How to Overwinter Rooted Cuttings | Protect Cuttings from Frost Damage

I just got a question asking what I do with my rooted cuttings after they are rooted in the fall. In this video I show you how I overwinter my rooted cuttings in containers and how you can do it without a greenhouse and protect the cuttings from frost damage.
Taking the hydrangea cuttings last fall: • Propagating Hydrangea ...
Potting up the Hydrangeas: • Potting up Last Year's...
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[@peterm7915]

You are a selfless educator. Thank you.

[@MikeKincaid79]

It's fun to see you guys have success!

[@lindalehrbach8445]

Can't believe you're going to teach this!!!! I've been asking everyone I know how I can propagate and preserve plants in the winter months in upstate NY. Thank you!!!!!

[@johncamacho7724]

Mike,your videos are so good, you should have your own Garden TV show!

[@MikeKincaid79]

Haha, thanks John!

[@pattyking3843]

Thanks Mike, you answered my question. Can't do better than that. 😊

[@MikeKincaid79]

Glad to help, Patty!

[@peggyjeffcoat8985]

How did you learn so much about plants!! You are truly amazing!

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks! Practice, practice, practice. Eventually, you become what you think about all day long.

[@lauralarsen4792]

Your great love the info I have hundreds of cuttings rooted and was very worried about loosing them in winter. You eased my mind

[@MikeKincaid79]

I still get a little worried from time to time but they always start shooting out new growth every spring. Thanks for joining us here.

[@mewzikbiznis1]

Thanks for another great video :) I bought a big, clear tote today and am ready to get started with hydrangeas, azaleas, and maybe roses. After watching this video, I'm thinking about making a small 'hoop house' using an old screen door cover in clear plastic on the back side of my storage shed. This way I can crack the lid to let in air and not have the wind carry it off. Thanks again. Great info and great delivery!

[@MikeKincaid79]

Awesome, glad you got something out of it. Have fun with the hydrangeas, azaleas, and roses. I've used this tote set up for all 3 and it works great for them all.

[@kerrylatter371]

Thanks for the great idea!! You have opened up my eyes to the possibilities of caring for some cuttings over winter without a greenhouse. 😇 I can save on a greenhouse and save on going to the garden centres to keep buying new plants. My Hydrangea cost £16, not sure how much that is in dollars .... but it all adds up!!!🤔

[@MikeKincaid79]

It sure does! Have fun rooting those cuttings this summer.

[@Transportsakinc]

Great !! Thanks. Gonna try first time. These Canadian winters are very brutal can't wait to see the result!!!! 👍👍

[@MikeKincaid79]

Your winters are certainly brutal and you may want to go with a little extra protection in your area. Just make sure they cuttings are protected from winter winds and don't dry out.

[@terrybaker2940]

I have had success in closed totes with hydrangas Smoketree Sniwball viburnum Rose of Sharon Thank you so much

[@MikeKincaid79]

Right on!

[@wordvendor1]

True, true, true! I've been growing baby plants for almost two years now, and I've only lost probably 20 out of 1500 throughout the winter, and maybe it wasn't the cold!

[@MikeKincaid79]

Sounds like you've got this figured out! Great job.

[@josanders4051]

just found you and i love it.Thank you

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks a lot! Glad you're a part of the family here.

[@amourdeparis]

Great information! Thanks Mike! I will definitely protect my young roses, hydrangeas, and blueberries this coming winter with a tote.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Great! It's like a little mini hoop house.

[@jacquelineshawdeyoung6918]

Thank you I was wondering if I can plant cuttings in the fall finally I found out from you thanks

[@MikeKincaid79]

Yes you can!

[@janetmsimms370]

Thanks Mike you have inspired me to take some cuttings. I've taken 2 Rhododendrons 3 Rose's and 2 clematis. All in there pots with plastic bottle covers. Fingers crossed

[@MikeKincaid79]

I'm rooting for you, Janet!

[@tonydavies8683]

i made a greenhouse 4' tall out of a bunch of arched branches from pine trees and bamboo sticks with a semi clear plastic " painters 2mil plastic " and used ferns around the pots to keep the soil from freezing to hard worked great. i live in washington state and was able to keep an avocado tree alive outside over winter. I will be doing the same thing this year, but will have to raise the green house up some on posts to accommodate the new size of the tree.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Sounds great, ingenuity at it's best.

[@jenniferthai9026]

Thank you for the answer. That’s one of the question I had in mine for a very long time.

[@MikeKincaid79]

You're welcome Jennifer.

[@guynorth3277]

The branches of the trees will lessen the frost area under the tree... not so much in Northern Michigan, though there is definitely some heat coming out of the tree, as they all maintain a well around them throughout the Winter of deep snow.

[@kpolkoski7399]

Great video, thanks! We propagate hundreds of plants, weigela, dappled willow, variegated red twig dogwood, lilac, burning bush etc in Central Wisconsin each year and over-winter them outside. We attempt to mulch them in (sort of) and we do make an effort to throw as much snow as we can over the top of them to insulate. We're zone 5A. We had a freak deep freeze a couple of years ago in mid-May which took out about 40 burning bush - but the others made it just fine. Thanks for the tips - I'll try plastic totes to propagate this year until we build your propagation box and/or get a misting system. Right now we propagate our plants in a flat with dampened peat moss and put them in a white plastic trash bag in the shade. Crazy simple, but it works just about 100% of the time.

[@MikeKincaid79]

I like "crazy simple"! Makes things more fun.

[@dustyflats3832]

I know this is an old post, but thanks for the info as I’m same zone in WI. Trying to propagate Blaze maples. I put them in sand under an overturned clear tote and one in a winter sow jug. Glad I seen this as I need to put some mulch on them and make sure they have some moisture. Thx!

[@jeanpolkoski2107]

​@@dustyflats3832Good luck!! If you have any success with a blaze update this post please! Red maples (from seed) for me are a disappointment. I have a few but soft wood cuttings of shrubs are our strong suit. I think normally air layering (haven't done it yet) is a good way to propagate maples.

[@amysnipes4245]

Thanks, Mike. I'll be trying totes under a Spruce tree this winter.

[@sherrydesmarais7032]

Thanks for the great video! I'm in Ontario, Canada and it gets quite cold here in the winter. I've seen it go down to -40 Celsius. I've wanted to take cuttings and propagate but didn't think they could survive here. I will be buying a clear tote and keeping them in my outdoor sunroom while I am away and will hopefully come back to plants that will soon be ready for planting. Thanks again!

[@MikeKincaid79]

Just make sure you pick plants that are cold hardy to your area.

[@royalmontpark]

Can you put them in your basement?

[@sylviagarcia9897]

Hello again, Mike! I’m the one seeing you for the first time about Hydrangea plant. Now I see this second one that’s so perfect on how to care for winter which was exactly what I was wondering. THANK YOU FOR BEING SO INFORMATIVE! I’m planning for middle of July to do this but I wonder if I can still propagate during summer? PS IM IN HOT TEXAS-LOL!

[@MikeKincaid79]

You can propagate during summer but make sure the cuttings are protected from your hot summer sun.

[@terrybaker2940]

I love your videos They r the only ones I have success

[@MikeKincaid79]

Sweet! Glad to hear you're having success.

[@lindab.5953]

Love Weigela!!! Smells so good and late winter blooms!!! In Oregon. Moved to VA and want another... I hope they can make it here!

[@MikeKincaid79]

They’re pretty cold hardy. I know they grow well in Ohio, which gets very cold as well. Good luck!

[@patsyhadley5872]

Absolutely love your videos, watched the one on rose cuttings and was amazingly successful. Yay

[@MikeKincaid79]

That’s so great to hear! There’s nothing better than hearing about other’s success with these methods. Thanks for sharing, Patsy.

[@patsyhadley5872]

Also video about hydrangeas, i have a rhapsody blue, let's dance hydrangia from my brother in law who passed away and now I have them all over my yard, never knew it was so easy

[@abcxyz9643]

I lost about 6 1 year old seedlings this year due to not protecting them or putting in the ground; never again. They are cold hardy as they come and native here. I will be bringing everything in or putting it in the ground from now on.

[@CoreyPelletier86]

From the start of your video I lad a slew of questions going, but by the end you answered them all! I'm in central Maine and have been considering a hoop house to alleviate the lack of space in my basement (with grow lights and insulation). It seems like on average your part of the country is about 10° warmer than here, so I'm hoping for similar results with all my rhododendrons. Thanks again for all the information and reaffirmation that I'm on the right track 💪

[@MikeKincaid79]

Glad to hear you got some helpful info out of the video Corey. This is an older one too but the info still applies. Good luck and enjoy spring!

[@CoreyPelletier86]

Old or new, I'm watching them all. Your whole style is an inspiration, man!

[@piaaladdin1973]

@@CoreyPelletier86 Me too! I am getting such great advice here!

[@scrapbookgirl61]

In Michigan I put my small potted plants and mini hostas in my shed.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Sounds like a great idea! You guys get much colder than us and I've seen a lot of clever ideas for overwintering plants in your environment.

[@MrsBlack8998]

Jean Clark, I'm in Ohio. Do your plants get light in the shed?

[@KathleenJean53]

I have experimented with putting cuttings and young biennials in leaf piles, raised beds and also in the side of the compost pile. The compost pile wins! Just don’t dump stuff on top and forget they are there.

[@MikeKincaid79]

I put cuttings in a manure pile last year and they rooted well. I need to get back into making my own compost, but with access to all the wood shavings and manure mixture at the local dairy, it's too easy to just pick it up in the truck and dump it at my place.

[@rieriec.36]

Successfully scarificed canna lillies in January... Growth lights and heat pads

[@cherylmatthews4066]

Im gonna buy so Hoolah Hoops, cut it in half then stick them in the ground, then cover them in Poly sheeting. Yay my own hoop house for my plants.....in uk xxxx

[@MikeKincaid79]

It'll work! You'll have to duck though, lol.

[@judithreidy1375]

We often have temperatures in SE Wisconsin in the teens and down to. -20 degrees F. I don’t think placing cuttings bear the base of a tree would save the cuttings. The soil in the little pots will freeze. I think burying the plants in the ground and then covering them with at least a foot or so of leaves or straw may protect from such a hard extended freeze. In Spring the straw will need to be removed carefully. By then the straw/leaves will have created a warmer environment where the baby plants may show better growth than the mature plants which were not covered.

[@MikeKincaid79]

You definitely live in a colder region but if you have plants that are cold hardy to your area you'd be amazed what they cuttings could survive. Here's a video I did last winter that might help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYSsk2uOqrRon9U There are also other precautions you can take, as you mentioned. I like the method of digging out an area in the ground that would act like a cellar without a roof. You can then place straw or plastic over the top once you lay the plants in.

[@dustyflats3832]

@@MikeKincaid79I know this is an old post. In WI plants will die in pots because they freeze and dry out. I had a self watering system we made with gutters and bins with root pots and had to bury the bins every year and mulch berries. Loved the system, but not the shuffling of bins. I took cuttings of boxwood and lavender late and have them inside. I have some Blaze maples under a tote in ground and one in a winter sow jug and will sink into ground and mulch under tote. Thanks for reminder. WI, Z5a.

[@cathyplantlover2862]

I use the clear plastic tubs and I drill some air hole so there is air flow to avoid rotting it seems to work well! I also winter sow with them too.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Sounds like a good idea. My large propagation frames are set up with a little air flow as well.

[@TheresaDarylsWife]

Thank you, going to do mine under trees. I live in Manistee national forest in Michigan.

[@MikeKincaid79]

That should help. You sure are in a cold area. Good luck!

[@TheresaDarylsWife]

@@MikeKincaid79 yes I am. do you suggest doing something else?

[@tylerwaxman7512]

Yes, It's not the cold but dehydration kills your plants in cold winter. I left hundreds of rooted green giant and boxwood cuttings in my yard and they have no problem with the snow and -20 F winter here.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Now that's a fine testament to the hardiness of rooted cuttings! Thanks, Tyler.

[@ccorbe1988]

Loved your videos. I am excited... I am going to try propagating this year. Thank you !

[@MikeKincaid79]

Be careful, you might get addicted quickly!

[@stepheneryman3822]

Im in Floridalove watching you

[@MikeKincaid79]

So glad to hear it, Stephen! Hope you're safe from all those hurricanes.

[@judyjudyjudy9593]

I live in lower Michigan and we have lots of hydrangeas here that do well in Winter.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Awesome, sounds like you'll be doing some propagating.

[@judyjudyjudy9593]

Our Winters are pretty rough (cold), not like they used to be, but cold.

[@gessed]

Thanks Mike.

[@Lee-mmg]

Thank you for the great info! I'm learning. :-)

[@colinevans7134]

Love your video mike

[@MikeKincaid79]

Glad you enjoy them Colin. Sure am looking forward to spring.

[@mia74de]

Hi, TY so much for your awesome videos. Very helpful! Beginner here, and was wondering if I take the freshly rooted cuttings inside the house over the winter,( I live in Upstate NY, and we just get to much snow) will I need special lighting? Also, how much water will they need threw out the winter. Thanks :-)

[@MikeKincaid79]

The roots will need to stay moist but can you place them in a garage where they can go dormant over the winter?

[@mia74de]

@@MikeKincaid79 I could do that. Wouldn't it be better if they were inside near a window so they can continue to grow?

[@CandyPants684]

Very informative! I’m in Maryland and about to take some cuttings of hydrangeas and gardenias. If I place them in the tote with the lid askew for over winter, can I place them in my garage by the window? Or do they really need to be outside for more sunlight? And do they need to get watered at all over winter (either in garage or outside under trees)? Thank you!

[@MikeKincaid79]

You could bring them in the garage through the winter for added protection as long as it's not a heated garage and the plants will stay dormant. You don't need a lot of light while they're dormant. You will have to keep the soil moist (not wet).

[@kfrankism]

Okay, so I like the idea of the tote because most of us don't have a hoop house. Then you kept changing the subject but going back to it. I think you said to leave it by a fence...so it can be in outdoor weather...with rain, wind and sun correct? Or put them on a patio away from the weather environment? Thanks again I hope you see my questions!

[@MikeKincaid79]

I have a habit of going off on rabbit trails, lol. You absolutely don't need a hoop house. I just recommend protecting young cuttings through the winter. If you have a covered back porch, then you can put them in a tote with the lid turned sideways for air exchange and just leave them be. That's enough to protect them. If you're worried about a particular plant then you can put them in an unheated garage or shed. Just make sure the soil remains moist (not wet), and you bring them back out into good lighting when the buds start swelling and opening.

[@Concerned1809]

Mike, I have a small hoop house and I plan on putting my hydrangea's and rose cutting in it over the winter. I used your three cup system and have had nearly 100% success and do not want to loose them. So, here's my question do I water or mist the cuttings during the winter or just leave them be? I live in south central Pennsylvania. Bill

[@MikeKincaid79]

Hey Bill, I wanted as little as possible once the weather gets cold. Just enough to maintain moisture in the pot. You don’t want to waterlog the newly rooted cuttings. Sometimes I can go for months between watering during the winter. Hope that helps, and I’m glad you’ve found so much success.

[@sabrinafelber]

Thanks was pretty scared this wouldn't work for me in Nebraska. We get alot of snow and up to 20 below in temps.

[@MikeKincaid79]

If the plants are cold hardy to your area then you should be fine but you may need to give a little extra protection in extreme environments. I've got a few videos I posted last fall that go over this.

[@Dwade6894]

Mike, thank you so much for all the information you provide... It has really encouraged me to start propagating some of plants i have in my yard that i really like... how much water the cuttings would need weekly? Thanks again... :)

[@MikeKincaid79]

If you have your cuttings in a sealed tote then they don't need any watering (after the initial watering) until they've rooted and you pot them up.

[@lily12370]

Would it be possible for you to elaborate on the construction of a hoop house? Also, what about a tour of some of your acerage?

[@MikeKincaid79]

I need to make that video. I've got a few videos about my property and landscape if you look for them.

[@brianwilson637]

Note sure about putting a cracked open tote under a tree. In my hood a squirrel would be in there like a shot and tear the seedlings apart. Or a chipmunk would try and build a nest. Although, it should be pointed out that in the ground the roots of any plant are well insulated from cold by the surrounding dirt (and perhaps mulch). In a pot....no protection. Even for mature plants in pots. That is always a worry.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Don't focus on the tote. Focus on the air flow while protecting the cuttings from the elements. These totes are cheap enough. You could always leave the lid sealed and drill some holes in the sides of it.

[@ralphwaltrts5994]

I have watched many of your videos concerning rose cuttings this year for the first time following your instructions I was able to actually cultivate some roses from cuttings and they have rooted all of them 100% of them there were seven but they all rooted now my question is how do I care for them over the winter could you please respond with a video or personal comment on how I should care for these rose cuttings over the winter. Do I leave them outside put them on a screened-in porch etc etc

[@MikeKincaid79]

Hey Ralph, great job on getting your cuttings to root and getting this far. I recently made a video all about overwintering your cuttings. There is also a playlist of videos that I've done over the years about the same subject. A link is in the description of that video. Here's the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWPSqpdmeNl4qNE

[@ralphwaltrts5994]

@@MikeKincaid79 mike, I have that video in my saved KZbin. I guess I should have re-watched it again all the way to the end. But thank you for the information as usual your information is to the point and very valuable

[@Transportsakinc]

Hey Mike great videos. Luv em!! Can we store our clippings in our garage for winter with proper lighting??

[@MikeKincaid79]

Yes, but you don't need light. They go dormant for the winter.

[@KidguY27]

Mike Kincaid space heater: yes or no? In a garage. Like when it snows turn it on?

[@piaaladdin1973]

Great info! So timely!! Just bought a mini green house. Can I put them in there? I get direct sunlight from my deck and thought about putting the mini greenhouse there for the propagated cuttings in the pots. Would that work? I have been playing with plants all August and Sept! I live in Maryland and it gets pretty cold

[@MikeKincaid79]

Yes, you could do that. Just be careful with the mini-greenhouse. They heat up quick in the winter when the sun is out and you don't want those cuttings breaking dormancy during winter.

[@melvinosborne5691]

thanks little bro, I got a huge magnolia tree im gonna put all my cutting under it this winter and rake the leaves up around the totes, this will be my first winter in propagation, got one question, can I take hardwood cuttings of blueberry and pear trees and if so when best time im in zone 7b I think.

[@MikeKincaid79]

You can take them all through the winter. Use bottom heat to form callus.

[@nereidapr1]

Those plants are beautiful but I was wondering what do you do with all that plants. Do you sell them, give some to friends or neighbors? or you replant them in your land? Great video.

[@MikeKincaid79]

All of the above. I'm creating 5 acres of rhododendron landscaping at my place and I sell all of the extra plants wholesale to local nurseries and sometimes private collectors.

[@lsamuels919]

You make very informative videos , you stay on point . I skipped over a lot of other videos because they talk way too much .

[@MikeKincaid79]

Glad this was helpful for you and thanks for watching!

[@MiguelGarcia-yx9im]

Hey, I like your videos they are awesome! I have a question? Can we put neem oil on new cuttings?

[@MikeKincaid79]

I'd stay away from oil on young cuttings but I've actually never tried it so it may not be a problem.

[@lduong1]

Thanks for sharing your passion. I want to setup a hoop house like yours. Where do I get the frame, ground cover, and overhead cover? How do you secure the frame? What is the material cost to construct one?

[@MikeKincaid79]

I've been getting tons of requests for this info so I'm planning to make a video about it this year. The total cost was $2000 and 1 summer of manual labor with a newborn baby on my back, haha. The money included everything from the concrete for the ground posts to the gavel to the plastic.

[@michaelosteen4556]

Thanks for another great lesson, Mike. Subscriber to your pro site which is great. Have a few green giants and sweet tea olives that have roots and have order the ATEX 21-7-6 fertilizer. Do I pot these up this Spring? Located in Zone 7 in SC. Thanks.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks for getting the program, so glad you are learning from the videos! As soon as they've got roots, just pot them up and fertilize. Sounds like you're on the right track, Michael!

[@bitchinrn]

Would keeping them in a tote on the South facing side of the house work? There’s a house and some trees/shrubs on that side of my home but it does get some Sun once the leaves are off the trees. I also used your method to propagate roses from my grandparents home before I moved this year, they’re healthy and thriving!

[@MikeKincaid79]

As long as the lid is slightly open and there is ventilation, it should be OK.

[@decomanjoel]

Hey Mike, I'm new to your videos which I'm enjoying very much. I bought a small hydrangea last year and it has grown very little and has developed a blight which I have treated with Daconyl. I have removed it from the ground and potted it to keep it away from my other flowers. Do you think there is chance of it coming back? I also have a gerber daisy that has a similar looking blight. I live outside of Savannah Georgia with very hot and humid summers and mild winters. I would be grateful for your advice as I hate throwing away plants... they are my babies. Best regards, Joel

[@MikeKincaid79]

I don't have a lot of experience with blight but It seems to be common in your area due to the temperatures and humidity. I have used fungicides and other chemicals in the past but am trying to get away from them. The problem that I've found is that when you treat the soil with a chemical that gets rid of 1 problem it leaves a void that some other pest will fill. The best advice I can give is to start now and build your soil up. Don't till the ground but just keep layering different mulches like grass, leaves, needles, wood chips, etc. It may take a few years but when you build the soil like this, it builds the soil food web and creates a healthy environment where all the microbes and bugs keep each other in check. It's like our gut, when we eat lots of fruits and veges, the good bacteria can flourish and keep the bad in check but when we add antibiotics everything goes to pot, literally. Have you read the book 'Teaming with Microbes'? It's a really good book that explains all of this in detail and I highly recommend it. I hope this helps.

[@sajeeorrison6138]

So I followed your instruction on how to propagating hydrangeas in late June and now majority of the cuttings are doing well, they are about 3-5 inches tall. I am planning to put them in bigger pots very soon. Can I bring them in the house? I am living in Illinois which can get down to -20 degree. Thank you very much!

[@MikeKincaid79]

If they are varieties that are cold hardy to your area then you should be ok letting them go dormant and then putting them in a garage or shed over winter. You can bring them inside if you want but you'll need lights and fertilizer all winter. The choice is yours. Should be fun either way you go.

[@bbtg]

Thanks!

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks so much for your support, Ivan! I really appreciate it. May your day be blessed.

[@bbtg]

@@MikeKincaid79 I really enjoy your hard work a videos. God bless you 🙏

[@wintress211]

So I followed your hydrangea propagation videos and both of my attempts have been SUCCESSFULL!!! I not only have roots but I see NEW LEAVES!! Thank you!! Now that they've rooted I'm back here searching through your videos to see what's next. From what I've been watching I'm guessing its okay for me to take them out of their "greenhouses" (mine were covered with grocery bags) and just treat them as regular houseplants? I began rooting my cuttings in July and it is now August 1st. I live in Maryland where the weather is unpredictable. So to make sure my rooted cuttings make it to 2021 Spring, I would prefer to keep mine inside for the remainder of 2020. Do I repot them or leave them be? And just to be certain, is it okay to take the bags off now?

[@MikeKincaid79]

Great job! Yes, you can slowly take the bags off over a few days to acclimate them to less humidity. I like to protect the cuttings through the first winter and plant out the following spring. You can do that but putting into a larger pot, bringing into a shed or garage or hoop house during the winter. I've got several videos about overwintering rooted cuttings if you're interested. Just search the channel.

[@wintress211]

@@MikeKincaid79 Awesome! Thank you!

[@yummyforadam7485]

This is a great video as usual. Usually I let snow melt water my small cuttings and trees over winter, how much do you need to water cuttings during the winter that are sheltered either in a tote or hoop house and don't get snow coverage? Thanks!

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks! I usually only water my plants in the hoop house about once every 2 to 3 months, just to make sure the soil doesn't dry out. I don't saturate them either, just a light watering.

[@yummyforadam7485]

@@MikeKincaid79 perfect, thanks again Mike!

[@hoosieraussis1]

How often and how much should we water dormant perennials kept in a sheltered area (like an unheated garage) during the winter? Thank you for sharing your advice!

[@hoosieraussis1]

Nevermind. I found your video where you've already addressed this. Here's the link for anyone interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/goC9gaydgrCCsK8

[@MikeKincaid79]

Glad you found it!

[@traciegwynn8954]

Good evening Mike, I successfully propagated an 80 yr old pinnacle hydrangea this past spring with your system of using a clear tote. This tree has been in my family for 4 generations. Five of the six cuttings have made it. This particular shrub has been moved twice in Massachusetts. I'm moving again and would like to dig it up again. Any thoughts? By the way, it has been in its current home for 30 years and is about 12 feet tall. I wish I could post a pic of it as the blooms this year were massive. Thanks

[@MikeKincaid79]

Sounds awesome! Great job on multiplying that one. If you have to dig it up, wait until it's dormant. The recommendation is to dig a rootball that is 1 foot wide for every inch of trunk diameter. Good luck!

[@ritaperera9224]

Thanks

[@MikeKincaid79]

You're welcome

[@lavonbeavers7695]

My cuttings have been in my tote for 6 weeks and they have a lot of new growth. I can’t see the roots but they must have some. Do I need to go ahead and plant them in bigger pots? Do I need to keep them covered in a tote. Love your videos.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Keep them in the tote and slowly crack the lid to lower the humidity. Then plant out or up pot in the spring.

[@dianaalbers6327]

wow your dad is so darn lucky!!! What zone are you in? I live in a mobile home park and still manage to sell started collecting seeds then I went to live plants not many but the extra $$ sure helps us..... I so love my plants but another horrible thing is we now have chlorine in our water which I am sure you know is so bad for plants they will not do well it kills off the good bacteria, so I must go and get water every single day my trunk and back seat is all jugs of water I do what I gotta do..:)

[@MikeKincaid79]

You can buy filters that get rid of the chlorine.

[@dianaalbers6327]

I tried RV filters that went on end of hose NOPE did not work.... I use a lot of water are you talking like for a pitcher? I go every single night and fill my trunk with water, well water I'm soooo tired am looking forward to winter this year...hey thanks for your reply Mike... btw I also tried a chemical to get rid of it and vitamin C too trust me I have done so much research..

[@lvthsun23]

How about using a rain barrel or two?

[@midsouthhomestead9180]

Thanks Mike. Rhonda

[@anotherdaygne]

What about watering through winter? I have a shaded porch that can work similar to trees but they will not get any rain water at all there. I plan to give them fairly large deep pots to root into and possibly mulch within the pot. Should you prune cuttings at all, specifically roses? How about fertilizer before or during winter? Thank you!

[@MikeKincaid79]

I water very little through winter, usually only a couple times. The plants don't lose much moisture during cold periods and so you just want to maintain some moisture in the pot.

[@anotherdaygne]

Hi Mike, is there a way to contact you directly please? I’m in a bit of a panic about a rose that I may have killed.

[@melindaruivo8139]

Hi, I am in zone 5 and no where can I find info on winterizing Lithodora. Some have said they can survive my zone but no one has clarified the method of proper mulching or not to mulch them!! HELP!! Also, can I grow them indoors during winter? Thank you

[@bobbyparker3215]

What if you have no roots yet? Sweat box? Also will plants root in winter?

[@MikeKincaid79]

Got lots of videos on the channel that answer all those questions!

[@ginag243]

I am going to try this with my petunias and store them in clear plastic tubs this winter thank you for the helpful tips - also stupid question but presumably i will still be watering them but presumably just a lot less as they would be dormant over the winter in this box? Thanks

[@MikeKincaid79]

Yes, dormant plants need far less water. Sometimes I go for a month or 2 without watering my plants in the winter. Petunias may not make it through winter even in a tote because they are pretty tender and are grown as annuals around here.

[@Gingersweets1]

So wait.... Where do U live ? Like what state? I'm not a stalker lol. I'm just curious in what Ur states temp is moor or less. I live in Northern Nevada. I'm always taking seeds off trees, bushes & plants cause I more or less like growing things from seeds, but I am also learning through U & well.... everyone on here, but so far I really like Ur channel, The Voodoo garden channel & MI Gardener. Thanx 4 taking the time 2 show & teach.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Western Washington State, zone 8b. Thanks for hanging out here and thanks for making me aware of Voodoo Garden!

[@Gingersweets1]

@@MikeKincaid79 Ur welcome.

[@hannablom5803]

Thanks Mike! Would you suggest more protection for the cuttings if you live in really cold climate? I live in Sweden and some years it is really cold and/or unstable with warmer and wet periods which switches over to freezing temperatures again.. Last winter I lost 4 trees and 2 bushes that I had in WELL protected big pots and that was the biggest garden-investment I had made ever, so it really sucked… This year I’ve made so many cuttings and I don’t want to loose them too. I have no greenhouse availiable, and only a small townhouse garden. Any suggestions?

[@MikeKincaid79]

It all depends on the cold hardiness of the plant, but if you live in a region with extreme cold then you may want to take extra measures to protect your plants/cuttings. I have a big playlist of videos that’s all about this subject and might help you out. kzbin.info/aero/PLpmpssr45yfMtl3yav-vy1qGsTDdTVWSl&si=RcfHF6UtmMKLHHmI

[@hannablom5803]

@@MikeKincaid79 Thank you- I’ll check those videos out 😊

[@garysaulnier5231]

I like this video, so f I use a Semi protectected shead here in Cambridge, On.Ca. Would it serve purpose to your shield protectected tent for new root cuttings and young annual pot growth from past annuals? Love this show site!

[@MikeKincaid79]

Glad you enjoy the channel! A protected site like a shed is definitely a good idea for overwintering plants in cold climates.

[@HouseWifeSnob]

Hi there, I just started watching your videos and love what I'm learning. I live in T-Town (Hilltop) and wanted to ask where's the best places to find hydrangeas, in public, for cuttings to propagate?

[@MikeKincaid79]

I'm not sure where to find them in your area but in the past I've driven around until I found specific varieties of plants that I like and just knocked on the owner's door and asked if I can take some cuttings. People are usually pretty nice about it.

[@stormshadow5492]

Hello - i'm in Nebraska. it gets very cold here. can I just put my rooted cuttings in the garage? if so, do i need to put them in a tote as well, or can they just be in pots, in my garage?

[@barbarahelsel5051]

Mike,your hydrangea the small one looks to have spider mites or some other bug

[@MikeKincaid79]

No spider mites here.

[@TiggerKitty49]

I propagate some plants and put them in my house under a grow light in the wintertime. I have one that has all kinds of leaves on it but it's growing on one stem. How do I prune my cuttings to make them spread out verses growing straight up? I also have a couple with a stem and only two or three small leaves growing out of them. Do I prune those down to where the leaves are?

[@MikeKincaid79]

Just snip of the central leader and it will sprout 2 to 4 new branches below the cut.

[@ktylonox8646]

Do I need to keep them watered through the winter? I have some cuttings I rooted from a Rose of Sharon bush in my yard late Summer, They are about 8" tall, and are in little seedling trays on my deck. I'm in zone 8a

[@MikeKincaid79]

Just make sure the roots stay slightly damp or moist. You don't want to overwater and saturate the cuttings. I usually only water once or twice through the winter and just enough to maintain some moisture down at the roots. I do have a few videos about this if you search the channel.

[@sandrakay26]

Do you water at all during the winter? And whats that tarp called. My neighbor is going to give me her greenhouse she used its about 8x12. I was just going to set it up on top of the grass. Is that a bad idea?

[@MikeKincaid79]

Depends. Are you building shelving that the plants will be on or are they on the ground? Personally, I'd kill the vegetation first and then put down gravel so that I had a stable surface.

[@numbnerve]

I've managed to root a couple cuttings of a sentimental viburnum 'Carlesii'. Would you suggest that I protect it inside a greenhouse over the winter so it continues to strengthen, or would it be better to allow it to go dormant and just roll with Mother Nature?

[@MikeKincaid79]

I subscribe to the theory that plants grow stronger when they are allowed to roll with Mother Nature so I'd leave them outside but give some protection from wind, rain, and snow.

[@numbnerve]

@@MikeKincaid79 that's where I was leaning - thanks for the backup and keep up the good vids 👍🏻🍁

[@juliadawnyel4331]

Can get holahoops at$ store and cover with shower curtain or plastic.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Good idea!

[@binhtang8594]

Can we rooting Blackfoot daisy ?❤️

[@diannamckellar7769]

Thanks Mike. Your videos and the insights you share through comments are really helpful! This may seem like an odd question, but do people usually create new hydrangea shrubs from only one of the clippings or do they put 2 or 3 of them together to form the shrub? When I look at the base of my existing hydrangeas, it almost looks like 2 or 3 clippings were put together to form the woody base of the shrub because it is not a single stem. The base has hard wood stems that shoot out in different directions.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Great question, Dianna! The hydrandeas are created from just 1 cutting. As they grow and mature, more shoots come up from the roots and that's why you get the multiple stems. You can actually cut a hydrangea back to the ground in the winter and it will send up even more new shoots the next spring.

[@diannamckellar7769]

Thanks Mike! You just saved me from overcrowding my hydrangeas!

[@teresitasamson3046]

Can you put your cuttings inside your house or your basement?

[@terrybaker2940]

How often to i water rooted cuttings if they r in garage for the winter ????? I live in iowa

[@MikeKincaid79]

You only want to maintain slight moisture in the medium or soil. I only lightly water mine once or twice through the whole winter while it's cold.

[@magnakrieger226]

How about a basement?

[@MikeKincaid79]

Sure, a basement will work as long as it doesn't get too warm.

[@magnakrieger226]

Mike Kincaid thank you so much. I’m brand new at this and spending too much money. I want to learn to propagate what I already have. :-)

[@martinwhitehurst9893]

Hey, so I took winter cuttings of a few different plants. I have them in my green house in pots with a plastic bell cloche on them. They have now sprouted. Do I leave them covered or take the cloche off ?

[@MikeKincaid79]

Depends on a lot of factors but you can slowly start removing the cover as long as you don't get frost that will kill the new growth.

[@amyhilyard3154]

Can you start propagating cuttings of arborvitae and/or boxwoods in the fall? In Kansas we have had a few frosty mornings but have not had a hard freeze as of yet.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Yes

[@TheMarksrjr]

Hi, Mike great video info. I have a inclosed back porch. Would my cuttings be okay out there in a clear tote? I live in Georgia near Tennessee.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Sounds like a perfect place for them!

[@barbara-luciarandall3057]

I took cuttings (about 40 cuttings)from multiple different local plants (zone 7), and they are all still tiny with brand new roots and are still in their original rooting medium and their plastic totes. Could I just bring them in their totes inside and continue growing them in a cool room with the tops on the totes? Or, should I place the totes in a protected area, like the overhang of our house, next to the house wall ? Either way, should I definitely crack their lids open? Until now the lids have been on, and that way I have not even had to water them. If I crack the lids, I will have to water the little cuttings through the winter, correct? Help, please,- I really want my babies to survive the winter!

[@dianehoweart6084]

What do you do with cuttings from flowers? In particular I have a few petunias, rosemary, sage and fuschia that are only just beginning to grow. I live in the Republic of Ireland, so we get a lot of rain, I really mean a lot lol, that's why they call it the emerald isle! It does get very cold, but we rarely have snow and if we do it doesn't stick around for long. We have lots of empty brick sheds but they don't really have much light as the windows (which have no glass in them) are tiny.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Many annuals will need to be kept above freezing so you may need to bring them inside the house under lights.

[@nathalie703]

Anchorage Ak. Some begative temps... Planning to put in totes and/or styrofoam boxes in the center of my crawlspace. +/- 40°. Let them dry out?

[@MikeKincaid79]

I've got a playlist that's all about overwintering rooted cuttings if you're interested. You might find an idea that helps you out there: kzbin.info/aero/PLpmpssr45yfMtl3yav-vy1qGsTDdTVWSl

[@david130469]

Hi Mike, just a quick question, if I put my new rooted hydrangeas in the greenhouse over winter, would I water them occasionally or just let them sleep until spring?

[@MikeKincaid79]

Mostly just let them sleep. I don't water my plants in the hoop house during the winter unless I see the soil start to get a little dry. You want to maintain moisture in the soil but only lightly water them, don't saturate.

[@david130469]

@@MikeKincaid79 you might be 4000 miles away Mike, but never too far away to look after your subscribers , thanks mate 👍 your the best 💙

[@KtO680]

I'm hoping to have a small cold frame by fall but I do have an abundance of deep clear totes though the lids are not clear. Is there any reason why I couldn't put the pots on the ground and place the tote over them? Maybe drill some holes along the side near the bottom so they act as vent & air flow once turned over like those microwave plate shields?

[@MikeKincaid79]

That will work just fine and I've done it myself.

[@KtO680]

@@MikeKincaid79 Thank you so much! I find your channel very useful and as a WV girl, rhododendrons are a must for me too. I may use the tote for some "mystery" seeds I've been growing and keep them out of the cold frame. A friend gave them to me, no clue what they are and some have taken off quite well but I'm worried about keeping them with cuttings until I have a better grasp on what they really are.

[@malikbijja9187]

Do you have to water the cuttings throughout the winter? And what would happen if you just kept them inside?

[@MikeKincaid79]

Yes, the soil needs to remain moist through the winter but I only end up watering about once a month and in deep winter its about every other month. I don't like keeping cuttings inside because they grow and then you need proper grow lights and fertilizer, and you also have to deal with way more pest issues. I like to let them go dormant and let nature take its course.