Hydrangea Cutting Methods, Timing and Pruning Times Explained in Detail
Hydrangea - many laypeople may not know what it is, and some may even think they have never seen it in their lives. But the hydrangea is a very common flowering plant in our daily lives, and because it bears flowers in a range of different colors, it always easily catches people's attention.
Hydrangea Cutting Methods and Timing
1. Cutting Time
Hydrangeas are best propagated by cuttings in spring and autumn, with late spring and early summer, from April to July, being the best period, and autumn, from September to October, being second best.
2. Cutting Method
1. Preparation for Cutting
Before taking cuttings, the branches need to be prepared first. When choosing a branch, pick one that is growing vigorously and remove it with a small knife; note that the cut should be smooth and preferably at a 45° angle. The removed branch can be cut straight across at the leaf node, usually by making a straight cut above the node with a small knife, and the excess branch should be cut away, keeping only two leaves. The leaves that are kept also need to be trimmed, preferably cut in half, so that during rooting the evaporation of water is reduced and survival is easier.
2. Cutting Steps
The soil for rooting hydrangea cuttings is generally a loose, fertile sandy soil; then insert the prepared branch, and when doing so it is best to disinfect with carbendazim. After planting, spray water frequently to keep it moist. Generally, about 20 days after planting, the hydrangea cutting begins to root, and after a while longer it can be transplanted into a pot.
When to Prune Hydrangeas
Hydrangea pruning falls into many different situations. Throughout the entire growing process of the hydrangea, any dead branches and diseased leaves should be pruned promptly to avoid wasting nutrients and infection by pathogens. Some spent flowers that have no ornamental value should also be tidied up, and the spent flowers can simply be cut off. The dead branches after flowering should also be pruned.
Hydrangea flowering requires a lot of nutrients, and its flowering period is long, so after the two flowering seasons of spring and autumn, proper pruning should also be carried out. Pruning after the spring bloom is mainly above the buds, while pruning after the autumn bloom is mainly of the branches, and they should be cut a bit shorter.
Growing Environment for Hydrangeas
1. Soil: Hydrangeas are not demanding about soil, but they like soil rich in humus, and a slightly acidic soil with good drainage is best, as it is more favorable for their growth.
2. Temperature: Temperature affects the growth of hydrangeas. The suitable temperature for hydrangea growth is 18-28°C, and 20°C is favorable for flowering and growth. The lowest temperature should not drop below 5°C, which is not only unfavorable for flowering but may even cause cold damage.
3. Water: Watering is the key to growing flowers. Sufficient water can make hydrangeas grow faster, but do not let water accumulate. When the temperature is high and the weather is hot, spray some water on the ground or around the plant to raise the air humidity, which is favorable for hydrangea growth.
4. Fertilizing: Hydrangeas are fertilizer-loving plants. During their vigorous growth period, give them plenty of nutrients, applying a diluted, well-rotted cake fertilizer solution every 15 days, which can make the flowers bigger. At the same time, proper fertilizer is also beneficial for their growth.
That is all for the introduction to hydrangea cutting methods and their growing environment, and we hope it is helpful to everyone. Hydrangeas have high ornamental value, but you must give them a suitable growing environment so that they can better show their charm.