Detailed Steps for Propagating Hydrangeas by Bud Cuttings

Hydrangea is what is commonly called douqiu or yangxiuqiu. This shade-tolerant ornamental plant is usually propagated by stem cuttings. That method has a relatively low propagation rate. In order to propagate hydrangeas quickly, this article introduces a method with a higher propagation rate: propagating hydrangeas by bud cuttings.

In spring, place the freshly pruned hydrangea in an environment of around 25°C for care. Within half a month, many young buds will grow on the plant. At this point, prepare several flower pots or shallow seedling trays filled with plain sandy soil. Keep the buds that are intended to grow into branches later; once the remaining buds reach about 2 cm, they can be snapped off and inserted into the prepared pots or shallow trays. Because the young buds on the plant cannot all grow to the same size at the same time, the undersized buds should be left on the branches to continue growing.

When they are long enough, snap them off and insert them as cuttings. After each young bud is inserted, immediately spray it with clean water. Place the pots or shallow trays holding the hydrangea cuttings in a bright spot without direct sunlight, keep the ambient temperature between 15°C and 25°C, and spray water twice a day. If conditions permit, it is best to place the pots or shallow trays inside a small tent covered with colorless plastic film, as this keeps the air humidity relatively high, which is very helpful for increasing the survival rate.

After 4 weeks, the vast majority of hydrangea young buds will have rooted. When the leaves of all the hydrangea cuttings have unfolded, it means their root systems are already able to support independent growth. At this point they can be planted separately and given normal care.

How to Propagate Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea) by Bud Cuttings

Step 1: Cultivating the Buds

In spring, keep the pruned bigleaf hydrangea in an environment of 25°C for care. After about half a month, many small young buds will grow on the plant.

Prepare several small flower pots (shallower ones) filled with sandy soil. When the young buds reach about 2 cm, keep the ones on the plant that are meant to grow into branches, snap off the remaining side buds, and insert them into the pots.

The side buds on the plant grow at different rates. Do not snap off buds that are too small; simply let them continue growing on the branches.

Step 2: Care After Inserting

After each young bud is inserted, spray it with water once. Try to use a small spray bottle to avoid overwatering.

Place the pots with the inserted cuttings in a bright place without direct sunlight, keep the temperature between 15 and 25°C, and spray water once in the morning and once in the evening each day. When the sunlight is strong, spray the surrounding environment appropriately to maintain good humidity for sprouting.

If conditions permit, place the plants inside a small tent covered with plastic film to ensure sufficient air humidity and increase the survival rate.

Step 3: Rooting

With normal care, most young buds will root in about four weeks. The young buds will grow many leaves. When the leaves have already spread out and unfolded, it means their root systems are already able to support the independent growth of the young buds. At this point they can be planted separately and moved into flower pots 15 to 20 cm deep.

How to Propagate Bigleaf Hydrangea by Bud Cuttings

Bigleaf hydrangea is what is commonly called douqiu or yangxiuqiu. This shade-tolerant ornamental plant is usually propagated by stem cuttings. That method has a relatively low propagation rate. In order to propagate bigleaf hydrangeas quickly, this article introduces a method with a higher propagation rate: propagating bigleaf hydrangeas by bud cuttings.

In spring, place the freshly pruned bigleaf hydrangea in an environment of around 25°C for care. Within half a month, many young buds will grow on the plant. At this point, prepare several flower pots or shallow seedling trays filled with plain sandy soil. Keep the buds that are intended to grow into branches later; once the remaining buds reach about 2 cm, they can be snapped off and inserted into the prepared pots or shallow trays. Because the young buds on the plant cannot all grow to the same size at the same time, the undersized buds should be left on the branches to continue growing.

When they are long enough, snap them off and insert them as cuttings. After each young bud is inserted, immediately spray it with clean water. Place the pots or shallow trays holding the bigleaf hydrangea cuttings in a bright spot without direct sunlight, keep the ambient temperature between 15°C and 25°C, and spray water twice a day.

If conditions permit, it is best to place the pots or shallow trays inside a small tent covered with colorless plastic film, as this keeps the air humidity relatively high, which is very helpful for increasing the survival rate. After 4 weeks, the vast majority of bigleaf hydrangea young buds will have rooted. When the leaves of all the bigleaf hydrangea cuttings have unfolded, it means their root systems are already able to support independent growth. At this point they can be planted separately and given normal care.