How to cut geraniums in spring?
Despite the fact that geranium is by nature a perennial plant, experienced growers recommend rejuvenating the flower every two years, or even more often. This is due to the fact that the older the bush becomes, the higher the leaves are. So that the compact bush "with age" does not turn into a long stick with leaves on top, in spring geraniums are cut. In addition, the easiest way to propagate a flower is by cuttings.
Cutting in spring or fall?
Geranium it takes root very well, but it is best to do it in the spring, when the sap flow is most active. Some varieties are able to take root within two weeks of cutting. Autumn cuttings are also suitable for propagation, but then the process takes twice as long.
Another advantage of spring cuttings is that during the winter the plants stretch out from lack of light and become not very beautiful. Using cuttings, you can quickly rejuvenate geraniums.
How to cut a stalk?
From the mother plant, choose a healthy stalk with 3 internodes. Use a sharp knife to cut off a shoot no more than 7 cm long (at a right angle).
If there are arrows with buds, they must be cut off, otherwise the stalk will die without rooting.
Put the cut cutting in a dark place for several hours so that the cut site dries up. Then sprinkle it with Kornevin or crushed activated carbon.
Planting a cutting
Fill a small pot or plastic glass with holes in the bottom with nutrient soil mixed with sand and neutral acidity. If garden soil is used, spill it with boiling water or potassium permanganate solution for neutralization.
Deepen the cutting into the ground by 2 cm, while cutting off all the leaves at the bottom of the shoot. You can cover the glass with foil for a couple of days so that the stalk will more easily survive the change in habitat, but this is not necessary. It is necessary to water the seedling as the top layer of the soil dries out, preventing water from getting on the leaves. Better to do this in a pallet.
During the rooting process, the lower leaves may dry out - this is a natural process. The signs of successful rooting are the appearance of young leaves.
Transplanting rooted cuttings
Young shrubs of pelargonium are transplanted into pots with a diameter of 12 cm.When watering, it is important not to flood the plant, otherwise it can rot from an excess of moisture. Geranium, obtained by spring cuttings, is pinched three times. Cut off the tops in early summer to stimulate lateral shoots and form a compact shrub. At the end of summer, shoots over 5 cm are pinched for the second time, and the buds are also removed. And in the middle of winter, for a more lush flowering, pinch the tops of all branches.