Rhododendrons bring vibrant color to the garden. You don’t need to visit the garden center to purchase more rhododendrons, as you can take cuttings from existing plants, encourage root growth and eventually transplant the new plants into your garden. Take cuttings from only healthy, well-irrigated plants. For best results, don’t select woody stems or top growth. When the roots are developing, make sure your cuttings get about 16 hours of light each day.
Step Two
Snip off a 3-inch piece of a stem tip. Take the cutting in the morning, after the current year's growth has matured, from late summer to fall.
Step Three
Pluck off any flower buds and the foliage from the bottom half of the stem. Scrape a little bark off the lower half, where you removed the foliage.
Step Four
Dip the cut end in water and then in a cup of rooting hormone.
Step Five
Insert the stem in the potting soil, about an inch deep.
Step Six
Cover the pot with a clear plastic bag to create a greenhouse. Set in indirect light, maintaining a temperature between 72 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Regularly check the soil, keeping it slightly moist. It takes several months for the roots to form.
Step Seven
Remove the plastic covering after the roots develop and transplant into a larger container in the spring. Wait one season before moving them to the garden.