pelargonium cuttings

[beanie]

this is a plant that is growing on me,I havn't bothered much before last year. I took a few cuttings in autumn but have lost some due to a fungus is there any point in taking some now as most of the articles I've come across say to take them in late summer or autumn

[Rosefriend]

I took pelargonium cuttings for years and then got fed up of them really. Last year I started again and here we are always told to take cuttings in August which I didn't as I forgot. I eventually took 18 cuttings in September and got 17 through - far more than I had intended.

This time I put them straight into vermiculite which worked so well and hardly watered at all. Even in compost they do not need to be watered much and it is a good idea to control the leaves and take any off that look a little suspect.

I also leave the cuttings to dry out for a couple of hours before planting them into anything.

This year I have decided to buy single plants that are a little "special" and take cuttings in August for a hopefully good show next year.

RF

[Biggles]

Hello beanie,
I am like RF--I used to take cuttings of Pelargoniums but found it wasn't really worth it in the long run- I got fed up with trying to keep the fungus mould at bay (Too much wet) they like to be fairly dry and have 'air-circulation' to stop the Fungus.-so I usually get mine as small 'Plug' plants from the GC- (about now)and these are then potted on.
Although they are worth trying with 'special' varieties with cuttings in September they then get a root system before the Winter months but still like to be kept on the dry side. Just a tip--Dont spray the leaves--they don't like that!

[beanie]

thanks for the info. I was hoping to take cutting as I'm on an economy drive with my pots and baskets.

[andy]

You're far more likely to get fungal problems at this time of year due to hot then cold then wet then dry etc etc. It's got to be worth taking some but don't subject them to extremes of temperature and moisture levels. 100% Pearlite or vermiculite may be the answer and also give them a spray with a fungicide almost daily.

As mentioned, late summer/early autumn is the best time.

[beanie]

thanks Andy I've been spraying for a couple of months and have had no more fungus. the one I particularly wanted to keep was a double white with a red eye. I have 4 baskets but only three good plants of that colour survived.