How Long Should a Citronella Geranium Take to Root?

Approximate Rooting Time

• Under ideal conditions, a citronella geranium may begin to produce roots in as little as two to three weeks. Where conditions aren't completely conducive to root growth, the citronella geraniums may take six to eight weeks to root, or fail to root altogether. A rooting time of about four weeks is typical. Check for root formation beginning about three weeks after inserting cuttings by gently lifting a cutting out of the medium. If no or only small roots have developed, gently reinsert the cutting. Once cuttings have several roots at least 1 inch long, they're ready to be transplanted into small individual pots with well-drained potting soil.

Taking Cuttings

• Prior to taking cuttings, prepare a suitable container and rooting medium. A clean flat or other shallow container with ample drain holes is appropriate. Fill the container most of the way with a well-drained purchased or homemade rooting medium that could contain, for example, equal parts peat moss and sand, perlite or vermiculite. A sharp knife is used to take cuttings, tip-containing stem sections each measuring 3 to 4 inches long with at least a few nodes. Pinch off leaves from the bottom half of each cutting and dip the end in rooting hormone, if desired. Insert cuttings into the prepared medium, pushing them in far enough so that the lowest remaining leaves on each cutting are just above the top of the medium and spacing the cuttings so that none are touching.

Rooting Hormones

• Using a rooting hormone can encourage faster, more uniform root growth. Rooting hormones are available as powders or liquids. To use a rooting hormone, place a small amount of material in a small dish and dip the end of each cutting into the material, then discard the hormone powder or liquid rather than pour it back into the supply to avoid contamination. Where rooting hormone is used, poke holes in the medium for the cuttings using a pencil or similar object so that the rooting hormone won't rub off of the cutting as it is inserted.

Conditions to Encourage Rooting

• Thorough misting just after the cuttings are inserted settles the medium around the cuttings. Regular misting is important, as the rooting medium should never dry out completely. Covering the flat or other container with a plastic or glass lid or enclosing it in a plastic bag maintains high relative humidity around the cuttings and minimizes the need for misting. Place the container with cuttings in a warm spot that receives bright but indirect light.