A Detailed Guide to Geranium Cultivation Methods and Precautions

Geranium, also known as zonal geranium and fish geranium, is a plant belonging to the Geraniaceae family and is cultivated throughout China. Geranium has relatively high ornamental value and also offers various benefits such as stopping bleeding, detoxifying, and promoting urination. It can also affect people's adrenal cortex and effectively relieve stress. So its economic value is very high. So how do you cultivate geraniums? Let's take a look below!

1. Propagation Methods

The main propagation method for geraniums is primarily cutting propagation. Except for June to July each year when geraniums enter their dormant period, cuttings can be taken at any other time. However, spring and autumn are the main seasons for taking cuttings, because in summer the high temperatures can easily cause the cuttings to turn black. Select cuttings about 10cm long, preferably from the top of the stem. After cutting the cuttings, let the cut surface dry for a period of time, and once a film forms over the cut, insert them into a sand bed. Be careful not to damage the stem bark, otherwise the rooting rate will decrease and rot will easily occur. After cutting, place them in a semi-shaded area with the temperature maintained at around 15 degrees, and roots will form about 3 weeks after cutting.

2. Temperature Control

Geraniums have relatively high temperature requirements during growth. When planting, the temperature should be controlled at around 15 degrees, so spring and autumn are the best planting times. The temperatures of winter and summer are both very unfavorable for geranium growth. Therefore, in summer we should do a good job of cooling, avoiding direct sunlight and providing appropriate shade. Similarly, in winter, cold protection and insulation are needed, and the room temperature should be kept above zero degrees. If it falls below zero degrees, it will cause frost damage to the geraniums, preventing them from overwintering normally and affecting yield.

3. Water and Fertilizer Management

Although geraniums like water, they are not tolerant of waterlogging, so be careful not to water too much. If geraniums are overwatered, it will cause root rot. Especially in the hot and stuffy environment of summer, if watered too much, it can very easily cause damage. When watering geraniums, the frequency should be controlled to once every 3-4 days, and each watering should be thorough. Then be careful to control the amount of fertilizer, which should also not be too much. If too much fertilizer is applied, it will cause the geranium to dehydrate. This is especially true for nitrogen fertilizer; if too much nitrogen fertilizer is applied, the plant will easily grow leggy, with a very low flowering rate or even no flowers at all.

4. Precautions

When planting geraniums, be careful to do a good job of soil selection. Geraniums are suitable for growing in sandy soil. If the soil is too heavy and clayey, with poor permeability, it will have a very large impact on geranium growth. Although geraniums dislike being exposed to the sun, they still need sufficient sunlight during growth. Adequate light can effectively increase the flowering rate of geraniums. During high temperatures, avoid direct sunlight. So in spring and autumn, let them get appropriate amounts of sunlight.

The above is a brief introduction to geranium cultivation methods and precautions. Geranium cultivation is not difficult, but it requires careful management to ensure normal growth of the geraniums. That's all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and we hope it can be of some help to everyone.