangeas can be propagated wonderfully via offshoots
Propagating hydrangeas by cuttings
All Hydrangea species can be easily propagated by offshoots. You only need for offspring:
- special growing soil
- small planters, yoghurt pots or vegetable bowls are well suited
- Root activator from the garden trade.
Follow these steps:
In spring or early summer, cut young shoots without buds and flowers and divide them into short pieces, each with one or two pairs of leaves. Reduce the evaporation surface of the leaves by cutting them in half with a sharp knife.
Dip the underside of offshoots in the root activator or carefully sprinkle the planting hole with activator. Plant cuttings in the ground and press down. Water the seedling and put a transparent plastic bag over the pot, which you secure with a rubber ring. This creates a warm, humid greenhouse climate, which stimulates growth. Don't forget to ventilate every day to avoid mold growth.
Now a little patience is required
Place the seed pots in a shady place in the house or on the patio, as the cuttings are very sensitive to direct sunlight. After just 14 days, the small offshoots will sprout the first root fibers. As soon as the Hydrangea offspring is well rooted, you can separate them. The little plants are better off spending their first winter indoors. The following spring you can then plant the small hydrangeas in the garden.
Cut off side shoots
Propagation is even faster if you already have a large hydrangea in the garden. Some hydrangea species form side shoots that you can cut off and transplant to another location. These offshoots take root without any problems and quickly develop into magnificent plants.
tips and tricks
A natural substitute for rooting powder is willow water, which you can make yourself. To do this, cut young willow shoots into pieces about two centimeters long and pour boiling hot water over them. Leave for 24 hours and drain.