Many flower growers like geraniums for long flowering, a variety of colors and easy care. Some time ago, interest in this plant has faded, but is now returning again. The flower grows both indoors and in the garden. Adult plants lose their attractiveness over time, therefore, in order to give them a decorative look, it is necessary to renew the bush. How to plant geranium so that it quickly recovers and again delights with its abundant flowering, we will consider further.
A bit about geraniums
In the XVI century, this plant was brought from South America to Europe. It quickly adapted to the environment and new conditions. Geranium has gained popularity among flower growers for beautiful inflorescences and lush flowering. Although the plants on the windowsills are not geraniums at all, but pelargonium. True geranium grows both at home and in the garden and does not require shelter for the winter, it tolerates frosts well. Pelargonium is an indoor and thermophilic plant. In the summer, it is planted on balconies and flower beds, but in autumn it is necessary to clean it indoors.
There was such a confusion in the names that everyone used to call pelargonium geraniums. In this article we will talk about a domestic plant - pelargonium, and call, as is customary in the people, room geranium. Just in the autumn period, it will be necessary to update the bushes, and recommendations on how to plant geraniums will be very useful to lovers of indoor flowers.
Grade Classification
There are a large number of varieties of geranium (pelargonium) bred by breeders, the most popular of which are:
- Fragrant - a small plant with small and thin leaves, emitting a pleasant aroma reminiscent of citrus fruits. Inflorescences are bright in color and distinguished by splendor.
- Royal - has low stems and carved leaves. The flowering period is short. Beautiful large flowers are collected in small inflorescences, forming the shape of a ball.
- Zonal - on the light leaves there is a dark zone in the form of a circle. The inflorescence of the plant can consist of both simple and double flowers. Shades of predominantly red and pink tones prevail.
As mentioned above, to rejuvenate and give a beautiful look, geraniums need to be periodically updated, therefore, all owners of various varieties of this plant need knowledge on how to plant geraniums so that it always looks well-groomed.
Methods of propagation of geraniums (pelargonium)
Geranium can be propagated in two ways:
- by seeds;
- vegetatively - using various parts of an adult plant.
The method of propagation by seeds is not suitable for all geraniums. It is used only to obtain plants with non-double, simple flowers. For propagation of varietal and hybrid, a vegetative method is used. For root, some zonal and fragrant geraniums, rooting by shoots is most often used.
It should be noted that indoor potted geraniums can grow up to ten years. However, the lower part of the stem of an old plant is often exposed and stretched, losing attractiveness, so the question arises of how to plant geraniums to give it a charming look.
When to harvest cuttings?
You can cut the stalk from the plant at any time. However, insufficient lighting, late autumn, winter and the fact that the mother bush at this time is at rest are the reasons why it will not take root for a long time. Therefore, the best time to cut and root the cuttings is spring and the beginning of summer. In some cases, cuttings are carried out in August-September, before the end of the flowering period.
Harvesting cuttings
How to plant geranium cuttings? To do this, cuttings are cut with a sharp clean knife, its blade is treated with alcohol or other disinfectant liquid. Previously, buds typed with geraniums are cut together with peduncles. The apical part of the plant is most often used, the length of the shoots for the cuttings does not exceed 7-8 cm.
Two or three leaves or internodes should be present on the cut part. Before the cut shoot is put into water or dug into the ground, it is kept outdoors. To do this, put it on a paper towel in a place where direct sunlight does not fall.
Rooting cuttings
How to plant geranium at home? To do this, chopped cuttings root. There are several ways to do this:
- In water - chopped shoots are placed in a container with clean water and wait for the roots to appear. About three weeks later they will appear. Water during this period must be changed regularly, preventing its flowering. When rot appears on the handle, it is shortened and again placed in a container, replacing water.
- In the soil - peat is mixed with sand in equal proportions and poured into cups, after making holes and putting drainage on the bottom. Moisturize the soil, plant cuttings and periodically water them so that the soil does not dry out. After three weeks, roots will appear.
Rooting is sometimes delayed, it all depends on the time of year and the variety of geranium. Whoever is engaged in the reproduction of geraniums constantly, claims that the cuttings in the water are poorly rooted, therefore, if you are wondering how to properly plant geraniums, it is more efficient to root the cuttings immediately in the soil.
Planting and care of a transplanted plant
Rooted cuttings in water are carefully removed and planted in pots with soil, having previously made a hole in the middle. When transplanting, they monitor the roots so that they are not accidentally damaged. Cuttings rooted in the soil are transplanted to a permanent place by transshipment, with a lump of earth. Before planting, drainage and soil are prepared in advance. Pots for young plants are chosen in small sizes so that the geranium blooms quickly and abundantly.
After the transplantation has taken place, the first weeks require careful care of young geraniums. They are placed in a well-lit place, without direct sunlight. When watering, they monitor the soil so that it is not dry, but also not waterlogged. Geranium does not like drafts and spraying leaves. Two weeks after the transplant, the plant should be fed. After a while, the geranium will release peduncles and bloom.
How to plant royal geranium?
Royal pelargonium appeared in Europe at the end of the eighteenth century. Constantly breeders are working on the development of new hybrid forms. On average, bud inflorescences in diameter reach up to 15 cm. A feature of the flower is the presence of an oval dark spot in the center of each petal.
Their color is very saturated and all kinds of shades. Peduncles gather in a wide spherical shape. The leaves are serrated, round or oval. The maximum flowering period is six months. Reproduction is carried out by cuttings. In spring or autumn, cuttings up to 10 cm long with at least two nodes are cut from the mother plant at an angle of 45 degrees. Cuttings after cutting must be dried in the air without access to direct sunlight. Then the sections are treated with crushed charcoal and a growth stimulator.
Root cuttings of the royal pelargonium should only be in the ground, they rot in the water. The soil is prepared from a mixture of sand and peat, the glasses are placed in a well-lit place with an air temperature of up to 21 degrees. Watering should be moderate.
How to plant geranium cuttings in the fall at home?
The most suitable time for taking cuttings from geraniums in the autumn is September-October. Cut the length of the handle at least five centimeters. To grow a new bush, you must perform the following steps:
- With a sharp sharp knife, cut off the intact cuttings with three leaf nodes. Remove the lower leaves, leaving the top two.
- Slices should be treated with charcoal or sulfur and leave the cuttings to dry until the next day.
- Take plastic transparent cups, make drainage holes at the bottom and fill them with coconut fiber. Put the glasses in the fungicide solution until the top layer is moistened. Leave to dry until the next day.
- In the center of the glass, make a recess and insert a stalk into it, deepen it almost to the bottom. To put the glasses away from the window, and after three days to rearrange them in a bright place. It is better to water the cuttings through the pan. Air temperature should not be lower than 15 degrees.
When the roots appear (through a transparent glass they will be visible) the plant is transplanted to a permanent place in a small pot. How to plant geranium cuttings in the fall, you now know. And with further care, moderate watering is carried out, good lighting is observed (backlighting can be done). In winter, it is kept at a low temperature. By spring, the bush is fertilized with nitrogen fertilizing to form foliage, and then potash and phosphorus - for flowering.
Grower tips for propagating geraniums
Experienced flower lovers when breeding geraniums recommend considering the following:
- The value of the capacity during planting should correspond to the volume of the rhizome.
- Moisturize the soil regularly, but in moderation.
- When a peduncle appears at the stem, it is cut off so as not to slow down rooting.
- You can not do fertilizing until the roots grow.
- Geranium is not recommended for spraying.
- In winter, the geranium pot is placed in a cooler place.
- The plant is fed twice a month. Do not add a lot of nitrogen, it increases the growth of green mass and prevents flowering.
- The topsoil in the pot needs to be updated once a year.
- When forming a bush, the upper part of the shoots must be nipped off.
Conclusion
The article tells how to plant geraniums at home. After planting in the ground, being an unpretentious plant, it requires a little care. It consists of moderate watering and top dressing, as well as pruning to give a decorative shape.
Do not despair if the first rooting experience is unsuccessful. It all depends on planting time, type of geranium, soil and other conditions. Over time, experience will come, and rooting of geraniums will take place without loss of planting material.