How to Propagate Geraniums from Cuttings? Latest Method and Timing Explained
The best time to take geranium cuttings is in spring and autumn. Tip cuttings are the best choice, and they should be about 10cm long. Leave the cuttings in a ventilated place until the moisture at the cut end dries, then soak the base of the cuttings in 0.01% indoleacetic acid solution for 2 seconds. After that, they can be inserted into the growing medium. With good care and management, they will root in 2-3 weeks.
Methods and Timing for Propagating Geraniums from Cuttings
1. Cutting Time
Geraniums like to grow in a warm environment, and they enter dormancy in hot weather. So, based on their growth habits, the best time to take cuttings is in spring and autumn each year. This allows them to root quickly, and the survival rate of the plants can be guaranteed. If cuttings are taken in summer, the cuttings tend to rot.
2. Cutting Preparation
To propagate geraniums from cuttings, you need to choose suitable stems. Tip cuttings are the best. Cut a section of stem about 10cm long from the mother plant as the cutting, then leave it in a ventilated place to let the cut end dry. Before planting, you can also soak the base of the cutting in 0.01% indoleacetic acid solution for 2 seconds, which is even more helpful for rooting and survival.
3. Cutting Care
Insert the prepared stem into a sand bed or a mixed medium of expanded perlite and peat. After that, keep the medium slightly moist and maintain the plant in a semi-shaded, ventilated place. During this period, keep the temperature between 13-18°C. It will take about 2-3 weeks to root. Once it has grown steadily, it can be transplanted and established.