Often growers grow geraniums from seeds. This method is considered the most common. They do not always resort to grafting, as the percentage of germination is small, and the plant itself loses its decorative appearance. The bush becomes large and non-compact. It is not difficult to propagate geranium with the help of seeds, one only needs to know some features of the flower and follow the recommendations and advice of experienced flower growers.
Breeding methods
Popular methods of cultivation - seeds and cuttings. The first is more natural. Grains that were obtained from a long-growing plant or purchased in a special store are used.
If the task is to grow geraniums with preservation of parental signs, you need to resort to vegetative reproduction. Propagating by seed, a person must remember that in the end he will have a hybrid.
Before starting the planting process, the seeds are prepared. Since they have a rigid and dense shell, scarification is carried out. Having abandoned this procedure, you can not wait for the earliest germination. Sprouts will appear only after 2-3 months. But, after scarification, the time of germination will be significantly reduced. After 3-4 weeks it will be possible to rejoice at the shoots that have made their way through the ground.
Important! seeds purchased from the store do not need to be processed.
The necessary conditions
Geranium will give seeds after full ripening of the capsules and only if it has been properly sown. Proper care is important in breeding. The flower requires timely watering, but scant. When the seeds have been collected, they must be stored in a dry, warm room, until planting.
For the successful cultivation of geraniums, you need to consider all the details of careit is especially important in the early days. Although the plant is not capricious, there are still some rules:
- The tank in which the crop is located should stand in a well-lit place, but without direct sunlight.
- Watering is moderate. In no case should not allow the land to dry out or waterlogging.
- Also need to take into account the temperature. The optimum temperature in the room is 20-22 degrees.
What is the seed material: description and photo
- Geranium seeds are quite large in size, about 6-7 millimeters.
- The shape of the oblong.
- The color is light and dark brown.
When purchasing ready-made material for planting, you need to take into account certain subtleties. Flower seeds sell several types:
- Scarified - peeled from the outer shell. Such grains germinate faster.
- There are seeds in the shell of artificial origin. It consists of nutrients and minerals that protect the flower from harmful organisms.
- Also found natural raw materials that have not been subjected to any processing.
The first 2 species are preferable to choose, since they are immune, resistant to disease, there is a good germination rate.
To choose the right material for breeding, you need to pay attention to the appearance of the seeds:
- healthy grain has a rich brown color with a slight matte sheen;
- shape - elongated, having small depressions at the sides;
- the seeds must be firm to the touch.
Important! Do not buy flattened, small, deformed, stained seeds.
How to get at home?
Choosing the seed method of reproduction, you can without any trouble get a new flower. It is not necessary to buy raw materials in the store, if the plant is completely healthy, it is better to assemble it yourself.
Not all geraniums can produce seeds.:
Without providing suitable conditions for the pet, the florist will not wait for the fruit to appear.- If pollination was absent, there will also be no seeds. Today there are several ways of pollination:
- artificial (almost female flowers are picked from the pollinator plant);
- self-pollination (own geranium pollen is used);
- insect pollination.
Without providing suitable conditions for the pet, the florist will not wait for the fruit to appear.When it comes to heat, it is recommended to put a flower on the street - a plot in the garden or a balcony that is not glazed. Pollination will be fast only under the condition that the geranium is enjoyed by insects. Otherwise, you will have to manually handle the transfer of pollen to the stigma of the pistil.
How to collect?
How can you collect seeds at home? After full maturation of seed pods, you can start collecting seeds. So that the raw materials are not lost during storage, it should be collected only in sunny weather.
While collecting geranium material, they act extremely carefully, since the mature bottom of the box releases the springs, and this is fraught with a shot outside the seeds. Therefore, the springs are carefully loosened. They are cut with scissors. In this state, problems with twisting inside will not. There is a simpler way - the plant is covered with a piece of cloth.
Storage
Right away after harvesting, put the seeds on a paper sheet, in a saucer or small bowl. Capacity is placed in a shaded place, the rays of the sun should not go there. Adequate fresh air access is required.
Immature grains are stored at a temperature of about + 24 ... +25 degrees, and when drying is done, it increases to + 33 ... + 35 degrees.
When the seeds ripen and dry, they are placed in a canvas bag. It should be kept at a temperature of + 16 ... +20 degrees. The year of collection and the name of the variety are signed in order not to be confused with some other plant. They are stored for 2-3 years.
Planting seeds:
- Home landing is available all year round. The optimal time for this is March - April. Sprouts will appear faster, because the duration of daylight is increased.
Before starting the procedure, the soil is prepared. In its composition must be present - turf, sand, peat (2: 1: 1); peat and perlite (1: 1) or sand and peat (1: 1).- Seeds are laid out in a box at a distance of 50 millimeters apart. No need to bury deep, enough 5 millimeters. The layer of primer above is thin.
- Watering is done at room temperature. The ground should be slightly wet all the time.
- Then the container is covered with a film or glass and put on the illuminated place.
- After 3-4 weeks sprouts will appear.
Before starting the procedure, the soil is prepared. In its composition must be present - turf, sand, peat (2: 1: 1); peat and perlite (1: 1) or sand and peat (1: 1).Geranium is a beautiful plant, distinguished by its beauty and refinement. Reproduction in indoor conditions does not cause much trouble. By listening to the advice, and observing all the rules and instructions for growing, you can get a wonderful decorative flower.
