ALL ABOUT MODERN METHODS OF HYDRANGEA CULTURE
Subject:
Illinois State Florists' Association
Abstract:
The following article is based on a talk given by Mr. Jung at the Illinois Fall Florisfs' Conference, held in Urbana on Oct. 19, 1964.) WHAT HAS CAUSED the hydrangea to become almost totally unacceptable in some areas? Has the quality of the plants grown become that poor? Do other pot plants have that much better keeping qualilies 'over well grown and conditioned hydrangeas? Let's take a look at hydrangea growing as it CAN1 be today. The culture of hydrangeas can be divided into five different phases: propagation, vegetative, flower initiation, dormancy, and forcing. PROPAGATION Until recently the most widely used method of propagation has been with cuttings taken from plants being forced for flowering when the buds are visible. Terminal cuttings can be taken from the blind wood and single- or two-eye cuttings can be made by cutting apart the three center pairs of leaves. The single-eye cuttings are split apart at the node to make six individual cuttings. This has proved satisfactory when the heaviest shoots were selected at the proper time. This method reduces the cost of the cuttings but also increases the cost of growing due to the long period of time involved. The single-eye cutting is best because, when taken early from necessity, the growth is slow and not too far developed for a last of June or early July pinch. This method does not allow for any selection of flowering plants and is responsible for the large percentage of small florets and poor color in some varieties.
Source: • Illinois State Florists' Association Bulletin # 257
Keywords: Propagation Single-eye cuttings Propagation medium sharp sand, cost of growing
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