How to plant geraniums - growing from cuttings at home
Content:
Geranium has a second common name - pelargonium. For many years it has been used to decorate interiors and exteriors. It is worth figuring out how to plant geraniums in a pot for indoor growing.
Geranium breeding methods
There are several ways to propagate a plant. Most common: seeds and cuttings. To choose the best option, it is worth considering each in detail.
What does indoor geranium look like?
Vegetative (by shoots or cuttings)
In most cases, flower growers propagate pelargonium by grafting, since seed material cannot always convey the parental qualities of a flower. To root geraniums vegetatively? cuttings from the top of the shoots or the middle shoots remaining after pruning are suitable. For propagation, experts recommend seedling containers or ordinary plastic cups.
For germination, universal soil is excellent, which is diluted with river sand. For disinfection, change a weak solution of manganese, or pre-calcine the soil.
Generative (seeded)
The seed propagation process is extremely time consuming. It is important to decide before the procedure how to plant geraniums in this way. First of all, attention is paid to the quality of the planting material. It is advisable to purchase seed in specialized stores.
How to plant geraniums with a shoot without roots in a pot
Before transplanting geraniums with cuttings without roots, you should:
- decide on the time of the procedure;
- prepare planting material;
- rooting the seedling.
Experienced flower growers believe that the collection of planting material in the home can be carried out year-round. The optimal solution is to focus on the initial stage of the growing season. For geraniums, it is divided into two time periods: throughout the spring, and from mid-summer to early autumn.
Cutting preparation
Before planting geraniums with a shoot without roots, choose the largest apical processes. The branches for planting should not be visibly damaged. How to plant geraniums in a pot without roots? Before planting geraniums by cuttings in a pot, the tops are cut off from the stems. Each must be at least 7 cm long.
Species cuttings
It is important to use a sterile and sharp instrument. The cut is carried out directly above the kidney and 3-4 green leaves are left on the handle. The lower leaves are removed. Green cuttings are left in the air for 2-3 hours so that the cut points are covered with a film. To disinfect and improve root formation, the wound is treated with Kornevin.
Ways to get roots from a shoot
For these purposes, use water or a nutrient substrate. It is important to remember that root formation in water is slower than in soil. Prolonged accumulation in the liquid can lead to root rot.
Rooting in water
For germination in water, it is advisable to use any dark container.Dishes are subject to mandatory disinfection. Previously, activated carbon is added to a container with warm, settled water. After that, the stalk is placed in the pot. The place is selected as illuminated as possible, but without direct sunlight. Daylight hours for pelargonium lasts 14-16 hours.
Germination of geraniums in water
Rooting in the ground
Planting geraniums in the ground is carried out to a depth of no more than 1-2 cm. The soil mixture is prepared from the following components: peat, river sand, vermiculite, loose earth. All ingredients are taken in equal proportions and mixed thoroughly. Any drainage material is poured into a drained 1 cm container. The stalk is planted as carefully as possible in a pre-made recess. Cover the seedling only if there is a risk of drying out the leaf plates.
Watering with warm water is carried out only at the root. At the slightest waterlogging, geraniums can get sick with root rot or black leg. As a result, the plant will die. The appearance of new leaves means that the rooting process was successful.
Rooting in the ground
Caring for a rooted shoot
The main condition for the healthy growth of geraniums is a high level of illumination. The best rooting site is the southern windowsill. It is important to regularly do root hydration. Spraying is strongly discouraged. When moisture gets on the foliage, the plant begins to hurt. In winter, watering is reduced to 2 times a month.
The room in which the geranium grows is ventilated, avoiding drafts. To stimulate the budding process and add volume, pinching of the upper shoots is carried out, which will form a beautiful crown. Abundant flowering is achieved using phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium as fertilizers.
Transfer to a permanent place
A transplant has an extremely negative effect on the health of the geranium. The general condition of the flower directly depends on the number of transplants. The most suitable time is spring or summer. During winter work, the plant experiences stress, due to which it may not take root.
Geranium seeds
The new container for geraniums should be 3-4 cm larger than the previous one. The plant is transferred to a special substrate by transferring the plant together with an earthen lump. Only shoots are left on the surface. The entire root system must be hidden underground. Using Dyuratek as fertilizer will allow the plant to more easily cope with the stress of transplanting and will prevent it from rotting.
Other ways to plant geraniums
Other breeding methods are rarely used. Growing from seeds is troublesome, and root division can only be done when transplanting. In some cases, these methods are still resorted to.
Seeds
It is best to grow a seed in a pre-prepared soil. The planting container is filled with nutritious soil and potassium permanganate. Sowing is carried out superficially. It is imperative for cultivation to create the right microclimate. Conditions should be close to those of a greenhouse. To do this, take a container with a lid.
Division of the root system
The transplant is performed after the appearance of the first leaves. It is not easy to grow a healthy plant from seeds at home. When pelargonium has 3-4 full-fledged leaves, it is transplanted into a new container.
By dividing the rhizome
During transplantation it is convenient to use the method of dividing the bush. The best time to breed in this way is autumn. The flower is completely removed from the pot and is divided as carefully as possible into several parts. At the same time, sanitary pruning is done not only for branches, but also for damaged or diseased root processes.
Plant care should be regular.
Young geranium care
Flowering directly depends on the location of the flower. The more sunlight, the more buds are formed on the geranium. In the daytime, the air temperature is maintained in the range of 18-21 ℃ above zero, and at night it is allowed to drop to +13 ℃. If the stems begin to stretch and turn pale, this is the first sign of a lack of light. Watering young geraniums is carried out only with filtered or settled water. Applying cold or hot liquid will rot the root system.
Blooming geranium
Thanks to its beautiful inflorescences, geranium is recognized not only by connoisseurs of indoor species, but also by landscape designers. Creating comfortable conditions and a little patience will allow you to get a real home decoration - blooming geraniums.
