How much do geranium seeds cost? Growing methods introduced
Geranium, also known as zonal geranium, fish geranium, and horseshoe geranium, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Pelargonium in the family Geraniaceae. Young plants are succulent herbs, while older plants become semi-woody. It is native to southern Africa and is now widely cultivated around the world. It has strong adaptability, bright flower colors, and a long flowering period, making it suitable for indoor display, flower bed arrangements, and more. Let's take a look at geranium seed prices and growing methods together!
How much do geranium seeds cost per gram?
Geranium seeds are very small, usually about 200 seeds per gram. The price is generally around 10-15 yuan per gram, but prices vary depending on seed quality and variety. In production, geraniums are commonly propagated by seed sowing and cuttings, but seedlings grown from seed can be selected to produce excellent intermediate-type varieties, so seed propagation is often used when improving varieties.
Geranium sowing methods
1. Sowing time: Geraniums can be sown in both spring and autumn, with indoor pot sowing in spring being preferable. The optimal germination temperature is 20-25°C. The seeds are not large, so do not cover them too deeply with soil after sowing. They germinate in about 14-21 days. Autumn-sown plants can bloom the following summer.
2. Sowing method: The geranium sowing substrate is prepared with a ratio of 8:1:1 of peat soil, vermiculite, and perlite. Before sowing, water the substrate thoroughly, then evenly sow the seeds into a seedling tray, covering with vermiculite to a thickness of about 3 times the diameter of the seeds.
3. Post-sowing management: After sowing geraniums, disinfect the sowing box with chlorothalonil, set up an arched frame, and cover with plastic film. The ideal temperature is 20-23°C, and humidity should be maintained above 95%. When germination is uniform after about a week, open the plastic film, and spray foliar fertilizer once every 10 days.
Geranium growing methods
1. Soil: Geraniums have strong adaptability and can grow in various soil types, but grow best in sandy loam rich in humus. Adding some sand to soil bought at a flower and bird market is more beneficial for geranium growth.
2. Temperature: Geraniums prefer warm, humid, and sunny environments. The most suitable growing temperature is 10-20°C. In winter, place them in an environment where the temperature is not lower than zero degrees, and in summer, move them to a shady place.
3. Water: Geraniums are plants that do not like too much water. During cultivation, avoid overwatering. Watering once every two to three days is sufficient, but each watering should be thorough.
4. Fertilizing: Applying too much fertilizer at once to geraniums can cause dehydration, which can be alleviated by watering frequently afterward. However, not fertilizing for a long time can also cause insufficient nutrients. It mainly depends on soil quality, the flowers, and the size of the pot.
5. Light: Geraniums need plenty of sunlight during the growing period. Sufficient sunlight helps geraniums bloom. Provide more sunlight in spring and autumn. In summer, pay attention to the temperature; if the temperature is too high, avoid exposing geraniums to light.
6. Pests and diseases: Geraniums with poor ventilation and excessive humidity are prone to leaf spot disease and flower wilt disease. Diseased flowers and leaves should be removed immediately and an appropriate amount of Bordeaux mixture sprayed for control. Pests include red spider mites and whiteflies, which can be killed by spraying with a 1000-fold dilution of 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate.
7. Pruning: Reasonable pruning of geraniums can promote more blooming. Plants usually need to be pinched back multiple times to encourage more branching and bud formation. After flowers fade, remove spent flowers promptly and cut off overly dense and weak branches, but heavy pruning should not be done in winter.
8. Repotting: Geraniums grow quickly and need to be repotted once a year, in early spring. When repotting, remove old roots and old soil, and move them outdoors to a sunny spot in late April for care.
Precautions for geraniums
1. Overwatering geraniums, exposure to rain, or long-term water accumulation in the pot can cause root rot, yellow leaf edges, or leggy growth, all of which affect flowering.
2. Excessive fertilization of geraniums, especially excessive nitrogen fertilizer, can easily cause leggy branches and leaves, no flowering or sparse flowering, and poor flower quality.
3. Insufficient or no fertilization of geraniums will affect normal plant growth and flowering. In early spring or early autumn, appropriate phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be applied.
4. If the indoor temperature in winter is above 20°C, geranium branches and leaves tend to grow leggy and affect flowering the following year, but temperatures below 0°C make them prone to frost damage.
5. If geraniums are exposed to direct sunlight in summer, leaf edges are prone to sunscald, resulting in poor growth or flower and leaf drop.
6. If geraniums are pinched and pruned too heavily, with few leaves for a long time, the growing period will be delayed, and the number of buds and flowers will be reduced.
7. When geraniums are kept indoors in winter and spring, if light is insufficient for a long time, plants tend to grow leggy and fail to bloom.