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Types of Geraniums Propagation of Geraniums

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Types of Geraniums Propagation of Geraniums Geraniums Paul A. Thomas Extension Horticulturist eraniums are among the most popular flowering Martha Washington Geranium. The Martha G plants grown in the United States. They are easy Washington or Lady Washington geraniums, to grow and can be used in many types of gardens such Pelargonium x domesticum, are frequently sold by as ground beds, planter boxes, hanging baskets and florists as flowering pot plants during cooler seasons of pots. They are ideal for flanking entrance-ways and the year. The plants are not particularly heat tolerant adding color to border plantings. They attract and typically do not perform as well outdoors in the considerable attention when grown in containers on south as the Common or Ivy-Leaved geraniums. patios or in bal-cony gardens. Species Geraniums. Many Pelargonium species and Potted geraniums have been popular holiday gift items varieties are grown for their fragrant foliage and exotic for years, especially at Easter and on Mother’s Day. leaf shapes. The flowers are typically small and are Some species and varieties also make good indoor plants. often inconspicuous. Lemon, rose, cinnamon, apple, orange and nutmeg are but a few of the scented types Types of Geraniums available. Most of these are grown as indoor plants and are sometimes used as culinary herbs. The plants we commonly call “geraniums”are actually members of the genus Pelargonium (the true geraniums are quite different). The genus is large and Propagation of Geraniums diverse, with approximately 280 species. Although Most cultivated geraniums are tender perennials that are relatively few of these species are commonly culti- treated as annuals because it is easier to start new plants vated, many varieties of certain species are commer- each spring than to carry over and invig-orate old plants. cially produced. Breeding efforts in the past few Most geraniums root easily from stem cuttings, and many decades have resulted in the introduction of many new varieties must be vegetatively propagated to perpetuate and superior varieties. desired characteristics such as flower color, scent and zonal Common Geranium. Probably the most popular pattern. In the past two decades, a number of seed geraniums in the south are the common or zonal propagated varieties have been introduced. Most geraniums geraniums, Pelargonium x hortorum. Many of the sold as bedding plants are seed propagated. varieties have distinct bands or zones of darker leaf Stem cuttings should be 3 to 4 inches long. Strip off pigments. Some of the fancy-leaved zonals have unu- the lower leaves and insert the stem about 1 inch deep in sual leaf markings such as white borders or varied the rooting medium. Coarse sand works well as a rooting colors (tri-color geraniums). Flower color ranges from medium as do any other well-aerated mixes. The rooting white to pink, rose, salmon and vivid red. The geran- medium can be placed in flats or pots. Rooting usually ium flowerhead or cluster, which ranges in diameter takes 3 to 4 weeks. During this time, provide indirect from 3 to 6 inches, is made up of many individual light and do not allow the cuttings to dry. flowers called “florets,” which may be single or double. Seed propagation of geraniums is similar to that of Ivy-Leaved Geranium. Also popular are the ivy- other bedding plants. Geraniums germinate best at leaved geraniums, Pelargonium peltatum. This species approximately 75 degrees F. The medium should be is trailing in habit and well adapted to window boxes porous and sterile (the peat-like artificial soil mixes and hanging baskets. Many varieties are available and work well). Germination occurs in 7 to 10 days. Trans- range from lilac to pink to red. The flower clusters are plant seedlings to small containers as soon as they can typically somewhat smaller but are produced in profu- be handled and begin light fertilization at this time. sion. The foliage is waxy, shiny and ivy-like in appear- ance. The ivy-leaved and zonal geraniums will grow in full sun given adequate moisture, but they generally benefit from light shade in mid-summer. Many home gardeners have neither the time nor the leaves and blooms to dry before nightfall. This will inclination to propagate their own plants, but commer- help prevent disease problems. cial growers propagate cutting and seed-propagated Mulching. Plants benefit from mulches applied geraniums. These are available throughout the spring after the soil warms in the spring. A mulch will reduce and summer in a wide variety of colors in cell-packs high soil temperatures, prevent crusting, improve soil and individual pots. aeration and reduce weeds. A light mulch 1 to 2 inches deep is adequate. Geraniums in Flower Beds Fertilizing. The key to continued geranium flower- Planting Time. Plant geraniums outdoors as soon ing throughout the summer is an adequate fertilization as the danger of frost has passed. The plants should be program. Apply fertilizer evenly around the plants and grown or purchased in 3- to 4-inch pots and should be water into the soil to reduce the danger of soluble salt well branched. injury. An analysis such as 10-10-10 or 8-8-8 can be used at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet (1 tea- Soil Preparation. Geraniums require good soil spoonful per square foot). Avoid putting fertilizer on drainage and good soil aeration. Drainage and aeration the leaves or the stems of geraniums. Geraniums of heavy clay soils, which are found in some parts of require fertilization every 4 to 6 weeks. Slow-release Georgia, can be improved by mixing perlite and fertilizer reduces the need to fertilize so often. organic matter into the soil. If perlite is not available, coarse sand can be substituted. Compost, leaf mold, Pots and Other Containers. Geraniums grown in ground bark, well-rotted manure and peat moss are pots, tubs or urns are ideal for outdoor use. They are ideal sources of organic matter. often placed on a patio, near an entrance or on stair- Place 3 to 4 inches of a 50/50 mixture (by volume) ways and landings where they add interest, color and or organic matter and perlite on top of the soil and mix variety. Plants can be started outdoors after danger of into the soil to a depth of 8 to 10 inches. Incorporate frost has passed. In northern Georgia, where nights fertilizer and lime at this time to provide the nutrients remain cool, plants should bloom from early spring for good growth. A garden fertilizer such as 5-10-15 or until early fall. In south Georgia, blooming is best 6-12-12 analysis applied at a rate of 2 to 3 pounds per during the cooler part of spring, early summer and late 100 square feet (1 heaping teaspoonful per square foot) fall. In the coastal area, fall growth and blooming can is recommended. Liming is beneficial if the pH of the continue until January if the plants are protected from soil is 5.5 (moderately acid) or below. Geraniums grow occasional frosty nights. best in a mildly acidic soil (pH 6.5). A soil test is the Properly sized pots are essential when growing only means of determining soil pH and the level of geraniums. The ideal container size ranges from 8 to 12 available plant nutrients. In the absence of a soil test, inches in diameter, because containers of this size hold add 2½ pounds of dolomitic lime per 100 square feet (1 enough soil to support a good root system and enough teaspoonful per square foot) to supply calcium and water to prevent wilting during periods of hot weather. magnesium. Plants might eventually need to be repotted in larger Sandy soils usually require addition of organic containers, depending on their growth. For example, matter, fertilizer and lime. Organic matter improves geraniums purchased in 4-inch pots should not be aeration and the water-holding and nutrient-holding transferred to pots larger than 6 to 7 inches. Geraniums capacity of the soil. Mix a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic purchased in 6-inch pots can be transferred to 8- or 10- matter plus the recommended amount of fertilizer and inch pots. Small or young geraniums should remain in lime (see recommendation from the soil test) into the the same pot in which they were purchased until the soil to a depth of 8 to 10 inches. roots begin to become potbound. Maintaining enough moisture in the pot is difficult after plants become Watering. Water small, potted geraniums prior to slightly potbound, especially when temperatures are planting to wet the root ball thoroughly; water them high and water loss is heavy due to a large number of again after planting to settle the soil around the roots. leaves. Never allow plants to wilt. If they wilt, the lower leaves will turn yellow and fall, so water the plants at Potting Mixtures. Good water drainage is essential least once each week when rainfall is not sufficient. for potted geraniums to grow properly. If it important Apply enough water to wet the soil to a depth of 10 to to select containers with adequate drainage holes and 12 inches. Water early enough in the day to allow to prepare a suitable soil mixture. Garden soils often lack proper aeration and have a tendency to become 2 waterlogged when watered excessively. These soil Overwintering Geraniums conditions can lead to root rot and, consequently, poor growth. Cuttings. Some gardeners prefer to keep their When using clay soils, prepare a potting mixture geraniums from year to year. Cuttings taken in the containing equal parts of soil, peat moss and perlite by early fall can carry over plants until spring.
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