I was told that Hydrangea can grow from cuttings and summer is good time to do this, so I decided to try my first cutting propagation today. Even though the flowers still look quite good in the vase, I didn’t want to wait any longer to see them ripe off.

It was a lovely and warm afternoon. I loved sitting in the courtyard to do this and couldn’t care less about getting mosquito bites:-) I cleaned all my old plastic pots and re-did the potting mix by tossing it over and rubbing it to remove the clumps. Then I got rid of lower leaves and flowers on the top of the cuttings, made a new fresh cut at the end of the stems. I heard that dipping the end of stem into honey can help the root grow. So I did try that before I inserted cuttings into the mix to a depth that they can just hold themselves firmly. Moist them.

Now the plant looks good. But to make sure your cuttings can survive, you need to protect them from drying out, so keep them in a relatively moist environment would be the most important thing to boost roots grow. Experts suggested to use a clear plastic bag to cover the whole plant and tie to seal the moist. I used freezer bags, skewers (to make frame) and kitchen twine to make sure the plastic bags being held away from plant and tied secure on the pot.

Now put them in a shady but bright enough place (must be no direct sun light received) and waiting for the sign of roots growing. I hope they will make their ways in my hands, then it would make me a very proud beginner gardener for the whole year 2008 Let’s wait and see.

More information about cuttings propagation can be found here.