Geranium is one of the most common and popular indoor plants. Long blooming inflorescences-balls and juicy-green leaves delight their hosts for the first two years, without causing them any hassle when growing. As this flower grows, its stem gradually lignifies, as a result of which the leaves fall, the bush itself does not look so fluffy, and flower ovaries appear only at the tips of the shoots, turning the once-beautiful geranium into a dry and asymmetric specimen.
To preserve the plant, every three years, the propagation of geranium by cuttings is carried out at home. Let us further consider how to do this correctly.
Propagation Features
Propagation of geranium by cuttings at home is not a difficult job, but requires compliance with certain rules. The process of grafting itself is quite simple. For reproduction, the lateral processes are cut off from the mother bush and take root. With such simple manipulations, even a novice can handle. But at the same time, despite the absence of difficulties in the work, there are still some nuances that should be taken into account. Consider how to properly propagate geraniums at home.
Suitable time for cuttings
You can cut geraniums for a whole year. The best time is considered to be the end of February and the end of March. It is during this period that the plant begins active growth. You can propagate geraniums in late August or September, while the plant has not hibernated yet. But in the spring, cuttings root better, because there is an accelerated movement of plant juices. Some carry out the reproduction of geraniums in winter, but the process in this case slows down, as the culture enters a state of rest.
Cuttings can be prepared in the summer, but the color of such plants can please only after a year. Cuttings rooted in spring will begin to bloom at the end of summer.
Preparation of cuttings
Two weeks before the cuttings, watering of the plant should be stopped. To prevent dehydration and death of geraniums, it can be fed with a solution of wood ash (mix 1 liter of water with 20 g of ash). For this preparatory period, the bush must be moved to a shaded place, which will stimulate the growth of new shoots and accelerate the formation of new root processes.
The shoots are cut off from the mother plant only with a sharp tool (knife or pruner) at an angle of 90 °. Place the cut must be sprinkled with crushed coal. The shoots choose only healthy and strong. The average stem length should be approximately 7-15 cm. The lower leaves (if any) are removed on it, leaving only the upper leaves (2-3 pcs.). Then the branches are dried a little for 2-3 hours in a dark place, until a thin film appears on the cut site. The cutlery is ready for rooting.
Propagation of geranium by cuttings in water
This method of rooting geranium cuttings at home is considered the most affordable and simple. In order for the shoot to release new roots, it is placed in a small container that is filled with room temperature water. A small amount of coal chips is added to it, which disinfects it. This will prevent the decay of new root processes.
After the emergence of new roots on the tip of the root, it is planted in the ground. Care for such plants is the same as for adult geraniums. If the propagation of geraniums is performed in this way, it is imperative to monitor the temperature regime. In the room where the container with the handle is standing, there must be at least + 14 ... +16 ° C. If this is not observed, the sprig may not release or rot.
The method of propagation of geraniums in water is not suitable for all varieties of this plant. For example, rooting a royal geranium will not work. The cuttings of this plant in water very quickly begin to rot, so the process does not have time to take root. For these types of flower it is better to use rooting in the ground. Reproduction of royal geraniums we will consider below.
Some nuances
As a maternal specimen, you need to use a young bush of geraniums - cuttings root better from it.
It is advisable to choose the shoots from the side shoots. They take root best.
Most varieties of geraniums love that each of the cuttings takes root in a separate container.
It is recommended to choose an opaque container, so the roots are formed more efficiently.
The shank should be covered with water about a third of its length.
If there is too much liquid in the container, the branch will experience oxygen deficiency, however, lack of moisture also affects root growth negatively.
Water can not be changed - it is only possible to top up as it evaporates!
How to root geranium in the ground
Experienced growers use this method much more often than the previous one. Specialists try to protect the stalk from exposure to putrefactive bacteria in advance and provide all conditions for root formation.
Propagation of geraniums at home using soil is not at all difficult. The soil mixture should be nutritious and sufficiently loose. In order to create a suitable consistency, a small amount of sand can be added to the substrate.
To root a plant, it is necessary to prepare a flower pot or a small plastic cup, fill it with appropriate soil. If a plastic cup is used, it is necessary to cut several holes at its bottom so that after watering moisture does not accumulate in the soil, but flows out.
In addition, the presence of a drainage layer (brick chips or fine gravel) is required, on top of which the soil mixture is poured. One shoot is planted in a plastic cup. If a volumetric pot is used, several cuttings can be planted simultaneously, placing them along the edge of the container. It is necessary to deepen the processes in the ground so that the leaves do not touch the ground. The soil around the stem needs to be tightly compressed so that there are no air bubbles around the stem.
To cuttings rooted, they are regularly watered and make sure that the earth does not dry out. The container with the planted cuttings is transferred to a bright place. But at the same time, direct sunlight is not allowed on the leaves of a young plant.
To preserve moisture in the soil, the process can be covered with a plastic bag for 5 days.
Planting cuttings in a package
Propagation of geraniums can be carried out not only in a pot or plastic cup. To do this, sometimes they use the most ordinary plastic bag that does not allow moisture to pass through. It is filled with loose, nutritious soil and moisturized well. Then the package is tied with a rope and holes are cut. Their number depends on the size of the package itself and the number of cuttings. Processes are planted in these holes.
Propagation of geraniums in a greenhouse
Experienced flower growers who grow a large number of plants often plant this flower in their homes in a mini-greenhouse. This variant of propagation of geranium by cuttings is ideal for those varieties of a flower that cannot be rooted in water (for example, for royal geranium).
Such a mini-greenhouse consists of a special shallow container, which is filled with soil, moistened, planted cuttings and covered with polyethylene. So the shoots take root much faster. Moreover, in this way several cuttings can be planted at the same time. Such a greenhouse can be made independently from improvised means (wide capacity and polyethylene), or you can buy a special heated tray.
Planted plantations are covered with a film or a lid for two weeks. In this case, it is imperative to ensure that the soil is constantly moistened. But waterlogging should not be allowed, since under such conditions, planted shoots can rot.
With the greenhouse method of propagating geraniums, you need to know when the roots appear around the plants. For example, the ivy pelargonium leaves its roots in about 2 weeks, the royal geranium for the root formation process will take about 4 weeks, and the fragrant - for as long as 5-6 weeks.
The main sign that the plant has taken root will be the appearance of new green, succulent leaves on the handle. After this, the processes can be transplanted already in a constant capacity. Transplantation is carried out by the method of transshipment. The handle is carefully moved together with an earthen lump into the pot.
Rooting cuttings in a peat tablet
Propagation of geranium by cuttings in this way is carried out as follows:
- A drainage layer is placed at the bottom of the tank: pebbles or pebbles. Then put a peat tablet.
- The substrate is lightly watered or sprayed.
- The handle is deepened into the pit in the center of the tank by about 1/3. If there are several planting materials, one of them can be planted closer to the edge of the cup. With a successful procedure, the roots after a while appear at the transparent walls. So you can observe how the root grows.
- It is not necessary or even undesirable to cover the sprout with a film to create greenhouse conditions. Spraying the branches is also not worth it.
- A glass with a handle is placed on a window where the light is diffused. A twig is contraindicated in direct sunlight.
- Watering plants should be reasonably moderate.
Care of geranium cuttings after they are transplanted into a constant container
After transplanting the sprouts into a constant capacity, the young plant is provided with the same care as adult bushes. Geranium needs regular watering, loosening the soil in a pot and top dressing. Do not allow the soil to dry out.
To start fertilizing the plant after transplantation should not be earlier than 2-3 weeks, when the seedling adapts to new conditions and moves away from stress. First, nitrogen fertilizing is introduced to stimulate leaf growth. If the flower has bloomed, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are needed.
A sign that the reproduction of geraniums, care and maintenance were successful and that the flowering of the plant is correct. Different varieties produce buds at different intervals after the transplant. For example, zoned geraniums will begin to delight owners with lush, beautiful blooms 2 months after transplantation, and ivy and royal only in a year.
King geranium
Royal geranium is a plant that requires a special approach to reproduction and care. This process is not at all complicated, but has some features and requires some free time. There is a certain likelihood that the first time a positive result will not work, but you should not despair, since even experienced flower growers periodically fail.
Rooted royal geranium
Propagation of royal geranium by cuttings can be done in several ways. The main rule with any rooting method is to maintain a consistently high level of humidity, since the shoot has to wage an active struggle for survival, and he seeks to release new roots.
- The first way. He is the most popular. He needs a regular flower pot. They fill it with soil, moisturize it well, plant a stalk and press soil tightly around the shoot so that air bubbles do not remain around the stem, which will badly affect the formation of the root system. To preserve moisture, cover the pot with a transparent plastic bag. The capacity is transferred to a well-lit place, but direct sunlight should not be allowed. Periodically, as necessary, water the plants.
- The second way. Rooting is carried out in a special greenhouse. This option is used if you need to get a large number of colors. Such a mini-greenhouse can be ordinary or with a heating system. The second products will cost a little more, but they can get the best result. Such a design consists of a pallet and a plastic transparent cover intended for ventilation. Using such products is quite easy. The pallet is filled with soil, moistened, cuttings are planted on top and covered with a lid. Watered periodically until the sprouts have roots.
- The third way. He needs plastic bags. They are filled with light soil, watered, tied edges with a rope and make holes in which cuttings are planted.
Royal Geranium Care
It is practically no different from growing other varieties. The plant loves a lot of light, is not afraid of direct sunlight. Watering is plentiful. It is undesirable to get water on the leaves.
If necessary, a transplant is carried out in spring. You can propagate both cuttings and seeds.