The reproduction of geraniums with the help of seeds is the most popular method among gardeners. For these purposes, the seeds obtained from the plant, which has long been growing on the windowsill or was purchased in the store.
If you grow a flower from seeds, remember that this process is simple, but it requires adherence to some rules on planting and care to get healthy and full-fledged plants.
Features, description and photos of seed
In order for the plant to produce seeds, it needs to be sown properly, taken care of, ensuring timely watering. After harvesting, seeds should be stored dry in a warm room. In pelargonium, they are large, solid, have an oblong shape and brown color.
Collect the seeds you need in the summer or early fall. Also do it in dry and sunny weather. After harvesting, spread the kernels on a dry surface and let stand there for several days. Fold the material ready for planting in a dry container and hold until spring.
In the photo you can see what the seed looks like:
Feature of goods from China
Today, flower growers often order geranium seeds from China. Of course, there is no 100% guarantee that they are of high quality, since most often seedlings from 600 seeds yield no more than 70. To improve their germination, it is advisable to put them in a refrigerator for stratification.
When to embed in a soil for growing shoots?
Sowing seeds into the ground for germination of seedlings of geranium is necessary in late February and early March.
Preparation of soil and planting material
It is best to use homemade soil for planting, taking such components:
- peat - 1 part;
- river sand - 1 part;
- sod land - 2 parts.
To prevent plant infection by various diseases, before planting, primer should be hardened in an oven. The duration of the procedure is 2-3 minutes at a temperature of 180 degrees.
Reference! Seeds also need preparation. It is better to treat them with Zircon or Appin, and then soak for 3 hours in water at room temperature.
Germination tank
For germination of geranium, you can use small containers or trays, the depth of which is 3 cm.
Soil digestion
The landing activities are as follows.:
- Before planting seeds in the ground, it should be watered carefully.
- Lay out the material for planting on the soil with a distance of 5 cm, and then lightly sprinkle with earth.
- To maintain the moisture and temperature necessary for germination, the pot must be covered with polyethylene.
Care
For crops
It is easy to care for crops. It is necessary to regularly open the film cover for 10-15 minutes, as well as spray the soil as it dries. In 1,5-2 weeks after sowing seedlings are formed. From this point on, the film can be removed.
For shoots
Active growth of geranium is possible only with careful care of it. In order for the plant to grow strong and healthy, you must observe the following measures:
- Watering. The frequency of soil moistening depends on the season. In winter, water the flower every 7-10 days, in the summer - every 3 days. Drainage should be provided at the bottom of the tank, as the flower does not tolerate an excess of moisture and tolerates drought more easily. Understand that geraniums need moisturizing, you can dry land. It should dry to a depth of 2 cm.
- Lighting. The plant will actively grow only in the place where there is sufficient lighting. But only direct sunlight is dangerous for him, as this will lead to fading of the flower and leaf fall. It is best to grow geranium in bright diffused light for at least 16 hours a day. In summer, the flower can be brought out onto the street or onto a balcony.
- Temperature. Geranium does not tolerate sudden temperature fluctuations, especially when sprouts have recently hatch from seed. In the room, the air temperature should be 20-25 degrees. For adult plants is not acceptable cooling below 7 degrees.
Picks. 2 weeks after the seeds have germinated, and the plants have formed 2 true leaves, they can be picked. It is necessary to transplant sprouts into separate containers, the diameter of which is 10 cm. If by this time the saplings did not have time to stretch, then during transplantation they can be buried into the ground by 1-2 cm.- Top dressing. 2 weeks after the dive, a special complex fertilizer must be added to the soil, in which there is a high content of potassium and phosphorus. You can use Agricola, Effecton. Fertilizers need to be every 2-3 weeks from March to October, and stop feeding in the winter.
- Topping. To the plant did not go to grow up, you need to pinch it over a 6 or 7 leaf. Already adult bushes need a good pruning, which is recommended to be held in the fall or spring. Shoots that are very weakened must be carefully cut. This will allow you to get a good bushiness and abundant flowering. Also, it is necessary to timely remove old flowers.
Important! 1-1.5 months before the expected flowering pinching should stop.
Picks. 2 weeks after the seeds have germinated, and the plants have formed 2 true leaves, they can be picked. It is necessary to transplant sprouts into separate containers, the diameter of which is 10 cm. If by this time the saplings did not have time to stretch, then during transplantation they can be buried into the ground by 1-2 cm.Move to the pot
In late May, the geranium can be transplanted into a pot for permanent growth.
Choosing the "right" pot
First you need to decide on the material capacity:
- Plastic. These pots have a long service life, low weight, low price, and thanks to the peculiarities of production, products of various shapes and colors can be obtained. Thanks to this, they will look favorably against the background of the overall interior.
- Clay. This material perfectly meets the requirements of geraniums. Moisture in clay pots evaporates faster, making it possible to prevent rotting of the root system. In addition, the clay washes soil harmful for the plant from the soil. But only from this the capacity begins to turn black. Clay products have a porous structure that provides additional aeration, allowing the roots to breathe.
As for the size, a pot with a diameter of 12-14 cm is considered optimal, and the height is not more than 15 cm.
Soil selection
Geranium prefers to grow in loose, fertile and drained soil., with acidic, slightly acidic or neutral pH. You can purchase a ready-made substrate for indoor plants or a universal primer by adding the following components to it:
- vermiculite;
- washed river sand;
- peat;
- perlite.
Instructions: how to plant at home?
Let us examine how to plant young shoots at home.
Procedure:
- Prepare the pot, soil and drainage, sterilize everything in the oven.
- At the bottom of the tank lay 2-3 cm of drainage and part of the soil.
- Carefully remove the pre-watered geranium from the old pot along with the earthy ball. If this does not work, then you can lay the plant on its side, and after knocking on the walls of the container, turning it upside down, while holding the bush.
- Inspect the roots, if rotten and dried elements are found, then remove them, trying not to hurt the healthy roots.
- Geranium with earth lump set in the center of the new pot.
- Between the wall of the tank and the earthy clod, gradually add wetted soil, lightly ramming it. Shake the pot from time to time so that the soil falls down and fill the void.
- At the end of pelargonium need to pour and set in partial shade.
- After 7 days, rearrange the flower in a well-lit room.
Thus, we looked at how to grow room geranium from seeds in our own home. This is a simple but very important matter. It is important to prepare all the fixtures, choose a high-quality substrate and pot. But the most important thing is to regularly take care of young plants in order to get a beautiful and healthy plant afterwards.
