How to Propagate Geraniums from Cuttings? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Cutting Method
Geraniums are native to southern Africa and are widely cultivated around the world. They have a long flowering period and produce bright, abundant blooms, making them suitable for indoor display. They are one of the most common and finest varieties for balcony flower growing and courtyard planting. Cutting propagation is a common method of propagating geraniums. Let us take a look together at how to take geranium cuttings!
Time for Taking Geranium Cuttings
The best time to take geranium cuttings is in autumn. In principle, cuttings can be taken in any season except summer, but autumn is the best. This is because after vigorous growth in spring and early summer, the geranium plant's shape becomes full again, and after a semi-dormant resting period in the scorching summer, as the weather turns cooler, its vitality bursts forth once more. At this time, the branches are at their strongest.
Preparation for Geranium Cuttings
Geranium cuttings differ from ordinary cutting operations in that they require a preparation process. Select a strong branch that grew in the current year and find a node below 10 cm. About 2 cm below the node, use scissors to gently score a ring-shaped groove, not to cut it off. Be careful about the pressure applied to avoid cutting through, and do not score too deeply, otherwise touching or wind may cause it to break. Let the branch continue growing on the mother plant for two to three weeks.
Propagating Geraniums from Cuttings
1. Cutting container: This is the same as ordinary cutting work, except that for the cutting container, choose a transparent disposable plastic water cup as the cutting container, because the transparent cup makes it easy to observe the rooting of the cutting. Before filling with soil, use a bamboo skewer to poke three small holes in the bottom of the cup to facilitate drainage and aeration. Put moist potting soil into the transparent plastic water cup and press it firm. The cutting container and medium are then ready.
2. Cutting method: Use scissors to cut off the previously selected cutting branch at the scored ring groove. After two to three weeks, the wound has completely dried, while the branch is still full of vitality. There is no need to dry it in the shade again. Simply insert the branch directly into the soil, making sure there are one or two nodes below the soil surface. After taking the cutting, place it in a semi-shaded spot for about four weeks to root. During this period, water when the soil is completely dry, but avoid excessive moisture.