Learn How to Take Cuttings of Your
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Cranesbill Geraniums
Geraniaceae [Geranium Family]
1. Geraniums: Known as Cranesbills for the beak like seed pods.
2. Native to all continents except Antarctica
3. Single flower has five equal petals
4. Known as perennial geraniums in our climate
5. Flowers range in colour from white to pink, reds, mauve, purple, blue
6. Pick type for sun, shade, sun/shade
7. Pick for size, i.e. border, or garden
8. Hybridize easily, in a Geranium garden, seeds will eventually
sprout with a range of leaves and various colours of flowers
9. When planting, note size of plant when full grown,
account for size and leave room for growth
10. Thought of as perennial plants, but many would not
survive our winters. These are from, Japan, New Zealand,
southern Europe, Canary Islands where winters
are not as cold. If you have plants from these regions,
they must be potted and brought indoors for the winter.
Pelargoniums
(commonly known as geraniums)
Pelargoniums: Known as Storksbills again for the beak like seed pods
.
1. Native to South Africa, the east coast of Africa, the middle east,
Turkey, andAustralia.
2. Known as annual Geraniums in our area.
3. Single flower has two unique upper petals and three smaller lower petals.
4. Flower colours are white, red, pink, orange, some species have yellow flowers
.
5. Zonals: differentiated by size, leaf colouration; Zonals are most common nursery
plants. They may be bought as the “Americana Series”, “Caliope”, “Caliente” or
“Maverick”. Many have a dark zone on the leaf. Leaf may be green, chocolate,
gold, edged in white [Wilhelm Languth], or a tricolour leaf [Skies of Italy]. Also
Stellars with deep cuts in the leaf [Vancouver Centennial], Or white veined leaf
[wantirna]. Many types are no longer carried by nurseries, but collectors may
have the rarer varieties.
6. Zonals have been hybridized to give, single, semi-double, double
and rosebud flowers.
7. There are also mini and dwarf zonals, which have lovely leaves and flowers.
Great for keeping indoors same as people keep African violets.
8. To save plants, pot and bring inside, or take cuttings and grow
inside for the winter.
9. Ivy type: thin stem, ivy like leaves, great for hanging baskets.
10. Regal or Martha Washington: Large blooms with two toned petals.
Bloom when nights are cool.
11. Species; many types of species. P. zonale is the parent of the zonals, P. peltatum
is the parent of the ivies, P. cuculatum is the parent of the Regals. Some like P.
carnosum are succulents.
12. Scented: Scents can be citrus [lime], peppermint [P. tomentosum], spice
[nutmeg], pine [P. denticulatum] Leaves can be used as herbs and flavourings, or
teas.
Erodiums: Heronsbills for their beak like seed pods.
1. Lesser known relatives of Geraniums. Usually grow on gravelly soils on rockyterrain in Mediteranean climates.
2. Great for rock gardens as plants tend to enjoy rocky areas, and plants tens to be smaller.
3. Most are not hardy in our climate. Some species seeds do survive the winter.
4. E. manescavii is one that can grow in our climate. Otherwise save seed, orbring plant in for the winter.
Monsonia: Virtually unknown relative of Geraniums, also has a beak like seedpod. These are small plants that grow in
arid conditions in South Africa. Best considered succulents. No nursery would be growing these.
If you wish to grow them, you would need to find a seed source.
Sarcocaulon: Somewhat similar habitat to Monsonia, but these plants will have
sharp spines on them similar to a cactus.
how to take
Cuttings of Geraniums
used with permission
The best time to take geranium cuttings is in late August before frost threatens, or anytime from mature plants.
Select tips of firm, but not woody growth about 4" long (from healthy plants only).
2. Make a straight cut below a node with a sharp knife or razor blade.
3. Snip off all the leaves and stipules leaving only the terminal bud and one to three leaves.
4. Stick each cutting firmly into a 2 1/2" - 3" pot filled with vermiculite, horticultural sand or a mixture of half soiless mix,
half perlite, or half peat moss, half perlite. (Cuttings will root in water but roots are very brittle.)
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Roots should develop in 2 - 3 weeks.
Water thoroughly and place in a bright but not sunny location. If cuttings appear wilted mist often or cover with plastic tent for a few days, uncovering often to avoid high humidity. Water until the surface feels dry to the touch.
When roots fill the pot, transplant to the next larger size using potting mix to which some perlite or sand has been
added for extra drainage. Charcoal and oyster shell may be added to promote strong plant development. (Two tablespoons of each to a 4" pot.)
Geraniums thrive in a sunny window (min. 4 hours of direct sun daily - temp. 650 - 750 by day and 550 -600 at night).
Allow soil surface to dry slightly between thorough waterings.
Fertilize only when actively growing - to promote plant growth use a balanced fertilizer e.g. 20-20-20. Later on use 15-
15-15 or 15-30-15.
If the plant tends to grow straight up, pinch off the top or the growing tip so that it will branch out.
Geraniums grow well under fluorescent lights placed at 3 to 6 inches above the top of the plant for 14 to 16 hours a day.
They will need more frequent watering and fertilizing.