What rustic plant do you see most often decorating the balconies of houses during the warm period? Without a doubt the geranium! Star of the summer season, it proudly stands out with its sublime, abundant and colorful flowers, which bloom from spring and last until the end of summer. Impossible to go unnoticed, geraniums give a wonderful exuberant character to our surroundings. Very popular and coveted by everyone, the geranium is the ideal plant for coloring terraces and flower boxes. From red to blue, through pink and mauve, its color palette brings a real touch of freshness and joy to the home.
With its slightly rounded leaves and unique stamp, this plant is very easy to grow. Geranium loves sun, prefers rich soil or well-drained potting mix and needs some water. But, did you know that it is possible to multiply it indefinitely by simple cuttings? You will be able to reproduce all your favorite species from stem cuttings of existing plants. As a bonus, you don’t need to have a green thumb to be successful at this trade. Quickly find out how to do it by following these quick and easy techniques.
How to grow new geraniums?
For this cut you will need some tools: a very sharp and above all perfectly disinfected pruner, peat pots, a fertilizer especially dedicated to geraniums (or a homemade mixture of sand, peat and compost).
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Here are the steps to propagate geraniums at home:
1. Make a cut
- The first thing to do is choose a branch of the mother plant and cut it: this is called the cutting, that is, a stem from which a new plant can grow.
- Of course, you shouldn’t choose at random! Always bet on a healthy, young and healthy stem. Its color should still be greenish. Its size should be about 10-15 cm long and it should have at least 5 leaves.
- Use the pruners and cut the stem above a node (this is where a new branch or leaf grows). It also prefers branches that have not yet flowered and that tend to root more easily.
- After cutting the branch, remove the lower leaves (leave the upper ones) and the buds nested in the stem.
- Put the cutting in a glass of water for a while.
2. Prepare the jars
Choose medium-sized terracotta pots and fill them with a mixture of equal parts of peat moss, potting soil and sand: these are the essential elements for well-draining and well-compacted soil.
Make a hole in the center of the pot to place the cutting. If you want to have very abundant geraniums, plant several cuttings in the same pot: if it is large enough, plant 3 cuttings maximum. However, it is not recommended to plant too many in the same pot, because as they grow, the geraniums could choke each other.
Please note: If you have growing doubts or problems, it is best to seek professional help.
3. Take care of it
Water the soil well and make sure it never dries out completely. Next, place your geraniums in a very bright location, but not exposed to direct sunlight. Make sure to always keep the soil moist, without excessive watering either.
After about 2 weeks, the cuttings should have already developed their first roots. You will then see new geranium plants gradually appear.
4. Replant the plant
If you only planted one cutting per pot, you can save it until it grows large enough to transport. However, when you have planted several cuttings in the same pot, a quick repot may be necessary. Then choose a larger pot, preferably terracotta and with drainage holes.
As for the soil, opt for a universal soil or a specific soil for geraniums, placing a layer of expanded clay or gravel at the bottom.
At this point, your new geranium plant is ready: take special care of it so that it benefits from abundant flowering.
Read also: The trick to having countless geraniums from one stem without spending a penny
When is the best time to propagate geraniums?
Not all times of the year are necessarily suitable for trying to propagate geraniums. The best time is early spring, when temperatures gradually increase coinciding with root development and cutting growth.
In fact, this plant can also multiply during the hot months, especially in summer, although it is advisable to avoid the time when temperatures are around 30ºC. On the other hand, it is best not to waste time trying to grow geraniums during the cold season. In winter, due to low temperatures, propagation attempts are almost never successful.
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