Assessment of Survival Rate in Hydrangea macrophylla Cuttings under Varying Levels of Indole-3-Butyric Acid, Cutting Types and Media

A propagation study was undertaken to standardize type of stem cuttings, IBA concentrations and different media for propagation of Hydrangea macrophylla L. Hydrangea is considered as “Queen of flowering shrubs” and it performs best at higher altitudes. In the present study, softwood, semi hardwood and hardwood cuttings were collected during the month of September 2016. They were treated with IBA 500 PPM and 250 PPM for a period of 30 minutes and a control was maintained. The treated cuttings were maintained in protrays containing four different propagating media, namely sand, perlite, vermiculite and soil rite. The trays were kept under 75% agro shade net. Different biometric observations were recorded at 30, 45, 60 and 75 days after planting under first stage of investigation. At 75 days the cuttings were uprooted to study the root and other growth parameters. The percentage of survival was highest under semi hardwood cuttings × control × sand or perlite (60.7%) followed by softwood cuttings × control × sand or perlite (53.4%). IBA 500 ppm produced highest number of roots (45.0) and root length was also highest (1.57cm) under this treatment. With the present standardization of propagation, large scale cultivation of hydrangea can be possible in the place where plenty of sunshine is available in the morning hours.