Are you a gardening enthusiast looking to multiply your geraniums without breaking the bank? Look no further! Geraniums, those vibrant garden and terrace staples, can be easily propagated using simple techniques that yield excellent results in no time.
Two Ways to Reproduce Geraniums
- From Seeds:
- If you already have a geranium plant at home, cross your fingers for the rare event of a small fruit emerging from one of its flowers.
- Once the fruit is mature, collect the seeds. These seeds can give life to a brand-new plant.
- The downside? Geraniums don’t produce fruits often, making this method less reliable. Buying seeds is an alternative, but they can be quite pricey.
- From Cuttings (Talea):
- This method is more reliable and cost-effective. If you accidentally break a small branch during plant maintenance or pruning, don’t toss it!
- Cut the branch at least 10 centimeters long at a diagonal angle to the trunk, using sterilized scissors or shears.
- Clean the cutting of unnecessary parts, like any flowers or excessive leaves, as these can divert nutrients from root development.
- You can propagate the cutting in two ways: either place it in water and wait for roots to develop or plant it directly in soil.
Propagating from Cuttings: In Water
- Fill a glass with about three to four centimeters of water.
- Immerse the cuttings in the container, as geraniums can naturally develop roots in water without the need for additives like rooting hormones.
- After around ten days, the cuttings should have developed enough roots to be transplanted into soil. Be gentle with the fragile roots.
Propagating from Cuttings: Directly in Soil
- Prepare a pot with a mixture of peat and clay, with 80% peat and 20% clay being ideal.
- Add at least two centimeters of expanded clay at the bottom of the pot for proper water drainage.
- Prior to planting, dig an approximately 8-centimeter hole with a teaspoon.
- Plant the cutting without letting it rest too heavily on the soil; support it as you fill the hole with soil.
- Water generously for the first twenty days until the cutting establishes roots.
Remember, geraniums prefer well-draining soil, so a mix of peat and clay is recommended. Now you can enjoy expanding your geranium collection without spending a dime! Happy gardening!
