Propagating geraniums from cuttings is a straightforward method to create new plants from existing ones. This process involves taking a section of a healthy stem and encouraging it to root.
Taking Geranium Cuttings
To successfully propagate geraniums using cuttings, follow these steps:
- Select a Healthy Stem: Choose a strong, non-flowering stem from a vigorous parent plant.
- Make the Cut: Using a clean, sharp knife or secateurs, make a cut just below a leaf node (the point where a leaf or bud grows from the stem). Aim for a cutting that is about 4-6 inches long.
- Prepare the Cutting:
- Remove the lower leaves from the bottom half of the cutting.
- According to guidelines for preparing the cutting, you should also remove any flaky parts and any flower stems. This helps the plant focus energy on developing roots rather than maintaining existing foliage or flowers.
- Avoid Rooting Powder: A crucial step when preparing geranium cuttings for planting is to not use hormone rooting powders on geraniums as this can cause them to rot.
Once prepared, your cutting is ready to be planted.
Planting and Growing Your Geranium Cutting
After preparing your cutting, you can plant it to begin the growing process:
- Potting Mix: Use a well-draining potting mix, such as a perlite and peat moss blend or a mix specifically designed for cuttings.
- Planting: Insert the cut end of the stem into the potting mix. You can plant several cuttings in one pot, ensuring they have enough space.
- Watering: Water the soil gently after planting, allowing excess water to drain away.
- Location: Place the potted cutting in a bright location, but avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the young cutting. A windowsill with indirect light is often suitable.
- Rooting: Roots typically begin to form within a few weeks. You can check for rooting by gently tugging on the cutting; resistance indicates root development.
- Ongoing Care: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Once the cutting is well-rooted and shows new growth, you can repot it into a larger container or transplant it to its final growing location when conditions are appropriate.
By carefully selecting and preparing the cutting, removing excess parts like flaky sections and flower stems, and importantly, avoiding hormone rooting powders which can lead to rot, you increase the chances of successfully rooting and growing new geranium plants.
