Details of the propagation of royal geranium by cuttings and seeds

Before each owner of indoor plants, sooner or later the question arises: how to propagate a favorite flower? For myself, or maybe as a gift to loved ones. In this article, we will take a detailed look at ways to obtain new copies of royal geranium.

Work on the selection of geraniums, or in another way pelargonium, began in the 17-18 centuries, when various species of this plant were imported from Africa to Europe. As a result, a view of the royal geranium was obtained, which received its completed image in 1840 through the efforts of the French breeder James Odier.

We will tell you about all the rules and nuances. So that after reading this material, you can with full confidence in your abilities begin the process of reproduction of this royal flower.

Plant features

Royal pelargonium is distinguished by large flowers with a diameter of 5-7 cm with a wavy or fringed edge. Flowers collected in a lush umbrella. Two petals have dark spots, the rest have dark veins. The color of royal geranium flowers is extremely diverse - from snow-white to burgundy. Its spectrum lacks only blue and yellow colors. The leaves are serrated at the edges of various shades. The height of the bush is from 40 to 50 cm. Although varieties with a lower bush and small flowers are bred - Angelic Pelargonium. They are less whimsical and bloom for about six months.

An advantage (or disadvantage) is the absence of a characteristic pungent odor.

This aristocrat blooms for a shorter time than ordinary indoor geraniums, from the beginning of spring to mid-summer, about 90-120 days. Yes, and requires special care. But the beauty that she will bestow on you is truly worth it.

For all types of geraniums, two methods of propagation are possible: by seeds and cuttings. With royal pelargonium, reproduction is much more difficult:

• Basically, new planting material is obtained by cuttings. With this capricious beauty, the process becomes more complicated, but subject to all the rules, if you know how to cut royal geraniums and when, in this way you can get a plant with all the characteristic features.
• Of course, you can grow royal pelargonium from your own seeds, however, this will be a plant not like its ancestor. The royal variety is essentially a hybrid, and like any hybrid, it does not reproduce all its varietal characteristics through seeds. Most likely, it will turn out, familiar to us, zoned geraniums. The corresponding plant can be grown from quality seeds purchased at the store. The process is long and laborious, but very interesting.

How to propagate at home?

Let's take a closer look at the opportunity to get a new full-fledged copy of the royal geranium. Let's start with the most suitable propagation by cuttings.

Cuttings

It is necessary to take into account all the nuances to obtain a favorable result:

1. Time. Most importantly, you need to choose the right time for this procedure. The most favorable period is from late August to early September. Flowering has ended, and the dormant period has not yet begun. If the stalk planted at this time takes root, then in the spring it may well begin to bloom.
2. Preparation of cuttings. Cut the apical cuttings 7-10 cm long. Leave 3-4 top leaves on them, remove the rest. Place the cut into a crushed coal. Leave the cuttings for several hours alone to dry.
3. Soil preparation. Separate containers with moist soil for each shank should be prepared. Soil is a mixture of sand and peat. You can use peat tablets at the initial stage, followed by transplantation after rooting in the ground.
4. Rooting. The shank should be deepened by 1.5-2 cm in moist soil. Each stalk in a separate container, this will help to avoid the loss of all plantings due to infection. There is no need to cover for the same reason. Landings are placed in places without drafts with moderate lighting. Further, it is necessary to ensure that the soil is constantly in a slightly wet state.
5. Transfer to the ground. After rooting, usually after 1-2 months, the plant is gently transferred with a lump of earth into a pot with nutrient soil.

Attention! The cuttings of royal geraniums do not give roots in the water, they simply rot. Therefore, reproduction is only a direct landing in the ground.

You can also see instructions on how to propagate royal geranium by cuttings, in this video:

Seeds

Let us consider in stages the process of propagation of royal geranium seeds:

1. Buying seeds. It is very important to find seeds from a reputable producer. It depends on what you get in the end - a royal geranium or it is not clear what. Read reviews, ask around in the forums.
2. Landing time. You can plant geraniums at any time of the year, if you have a special lamp for lighting. The most favorable time for the natural development of the plant will be the end of February - the beginning of March.
3. Seed preparation. Before planting, you can soak the seeds for 2-3 hours in any special solution, like epin or zircon. Although this is completely optional.
4. Soil preparation. You can buy a soil mixture for seedlings, or mix ordinary land with peat and sand. In a ratio of 2: 1: 1. The main thing is that the soil is not too heavy, but not too light. Moisten the soil before planting.
5. Sowing. Spread the seeds in containers or in a container at a distance of 5 cm from each other on the surface of moist soil. Press them lightly to the ground. Sprinkle with a thin layer of soil. Spray with water from a spray bottle. Cover with glass or film until shoots appear. Put in a warm and moderately lit place.
6. Pick If your geranium was planted in a common container, then with the appearance of a pair of real leaves, you should carefully move it into a separate bowl. Carry only with a clod of earth, without affecting the roots.

If the seeds are of high quality and everything is done correctly, then after 4-5 months you will be able to admire the first flowers.

What could go wrong?

Royal pelargonium is very sensitive, therefore some problems may occur when growing geraniums:

• Cuttings, as well as those grown from seeds, seedlings can be attacked by a fungal infection. Therefore, it is important to monitor humidity. It is better to grow each plant in a separate container, and immediately destroy all infected specimens.
• Leaves wither and hang like a rag? You have flooded the geranium. It is necessary to stop watering.
• Leaves turn yellow and dry? You are not watering enough. Perhaps only the top layer is wetted. It is best to water through the pan.
• Does the plant wither away? Check if your geranium has been attacked by pests, then insecticides will help you.
• In order to fully bloom, a plant needs a supply of all the necessary nutrients, therefore, 2 weeks after a dive, seedlings can be fed with fertilizer for flowering plants. Rooted cuttings are better to start feeding with the onset of spring in early March.

Nuances of Aftercare

Royal geranium requires a special attitude. In order not to wonder further why my geranium does not bloom, it is better to provide all the necessary conditions for pelargonium from the very beginning:

1. Temperature and humidity. Normal room temperature, without sudden changes and drafts, is most favorable for our aristocrat. Humidity should be moderate, but too dry air near the radiators will adversely affect its condition.
2. Lighting. Geranium loves the sun very much, but it is better to keep cuttings and seedlings in places sanctified moderately. When your plants get stronger, it will be possible to take them outside in warm, calm weather. Such sunbathing will help flowers and leaves to show their color most vividly. Planting the Queen of Pelargonium for the summer in the open ground is not recommended, it is too tender for such conditions.
3. Watering. We already talked about this, watering should be sufficient. Best from below, through the pallet. So you will not flood the plant, and the lower roots will receive the necessary amount of water.Water must be warm, otherwise the roots may rot.
4. Top dressing. It is recommended to feed geraniums from the end of the dormant period, every 2 weeks until the end of flowering with a complex mineral fertilizer for flowering plants.
5. The formation of the bush. With the appearance of 3-4 leaves on a young plant, pinch its top. So it turns out a more lush and squat bush. You can pinch the following shoots, but remember that each such manipulation pushes back the time of the beginning of flowering.
6. Removing the buds. All wilted flowers should be removed immediately. This will save more power to form new flowers.
7. Autumn pruning. When the flowering of geraniums is completed, and on the threshold of a dormant period, the plant is pruned. The shoots growing from the leaf sinuses are removed, and the main ones are shortened. On each shoot, 6-7 leaves remain.

You can read more about caring for geranium here.

Conclusion

Royal geranium is a real beauty of indoor floriculture, so the painstaking care that it requires is worth it. Having tried, you can get new young copies for yourself or as a gift to friends.

Watch the video: Propagating Tricky Pelargoniums (May 2024).