Do you like geraniums and want to have many? It’s simple, cut them! Through this action, you can multiply this plant from a plant fragment, taken from the mother plant. In the case of geraniums, you can make it from a stem! Find out how in this article.
When to take geranium cuttings?
Do you enjoy summer? Pelargonium too! The best time to take cuttings of pelargonium or balcony geranium is in summer, at the end of July or August. During this period, the soil temperature is favorable for the growth of new roots, from the cuttings taken. In fact, the summer sun favors the rooting of the cuttings of this flowering plant. Furthermore, geranium is a perennial plant, native to South Africa. This herbaceous plant appreciates sunny exposures and only develops at temperatures above 13°C. You can also take your cuttings in spring, when the vegetation sprouts again.
Where to cut to make pelargonium cuttings?
To make cuttings, first choose a hardy, undamaged geranium;
Then, cut a stem 10 to 20 cm long with a pruner. Of course, your scissors should be disinfected and the cut should be made above a knot. The latter means the point of union or intersection of a leaf on a stem;
The stem taken and which will serve as a cutting, must have a maximum of 5 leaves. Do not keep the large leaves that are towards the base, and also remove the buds, as they can weaken the future plant. A bud is a small body that evolves to give rise to a flower, a stem or a leaf.
How to take perennial geranium cuttings from a stem?
After taking the stem, these are the steps to get a new geranium plant.
- Apply rooting hormone to the stem. To do this, immerse the end of the stem in water, before submerging it in the sachet containing the rooting hormone. The water allows the powder to easily adhere to the cut. Tap the stem lightly to remove excess. Rooting hormone, whether chemical or natural, is effective for cuttings. This is used to:
- promote healing of cuts
- promote the development of new roots and accelerate rooting
- prevent the development of diseases
- After applying the rooting hormone, take a bucket and fill it with a special rooting soil, or prepare your own soil by mixing peat moss with sand. Avoid using a plastic bucket, so you can place your pot directly in the soil when transplanting. Then a biodegradable cup is preferred.
- Then water the soil;
- Wait for the soil to absorb the water well, then make a hole in the center;
- Plant the stem and tamp the soil;
- All you have to do is place your pot in partial shade. Exposure to direct sunlight can dry out the plant. Don’t forget to water your plant regularly.
Keep in mind that to obtain abundant geraniums, you can plant up to 3 cuttings in the same pot, as long as it is large.
How to propagate a scented geranium in water?
Don’t you want to root your plant using rooting hormone? No problem ! Try geranium cuttings in water.
This technique, on the other hand, requires you to pay attention to the appearance of the roots, to prevent them from rotting. The method is simple:
- Place your healthy, clean stem in a glass filled with water;
- Add a small piece of charcoal to the glass or jar. This will protect the roots from rot;
- Change the water regularly.
Little by little you will see roots appear. When they reach a minimum of 3 cm, transplant your cuttings into potting soil.
Using a stem, you will be able to multiply your geranium, at a lower cost, and enjoy of fragrant and colorful summer flowers, even if you don’t have a green thumb!