How to Grow Rhododendron From Cuttings

Prepare rooting medium before taking cuttings, as the faster they go into the medium, the better they root. Mix equal amounts potting soil, peat moss and vermiculite. Dampen with warm water until the mixture is crumbly, but holds together when crushed. Do not make it soggy. Place mixture in a plastic flowerpot with drainage holes. Fill it to the rim and flatten it off.

Cut a 4- to 10-inch stem from a rhododendron plant mid-summer to early autumn. Take current-growth cuttings from branches that are greenish brown and bend without snapping or breaking. Avoid branches with flower buds, but if that is not possible, remove flower buds when taking the cutting.

Cut the bottom of the cutting at a 45-degree angle directly below a leaf node, or bump where a leaf grew from the stem.

Remove leaves on the bottom 1 to 2 inches of the cutting.

Make 1 to 2 inch vertical cuts at the base of the cutting on either side, using a sharp knife. Expose the cambium or greenish white layer of the cutting, as roots grow from this exposed area.

Dip the cut end into rooting hormone. Use a pencil to make holes in the rooting medium and insert 1 to 2 inches into the pot firming the cutting in place. Insert several cuttings in one pot. Water, using a spray bottle, and then enclose the pot and cuttings in a plastic bag, closing it above the cutting with a twisty tie.

Set pots in a light area, but avoid direct sunlight. Keep temperatures at 70 degrees Fahrenheit and check periodically to see if cuttings need water. If condensation does not appear on the bag, check to see if the soil is moist. If it is dry, water the pot and replace the plastic. After two months, the cutting should give resistance when tugged. This indicates roots are growing. Cuttings are best left in rooting medium until the end of February before you plant them in individual pots.