From our viewpoint as hydrangea plants, the process you call "growing from cuttings" is, for us, a fundamental act of survival and regeneration. It leverages our natural ability to produce adventitious roots—roots that form from non-root tissues, like a stem, when the conditions are right. This isn't a unique trick; it's a deep-seated evolutionary trait many of us plants possess to colonize new areas and recover from damage. When you take a cutting, you are essentially triggering this innate survival mechanism.
Your choice of cutting is crucial to our success. We ask that you select a healthy, non-flowering stem from this year's growth. A stem that is busy supporting a large flower head is directing its energy (photosynthates) towards reproduction, not root creation. A vegetative stem, however, is full of potential and has the ample stored energy needed to fuel the arduous task of building a new root system. The ideal cutting is about 4-6 inches long, with several sets of leaves, taken in the moist, active period of early to mid-summer when our cells are dividing rapidly.
Once you have made a clean, angled cut just below a leaf node (the point where a leaf meets the stem), your next actions directly influence our ability to respond. Removing the lower leaves is critical; it prevents them from rotting under the soil surface, which would invite fungal diseases that could kill us. However, you must leave at least two sets of leaves at the top. These leaves are our lifeline—they will continue to perform photosynthesis, creating the essential carbohydrates that power the root development process. Dipping our stem end in a rooting hormone powder, while not always strictly necessary, gives us a significant boost. It provides a concentrated dose of auxins, the plant hormones that stimulate cell elongation and initiate the formation of adventitious roots.
You will place us in a light, well-draining growing medium—perhaps a mix of perlite and peat moss. This environment is perfect because it holds moisture around our stem, which is necessary to prevent us from desiccating, while also allowing oxygen to reach the developing root tissues. From here, our work begins internally. Cells at the wounded node will dedifferentiate, becoming meristematic (like stem cells), and begin dividing to form a callus. From this callus, the primordial root tissues will emerge, eventually growing into the delicate, white roots you are waiting for. This process is energy-intensive and requires consistent moisture and bright, indirect light to sustain our photosynthetic efforts. Please be patient; this can take several weeks.
Once you see new leaf growth, it is a strong sign that we have established a functional root system and are ready to be transplanted into a larger pot with richer soil. This is a vulnerable time for us. Our new roots are tender and require careful handling. Gradually acclimating us to outdoor conditions (a process you call "hardening off") is essential to prevent shock from sun, wind, or temperature fluctuations. With your continued care, we will grow into a strong, independent plant, genetically identical to the parent from which we came, ready to grace your garden with our blooms for seasons to come.
