Hydrangeas can be propagated both by cuttings and by planting. In the following sections we will tell you why lowering is the easier option for propagating hydrangea and what you should keep in mind.
How are hydrangeas propagated by sinkers?
If you want to propagate your hydrangeas, you can easily do this with little effort using lowering plants. Individual shoots of the mother plant are pressed into the ground and weighed down. After that, you just have to wait for the sinker to take root. It can then be separated from the mother plant and planted in a pot.
How do I get sinkers from hydrangeas?
When lowering, proceed as follows:
- Select alower shoot of the hydrangeas. It should be strong but not woody and, if possible, have no flowers or buds.
- Bend Carefully push the shoot towards the ground.
- Where it touches the ground, dig a smallhole.
- Push the shoot into the hole and cover it lightly withsoil. The shoot tip should be free.
- To weigh it down, place astone on the ground so that the shoot cannot return to its original position.
Be very careful not to damage the shoot when bending or weighing it down.
When and how do I separate the sinker from the mother plant?
The sinker remainsin the ground until next spring. As soon as it is warm enough, you can carefully dig it up and separate it from the mother plant. It is best to place the young plant in a pot with potting soil (€6.00 on Amazon), where it can root strongly and be planted outdoors the following year.
When do sinkers bloom for the first time?
The young plants usually need a season without flowers before they start producing flowers. But you may also have to wait two years for the new hydrangea flowers. Be patient and give your lowering machine the time it needs.
Tip
Propagate hydrangeas through cuttings
As an alternative to lowering, you can also propagate your hydrangeas through cuttings. This is faster, but also a little more complex. To do this, separate the shoot tips from your hydrangea and either put them in soil or place them in a glass of water. After just a few weeks the cuttings took root.
