Pelargonium does not "age". The flower is still loved and popular. Today the trade offers a huge selection of varieties of pelargonium seeds with a unique variety of colors.
The pelargonium plants sold are not cheap. In addition, they are grown from cuttings taken from mother plants, sometimes of an elderly age, and can carry a bunch of sores. And from the package, with proper agricultural technology, you can grow several young pelargoniums at once, clean from diseases, promising, with extraordinary colors.
Seedlings grown from seeds are able to start flowering profusely within 5 … 6 months from germination. Such seedlings, as a rule, are distinguished by their evenness, energy and endurance.
Pelargonium seeds can be sown throughout the calendar year. But experienced florists, in order to get strong plants by June, sow seeds in November. Beginners should take into account such important points as lighting, adherence to humidity and temperature when sowing in the dark winter months (January and early February).
Pelargonium seeds are medium in size and easy to sow.
For better germination, the seeds are immersed in a solution of epin or zircon (2 … 3 drops per 50 ml of warm water) for several hours. Sowing is more convenient to carry out in a small food container with a lid. For ventilation, it is necessary to make several holes in the lid measuring 2 … 3 mm. Loose nutritious soil is poured in a small layer, moistened. It is convenient to sow seeds into peat tablets.
Another thing is important: the soil should be disinfected in advance from fungal infections, especially from the "black leg". Potassium permanganate, phytosporin, alirin or gamair tablets are suitable. Do not use several of these drugs at the same time.
Pelargonium seeds germinate in the light at room temperature. They are simply laid out on the surface of the earth and pressed slightly without sprinkling on top. It is unacceptable to both waterlogged and dry out the soil. The seeds may die.
The first shoots "pop up" on the 3rd … 7th day. Now they need good lighting. To avoid steaming the container and airing, if necessary, open the greenhouse slightly. When pulling the seedlings, add soil under the cotyledon leaves. As the seedlings grow, they are accustomed to room conditions, opening the container more and more.
When the third true leaf appears, the seedlings dive into separate small pots and begin to feed with liquid fertilizers for seedlings in low doses.
For better compactness and bushiness, pelargonium on seedlings is removed (pinched) the crown after 5 … 6 leaves.
