Making Cuttings From Rhododendrons

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Group Shots

home

Cut about a 5 inch length of new growth from the rhododendron you wish to propagate.

Make sure the cutting is free of pests or disease.

Step 2

Remove all but 3 or 4 leaves and then cut back the remaining leaves by approximately 2/3.

Step 3

With a sharp knife, cut down to the cambium layer on both sides of the branch, about 1 inch in length.

Dip the exposed cambium layer into a liquid or powdered form of rooting hormone (not shown).  Rooting hormone is available at most nurseries.

Step 4

Fill a styrofoam cup with a pre-moistened mixture of milled sphagnum and perlite, about 60:40.  Using a pencil, make about 4 or 5 drainage holes in the bottom of the cup.

Step 5

Place the cutting in the mixture and firmly pat the mixture down around the branch.

Step 6

Place two straws down the sides of the styrofoam cup.  Make some drainage holes if you previously forgot!

With a permanent marker, label the styrofoam cup with the name of the rhododendron cutting.

Step 7

Place the cutting in a ziplock bag and seal.

The cutting will probably root within 3 months.  Check the moisture level periodically and add water if necessary.  Cuttings should not sit in water. 

After sufficient rooting, transplant your cuttings to a mixture of moss, perlite and lava rock,  hardening them off slowly. 

Some members place there cuttings in a biodegradable peat pot instead of a styrofoam cup.  The peat pot can then be planted directly into the new mixture of moss, perlite and lava rock.

It was a very good day!

photos by Pat Whittaker