Propagating Zonal Geraniums Aka Pelargoniums

by Flower Patch Farmhouse

3 Materials

3 Weeks

Easy

I failed to start my seeds early enough this year so I would have bounteous blooms so the next best thing is to start cuttings from my favorite plants!

propagating pelargoniums or cloning, gardening, Choose your pelargonium parent plant the healthier the better

I take cuttings from my favorite Zonal Geraniums to get more of what I love. I have grown several varieties from seed but starting more from cuttings is much faster and just plain fun.

propagating pelargoniums or cloning, gardening, I mix up one part potting soil to one part perlite for a loose mix

I mix up a custom soil mix using 2 parts potting soil and one part perlite to make it free draining.

propagating pelargoniums or cloning, gardening, I reuse pots so I wash them in hot soapy water and a touch of bleach to sanitize This helps lessen chances of fungal attacks on the cuttings

I have tons of little 3 inch plastic pots but I am moving to terra cotta as I phase out using plastic as much as I can in my gardening endeavors. But for now I will re-use the ones I already have until they fall apart.

propagating pelargoniums or cloning, gardening, You want fresh green stems cut with a sharp razor or xacto knife just below a leaf node Cutting should be 4 inches or more long with two leaf nodes to put below the dirt

When I take cuttings I try to get green new growth that is about a pencil size in diameter. This roots the fastest but the older stems that are on the tough side will root too, it will just take longer. I want two leaf nodes to sink down into the soil so I try to get a length of cutting that has 5 more more leaf nodes on it.

propagating pelargoniums or cloning, gardening, Water and tamp down to firm soil mix around stems Keep soil moist but not overly wet

Once the cuttings are in the soil I water them in well. If this causes the soil to tamp down too far and a leaf node I wish to be under soil shows I just top it up with more soil mix. Or I sometimes put pea gravel on top

propagating pelargoniums or cloning, gardening, Cover with a clear plastic dome or plastic sheeting propped up Keep in a well lit but moderate temperature area 60 to 75 degrees My greenhouse gets too hot now so I have mine under lights in the house

Cover with a clear plastic dome or plastic sheeting propped up. Keep in a well lit but moderate temperature area (60 to 75 degrees). My greenhouse gets too hot now so I have mine under lights in the house.

To create humidity I put a dome on my planting tray but you can create a greenhouse environment with plastic bagging that is supported over the cuttings.

In a few short weeks you will see new roots shooting out of the bottom. Transplant them into a larger pot and harden them off for the outdoors.

You now have a close of the parent plant.

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2 of 4 comments

Anita H on Apr 14, 2013
Great instructions! How long do they usually take until you have a flowering plant?

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Flower Patch Farmhouse on Apr 14, 2013
Hi Anita, that depends on the conditions so that can vary. I will log these to see how long it takes for them to bloom and report back in.

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