If your outdoor geraniums were brought inside last fall
this is a great time of year to take cuttings to propagate
more plants for spring. Vegetative propagation is used
to maintain the distinct markings, habit or shape and
scent. Some geranium selections do not propagate
easily from cuttings; these types are best purchased
as new plants each year. To propagate geraniums from
cuttings, select 4”plastic containers that are clean or
new. Fill them with Bachman’s Mighty Earth® potting
soil. Cut off shoot tips 3 to 5 inches in length and remove
the leaves on the lower part of the stem leaving two to three
leaves on the tip of the cutting.
Rooting hormone is recommended to stimulate the rooting process. This product is available at all Bachman’s garden centers. Pour out a little rooting hormone onto a sheet of wax paper. Dip the bottom of each cutting in the rooting ormone. With a pencil make a hole in the soil about 1 ¼” deep. Insert the cuttings to a depth of 1 ¼”. Firm the medium around the cuttings so that the cutting stays in the pot. Only stick one cutting per 4” pot this will allow some air movement and help prevent disease. Loosely cover the container with a clear plastic bag. This will help prevent excessive moisture loss, decreases wilting and increases rooting potential. Place the container in a warm location that receives bright, but indirect sun. Avoid excessive
heat buildup in the bag by occasionally opening the top.
Check the moistness of the potting soil every week. Bachman’s Mighty Earth® potting soil will usually stay fairly moist for several weeks before
additional water is needed. To determine when the cuttings have rooted, gently tug on the stem. If it resists being pulled from the rooting medium, roots have probably developed to a length of ½” to an inch, and the plastic bag can be removedand the new plants can gradually be put in direct sun.
Fertilization will not be needed until the middle of March.
A second method of propagating geraniums is by seed. There are many
excellent selections that can be propagated from seed. Seed should be
sown in mid-February in Minnesota. Since geranium seed germination may be inhibited by a hard seed coat, speed the process by nicking the seed coat with a pair of nail clippers or soak them overnight in a moist paper towel. Bachman’s Mighty Earth® potting soil can be used as a germinating media. Cover the seeds with 1/8” of the potting soil. Keep the soil moist, but not
saturated, and maintain the media temperature between 72° and 77°F. Seeds normally germinate in 10 days to two weeks. High light will be required once germination occurs and until plants can be planted outdoors. When the seedlings are ½” to 1 inch tall, transplant them to individual
containers. Maintain daytime temperatures of 60° to 70°F and slightly
cooler night temperatures to produce stocky plants.
Care of Indoor Plants
Indoor plants can bring a touch of spring into your home even on the coldest winter day. They’ll give you the most enjoyment when you understand their basic needs. Choosing the best plants for your particular environment will make the job much easier, and learning a little about light, watering,
humidity, feeding, soils and potting, will help with success.
When shopping, look at the overall appearance and cleanliness of
the display area and the plants. Avoid any plant that is wilted or shows signs of insects or diseases. Don’t hesitate to ask sales staff specific questions about anything you need to know. Before you choose a plant, take a minute to determine how much light it will receive and how much room you have. Then browse through the greenhouse and ask a sales consultant for
assistance. The easiest way to be sure you get a healthy plant
is to buy from Bachman’s.
Light
The most important factor in choosing the right plant is matching the plants to the available light. High light means a plant needs several hours of direct sunlight, as well as strong light the rest of the day. Medium means the most light possible without any direct sun. Low light is an area that is away from the window or in brightly lit rooms. You may hear other terms for levels of light, but these are the three usually used at Bachman’s.
Water
Another important factor in caring for the plant is providing the right amount of water. That will vary greatly according to the type of plant, the time of year, the soil, and the temperatures and if the plant is actively growing.
Generally, plants either like it evenly moist, prefer to get somewhat dry between watering, or prefer to stay dry. Plants that like to stay evenly moist should be watered frequently, but never left with water in the saucer. The majority of indoor plants would prefer to dry out somewhat between watering. Press hard on the soil surface, or dig down a little, if you still feel moisture, don’t water. Some plants want to stay dry for weeks at a time and be soaked on occasion. You’ll need to find out what your
specific plants prefer by asking our staff.
Fertilizer
Liquid fertilizer is the easiest type to use on houseplants. You can
buy dry, water-soluble fertilizers such as Bachman’s Excel Gro® that
dissolve easily (simply dilute according to directions). Follow the directions on the package of fertilizer. Try to avoid fertilizing in the winter months when plants are resting and receiving much lower light.
Humidity
Many plants we use indoors grow naturally in humid conditions. Humidity can be added to plants by misting, by placing them on humidity trays and by placing them in more humid rooms (such as bathrooms and kitchens). Often, when you grow a grouping of plants together, they will create their own humidity zone as they give off moisture.
Repotting
Sometimes we repot a plant simply because we want
a different pot. That can be done any time if the pot
sizes are the same. When the plant looks too big for
the container, or if water seems to run straight
through, ease it out and look at the root system. If it
is almost a solid mass of roots with very little soil, or
if the roots are circling around the outside of the root
ball, it will need to be repotted. Selecting a container
one-pot size larger is usually adequate. Each type of
container has its own advantages and disadvantages. Clay breathes, looks natural and is heavy enough to stabilize large plants, but it’s also breakable. Plastic is inexpensive and lightweight, but doesn’t breathe and may keep plants too wet. Pick out a pot that compliments the plant and your decor and adjust your care accordingly. Use Bachman’s Mighty Earth® potting soil if you need to repot.that soil volume with fresh potting soil and
return the plant to the same pot.
Flowers and gifts from Bachman’s make any day a special one. When you order your flowers or gifts online, you know you’ll be getting a beautiful fresh floral arrangement from a trusted florist known for outstanding floral design, plus quality and service.
If you’re sending flowers or gifts out of town, you can rely on us to choose the best florist from either the FTD or Teleflora nationwide flower network. Florists who can be counted on to deliver the best fresh floral arrangements and gifts, even when doing a same day delivery.
