Hydrangea macrophylla, the most common Hydrangea species, can be propagated by all 4 primary propagation methods; softwood cuttings, seedlings, tissue culture, and layering propagation all produce desirable products, but the difficulty, expense, and facilities each methods requires vary greatly. Whatever method is used, timing of propagation is extremely important (because it dictates climate). Layering is a successful method of propagation, wherein the shoots are bent down into the soil surrounding the parent plant. Roots and shoots then develop under the soil surface from the bent shoots. This method, though productive and relatively easy, is limited by time of year; layering must be done outside, and so is subject to weather and climate restrictions.
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Tissue culture propagation produces hydrangeas with excellent branching tendencies that are almost always free of viruses (a primary advantage to tissue culture). Though tissue culture is moderately difficult, it produces excellent offspring. However, it is a much more difficult process if the propagator does not own the greenhouse and laboratory facilities appropriate for tissue propagation. Seed propagation is as productive as any other method, but plants produced this way will not be perfect clones of parent cultivars. For a daily gardener, this aspect of seedling propagation is perfectly acceptable. To a commercial grower, though, producing inconsistent cultivars of any plant is not likely to entail commercial success.
Clearly, there are many methods for propagation hydrangeas. Softwood cuttings of hydrangeas is the most common method because it is the simplest and most cost and time-efficient method for the average gardener.
No matter what plant is to be cut for propagation, there are 6 general steps to follow for success. Each of these steps is first presented as a general guideline for cuttings, and details for hydrangea-specific cuttings follows:
Clearly, there are many methods for propagation hydrangeas. Softwood cuttings of hydrangeas is the most common method because it is the simplest and most cost and time-efficient method for the average gardener.
No matter what plant is to be cut for propagation, there are 6 general steps to follow for success. Each of these steps is first presented as a general guideline for cuttings, and details for hydrangea-specific cuttings follows:
Step 1
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Step 2
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Step 3
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