Dear Sven,

I am quite new to gardening and would like to try taking some cuttings from my geraniums. When is the right time to take them and how should I go about it? Will they survive in a greenhouse over winter with no heating?

Thanks for your help!

Sam

Our Gardens Expert replies:

Hi Sam

I am assuming by the fact you talk about over-wintering in a green house you are actually talking about Pelargonium. When introduced into Britain they were given the name geranium because they looked so similar to the hardy geranium we were familiar with and cultivated throughout Europe at the time. This common name stuck and is still used today, and in actual fact what are usually referred to as geraniums are actually Pelargoniums.

So now that's clear let's talk about propagating them!

Pelargoniums are easily propagated from cuttings and across all pelargoniums the method is the same. You can do it from spring onwards but the best time is about now in the late summer. Choose a strong healthy shoot and cut it just above the third joint below the growing tip. Trim all the leaves from the shoot leaving the two at the top, then remove any flowers, or buds. It is important to then cut the cut end neatly just below the bud joint.

One 5" pot will take around five cuttings. Fill the pot with seed compost or cutting compost and pat it down firmly. Then insert the pot in bowl of water so it soaks it up. Lift out the pot and let it drain, then insert the cuttings, firming them in gently to avoid air pockets.

Put the pots in a warm light position but not in full sun. After a week, they will need watering in the same method as before, from underneath. This reduces the risk of grey mould attacking them. As soon as they have rooted (when new leaves emerge) then you can pot them on into 3" pots.

I would store cuttings in a conservatory or bright window sill for the first winter and then treat as below. They may survive a mild winter in your greenhouse so maybe put a few in there to test them out and keep the rest in the house.

Pelargoniums will need a frost-free environment to survive over winter, so a greenhouse should do the trick. If you have planted ones that need over-wintering lift them and shake off all the compost, then cut all the stems by half removing any remaining leaves. Plant them in new compost, water well and position in a well ventilated position so the cut ends can heal. Now they're ready to store in a frost-free place. You will see shoots appear pretty soon. Water only when the weather is sunny so the leaves will dry quickly and not freeze. Feed them every six weeks or so with a well balanced fertilizer.

Good luck!

Sven