What are the propagation methods for home-grown geraniums?

For home flower growing, in-pot cuttings are generally the most practical propagation method.

The best time for cuttings is April-May or August-September, and the specific cutting time should be determined according to the local growing season with suitable temperatures (18-20°C); the growing medium should be loose, airy and well-draining, preferably a mix of one part each of sand, perlite and leaf mold, or medium-coarse river sand, matured soil or expanded perlite, all of which must be disinfected by methods such as exposure to strong sunlight before use.

Cuttings can be taken in conjunction with spring and autumn pruning, selecting healthy one-year-old young shoots free of pests and diseases as cuttings, about 8 cm long, and cutting them into a horseshoe shape with a knife 0.2 cm below a node; let the wound dry first before inserting, otherwise it is prone to rot, or dip the cut end in a little rooting powder to encourage rooting; the lower leaves of the cutting should be removed, keeping 1-2 leaves at the top; if the leaves are large, 1/3 or 1/2 can also be cut off to reduce water evaporation; when inserting, first use a thin bamboo stick to poke a small hole in the potting soil, then insert the cutting and press it firm with your fingers so that it fits closely with the soil; after inserting, place it in a shady spot, avoid direct strong light, water once thoroughly, do not let water accumulate, keep it moist, and under suitable temperature conditions it will root in about half a month; when the seedling grows to 15 cm tall, pinch out the growing tip to encourage side branches, and at the same time pay attention to applying a dilute nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compound liquid fertilizer, or decomposed dilute cake fertilizer and other organic fertilizers, to promote robust plant growth, and it can bloom in winter of the same year or the following spring.