How do you root a geranium plant?

Question

I have read gardening articles which tell you to bring geranium plants inside. Then you are supposed to take the plant out of dirt and hang upside down for next year. Doesn't the plant die like this? Did you ever try it?

Answer 1

Think about the dried roots you purchase from the store...I do believe it could be possible, and I have heard some of the older folks that come into the garden center talk of this geranium drying technique, but I have also heard of folks just keeping them from freezing in their pot, but cutting them way back and letting them stay a good bit drier than they would during the growing season.  I have had good luck with the cuttings I have done but they are a slow start and it is good to start them in the beginning of the wintr indoors as to have some size by the time you would want to plant them.  I have done plants with and without rooting hormone and both have done well, the only variable I have changed was the bottom heat, more heat and moist (not wet) rooting medium equals better root developement deper in the cells used.  I also do not feed until they are transplanted into a cell at least three times larger than the cell used to root them in, and then only used fertilizer at 1/2 strength.  When temps rise and plants are thriving, that is when I start putting the bloom booster to them.  

If you like flowering geraniums, you may want to try some old tyme scented geraniums as well, you can add color and fragrance with a really cool plant.

Answer 2

I'm with Laura.  I had a yard full of them that survived several frosts per winter.

Where I live now is too cold, so I just bring the whole pot inside.

As for rooting, what Laura said, again.  They're one of the easiest to start by cuttings.

Answer 3

HI.  I never tried that method.  Maybe I will give it a try.  I have tried digging them up and putting in pots for the winter.  You also have to cut them back so as not to stress the plant.  You also have to keep the soil slightly moist and out of direct sunlight.

Answer 4

I have never tried that and you are right it sounds like the plant would die. At the greenhouse i used to work at we took cuttings by using a very sharp blade and a rooting hormone and planted them in dirt or seed start. You must make sure the cutting is long enough making sure there are atleast two "joints" one for the roots to grow from and one for the above ground part of the plant to grow.

Answer 5

Geraniums,in my experience,will survive the winter if left bare root in a frost free building.Better,however to keep them "ticking over",leaving in their pots and keeping the compost slightly moist,in good light and again frost free.

Cuttings may be taken anytime now,use a non-flowering stem,cut immediately below a leaf joint.Remove the stipules(The fleshy tags beside the leaf joint) leaving a cutting 2-3 ins; long.

Dip the cut end in water,then in hormone rooting powder.Fill a 3in; pot with cutting compost,use a pencil to make a planting hole and insert one cutting per pot,ensuring firm planting.

Water lightly,keep on a warm light,indoor windowsill and most should root by spring.

Answer 6

Maybe that's a good idea if you live in Iceland...?

Your average geranium is a perennial.  

If you are in a mild winter area you can grow them outdoors all year.  Mine have even survived a light dusting of frost in the winter.

They are easy to root; just break off a branch and stick it in the dirt.  Keep the soil moist (not soggy) for the first few weeks.  I planted my front yard like that with sprigs from my mom and 90% of them 'took'.

Answer 7

I planted geraniums professionally for years, the company I worked for planted them on all their properties because the owner liked them, and I never heard of hanging them upside down etc. I would break the root ball gently and dig a hole slightly larger then the base of your container. Geraniums are a one year plant and have to be reseeded every year.  

Answer 8

I have never heard of this I did have a neighbor however that would take them out of the pots and clear the roots of all dirt then put it in a brown paper bag for the winter and in the spring put it in a pot with dirt and start watering them it worked for her I was always not really sure this would work so I never tried it. But I do start my Geraniums from clippings I take a clipping preferably with leaves all the way down after I have clipped it I take the bottom leaves off and put it in water for about 2-3 weeks until there is a good root ball and then I plant them in dirt. This has just worked great for me I have had such a good start I have now tried this with coleus plants and yes its working with them to. Nothing special nothing funky to buy just simple starter plants.