Among gardeners, hydrangea is in great demand because of its unusual and attractive appearance. This shrub is not picky, it tolerates even severe frosts in the northern regions of the country and grows for a long time in the selected place. Therefore, a natural question that interests many homeowner owners is how to propagate hydrangea at home. The most accurate answer will be described below.
Methods and timing for reproduction
Like most plants, bush hydrangea has a certain period, which is ideal for the reproduction procedure.
In total, there are 5 possible options available to any grower to increase the number of plant bushes in your area, namely:
- Division of the bush.
- Cuttings.
- The seeds.
- Layering.
- Offspring.
Accordingly, in spring, reproduction is carried out by dividing the mother bush, seeds and layering. In the autumn season, the most suitable options are layering and offspring. At the same time, summer is also suitable for planting cuttings. In any case, it is necessary to ensure good soil moisture.
Division of bushes and replanting of more mature plants is carried out in the spring. It is believed that over the summer and autumn, new shoots will have time to prepare themselves for the upcoming winter. If you carry out these procedures in the fall, then there is an increased likelihood of death of the bush under the influence of cold weather.
Did you know? Sometimes the flower in question is spoken with an “French” inset. It so happened historically that for the first time in Europe hydrangea was introduced by the inhabitants of this particular country.
What is the best way to propagate hydrangea
The simplest and, accordingly, the best way of propagating hydrangea is considered to be cuttings. This technique is ideal for amateur gardeners who are trying to grow large-leaved shrubs in their country house.
Cuttings - A small twig with green leaves or buds. Collect them exclusively from young plants. If the garden has only old shrubs, then before planting hydrangea with cuttings, it is necessary to do pruning to rejuvenate.
Is it possible to propagate with a twig
As already indicated in the previous paragraph, a detached branch of a shrub is nothing more than a stalk or pruning. Accordingly, with its help you can get a new seedling, which is planted in open ground. For its preparation, it is necessary to choose a young shoot and cut it in such a way that at least 2-3 buds and / or bud remain on it. Then it is placed in water and the appearance of roots is awaited. More details about this breeding method can be found in the following descriptions.
Important! The smaller the leaves on the shoot, the better the stem will take root.
Can hydrangea propagate when it blooms
When a plant blooms, it spends a lot of energy on this process, so disturbing blue, white or any other shrub during this period is highly not recommended. If there is no other way, then you can try to cook a few cuttings. In this case, the gardener must understand that carrying out such a procedure can lead to the death of the entire bush. In connection with such a risk, propagation during the flowering period can only be done on their own responsibility.
Seed propagation
The process of plant propagation using seeds is long and requires a lot of attention from the gardener. Since the collected seed does not require special treatment, it can be sown immediately in specially prepared containers. The most favorable time for planting seeds is winter, namely the month of February. Before planting, they can be germinated. Planting material is laid out in moistened gauze. So that the seeds can swell and germinate in the future, the fabric is constantly watered with water. It is believed that the seed can hatch already in early March - during this period they are planted in the ground.
Planting substrate should be prepared from equal parts of peat, sand and sheet soil. The seeds are carefully placed in it. After their swelling, a few weeks later, the first shoots begin to appear. During this period, you should not often water the seedlings, as they can rot just emerged roots. Instead of a watering can it is worth using a spray bottle. To plant in separate pots begin only after the appearance of the second leaf.
The used container is exposed on a window sill where sunlight will fall on it. However, direct rays should be avoided. The substrate is often watered, if necessary, loosen and fertilize. So that the first tender shoots do not disappear and successfully begin to multiply, special conditions must be created for them.
Namely:
- A bright but scattered natural light source. This means that the sun's rays should not directly hit the seedlings. However, their complete absence entails poor development, and sometimes the death of seedlings.
- Lack of direct sunlight. In this case, when the rays directly hit the seedlings, they can injure the plant. Burns often occur on young shoots.
- High temperature performance. In the summer, the temperature should be above + 20 ° С in the place of seedling growth. During the winter period - sprouts are sent to a cool place.
- Humidity. This indicator should always be above average. A spray gun is used to moisten the soil and seedlings. If it is not at hand, a small amount of water is poured into the saucer and placed in the immediate vicinity of the container with the seeds planted.
- Feeding. Already at the stage of the appearance of the first shoots, hydrangea needs to be fertilized with fertilizers. For this purpose, one of the preparations is purchased in the store: Agrovita, Agricola, or Golden Spark. The amount of substance indicated on the package is applied twice within 30 days.
- Soil acidity. Hydrangea successfully develops only in acidified soil. To create it on your windowsill, you need to mix a small amount of citric acid (about 1 tsp. 10 l) with water. This composition is watered the earth no more than 1 time per month.
Subject to all the above rules, sprouted seeds will turn into seedlings. They will be resistant to diseases and pests.
Propagation by cuttings
The most favorable time for the preparation of green cuttings is considered the time of appearance of buds on them - mid-July. This is the fastest and easiest way to create new hydrangeas. Only young plants need to be selected. Choose those that are located on the sides of the bush. The branch should grow at least 1 year before the time of collection of planting material - these cuttings will have well-developed buds, moreover, they rarely get sick.
Did you know? Hydrangea has the ability absorb from soil aluminum. It is he who gives even white flowers a bluish tint.
The main condition is the presence of juice in the shoots. The success of the future rooting of the plant depends on it. The shoots are harvested in the morning - it is believed that at this time of the day they are maximally filled with moisture. In further work, it is necessary to ensure that they do not dry out.
Cut branches are instantly placed in a container with water. It should be placed in the shade. The top is cut off from the branches, on which there is an unbroken bud, and the rest is evenly divided into 2-3 cuttings. At least two pairs of leaves should be placed on them. Then the lower ones are cut off, and the upper ones are shortened to half. In this form, the stalk is placed for a while in a solution with a root growth stimulator. In this case, the lower leaves should not be immersed in the mixture.
As an active component, one of the modern drugs is selected:
- "Kornevin";
- "Zircon";
- "Heteroauxin."
The mixture should be prepared in accordance with the instructions. Exposure lasts no more than 2 hours. In the case when there is no root growth accelerator, a similar composition can be prepared independently. This will require 1 teaspoon of honey and a glass of water. It is believed that in such a solution, callus forms more quickly - this is the formation at the end of the cuttings, from which the roots will subsequently grow.
Rooting cuttings
In order for the stalk prepared for planting to take root, it must be placed in a previously selected composition. It can be both ordinary land and water.
In water
When the cuttings are removed from the solution with a growth promoter, they must immediately be placed in a jar of water. For some time, a small seal will appear on the bottom of the plant. In the next couple of weeks, roots will begin to grow from it. Water must be constantly changed throughout this process. Fresh liquid replaces the established one with a break of 1 week.
As soon as the roots appear, the stalk is planted in the ground.
In the ground
To create the soil in which the cuttings will grow, it is necessary to mix two parts of peat with 1 portion of sand. Before planting planting material, the mixture must be moistened. To shoots sprouted roots faster, they must be covered with glass jars. If the soil moisture drops, then watering is carried out. Water is applied directly under the neck of the cans once a week. In the case when the weather is hot and arid, the amount of watering increases - you can make water every day.
After 30 days, new leaves begin to appear on the cuttings. This indicates that rooting was successful.
Is it possible to root hydrangea from a bouquet
To create the cuttings take shoots that have not bloomed this season. From the above procedure, it also becomes clear that the bud in the upper part of the branch is cut off. Therefore, many amateur gardeners indicate that a bouquet is not the best option for obtaining a cuttings.
On the other hand, you can try to make a stalk and root it in water or soil. If the result is positive, then hydrangea will be able to grow at home on the windowsill. This home breeding method is similar in description to “In the ground”.
How to understand that hydrangea is rooted
There are two ways to understand whether the stem has taken root, which directly depend on the method of cultivation. In the first case, when the shoot is immersed in water, it is enough to visually inspect it to get the result. Through transparent glass, any change at the end of the branch should be noticeable. The first sign of rooting is the appearance of compaction (callus). After some time, roots will start to grow from it. As soon as they reach the desired length, the stalk is planted in the ground.
In the second case, when the shoot is placed in the ground, visual inspection will become impossible. The first sign that a young stalk has taken root will be the appearance on it of new leaves or buds. It is they who will testify to the formation of the root system.
Reproduction by dividing the bush
The procedure for dividing the bush is carried out in the spring. By the time it begins, the juice on the branches of the plant should not yet flow. The first thing to do is to water the mother shrub profusely. As soon as moisture passes to the lowest roots, they dig it out. After that, gently wash off the earth and go directly to the separation into parts.
How to divide a bush
There are two most suitable options for dividing the bush. In the first case, it is allowed to leave hydrangea in the ground. With the help of a pitchfork, the soil loosens to a depth of 15 cm. Then several branches, usually at least 3, are carefully unbent. Using secateurs or clippers, they are cut together from a common root.
The second type of separation involves the complete digging of the mother bush from the ground. After washing the roots, it is divided into parts using garden tools. Successfully cut off shoots with roots are planted in a new place. It is recommended to pre-sustain them in a growth stimulator.
How to dig for reproduction
In the process of propagation by dividing the bush, the resulting branches should be re-planted. A pit in the ground is being prepared for this. Its diameter and depth depend on the root. Small pebbles or broken bricks are placed at the bottom of the recess - such drainage will help to save vital moisture.
The root of the plant is placed vertically on the created drainage pillow. From above it is covered with earth, with a small addition of peat and sand. The surface is slightly tamped, and the bush is watered with 1 bucket of water.
Propagation by layering and offspring
The propagation procedure by layering and offspring is also used by gardeners throughout the country. However, it is less popular compared to cuttings or seedlings. To properly carry out the work, you will need to know the exact time for each of the procedures and create special conditions.
Which month is best to lay off
To form layers from the mother bush, you must select one of the spring days. The best option is March. At the same time, the ground should completely thaw, but the juice will not go along the branches yet. The offspring is cut exclusively in the fall. For this, any day after the end of flowering hydrangea is suitable. The first half of September should be considered the best period.
Important! First of all, you should pay attention to basal shoots. Cuttings from them grow much better than those made from side branches.
How to take a shoot from hydrangea
To propagate the shrub with the help of layering, it is necessary to create a small oblong hole in the ground. In it, very carefully, one of the extreme shoots drops. At the same time, its stem should not be broken. The shoot is laid at the bottom of the recess and sprinkled with earth. The upper part is fixed above the surface with a strap and wire. A small stone is laid on the soil surface at the site of the recess.
After 25-30 days, the plant will increase in growth; this will happen in the second half of October. It remains only to dig up the shoot and separate it from the mother plant. In the spring it can be transplanted to another place. If the method of dividing by offspring is chosen, then they should be cut off when the flowering ends. It should be September, and in some cases November. Inside the bush, under the main shoots, in the immediate vicinity of the roots, new young shoots appear. They should be taken and trimmed, being careful not to damage the small root. A year later, the shoot can be planted in a new place in the garden.
All hydrangea propagation methods described above are suitable for any plant variety. It is important to strictly observe the conditions of the procedure - only in this way can you get a really high-quality planting material. If you do everything right, next year the seedlings will turn into a full-fledged bush. And a year later the first inflorescences will appear on it.