Pelargonium’s Summer Cuttings – Propagating like a pro!

Taking cuttings is hugely rewarding and now more than ever using what we already have is a great way to increase the number of  plants in your garden without it taking a toll on your pocket.  It’s also a great way to duplicate plants that you really love.  So dig out that tub of rooting powder or gel that you wistfully bought and get propagating like a pro! Here I show you how to take a cutting from a scented Pelargonium.  You will be able to take at least 6 cuttings from one large Pelargonium.

Start by finding a non flowering apical stem that looks healthy and strong. Using a sharp budding/ grafting knife and cut off the stem just above a leaf joint.

Remove leaves from the lower stem of the cutting leaving just a small amount of leaf to feed the stem and new root growth. Dip the tip in root hormone or gel to increase the chance of the cutting taking.

Now add a good free draining compost to your pots and press this in firmly.  You want your cuttings to be held in snugly in as any wiggle room will stop root growth.  You can add 2 or 3 cuttings per little pot.

Don’t put them in a polythene bag or misting propagator, Pelargoniums like it warm and dry and this will stimulate the most root growth.

They will root quickly giving you a great bank of summer flowers and delicious scent for your borders and tubs.