Geranium Macrorrhizum Germination

Preparation

• Use a pot or nursery flat in which to germinate the Geranium macrorrhizum seeds. A flat allows you to plant more seeds but the seedlings need to be re-potted as they grow. Germinating in a pot does away with the extra step. Fill the container with seed-starting potting mix. These are generally soilless to help guard against damping off, a fungal disease that strikes seeds and seedlings. Run water over the mix until it is completely saturated. Set the container aside to drain until the soil is moist but not soggy.

Planting

• The number of seeds to sow in each pot depends upon the size of the pot. A general rule of thumb is to sow three or four seeds in a 5-inch planting pot. If you use a flat, lightly scatter the Geranium macrorrhizum seeds over the surface of the soil. Barely cover the seeds with a layer of sand. Mist the sand lightly with water from a spray bottle.

Germination

• Slip the pot or flat into a transparent plastic bag or cover the seeds with plastic wrap to create a mini greenhouse. Use a heat mat to provide constant heat to the soil. These are available at nurseries, large gardening centers and online garden retailers. Set the thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit and place the germination container on top. G. macrorrhizum seeds don't require light to germinate, so place the container where it will be out of drafts. This particular geranium is a slow germinator -- 30 to 90 days.

Care

• As soon as the seeds sprout, peel back one corner of the plastic wrap to allow air to circulate. Gradually open the plastic over the course of one week until you finally remove it completely. Ensure that the soil remains moist at all times. When the G. macrorrhizum seeds have their third set of leaves, transplant them into their own pots filled with standard potting soil. Place the seedlings in a sunny spot, such as a south-facing window, and allow the top of the soil to dry to the touch before watering.