Geranium Blog

Geranium Blog Set For Wild Gardening Frenzy

I'm completely manic with new geranium projects this spring:

• Set up fluorescent light for rooting and seed growing
• Super tough scented geraniums - I'm developing a list of scented geraniums that gardeners in desert cities can count on. Stay tuned for these sizzling recommendations.
• My little online store is now operational. Drop by Sunshine Hill Gardens for scented geranium seeds and cuttings. I've got canna rhizomes, too!
• Scented geranium leaf gallery - 'nuff said.
• In the name of better organization, some of the articles on Scented Geraniums will be moving to the Geranium Blog over the next few days.
• And how about an update on Gracie the Grackle?
• Plus more, more, MORE preying mantids, deformed vegetables, desert tortoise antics, new scented geraniums and lovely pictures.

Starting Coconut Geranium From Seed

The seeds of Pelargonium grossularioides are tiny. The easiest way to grow them is to sprinkle them on the surface of your pre-moistened growing medium. Mist the surface to bring the seeds into full contact with the soil. Place your seed tray (or pot or margarine bowl) into the magical high-tech greenhouse known as a ziploc bag. No more watering while you wait for your seeds to "hatch".

Coconut geranium seeds are the small dark dots.

Before planting, I soaked my seed tray in water
until the Jiffy Mix was totally wetted.

After sprinkling the seeds, I sprayed the surface with water to make
sure the seeds are in good contact with the surface.

A ziploc bag makes an effective and inexpensive greenhouse.

Nursery Report

Fuzzy babies of Pelargonium 'Chocolate Mint' celebrate
spring with new growth and even some buds.

It has been 2 months since I started rooting some cuttings from my scented geranium plants. I started out with 12 starts each of Lime, Citrosa, Chocolate Mint, Dr. Livingstone, Brilliant, Ginger, and Nutmeg. I also had 4 volunteer seedlings of Coconut and took 8 cuttings from a Coconut runner.

So how are they doing?

Mostly - very well! I still have 12 babies each of Lime, Citrosa, Chocolate Mint, Dr. Livingstone, and Ginger. Also 11 Brilliant, 6 Coconut, and 3 Nutmeg.

Of the Coconut, the four seedlings are healthy and strong, but the cuttings from the runner never really seemed to get going. Only 2 remain. Nutmeg also was difficult. These cuttings took cold spells harder than the others. I expect that when I try to root some new cuttings in warmer temperatures, they will do fine.

March Geranium To Do List

March certainly did arrive like a lion, but I now feel confident of Spring's imminent arrival. Might as well do something constructive while enjoying the opportunity to get outside in nice weather! Here is my list of garden tasks for scented geraniums across the southern United States:

• Pruning and clean-up should be complete. If not, get busy! Remove any dead or unhealthy leaves and stems.
• Root cuttings from your prunings. You can ensure that you always have a lovely gift plant ready for the right occasion and prevent the tragic unexpected loss of a beloved plant by having backups.
• Repot or transplant as needed. If not repotting, add a bit of fresh potting soil to the pot to replace any soil that has washed out over time.
• Fertilize! Your pelargoniums need a boost of good nutrition to start growing anew. I use Miracle Gro 15-30-15 mixed 1 Tbsp/gallon water every 2 or 3 weeks. My mother swears by the time release plant food for her container plants. Follow the directions of whatever you choose to use and maybe use a little restraint.
• Visit the Links page. I have added new links for scented geranium recipes and crafts. You're going to say, "I could do that!"

Rooting Plantlets from a Runner

A Coconut geranium runner

I have been wondering if the plantlets growing along Coconut geranium runners could be rooted. Today I cut apart a runner and gave it a try. I stuck part of the runner stem in the ground, and made sure that the axiol where the leaves are coming out is in contact with the soil.

Coconut geranium plantlets now on their own

More Cuttings Rooting

Cuttings of Brilliant (foreground)
and Nutmeg geraniums

Started 36 new geranium cuttings this week - 12 each of Brilliant, Ginger, and Nutmeg. So far everything looks great! No sign of wilt or rot. I am keeping the cuttings lined up against a west-facing wall. They are receiving about 2-3 hours of morning sun.

Flats of scented pelargonium cuttings 2/14/06

New Starts

The weather in southern Nevada this week could be called "spring-like", although technically it is still winter. It is close enough to spring to start some new scented geraniums. This is how I do it:

• Using a sharp knife or scissors, choose a healthy looking branch tip and cut off about five inches.
• Strip the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting.
• Dip the bare end in Rootone + fungicide and shake off excess.
• Plant the cutting in its own little pot with a good potting soil.
• Water in and wait!

Lime geranium cutting ready for rooting

Results of my afternoon fun: I started 12 cuttings each of 4 different geraniums - lime, citrosa, chocolate mint, and Dr. Livingstone.

Ready, set, root!