The Famous Pelargonium. Reproduction

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Modern developments of breeders make it possible to expand the range of pelargonium. For planting in open ground in a flower bed, a lot of planting material with specific colors is required. Buying expensive varieties is not always profitable. It is easier to provide the flower beds with the necessary seedlings ourselves. Let's learn how to breed our favorite pets?

Reproduction

There are 2 breeding methods for pelargonium:

• seed (F1 hybrids);

• vegetative (cuttings).

The first option is more often used by breeders to develop new varieties of geraniums. Thanks to him, the amateur collection is quickly replenished with modern, beautiful pieces.

The second method retains all the characteristics of the mother plant. Allows you to keep the bushes in a neat form, increasing their number.

Seed method

Plants grown from seeds have a number of advantages:

• increased viability, adaptation to growing conditions;

• long, abundant flowering;

• old planting material is being updated;

• collection grows rapidly at low cost;

• varieties appear that are difficult to find in stores.

Purchased seeds are sown in winter (December-February). They are fully prepared for landing and do not require additional operations.

Home-harvested seeds must be rubbed with sandpaper or a file before embedding in the soil in order to break the thick shell. Soak in growth stimulants (epin, zircon) for 3 hours.

A mixture of sand and peat is poured into a container with drainage holes. The grains are laid out on the surface, lightly sprinkling them with earth on top. Moisten from a spray bottle, cover with glass or film. Placed on a window protected from direct sunlight. Ventilate daily to reduce condensation.

The germination process is long, uneven, it can take 2, 5-4 weeks. Gradually, the film is removed, accustoming the crops to the conditions of the dry air of the room. The temperature is maintained at 20-22 degrees.

In the phase of 3-4 leaves, they dive in separate cups, trying to disturb the weak root system less. When transplanting, a drainage layer (expanded clay, clay shards) is added to the bottom of a new container.

Early sowing requires mandatory additional lighting so that the plants do not stretch out from lack of light. February dates are more favorable. At the same time, energy costs are significantly reduced.

Cuttings

Uterine plants are used for grafting. In early spring, branches with 3-4 pairs of leaves are cut with a sharp knife. Make a bottom cut at an angle of 45 degrees. The upper 2-3 leaf plates are left, the rest are removed along with the petioles.

For several hours, the cuttings are dried in the air, allowing the slices to be covered with a thin film. Then they are placed in a glass of water to form a root system or immediately planted in a light substrate of perlite or sand. Maintain the temperature at 18-20 degrees.

After 3-4 weeks, real roots appear, the apical bud starts to grow. Which indicates successful rooting. A month later, young plants are transplanted into fertile soil. Use pots with a diameter of 9 cm.

Seedling care

For good tillering, the seedlings are pinched over 5-6 leaves. Water as the earthen coma dries. They are fed 2 times a month with the complex fertilizer "Kemira Lux" at the rate of a tablespoon per bucket of water.

If possible, specimens propagated by seeds and vegetatively are grown in greenhouses.

Favorable conditions are created here:

• good illumination;

• high air humidity;

• limiting temperature no more than 16-18 degrees (prevents stretching of plants);

• large areas of free space;

• a sufficient amount of fresh air.

With this content, the bushes grow strong, stocky, with a powerful root system, a branched aerial part.

We will consider proper care of plants, planting in open ground in the next article.