Growing Geraniums (Pelargoniums) from Cuttings

Geraniums (pelargoniums) are easy plants to keep and grow in the classroom. They flower from early summer to late autumn. Geraniums are easy to grow from cuttings taken from a mature plant.

Three or four large mature plants can provide cuttings for 20 to 25 children, which they then plant and grow. It is usually recommended that cuttings are taken in late summer but they can be taken early in the spring term. This avoids the problem of looking after the plants through the winter. Cuttings taken in early spring should be in flower by July and are still likely to be in flower at the beginning of the autumn term.

The most important factors when growing plants from cuttings are:

• to prevent cuttings dying from lack of water due to water loss through the leaves (transpiration)
• to ensure the developing roots are in a well aerated growing medium. This allows them to have plenty of oxygen and also prevents them getting too wet and then rotting