Geraniums from seeds

[smallblueplanet]

Last year our geranium cuttings rotted (not bought inside soon enough & damp from the tumble-dryer did them in).

So we planted some geranium seeds late-ish, they were dead easy to grow and flowered too.

When could I start some geranium seeds this year - got no heated green-house, so only warmth/light is windowsills or utility room.

[Alison]

I take it you're meaning the pelegonium type? Never grown them from seed, have always bought plug plants if needed as they are so cheap and grown them on. Not sure I'm going to have room this year as will be devoting more of the garden to veg etc.

[smallblueplanet]

Yes pelagoniums. They were very easy to grow and all flowered too. Still got half a pkt of seed left and wondered when they could be started as they were a bit late last year.

Pkt of seed was off ebay for about 80p - had 10 or so plants last year and the same left over....so good value, and I enjoy growing from seed.

[nick the grief]

Hi SBP

When you like really. The first time I grew Geraniums (Pelargoniums) from seed I did them on our bathroom windowsill as I didn't have a greenhouse let alone any heat. .

[smallblueplanet]

Hi NTG. But if I start them too early how long will it be until they need to be outside? Would an unheated greenhouse be warm enough?

I'd like to get them into flower a bit earlier than last year, but not sure of the timings as only ever grown them once before.

[nick the grief]

If you can give them loads of light to keep them short stocky plants ( or take the tops out & root them as cuttings - twice as many overnight )you should be able to get away with putting them in to your greenhouse around March time I would have thought & cover them with some fleece at night if it gets cold. If the get too tall just cut them back again, they worsed this will be they will be bushy plants.

[smallblueplanet]

....take the tops out & root them as cuttings - twice as many overnight .... If the get too tall just cut them back again...

Thanks, might try that, but last year when I tried it with Fuchsia's they just rotted off.....need to keep trying though.

[nick the grief]

I always put my Fuchsia's in a compost of half multipurpose & half sharp sand, perlite or Vermiculite to keep it open & free draining. Also you can put them in a plastic bag, the ones that are self sealing are good if you can get them big enough to put the pot in to kee the humidity up.

Geraniums don't need covering & are best kept on the dry side

[smallblueplanet]

....
Geraniums don't need covering & are best kept on the dry side

Okay, will try not to kill them with kindness this time!

[nick the grief]

I water my cuttings about once a fortnight SBP & they are well rooted now

[smallblueplanet]

Show off!

[nick the grief]

ahhh yessss