How Can I Take a Starting Off a Snowball Bush?

Getting a Cutting or Start

• Long-established snowball bushes are a sight to behold. It is no wonder that people want to take starts from their existing hydrangea, or that of a family member or friend. When moving, people will often take a start of their bush to grow at their new home.
  
  Choose a stalk that has not yet produced a flower. A new sprout coming out of the ground is best. Cut the stalk away from the bush. It should be about 6 to 8 inches long. Remove the leaves from the bottom of the stalk. You can leave the leaves toward the top. Take several of these cuttings to try different rooting methods.
  
  

Snowball Start #1

• Thoroughly wash a vase or glass jar. Any dirt or contamination may cause the snowball stalk to become diseased and rot. Place the end of the stalk into the vase and add enough tepid water to have a couple of inches of the snowball stalk submerged. Water that is too cold or too hot will shock the snowball stalk.
  
  Place the vase near a window, but do not allow it to get any direct sunlight. Also make sure there is not a furnace or air conditioner vent blowing on it. The stalk should remain at a constant a temperature. Change the water every few days to ensure that it stays clean and uncontaminated. Watch the end of the stalk for signs of roots.
  
  

Snowball Start #2

• Prepare the snowball stalk in the same way as above. You will also need a clean pot and a new bag of potting soil. Fill the clean pot with soil and make a small hole in the center.
  
  Nurseries sell a product to help stimulate root growth. This is optional, but available if you want to try it. Dip the plant stalk into the root-grow solution and then put it into the hole in the pot. Tamp the potting soil down slightly so that the stalk is secure. Add enough tepid water so that the soil is moist, but not soggy.
  
  Use two or three pencils poked around the outer edges of the pot as stakes. Drape a piece of plastic over the pencils. This will ensure that the plant retains moisture. Check the soil daily and add water as needed to keep it moist.
  
  You can keep the pot inside the house until weather permits it to be outside. Once the roots have taken hold, remove the plastic, and continue monitoring the plant until it is mature enough to transplant into the ground.