Thursday, June 3, 2010

UPDATE: Let's Make Babies!! or 'How to Propagate Your Hydrangea Bush'

Hello friends...after posting photos of my lovely Hydrangea bush, I had a few request's for a tutorial on propagating them. So if you have a favorite Hydrangea or your neighbor has one you are lusting after (I'm talking to you Nester) you will enjoy this. It is super easy and it's called Ground Layering'...
My one and only cherished Hydrangea bush.

Once you find the bush you wish to propagate, look underneath it and locate a few low growing branches. The closer to the ground the better.
See all these low branches..perfect!
Find a joint like the one in the photo above.
With a garden tool, loosen the soil below that joint, making a small planting hole.
Now carefully place that chosen branch into the hole at the jointed spot. Be sure the joint is totally covered with dirt. Place a heavy brick or rock on top of the joint, to hold it in place while it roots. The flower on the left is one end of my branch and the woody stem on the right is the other side which of course is connected to Mama. Water it well and now just back away and be patient...Ok Jennifer..this is obviously not for you..the patient part.
(this is what it will look like)
New roots will start to develop at that joint. You will be able to tell it has rooted when you tug at the joint gently and it feels snug in the dirt. Good things are worth waiting for.
Once rooted, make a clean cut on the main plant side of the branch (in the photo, right of the brick). gently dig up the new baby plant being careful not to damage the new roots and plant in a nice shade/partial sun location and enjoy!
Some fun FYI:
To change you Hydrangea from Pink to Blue you need to add Aluminum Sulfate and reverse that for Blue to pink.
White Hydrangeas cannot be changed by science..only God can do that..interesting Huh?
Lastly..for those of you in the hot South, it is very unlikely you will ever produce a 'true' Red Hydrangea. Deep or very dark pink..maybe, but true deep red...won't happen. Something about the intense heat I think. 
If you want to enjoy dried Hydrangea blooms..DON'T..I repeat, don't pick them and try to hang them upside down like you would roses or herbs. Leave the blooms on the plant until August or September and they will dry and turn a lovely vintage hue all on their own. Then cut them and bring them inside.
You can also dye them with Rit dye..read about that here.
So that's it..not hard at all. Now go forth and propagate my children!
Until next time...be kind and stay creative.

DIY Day @ ASPTL

26 comments:

Kelly Ann said...

She is beautiful....I want a full hedge of these beauties, wouldn't that be awesome lining a yard..

Aprons and More said...

I am so jealous! I try to grow these every year and fail miserably... They do grow around here but I just don't have any luck. Yours is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing it with me! (I will pretend ;) it is in my yard!)

Katy :)

Lisalulu said...

love these, the purple colors are my favorites, you are one lucky girl.

Hearts Turned said...

Your hydrangea's gorgeous, Janet! My favorite color, too--fabulous!

Hope you enjoy your day!

Julie

Jennifer Juniper said...

Yours beat mine! Not even a bud over here :( I'd love to read your tutorial if you post it.

The Tin Rabbit said...

Oh my, these are gorgeous! I just thought mine were pretty this year...LOL...these are just stunning! ann

Anonymous said...

I love them, they are gorgeous! Hugs

Kathleen Grace said...

I have a half dead lilac that i plan to dig out this year and replace with hydrageas. I have tried int he past to grow one and failed, but I love them so much I have to try again. I have heard theya re easy to propagate, maybe you could do that instead of moving it! Manuela at the Pleasures of Homemaking has filled her garden with them that way!

Annette said...

It's stunning! I miss my hydrangeas from the old house. When we get around to redoing the landscaping, I'll have some!!

Diane Cransac said...

Just gorgeous. Here I have found that this village is full of ROSES! Everywhere gorgeous roses. Isn't it wonderful when all the flowers start to bloom?

Tweed Thoughts said...

What a colour, Janet! You're so lucky to have these in your garden :)

My Life Under the Bus said...

The blues are the best ! But I do have a fondness for the pink/purplemix too !!! Love these.

Kileen said...

I have a hydrangea that finally has started blooming after two years. Thank you for sharing this info, I will definitely be doing this to mine.

Wendy said...

LOVE hydrangeas! We just planted 4 last spring so they are still babies, but I am all over this idea for the future!

Lori P said...

What a great tutorial! I am bookmarking this. LOVE hydrangeas - my husband, when he was a little boy, called them popcorn trees. :)

Beth- the mama bee said...

thanks! I have two lovely ones the neighbors are always admiring, but no one has known how to share. thanks!

Julia said...

OH how I wish I had shade to do hydrangeas! I love them and their robust flowers. In a few years maybe I will be able to as my trees get bigger!! Have a great day!

Jennifer Juniper said...

Huh...I had no idea! Maybe if I get it set up then try to forget about it I could manage to wait? I only have one hydrangea, I might try it!

~mel said...

You're the hydrangea Queen! Thanks for the great tip on propagation ... and the tip about the white ones not being able to change to blue. I never realized that you had to start with a pink one to do that. Great info! Thanks for sharing!!

Rough Edges Pottery said...

Thanks for the lesson! There are two at my mom and dad's house that I am going to play with. IT would be so neat to keep them "in the family". I really enjoy your blog. Thanks for sharing with us.

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Anonymous said...

Love your flowers, I have two but not successful. I live in Brooklyn, N.Y. How often should I be watering and is it to late to cut own for spring? It's February 25 degrees outside.

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Jan said...

Your red Hydrangers are striking. To propogate I just take a cutting, put in growth hormone and pla
nt. Water when dry and in two weeks or less it is growing.