A Detailed Guide to Propagating Geraniums from Seed, the Latest Sowing and Seedling Techniques
Geranium is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Pelargonium in the family Geraniaceae, also known as zonal geranium, fish geranium, horseshoe geranium, and pelargonium. Young plants are succulent herbs, while older plants become semi-woody. In the West it is an excellent flower for decorating windowsills, and on the European continent, such as in Germany and Austria, it is especially common. Now let us take a look at how to propagate geraniums from seed!
Geranium Sowing Time
Geraniums can be sown in either spring or autumn, with indoor pot sowing in spring being preferable. The suitable germination temperature is 20-25°C. The seeds are not large, so after sowing the covering of soil should not be deep. They germinate in about 14-21 days. With autumn sowing, they can bloom in the summer of the following year. Seedlings grown from seed propagation can be selected to produce excellent intermediate-type varieties.
Geranium Sowing Method
For geranium seed propagation, use a substrate mixed in an 8:1:1 ratio of peat soil, vermiculite and perlite. Before sowing, water the substrate thoroughly, then sow the seeds evenly into a seedling tray and cover with vermiculite to a thickness of about 3 times the diameter of the seeds. Disinfect the sowing box with chlorothalonil, set up a low arch, and cover with plastic film. A temperature of 20°C to 23°C is suitable, and humidity should be maintained above 95%. After about a week, when sprouting is uniform, remove the plastic film. Since the seedling substrate has few nutrients, spray foliar fertilizer once every 10 days; a compound fertilizer with relatively high phosphorus and potassium content can be used.
Geranium Seedling Stage Management
1. Temperature: The most suitable temperature for geraniums is 10-20°C, which means spring and autumn are the most suitable seasons; winter is too cold and summer is too hot. Therefore, in summer be sure to prevent exposure to blazing sun and place it in a shady spot. In winter, indoor temperatures should not drop below 0°C, otherwise it will suffer frost damage. If there is no heating equipment, turning on a 200° large light bulb in a small room also has a certain anti-freezing effect.
2. Water: Geraniums should not be watered too much. If the roots of the geranium are found to be rotten, it may be because of excessive watering combined with relatively muggy weather. Keep the watering frequency to once every two or three days, and each time water generously to ensure thorough watering.
3. Soil: Geraniums are suited to growing in sandy soil. Mixing some sandy soil into the soil bought at the flower market is more beneficial to the growth of geraniums.
4. Weather: Windy weather will snap geraniums, while rainy weather will cause the root system of geraniums to be soaked by rainwater, resulting in a lack of oxygen for root respiration and thus rot.
6. Fertilizing: Applying too much fertilizer at one time will cause dehydration of the geranium. If too much fertilizer is applied, for example too much nitrogen fertilizer, it will cause the plant to grow rampant and not bloom. After over-fertilizing, watering frequently can alleviate the symptoms.
7. Light: Sufficient sunlight helps geraniums bloom, but when the temperature is too high, direct sunlight is not suitable. In spring and autumn, expose them to more sunlight; in summer, pay attention to the temperature, and when the temperature is too high, avoid exposing geraniums to light.