Growing More Geraniums from Cuttings: Exploring Top Three Methods
In regions with USDA zones cooler than 10-11, growing geraniums can be a challenge due to their lack of winter-hardiness. However, with the right techniques, gardeners can successfully propagate and grow these vibrant plants each season. The best method for propagating geraniums in these zones is through stem cuttings, ideally done in early spring after the last frost has passed.
Step 1: Choose the Cutting
Select a healthy geranium stem without flowers that is about 10 cm (4 inches) long. Carefully break the stem just below a leaf node to avoid damaging the mother plant.
Step 2: Prepare the Cutting
Dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder to encourage root growth.
Step 3: Plant the Cutting
Fill a small pot (8.5 to 10.5 cm diameter) with a well-draining universal potting mix, and make a hole to insert the cutting. Cover the stem base with soil and water thoroughly.
Step 4: Maintain Humidity
Cover the pot with plastic (make small holes for air circulation) and place it in a shady, warm place to prevent evaporation and stress. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
Step 5: Root Development
After about two weeks, the cutting should develop roots. Remove the plastic cover and move the plant to a semi-shady spot. Avoid excessive watering at this stage.
Step 6: Transplanting Outside
When the weather is consistently warm (after frost risk has passed, typically May in colder zones), transplant the young geraniums outdoors to a location with full sun to partial shade. Use loose, well-draining soil and avoid waterlogging.
It's important to note that geraniums are generally grown as annuals or overwintered indoors in colder USDA zones. Therefore, propagating by cuttings indoors before the outdoor growing season starts is essential.
Additional Tips: - Avoid flowering stems during cutting, as non-flowering stems root better. - Ensure good air circulation but maintain humidity to prevent fungal issues.
This method will help gardeners in colder USDA zones successfully propagate and eventually grow geraniums each season despite the lack of year-round warmth.
Cuttings can be started in water, sterile potting medium, or planted directly into the ground. When planting directly into the soil outside, start them in a partial sun area when temperatures are warm, not hot, and keep the soil consistently moist, not sodden. Remove leaves from the bottom 2 inches of the cutting and dip the cut end in rooting hormone before planting.
Propagated geranium cuttings can be cultivated as container-based geraniums. When the cuttings have a good root system, transplant them into their own containers. Put the cuttings in bright but not direct sunlight. Cuttings for geranium propagation should be taken from a healthy plant in the late spring to early summer, or in the late fall to overwinter indoors.
Geranium cuttings should root in about 6-8 weeks, often earlier. Starting indoors to overwinter geranium cuttings, use sterile potting mix, vermiculite, or a mix of perlite and sphagnum moss. Place the cuttings in a flat or pot with adequate drainage holes, push the cutting into the medium far enough that it supports itself. Water the medium and allow it to drain, then cover it with a clear plastic bag.
Geranium propagation is possible in USDA zones other than 10-11. Allow the cuttings to sit out for 3 days so the cut end forms a callus before planting, as this keeps fungal diseases from taking hold. Geraniums are typically grown as annuals, but can be propagated for reuse.
In cooler USDA zones where growing geraniums requires propagation and careful cultivation, the home-and-garden lifestyle allows for these vibrant plants to be part of one's lifestyle even during colder seasons. By propagating geraniums through stem cuttings, home gardeners can sustain their home-and-garden home experience while nurturing their gardens.
