First of all: This article is about the pelargoniums, colloquially called "geraniums", whereas the propagation of the cranesbill (lat. geranium) is dealt with in another article. The pelargoniums from South Africa - referred to here as geraniums for the sake of simplicity - love warmth and sun and should overwinter in a cool greenhouse or conservatory in areas prone to frost. For this reason, many balcony gardeners only cultivate the richly flowering plants for one season and then buy new ones in spring. However, this is not necessary, because you can multiply your geraniums yourself with little effort.
Geranium cuttings also root in water
Propagating geraniums from cuttings
The easiest way to propagate your geraniums is through cuttings. In this way you can also multiply particularly beautiful plants, because cuttings are clones of the mother plant and are therefore completely identical. The best time to cut offshoots is late summer/early fall, i.e. August and September.
- Cut off half-ripe shoots that are about finger-length (approx. 10 centimeters long).
- These should not bloom if possible and also have no buds.
- If possible, cut the cuttings at the leaf axils.
- Remove the lower leaves with the stipules.
- Only the top two leaves can remain.
- Let the cuttings dry for an hour or two.
- Plant the cuttings in a pot with potting soil.
- But you can also use normal potting soil.
- After a thorough watering, a transparent plastic bag is put over it.
- As soon as new leaves appear, the cuttings are potted individually
- and then overwintered in a cool place.
Plant the young plants in a larger pot in spring and gradually harden them off.
Divide perennial geraniums
Little is known that geraniums can also be propagated by division. However, this is only possible with older plants from the age of four to five years. The best time to divide is at the beginning of the spring shoots, as soon as the first fresh shoots appear - this is usually the case in March or April. It is best to combine this measure with repotting the plant, carefully pulling it and its roots apart with your fingers. Then the sections are planted individually and watered vigorously.
Propagating geraniums from seeds
Growing geraniums from seeds - either self-collected or purchased - is also great fun. Sowing should take place in January, but no later than February of a year, so that you can enjoy the flowers of your home-grown geraniums in summer.
- It is best to sow the seeds in potting soil.
- Cover them lightly with substrate and keep it evenly moist.
- Place the seed pots in an indoor greenhouse
- or put a clear plastic sheet or bag over it.
- Put the pots in a light and warm place.
- Prick out as soon as the first leaves appear.
- However, avoid a location with direct sun.
- Place the young plants outside during the day from the beginning of May,
- but still bring them in at night.
tips
When propagating cuttings, make sure not to use any soft and still completely green shoots. These tend to rot and are therefore not very suitable.