Pelargonium from seeds at home grows quite quickly. The plant can be planted in open ground or left in the apartment. Its specific aroma helps reduce nervous tension, helps get rid of insomnia and eliminate headaches. Bright and juicy shades of buds always lift your spirits and fill you with vigor.
- 2 Optimal timing is better than planting
2.1 In different regions - 2.2 Best sowing dates according to the lunar calendar 2022
- 3.1 Is it worth planting pelargonium seeds by ordering them from Aliexpress?
Planting seeds is the best way to propagate pelargonium
Pelargonium is a perennial plant. The versatility of the flower is that, in addition to growing in protected soil conditions, it can become a wonderful decoration for a garden plot. The leaves of the plant are used in the production of essential oils and as a medicine in folk medicine.
Pelargonium seeds are elongated, large, brown in color
Planting pelargonium seeds is considered one of the best methods, because such seedlings are unpretentious, resistant to diseases and are always characterized by abundant flowering. In addition, the seeds germinate quickly even with a lack of sun. When cuttings, problems arise due to improper watering and unsuitable soil.
Do I need to replant an adult plant?
This question is asked by almost every gardener who has decided to grow pelargonium from seeds. In addition, everyone is accustomed to the fact that most crops need to be replanted after a certain period of time. However, it is immediately worth noting that professional gardeners replant geraniums only once. The maximum diameter of the container should be no more than 15-18 centimeters (depending on the variety).
Also, an exception may be situations when the plant was susceptible to some kind of infectious disease, such as root rot. Well, or if by chance it turned out that the soil was too moist, it would still be better to replace the substrate with a new one - drier. However, such a transplant should really only be carried out in extreme cases, since pelargonium has a very fragile root system.
If you decide to change the container to a wider one, then use the transshipment method to replant the crop. That is, transfer the plant along with the earthen lump to another pot, and then add some fresh substrate there. Also remember that in the first few days after transplanting the plant should be watered with extreme caution as it will most likely be stressed and begin to consume little moisture.
Optimal timing is better than planting
Pelargonium begins to bloom 3–4 months after planting the seeds. Experts recommend taking these terms into account to obtain flowering in a given period.
For those who want to please themselves with hanging varieties for the design of a summer terrace, it is better to have the seedlings ready in April. This means that pelargonium seeds should be planted in February - March.
The Early Generalist variety, sown in early March, will delight you with bright and abundant flowering in early May. Pelargonium Black Velvet should be planted 2-3 weeks earlier for these purposes.
When growing indoors, you can plant seeds all year round.
In different regions
- In the conditions of the northern region, where there is little sun and light, it is better to sow seeds at the end of April - May.
- In mid-latitudes, the optimal time for obtaining mature seedlings for planting in open ground is February - March.
- In the south, plants are brought to the terraces at the end of March, so the seeds need to be sown in December. By the beginning of spring, they will already be actively blooming and delighting with their beauty.
Best sowing dates according to the lunar calendar 2022
Pelargonium cannot be planted on the full and waning moon. The seedlings will be uneven, and the plants themselves will be weak, with a poorly developing root system. When picking seedlings or transplanting them into the ground, low survival rate is noted.
The most favorable dates in March are: 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 23, 24, 28, 29. And it is better to dive seedlings on the 1st, 2nd, 15th, 16th, 19th, 20th, 22nd, 28th, 29th.
In April, it is recommended to sow pelargonium seeds: 7, 8, 11, 12, 18, 20, 21, 29, 30. You need to seat: 2, 3, 7, 8, 11, 12, 16,17.
Caring for geranium seedlings at home
As soon as friendly shoots appear (scarified seeds germinate within 3-4 days, just like soaked ones, but on average, most of them sprout in 7-14 days), the shelter must be promptly removed and the planting container moved to a well-lit place, but where the temperature is already lower - about +18-22 degrees during the day and +16-18 at night.
Further care consists of only moderate watering when the top layer of soil dries, using slightly warm, settled or filtered water.
Remember! Pelargonium does not like excessive watering and too wet soil.
Picking
The first picking of geranium seedlings is carried out when it has 2 true leaves. The procedure is quite standard. To do this, you will need individual containers (0.2 cups) filled with peat-based soil mixture (or, again, ready-made soil for pelargoniums), a spoon or other tool that will be convenient for you to carry out the picking procedure - remove the seedling from the common container.
Note! When picking pelargonium, it is very important to carefully take the seedling, and always with a lump of earth, so as not to damage the roots of the young plant, in other words, use the transshipment method rather than picking (when the roots are exposed).
Video: picking pelargonium seedlings
In the future, most likely, you will need another transplant into a larger pot (0.5-1 liter), this time exclusively by transshipment.
Important! The day before transshipment, do not forget to water your seedlings well so that the earthen ball does not crumble when it is moved.
Video: transshipment of geraniums a month and a half after sowing
Top dressing
Advice! After picking or transferring seedlings, it is advisable to immediately water the transplanted plants with some special fertilizer for better rooting, for example, you can use “Ukorenitel” or “Kornevin” so that the root system of the seedlings takes root better in the new place.
During the initial period of growth, pelargonium seedlings can be fed with nitrogen fertilizers, for example, ammonium nitrate or urea, and then (when the plants already have more than 5-6 true leaves) complex mineral fertilizers such as nitroammophosphate can be used. Also at this time, you can begin to perform foliar feeding (by leaf) with calcium and/or magnesium nitrate.
Pinching
It is not necessary to pinch pelargonium, because many varieties are genetically designed in such a way that they themselves form beautiful branched bushes.
Advice! However, if you see that the plant is reluctant to branch, then for more powerful tillering you can pinch the geranium above 5-6 true leaves .
The most popular varieties with photos
The most popular types of pelargonium are zonal, ivy-leaved and fragrant. The plants are not particularly demanding on the composition of the soil, grow quickly, are unpretentious in fertilizing and are characterized by a long flowering period. Each species has the most popular varieties, which are presented in the photo below.
The Early Universal variety is the most common among amateur flower growers. The period from planting seeds to flowering is more than 2 months
Zonal species of pelargonium propagate well both by seeds and cuttings. They can be grown in containers, flower pots, and flowerpots. They are recommended for open and closed ground. The colors of the buds are rich and varied.
Colorama belongs to the zonal species of pelargonium. The bushes are low, with large flowers. The leaves have a characteristic dark horseshoe-shaped pattern.
It is preferable to grow colorama in pots, since with a compact root system, the green ground part is very fluffy and voluminous. In summer, it can be planted in open ground.
The variety Summer Rain belongs to the group of ivy-leaved or ampelous
Thin but strong shoots of pelargonium Summer Rain fall up to 100 cm. The leaves are smooth, dark green, and flowering is abundant. There are different shades. Indispensable for decorating balconies, gazebos, terraces.
The leaves of the Black Velvet variety differ from other varieties in their chocolate, almost black color. The inflorescences are bright, velvety
Young shoots and leaves are always light green, but after a few weeks they begin to darken. Most of the flowers on sale are red in color.
The Cabaret variety can be identified by its lush green leaves with wavy, ribbed edges. It does not exceed 30 cm in height. The yellow core is clearly visible at the base of each flower.
Pelargonium Cabaret has spherical flowers 10–12 cm in size. It is susceptible to direct sunlight and does not tolerate dry soil. It comes in colors from dark burgundy to snow-white.
The Orange Ice variety is characterized by a juicy red-orange color of the inflorescences and a pale yellow-green tint of foliage
During the flowering period, the Orange Ice bush reaches up to 35 cm in diameter. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor decor. It is unpretentious, grows quickly, and differs from other types in its early flowering.
The Violet Chandelier is a unique look with rich purple or blue buds
The Chandelier Violet variety is distinguished not only by its abundant, but also long flowering - from May to October. The leaves are small, with pointed edges, almost invisible under the buds.
Victoria is a tulip-shaped pelargonium variety from the latest series of selection. Popular due to the unusual structure of the buds
All tulip-shaped types of pelargonium are characterized by small but numerous inflorescences (up to 50 pieces), located on tall, strong stems. They grow up to 70 cm in height. They are easy to propagate, have a pronounced aroma, and bloom for 3–4 months in a row.
Is it worth planting pelargonium seeds by ordering them from Aliexpress?
Most customer reviews about purchasing pelargonium seeds from Aliexpress are negative. Only a few confirm that the seeds really germinate well and the flower grows as stated in the description on the pack.
More than 80% of sellers send seeds of the wrong variety or of poor quality with almost zero germination. Therefore, to prevent such risks, it is still worth abandoning Chinese seeds and spending a little more money on a quality product from a domestic manufacturer.
Features of cultivation
Only zonal pelargonium is grown from seeds. Other types of flowers are propagated using cuttings.
To grow a healthy and beautiful plant, you need to take the selection of planting material seriously.
Seed selection
When purchasing geranium seeds for planting, you should know the following nuances:
- high-quality seeds have a rich brown color, a slight tint and slight dullness are possible;
- fully formed seeds are oblong in appearance, and have small depressions on the sides;
- they are quite large;
- have a thick leathery shell.
Selection of containers
Planting material can be planted in small cups or special plastic containers. The dishes must be disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate or another available method. Holes are made in the bottom and drainage is created in order to prevent waterlogging of the soil and rotting of the roots. The container is filled with the prepared substrate, watered with water or an aqueous solution of Kornevin. Seeds are sown every other day.
Soil selection
Homemade geranium loves light and nutritious soil so that air and water can easily pass to the roots. Ready-made soil from the store is suitable for growing pelargonium seeds. But you can prepare the soil mixture yourself using several recipes:
- Sand, peat, compost and humus are combined in equal quantities.
- Mix garden soil with peat and sand in a ratio of 2:1:1.
- Mix peat with perlite for plants (1:1).
Experienced flower growers recommend, if possible, preparing a mixture for planting geranium seeds yourself. Store-bought soil does not give such good results: seeds germinate much later, seedlings are not as healthy, thin stems are formed and few flowers.
The prepared mixture for sowing seeds should also be disinfected by calcining it in the oven. Thus, the plant will be protected from infection by various diseases in the future.
Advice! The soil can also be disinfected by treating it with a solution of potassium permanganate or ready-made fungicides, steaming it in a water bath, and calcining it in the oven (150 degrees). After the procedures have been completed, seeds should be planted every other day.
Seed preparation
Due to the fact that pelargonium seeds are endowed with a dense skin, they are difficult to germinate and may not sprout at all. Therefore, before planting seeds in the soil, they must undergo scarification - a special procedure for removing the dense shell.
This processing of planting material can be carried out independently at home. It is not difficult to do, but carefully using fine sandpaper. It is used to clean the upper thick layer of each seed separately.
Landing
To grow a quality plant at home, you need to use a mini-greenhouse. Any container that is covered with plastic wrap or a transparent lid can be used for this. You can also cover the crops with a plastic bottle. To allow air to enter, small holes are made in the lid, bottle or film.
- To prevent the plant from becoming infected with diseases, the seeds must be disinfected in a solution of potassium permanganate for 20 minutes. Next, treat with growth stimulator Zircon, Fitosporin or Epin. Then the seeds are washed well and soaked for 3 hours in warm water.
- The container for planting the planting material is filled with the prepared mixture.
- The seeds are laid on the soil, and the distance between them should be at least 5 centimeters. Sprinkle the crops with soil and cover with film or glass.
- For irrigation, use settled water at room temperature. The soil must be constantly sprayed with a spray bottle and ensure that it does not dry out.
- If all planting conditions are met, sprouts will appear in 14 days.
Watch the video! Proper sowing of geranium seeds
Landing instructions
The ideal soil for planting pelargonium is a soil that contains 2 parts each of river sand and peat and two parts turf soil. You can purchase ready-made soil specifically for pelargonium. It is not recommended to add fertilizer - the flower does not like it. The most suitable containers are peat or plastic cups.
Step by step instructions:
- The cups are filled with earth.
- Then it is watered with warm water.
- Seeds are placed in 2–3 pieces. into each container.
- They can be sprinkled with 1 cm of soil or lightly pressed into the soil.
- Cover with cling film, not forgetting the holes.
Seeds begin to germinate at a temperature of 20–22°C after 2–3 weeks. In rare cases, a month passes before the first shoots appear.
How to care for seedlings
When two or three leaves appear on the seedlings, the film cover is removed and the seedlings are transferred to lighted windowsills. It is necessary to regularly loosen the soil and water, avoiding moisture getting on the leaves. Seedlings are picked when 4–5 branches form on the main stem.
After the plants have taken root and the 6th–7th leaf appears, it needs to be pinched. This way a branched, lush bush will grow and it will bloom profusely.
If germination is poor, the plant can be fed with a special liquid fertilizer for flower seedlings or a growth stimulator. The containers can be placed under the phytolamp. It is important to avoid direct sunlight on the plants - this will help prevent burns on already grown seedlings.
