FREE HYDRANGEAS. It’s easy to create more plants for your garden without having to fork out at the garden centre. Take softwood cuttings from your ornamental shrubs and woody herbs, and you can boost stocks for free
HOW TO TAKE SOFT WOOD CUTTINGS. Softwood cuttings should be taken during spring and summer, from March to August. Choose strong, current season’s shoots, as they have the potential to root quickly and rapidly grow into new plants. Taking cuttings is simple and easy, and a cost effective method of filling gaps in beds and borders. It’s also a great way to replace dead shrubs, or to create gifts for friends and family.
EASY HYDRANGEA PROPAGATION FROM CUTTINGS
STEP 1. Remove shoots, longer than the finished cutting, just above a leaf on the parent plant.
STEP 2. Use a pair of pruners or a sharp knife to cut just below a leaf joint and remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting.
STEP 3. Reduce leaf area by half to minimise water loss from the cutting.
STEP 4. In a container (in this project I used an empty plastic water bottle with holes on the bottom for drainage) filled with perlite, stick the branch down into the bottom of the container.
STEP 5. Place your bottles with cuttings in another container which acts as the propagation box. I use a regular plastic storage bin (ALSO WITH HOLES ON THE BOTTOM FOR BETTER DRAINAGE, please).
**Don't forget to place the lid loosely on the bin.**
STEP 6. Water the cuttings directly with a garden hose often. I do this daily for good insurance that the moisture is even.