Summer borders are overflowing with Hardy Geraniums’ vibrant and fluffy foliage.
Geraniums can be grown from seeds without any additional techniques. The majority of seed composts are appropriate, but we like a blend of grit, sieved sterile loam, and sieved peat, along with 2 oz (57 gm) of calcium superphosphate and 3/4 oz (21 gm) of lime per 1 bushel (36 L) of compost. Ripe seed should be sown on a firm surface and covered with 1/4 inch (6 mm) of coarse grit and a thin layer of compost. Using clay pots filled to the rim with grit and placed in a shaded area works best for keeping the compost from drying out completely. Seed may be sown in the spring or autumn, with the greatest germination flush anticipated in the late spring. When the first true leaves appear, seedlings should be transplanted into a loam- or peat-based compost. They can also be left in the seed pan for a few more weeks while receiving liquid fertilizer every two weeks.
The young plants can be placed outside in the garden once they have developed a strong root system. A year after germination, most species flower, but others, like G. pratense, require two. For all species, it takes one or two more growing seasons for the plants to reach their full potential.
When do geranium seeds get planted?
For spring flowering plants, geranium seeds should be sown in early- to mid-February.
For many years, geraniums have been a common choice for bedding plants. Cuttings are a frequent way to grow plants. Geraniums can, however, also be raised from seeds. Hybrid geraniums that are grown from seeds have great vigor, heat tolerance, disease resistance, and free blooming.
Growing geraniums from seeds is not too difficult. Geranium seedlings, however, develop slowly. For spring flowering plants, geranium seeds should be sown in early- to mid-February. Approximately 13 to 15 weeks after seeding, flowers begin to bloom. Geraniums from the Elite, Orbit, Maverick, and Multibloom Series are recommended for Iowa. A series is a collection of closely related types that share similar traits like height, spread, and flowering behavior. The only trait that typically varies within a series is the color of the flowers.
Jiffy Mix and Redi-earth are two great soilless mixtures that work well as germination media. Geranium seedling damping-off can be a significant issue during germination. Different species of fungi attack the seedlings and kill them, which is what causes damping-off. Containers used to start seeds should be spotless and have sufficient drainage to deter this. Prior to disinfection, previously used containers should be cleaned in soapy water and dipped into a solution of one part chlorine bleach to nine parts water.
The germination media should be poured into the container to within 1/2 to 1 inch of the top. Lightly firm the medium, completely wet it, and then give it some time to drain. Rows of seeds should be 2 to 3 inches apart, and the medium should cover the seeds by about 1/8 inch. After planting, thoroughly hydrate the soil by immersing the container in water only partially. Remove the container from the water after the surface is damp, then let it drain. The media can alternatively be hydrated with a gentle water spray from a sprinkler made of a rubber bulb or a similar tool.
Use clear plastic food wrap or a clear plastic dome to cover the container to maintain a constant moisture level during the germination process. Place the container in a well-lit area away from the sun. If the covered container is placed in the direct sun, there could be an excessive accumulation of heat. When germination is taking place, the medium’s temperature should be between 70 and 75 degrees F. The seeds should start to sprout in seven to ten days at the right temperature and moisture content.
As soon as the seeds start to germinate, remove the plastic covering. Put the seedlings in a window with natural light or under a light fixture. Fluorescent lights should be turned on for 12 to 16 hours a day and placed no higher than 4 to 6 inches above the seedlings. When the seedlings develop their first true set of leaves, transplant them into separate containers using a well-drained commercial potting mix. Handle the little seedlings by their leaves since the fragile, delicate stems are easy to break. When transplanting, place seedlings at the base of the seed leaves (cotyledons).
Grow seedlings under fluorescent lights for the greatest outcomes. One 40-watt cool white and one 40-watt warm white fluorescent tube can be used in a conventional fluorescent shop light. Due to little light, plants grown in windows frequently grow tall and spindly. Geraniums prefer daytime temperatures of 70 to 75 degrees and nighttime temperatures of 60 to 65 degrees. When the soil surface is completely dry to the touch, water the geraniums thoroughly. Fertilization is probably not required if using a potting mix that is sold commercially and has a slow-release fertilizer. For potting mixes without a slow-release fertilizer, applying a diluted fertilizer solution once every two weeks should be adequate.
Before putting the plants in the garden, harden or acclimatize them to the outdoors for seven to 10 days. First, plant the geraniums in a sheltered, shaded area. Then progressively subject the plants to extended sun exposure times. When there is no longer a chance of a frost, plant the geraniums outside. Early May is typically a good time to grow geraniums outside in central Iowa.
Can I still sow geranium seeds?
For blossoming in late April and early May, sow your geranium seeds in the middle to late month of December. As an alternative, a mid- to late-May sowing should result in flowers. You can plant your seeds in the fall and simply overwinter the young plants to really jumpstart the growing season the following year. If you need some advice, watch our video on how to overwinter geraniums.
It takes geranium seeds 18 to 20 weeks to reach maturity and begin to bloom. This is affected by the season in which the seeds are sown, as well as by temperature and light conditions.
How are seeds for perennial geraniums planted?
- Take 4- to 6-inch cuttings slightly above a leaf node from the growing tips of your geraniums. The stem needs to be adaptable.
- Leave the stem with no more than two or three leaves. There should be no leaves at the base of the stem.
- Put the cutting in a glass or opaque vase filled with lukewarm water.
- Put the cuttings on a sunny windowsill so they can grow roots.
- Once or twice a week, or anytime it starts to look discolored, change the water.
- When the roots are 2 to 3 inches long, plant the cuttings in separate pots.
Growing Cranesbill Geranium from Seed
When planting cranesbill geraniums in the fall, spread the seeds over the ground and gently rake them in. In the spring, the seeds will grow and germination.
Cranesbill seeds require cold stratification, so unless you subject them to cold temperatures for 60 days, you cannot save the seeds and plant them in the spring. This can be accomplished by combining them with wet sand and storing them in the fridge for 60 days. The seeds can then be started indoors in seed starting trays or pots or planted outdoors in the spring.
Hardy geraniums should be planted when?
Among the most common garden perennials are hardy geraniums, sometimes known as cranesbills. And it’s clear why. They require little care and maintenance, are hardy, easy to grow, and tolerant of a variety of environmental factors.
The bloom color ranges from vibrant to subdued violet, blue, pink, magenta, and white hues, and many have appealing veining in a stronger, contrasting hue. Throughout the summer and well into autumn, several types flower nonstop for months at a time, and some even begin blooming as early as late April. When in bloom, the flowers, which are typically rather small, are produced in such great quantities that they almost completely cover the plants.
Numerous species’ hand-like foliage, which exhibits varied quilting, veining, and color blotching, is also very appealing in and of itself. Additionally, because many of the popularly cultivated kinds are low-growing, they make wonderful ground cover plants due to their dense, carpet-like leaf.
They should not be mistaken with the very similarly related pelargoniums, which aren’t and are primarily used as summer bedding plants, as they are cold- and frost-hardy.
Cultivation
There are kinds that can thrive in direct sunlight, light shade, and even pretty deep shadow. They generally thrive in early morning and late afternoon sun, while some, like Geranium sanguineum and Geranium pratense and their variants, grow well in full light as long as the soil has enough moisture.
Hardy geranium varieties
There is at least one hardy geranium for every garden, every gardener, and every circumstance as there are about 70 species and 700 types to choose from!
Here are the top 10 items that the Royal Horticultural Society suggests:
- Ann Folkard, geranium
- (Cinereum Group) Ballerina named Geranium
- Clarkei Kashmir White Geranium
- Red geraniums
- Theodora Mavis Simpson
- Ingersoll Orion
- The Mrs. Kendall Clark geranium
- Wageningen’s Geranium x oxonianum
- Renardii geranium
- Jolly Bee and Geranium Rozanne (Gerwat)
Planting hardy geraniums
Hardy geraniums can be planted at any time of year, but planting in the fall or winter will ensure that the plants take root effectively and provide an abundance of flowers in their first season. For planting from late autumn to late winter, mail-order vendors often offer bare-rooted plants.
Make a hole that is sufficiently large to readily fit the rootball. Fork in a layer of organic material, such as compost or planting compost, at the bottom of the hole.
Place the rootball in the planting hole, adjusting the planting depth until the rootball’s top is level with the soil and the rootball is planted at the same depth as it was growing initially.
Fill the planting hole with the excavated soil after adding more organic matter to it. To maintain soil moisture and aid in weed control, thoroughly water the area around the tree, then sprinkle a granular general feed over the surrounding soil. Finally, put a 5-7.5cm (2-3in) deep mulch of well-rotted garden compost or bark chips around the tree’s root area.
How to care for hardy geraniums
The majority of hardy geraniums are undemanding, low-maintenance plants.
When the weather is dry during the first year, water thoroughly. To maintain healthy plant growth in succeeding years, watering may be required during extended dry spells.
Late spring mulching around the plants will assist retain soil moisture and control weed growth.
Plants may start to seem messy with sloppy growth after the first early flush of blossoms has faded. After the initial flowering, the majority benefit from a trim to freshen the foliage and promote more blooms. To get rid of the outdated, messy growth, just cut the plants with a pair of shears or secateurs, or more forcefully if necessary, to a height of 5-7.5cm (2-3in) above the ground.
Then feed them with a liquid plant food to promote new growth and additional flowering flushes. After each flowering, pruning and fertilizing can be done again to extend the flowering season of many kinds well into the fall.
With the arrival of colder weather in late autumn, most geraniums’ foliage will start to fade. If you trim the plants’ leftover stems and leaves, they’ll grow new, fresh growth the following spring.
Over time, hardy geranium plants expand, spread, and form enormous clumps. These can be chopped into halves or quarters with a sharp spade. This can be done in the spring when they begin to grow or in the autumn. Every three to five years, divide them to maintain good growth and flowering.
How long do geranium seeds take to sprout?
- Put moistened potting soil into your pots or planting cells. A size of roughly 2-3″ is good. You will eventually need to “pot up” your seedlings. In other words, once they have around three sets of leaves and the roots have filled the beginning pot, you will transplant them to a larger pot. Despite the fact that starting with a bigger pot might seem sensible, it is not. Close quarters seem to benefit seedlings.
- One tiny seed should be placed in each pot, and it should be covered with a thin layer of moistened soil. Put a piece of plastic wrap over the pots or, if using a seed starting, place the transparent cover on top.
- Put the entire setup in a warm location with strong, indirect light. Consider placing geranium seeds on top of a refrigerator or using a Heat Mat as 75 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal temperature for germination. If the soil surface becomes dry, sprinkle it with water using a mister.
- Keep an eye out for germination, which can occur in as little as three days or as long as four. Remove the covering as soon as you notice the first green sprouts, and if the soil appears dry, wet it.
- Place the little plants in a location that receives plenty of sunlight and has temperatures that don’t drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night and in the 70s during the day. Grow lights are preferred even though you can grow them on a bright, south-facing window. As the plants grow, make adjustments to keep the bulbs no higher than 6″ above them. Twelve to sixteen hours a day, keep the lights on.
- At this point, you should start fertilizing once a week with liquid fertilizer that has been diluted in half.
- Transfer the seedlings to a 3-1/2″ to 4″ pot once they have three sets of leaves. Self-watering Pop Out Pots are ideal, but anything up to 4″ will do.
This allows the roots to spread even more, according to Valerie. “Additionally, there is more room between the plants, allowing air to circulate. Plants that are overcrowded are more prone to illness.” Use caution while recycling old soil because it may contain pests and diseases. Use new potting soil, such as our sterile, freely draining Transplant Mix. Continue fertilizing the seedlings, but make sure to mix it thoroughly and use the appropriate amount per packet. Valerie comments, “I prefer our Plant Health Care fertilizer.
- It’s time to “harden off” the seedlings once it’s no longer frosty outside. Simply acclimating plants to outside circumstances is hardening off. Indoor seedlings have been spoiled; you’ve been providing them with the ideal conditions for light, moisture, and nutrients. With changing temperatures, light levels, soil moisture, and wind, outside circumstances are more difficult. Start hardening off the seedlings a week before you intend to plant them in the garden. For a few hours, keep them in a safe outdoor location (partially shaded, away from the wind), then bring them inside at night. Expose them to greater and more sunlight and wind over the course of a week to ten days.