How to grow geraniums from seed at home. Growing pelargonium from seed at home: instructions and tips

Soil preparation

IMPORTANT: Pelargonium prefers a light nutrient soil, which well passes water and air to the roots of the plant. For germinating seeds, you can use ready-made store soil or make it yourself.

There are several options:

mix in equal proportions peat, sand, humus and compost;
connect two parts of garden land with one part of peat and sand;
dilute peat with perlite in a 1: 1 ratio.

Before sowing the seeds, the prepared substrate must be disinfected.to avoid further infection of pelargonium. To do this, it is calcined for several minutes in the oven.

For soil treatment, you can use high-quality fungicides or manganese. Then landing should be postponed for one day.

To grow pelargonium quickly and without problems, you need to select and prepare planting material. When selecting seeds, special attention should be paid to the following features:

If the planting material has all these qualities, then it can be purchased. You should not choose seeds that have the following characteristics:

small;
oblate
deformed;
covered with spots of different colors.

The seeds of some types of Pelargonium, especially the Ileum, do not germinate for 2–3 months. It is necessary to remember this and not stop caring for crops.

To maximize the time of germination, the procedure of scarification. It consists in removing part of the seed coat to provide nutrient access. This requires:

Take a fine-grained or medium-grained sandpaper. It will help to remove the surface layer without traumatic tears.
Slowly rub the seed 2-3 times on sandpaper with a rotating motion.

How to plant? For planting seeds and the successful cultivation of seedlings at home will need a greenhouse. This can be a regular box for seedlings, which is covered with a plastic bag, a food tray with a transparent lid, or a plastic bottle cut in the middle. In order to provide air access, small holes must be made in the film or cover.

Sowing at home:

Put the boxes of crops in a warm room in which the temperature stays around 22-24 ° C. Watering the seeds is necessary as the soil dries..

We grow in peat tablets

How to grow out at home in peat tablets? Take pills of medium size. Spread them in a deep container and soak them in warm water so that they increase in size by about 6 times. Place the grain in a special recess and slightly close the peat from the tablet. After that, cover the container with film or glass and put in a warm place. The first shoots will appear after a week and a half.

Watch a video about sowing pelargonium seeds in peat tablets:

Choosing the "right" pot

For the germination of pelargonium small compact pots or trays 3 cm deep are suitable. You can purchase containers in special shops or make them yourself.

For growing use boxes or pots. The pot in which there will be a flower is selected according to the size of the root system. Transplanting is done only when the plant becomes crowded. (for more information on how to transplant and root pelargonium, you can find out). It is advisable to use clay pots. They are well breathable and absorb moisture. You can use plastic pots, but they do not allow air to pass through and can lead to stagnation of excess water. This can lead to rotting and roots.

If it is possible to prepare the substrate for growing independently, then it should be used. In the purchased soil, seedlings appear later, saplings are weaker, the bush forms thin or excessively thick stems, the flowering of the plant is scanty.

Favorable conditions for the cultivation of pelargonium from seeds:

Pelargonium seeds germinate within 2-14 days from planting. Terry varieties with germination can linger up to 1 month.

Water properly

Improper watering can cause illness and even death of young plants.

Useful tips:

Do not excessively moisten the soil.. This leads to blackleg - a disease that is rapidly developing and destroying seedlings. To avoid this, in the tanks for planting it is necessary to make a drainage layer and holes for drainage of excess water.
Watering required. Seedlings are watered as the soil dries, trying not to fill them. After picking in separate containers, plants are watered no more than twice a week. In winter, the frequency of watering is reduced to once every seven days.

The first time fed pelargonium two weeks after the picks. To do this, use fertilizers for flowering plants rich in potassium and phosphorus. Periodic feedings - once every two weeks. In winter, feeding is stopped. More information about how to feed pelargonium, you can find out.

Watch a video about watering and feeding seed pelargonium seedlings:

Pelargonium or geranium is a flower that is very easy to care for. It will decorate not only the room, but also a balcony, terrace or garden. At home, to grow such pelargonium as in the photo can be from seeds.

Features of the cultivation of pelargonium

It should immediately make a reservation that only zone geranium can be grown from seed. Other species breed slightly differently.

Pelargonium seed selection

To avoid possible mistakes, you need to carefully select and prepare planting material. When choosing seeds should pay special attention to the following points:

1. Color. Quality pelargonium seeds have a rich brown color. Slight haze and slight shade is allowed.

2. Form. The developed seeds are oblong, on their sides insignificant depressions are visible.

Size 3. Planting material is quite large.

4. The shell. Pelargonium seeds are characterized by a dense leathery shell.

If the planting material has all these qualities, then it can be purchased. It is worth refusing to buy small, flattened, deformed or stained seeds. From planting such material can not expect a good result.

Pre-planting seed treatment

As already mentioned, geranium seeds have a dense shell, making it difficult to germinate. Sometimes seedlings have to wait quite a long time, and the seeds still do not germinate. The reason for failure in improper treatment of seeds before planting or its absence.

Before planting, geranium seeds must undergo scarification - a procedure for removing a thick film. Independently carry out this procedure is easy. For this you will need fine sandpaper. With its help, only the upper dense layer is removed from the seeds, and no deep gaps remain.

It is necessary to process each seed separately, rubbing it on sandpaper several times.

Selection of soil for growing pelargonium from seeds

Geranium prefers a light nutritional mixture, which passes water and air to the roots of the plant well. For germinating seeds, you can use ready-made store soil or make it yourself. There are several options:

Mix in equal proportions peat, sand, humus and compost;

Connect two parts of garden land with one part of peat and sand;

Dilute peat with perlite in a 1: 1 ratio.

If it is possible to prepare the substrate for growing independently, then it should be used. In the purchase of soil seedlings appear later, saplings are weaker, the bush forms thin stems, flowering is scanty.

Before sowing seeds, the prepared substrate should be disinfected to avoid further infection of the flower. To do this, roast it a few minutes in the oven.

Tip! For soil treatment, you can use high-quality fungicides or manganese. But landing should be postponed for a day.

The most favorable time for sowing seeds is February or March. If you sow pelargonium later, the plant is strongly drawn out and blooms only after 9 months.

Sowing Pelargonium Seeds

Seeds are sown in shallow pots or bowls, the height of which does not exceed 3 cm. If there are no special containers, then trays from semi-finished products and any improvised packaging will do.

The containers are filled with substrate and sprinkled with plenty of water, then left to warm. The recommended soil temperature is 21-22 degrees.

Prepared geranium seeds are soaked in warm water for three hours, which contributes to the emergence of seedlings. Further, they are laid out on the surface of the soil, slightly pressing into the ground. Sprinkle the seeds with a thin layer of loose substrate.

Landings covered with glass or plastic bag, take out to a well-lit place where the temperature does not fall below 20 degrees.

Important! After one or two weeks, when shoots appear, the containers need to be gradually opened. From this point you need to monitor the soil moisture.

Pelargonium care after germination

In order for the plants to grow healthy and strong, they form a beautiful bush, you need to take good care of them. Geranium needs timely watering, dressing, soil loosening, warm climates, pick picking and pinching.

Watering and feeding

A frequent mistake of beginning flower growers is excessive soil moistening, which leads to an insidious disease - a black leg. It develops very quickly and destroys all saplings. To avoid this, it is necessary to make a drainage layer in the tanks for planting and the holes for the drainage of excess water.

In addition, the irrigation mode is also important. Seedlings are watered as the soil dries, trying not to fill them. After picking in separate containers, plants are watered no more than twice a week. In winter, the frequency of watering is reduced to once every seven days.

Geranium is fed for the first time two weeks after the picking. To do this, use fertilizers for flowering plants rich in potassium and phosphorus, for example, Agricola.

Periodic feedings - once every two weeks. In winter, the cortex is stopped.

Lighting and air temperature

When caring for young seedlings, you need to remember about their need for light. It is better to arrange capacities with seedling on east or western windows. On the south side, shading from direct sunlight, which in winter can damage delicate foliage, is required.

In the period of active growth and the formation of shoots geranium should be covered for at least 16 hours. If there is not enough natural light, then in the evening they organize extra lighting. In the summer, flower pots are carried out on the balcony, terrace or garden.

In the room where pelargonium is grown, it is necessary to maintain the optimum temperature. It should be at the level of 20-25 degrees. In winter, an adult plant can withstand a short temperature drop of up to 10 degrees. But for young shoots such fluctuations are destructive.

Pelargonium Picks and Pinching

In order for the plant to have a developed root system, it must be grown in separate containers.

Pick up seedlings carried out after the appearance of two true leaves. For further cultivation choose narrow and high pots, with a diameter of about 10 cm. If the seedlings are a little stretched, then they can be slightly buried in the ground.

In order for geranium to have a beautiful bush shape and not stretch out, it must be regularly pinned.

The first pinching is carried out after the fifth true leaf. In the future, the flower is regularly pruned in spring and autumn, while all weak and thin shoots are cut. Forming a bush stop for 1.5 months before flowering. Geranium blooms in room conditions three to four months after planting. The photo shows the nip places.

As you can see, the cultivation and care of pelargonium is quite simple. It is enough to surround the saplings with care, and multicolored hats will soon appear on the windowsill. If desired, in May, pelargonium can be planted on a flower bed, where it will delight with flowering all summer. Before the onset of frost, the flower is transplanted back into the pot and brought into the room.

Pelargonium zone - a bright and useful pot plant. It will not only decorate the beds, but also scare away various pests.

In my apartment I grow dozens of a wide variety of potted crops. One of the key places on my window sill is geranium, despite the controversial opinion of this plant in floriculture. Loved this flower for the need for minimal care and prolonged flowering.

Every spring I plant new varieties, preferring the seed method of reproduction. In the article I want to talk about how to grow seeds with geraniums.

Geranium is a popular ornamental plant, which has been cultivated as a pot culture since the 15th century. Belongs to the family Geranium, the birthplace of the flower - South Africa. From a botanical point of view, it is an annual or perennial herb, the height of the stem can be up to 60 cm. The leaves are very soft, villous, have a palmate-lobed shape.

Each flower consists of 5 petals, they are collected in bulk inflorescences. Depending on the type of geranium flowers can be double, simple or smooth. The most popular varieties with white, red or blue color of the petals. Flowering can last up to several months.

Geranium has long been used as a medicinal plant, it releases substances that have disinfecting properties and help relieve pain. In medicine, used extract and oil of geranium. The leaves of the plant are widely used in cooking.

Types and varieties

About 400 varieties of geranium are known, all of them are distinguished by the characteristics of the bush, the color of the petals and the duration of flowering. The following types of plant are popular flower growers:

Ampelnaya. Used for planting in hanging pots; it has long formed shoots hanging down;
Fragrant. It has the most pronounced aroma, the shades of which may differ depending on the variety;
Zonal. Petals are colored in several colors that have a clear zoning;
Sadovaya. It is grown up in an open ground, unpretentious and frost-resistant plant for a garden.

The color of geranium flowers is striking in its diversity. Almost all colors are displayed, with the exception of yellow and blue. Work on the selection of new varieties and hybrids is underway to this day.

Site selection and conditions of detention

To achieve abundant flowering and harmonious growth of the plant, it is important to create the right conditions for its maintenance. Key points for growing geraniums:

the plant belongs to the light-loving crops, a pot of geraniums is better placed on the southern windowsill. Direct exposure to sunlight can cause burns on the leaves, so it is advisable to carry out a shelter during the day. With a lack of light, the leaves shallow, the flowers are formed small;
geranium feels comfortable in a wide range of temperatures from 12 to 25 o C, so in the summer the plant can be taken out to the loggia and balcony;
for planting any suitable soil suitable for ornamental plants. It should be well aerated light, able to pass water. If you create the soil yourself, you can mix garden soil, sand and peat in equal proportions;
the pot must correspond to the age of the plant and the volume of the root system. In large tanks, the development of vegetative parts slows down. At the bottom there should be a hole to drain excess water;
humidity does not affect the condition of the plant, the need for water is compensated by regular watering, it is not recommended to spray the leaves even during the heating season.

All parts of the geranium exude a specific aroma, so if you are sensitive to odors, it is not recommended to keep the plant pot in the bedroom or kitchen.

When to sow

Planting geranium seeds at home can be done at any time. Florists recommend working from November to April, but it is important to bear in mind that seedlings need a lot of light for development, so they need to be replenished in the winter. The optimal landing time is the second half of March or the beginning of April, when daylight hours increase. However, due to the simplicity of plants, geraniums can be planted at home at any time.

Preparing for landing

Before starting work, prepare the soil, seeds and capacity for planting. Geranium can be grown in an individual pot or a long and narrow container for group planting. Before sowing, the soil and container should be treated with a 1% solution of potassium permanganate to avoid the development of infections; this is especially important if you are preparing the substrate yourself.

If you have a varietal rather than a hybrid geranium at home, after the flowering is over, you can wait for the fruit to form and collect the seeds for planting. It is better to use purchased seed as it does not lead to the loss of varietal qualities. Before planting, the seeds should be lightly treated with abrasive material for scarification, and immediately on the day of sowing, soak them for 3 hours in a warm solution of growth stimulant (Appin, Zircon, Kornevin and others). To avoid root rot after processing, it is recommended to dry them with a paper towel or handkerchief.

Seed sowing process

Features planting geranium seeds in the house may vary depending on the selected capacity and microclimate in the room. The main stages of work:

At the bottom of the pot put claydite or pebbles with a layer up to 3 cm as a drainage system.
Fill the container with soil, spray the surface of the substrate with warm water and wait for the earth to warm up to 20-22 o C.
On the surface of the substrate, make small holes with a finger at intervals of 3-5 cm. If you use an individual pot, make a hole exactly in the center.
Seeds deepen the planting hole to a depth of 1 cm. Sprinkle with a layer of soil and pour plenty of warm water.
Cover planting with film or glass to create harmonious conditions for the development of seedlings.
Put the container with the seedlings in a warm and well-lit place with a day length of 12 hours.

During the entire period of sprout appearance, it is necessary to open a shelter for airing the soil. In addition, the substrate should be monitored for moisture - it should not dry out or be too wet. The first shoots appear after 10-14 days from the moment of planting, for some varieties the time can be up to 30 days. At this point, you can remove the covering material, and then carefully loosen the soil.

If you use a common container for receiving seedlings, pickling into separate containers is carried out when 2 true leaves are formed on the plants. Regardless of the method of planting, after the formation of 5 sheets of seedlings need to pinch, thus avoiding the strong branching of the bush in the future.

Geranium care

The flower was loved by flower growers not only for the decorativeness of leaves and inflorescences, but also for the unique simplicity of the plant. To achieve abundant flowering and comfortable growth at home, follow the simple rules of care:

maintain constant lighting, do not place geranium in a dark place;
watering should be moderate, the regime depends on the stage of vegetation. In winter, water procedures should be limited; in summer, geraniums are watered 1-2 times a week, depending on temperature. It is not allowed to overmoisten the roots; spraying is not recommended;
geranium practically does not need additional feeding. To enhance growth during the active growing season, starting from the beginning of spring, you can use universal liquid fertilizers for flowering plants with a high content of humate. They are made 1 time in 3 weeks until the beginning of winter;
in the spring you need to check the compliance volume of the geranium and the pot Transfer by transfer is carried out as the plant grows and develops.

To avoid the growth of the bush in the volume and development of diseases, the leaves should be regularly pinned. First of all, remove the weak and deformed parts. In the spring can be done and decorative trimming. For this purpose, pinch all the old and large leaf blades, shoots, leaving only the young leaves.

Geranium is one of the most unpretentious plants for growing in an apartment. The flower almost does not need care, it is easy to grow and propagate. There is a wide variety variety on sale, due to which almost any kind of geranium can be grown at home.

Features of the cultivation of pelargonium

It should immediately make a reservation that only zone geranium can be grown from seed. Other species breed slightly differently.

Pelargonium seed selection

To avoid possible mistakes, you need to carefully select and prepare planting material. When choosing seeds should pay special attention to the following points:

1. Color. Quality pelargonium seeds have a rich brown color. Slight haze and slight shade is allowed.

2. Form. The developed seeds are oblong, on their sides insignificant depressions are visible.

Size 3. Planting material is quite large.

4. The shell. Pelargonium seeds are characterized by a dense leathery shell.

Pre-planting seed treatment

It is necessary to process each seed separately, rubbing it on sandpaper several times.

Selection of soil for growing pelargonium from seeds

Mix in equal proportions peat, sand, humus and compost;

Connect two parts of garden land with one part of peat and sand;

Dilute peat with perlite in a 1: 1 ratio.

Before sowing seeds, the prepared substrate should be disinfected to avoid further infection of the flower. To do this, roast it a few minutes in the oven.

Tip! For soil treatment, you can use high-quality fungicides or manganese. But landing should be postponed for a day.

The most favorable time for sowing seeds is February or March. If you sow pelargonium later, the plant is strongly drawn out and blooms only after 9 months.

Sowing Pelargonium Seeds

Seeds are sown in shallow pots or bowls, the height of which does not exceed 3 cm. If there are no special containers, then trays from semi-finished products and any improvised packaging will do.

The containers are filled with substrate and sprinkled with plenty of water, then left to warm. The recommended soil temperature is 21-22 degrees.

Landings covered with glass or plastic bag, take out to a well-lit place where the temperature does not fall below 20 degrees.

Important! After one or two weeks, when shoots appear, the containers need to be gradually opened. From this point you need to monitor the soil moisture.

Pelargonium care after germination

Watering and feeding

Geranium is fed for the first time two weeks after the picking. To do this, use fertilizers for flowering plants rich in potassium and phosphorus, for example, Agricola.

Periodic feedings - once every two weeks. In winter, the cortex is stopped.

Lighting and air temperature

Pelargonium Picks and Pinching

In order for the plant to have a developed root system, it must be grown in separate containers.

In order for geranium to have a beautiful bush shape and not stretch out, it must be regularly pinned.

Pelargonium zone - a bright and useful pot plant. It will not only decorate the beds, but also scare away various pests.

Features of the cultivation of pelargonium

It should immediately make a reservation that only zone geranium can be grown from seed. Other species breed slightly differently.

Pelargonium seed selection

To avoid possible mistakes, you need to carefully select and prepare planting material. When choosing seeds should pay special attention to the following points:

1. Color. Quality pelargonium seeds have a rich brown color. Slight haze and slight shade is allowed.

2. Form. The developed seeds are oblong, on their sides insignificant depressions are visible.

Size 3. Planting material is quite large.

4. The shell. Pelargonium seeds are characterized by a dense leathery shell.

Pre-planting seed treatment

It is necessary to process each seed separately, rubbing it on sandpaper several times.

Selection of soil for growing pelargonium from seeds

Mix in equal proportions peat, sand, humus and compost;

Connect two parts of garden land with one part of peat and sand;

Dilute peat with perlite in a 1: 1 ratio.

Before sowing seeds, the prepared substrate should be disinfected to avoid further infection of the flower. To do this, roast it a few minutes in the oven.

Tip! For soil treatment, you can use high-quality fungicides or manganese. But landing should be postponed for a day.

The most favorable time for sowing seeds is February or March. If you sow pelargonium later, the plant is strongly drawn out and blooms only after 9 months.

Sowing Pelargonium Seeds

Seeds are sown in shallow pots or bowls, the height of which does not exceed 3 cm. If there are no special containers, then trays from semi-finished products and any improvised packaging will do.

The containers are filled with substrate and sprinkled with plenty of water, then left to warm. The recommended soil temperature is 21-22 degrees.

Landings covered with glass or plastic bag, take out to a well-lit place where the temperature does not fall below 20 degrees.

Important! After one or two weeks, when shoots appear, the containers need to be gradually opened. From this point you need to monitor the soil moisture.

Pelargonium care after germination

Watering and feeding

Geranium is fed for the first time two weeks after the picking. To do this, use fertilizers for flowering plants rich in potassium and phosphorus, for example, Agricola.

Periodic feedings - once every two weeks. In winter, the cortex is stopped.

Lighting and air temperature

Pelargonium Picks and Pinching

In order for the plant to have a developed root system, it must be grown in separate containers.

In order for geranium to have a beautiful bush shape and not stretch out, it must be regularly pinned.

Pelargonium zone - a bright and useful pot plant. It will not only decorate the beds, but also scare away various pests.