Hi Guys....I been around a while reading all your good tips....just been a bit shy to jump in!..
But I have a question...I am moving house and would like to take a cutting from a Rhododendron I have here....It was cut right down earlie last year so didn't flower, now it's ready to rage this year....but can I take a cutting...and how please
Bel
Hello Bel
Not the most personal type of answers but maybe this link will be helpfull
http://www.donaldhyatt.com/ARSPVC/articles/rhododendroncuttings.html (http://www.donaldhyatt.com/ARSPVC/articles/rhododendroncuttings.html)
I'm a disaster when it comes to caring for cuttings in a moreor less controlled environment like plastic bags....
But this method seems straight foreward so I might give it a try again too...
Oh, thanks for that William O, I too am moving ans was wondering bout my Rhodey! Most useful, DP
One advantage of these plants, if they are not too huge, is they have a small compact root ball and can be moved lock stock and barrel fairly easily.
I have one in the garden that is about 3 foot across that has moved twice in the last 10 years with little in the way of ill effects.
Obviously the larger specimens are too big and heavy to move.
Jerry
I resued one from the local waste site, about 2 foot 6" all round, with good root-ball, It's in the garden, and produces masses of lilac/blue flowers any time now. They do seem very tough.
Brian
Oh goodness you guys are great....thanks for info.
But I have to confess to being a fool!!....I signed in quickly early this morning before work to post my question.....at about coffee time is suddenly dawned on me that I had asked about Rhodies.....when what I meant to ask about was Hydrangers( hence the cut back comment!! )....Oops silly me.....so any chance I could get some info on Hydies????.....
I guess I should have just kept quite....but what the heck....I am intitled to the odd senior momment lol...
Your daftly Bel ;D ;D ;D
HIYA!
Same rule applies re: moving the lot. They move ever so easily, roots'n'all. But if you only want to take cuttings, they root in water very well. Must be one of the easiest shrubs to propagate.
Good luck! :)
Thank you muchly :)
I haven't taken a cutting from mine ever but my mom has taken several and had excellent results. I tried taing a cutting from a peony last year but it just died off despite using rooting powder, I guess some shrubs will 'take' easier than others :)
I bought two pots of rhododendron plant this morning. I have heard that they thrive in acidic soil. Please may I know what should I do to the soil to make it acidic before planting please. Thank you.
Test your pH to start with; if it's acid already there's no need to worry. On the other hand, if you're on chalk or limestone, you really need to be putting them in containers permanently. If it's marginal, you might be able to alter the pH a bit, but drastic attempts to change it are probably doomed.