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.
Preparing geranium seeds for sowing
To increase the germination of seeds that have a high-density leathery shell and stimulate their germination, the seed material is scarified before being introduced into the soil. When performing this procedure, the emergence of seedlings can be expected already on the 5th day. Scarification can be carried out using one of the following methods: mechanical, chemical, thermal. When using the mechanical method, the seeds are carefully processed on both sides with fine-grained sandpaper. Chemical technology involves placing seeds for half a minute in a weak solution (0.8%) of sulfuric acid. After removing the seed material from the liquid, it is thoroughly washed with running water, dried and sown. Pelargonium seeds can also be scarified thermally. To do this, they are dipped in boiling water for 20 seconds, and then in cold water for the same period of time. The procedure is repeated several times. An alternative method involves pouring boiling water over the seeds for 24 hours.
Their germination rate depends on careful selection of seed material. Pelargonium seeds are light brown, oblong, with a matte shell. They should feel dense to the touch. Empty, deformed seeds will not form plants.
Important! When using seeds obtained at home, the likelihood of obtaining high-quality seedlings is extremely low. The reason for this state of affairs is the loss of the gene transmitted by the mother plant by hybrid varieties of pelargonium during seed propagation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Geranium sowing process
The developed step-by-step instructions will tell you how to plant pelargonium seeds:
- Place drainage and soil at the bottom of the container. Moisturize intensively.
- Place the seeds. The distance between grains is from 3 to 5 cm in a large container. 2-3 seedlings are placed in glasses and small pots.
- Gently press with your index finger and sprinkle with 1 cm of soil.
- Moisten with a spray bottle.
- Pull the covering material. Send to a warm place. The temperature should be at least 22 degrees, but not more than 24.
- We are waiting for the sprouts to appear so we can remove the cover and move them into the light.
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.
