February is a good month to start thinking about Geraniums, whether you are planning to start them from seed or by using last year’s geraniums that have been overwintered.

Starting geraniums from seed can be done successfully but they need a lot of time. On average it takes 16-20 weeks from seed, to a plant with blooms, so geranium seeds should be started indoors now.

Geranium seeds are started the same way most other seeds are sown, following the directions given on the package. Always use clean, sterilized containers and a moistened starter mix. There are seed starter kits available at the garden centres that contain a plastic tray, inserts, and a clear plastic dome that fits over the tray to create a mini greenhouse. There are also heat mats available that are placed under the tray to provide bottom heat which helps in germination. Soil temperature should be 21-24 Celsius for the seeds to germinate. It can take anywhere from 5-21 days for seeds to germinate.          

Once the seeds have germinated, remove the bottom heating mat and the plastic dome off the tray and place the tray in an area that receives 12-14 hours of daily bright light. An adjustable fluorescent light stand works very well, and can be placed 10-15 cm above the young seedlings and be slowly adjusted as the seedlings grow.

Moisture is another important factor in a plants health. Keep the soil moist, not soggy, use room temperature water, and water from the bottom, rather then the top.

For strong healthy plants you want temperatures to remain 20-22 Celsius during the day and slightly cooler at night (16-18 Celsius)      

Once the young seedlings have produced their first set of true leaves they can be transplanted into individual 8-10 cm pots. When transplanting use a good quality potting soil and after the plants have been transplanted give them a good drink of room temperature water from the bottom and keep them at room temperature (21-24 Celsius) for the first 7-10 days so that the roots can be established. Giving them a plant start fertilizer (10-52-10) will also help produce a good root system.

Continue to give the plants lots of light and move the lighting up as the plants grow taller. Lights should always remain 10-15 cm above the young seedlings. When the plants have become established the tips can be pinched out to promote branching which will produce a bushier, fuller plant. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with an all purpose fertilizer such as 20-20-20 for continued healthy growth.

By the beginning of May the plants should be hardened off to get them ready for the outdoors. To harden them off, place them outdoors during the day (when all risk of frost has passed) and bring them back in at night. Continue to do this for the next 2-3 weeks so that they become use to the outdoor temperatures. They are ready to be left outdoors when all risk of frost has passed.

To promote flowers the fertilizer should be changed at the beginning of May. Use a fertilizer with a lower first number and a higher middle number such as 12-36-12.

Starting your own plants from seed can give a gardener great satisfaction. It does take a bit of time but it is well worth it.

-Jos

Jos Van Hage owns and operates two Art Knapp home and garden centres in Prince George:

• Highway 16 west at Kimball Road
• Highway 97 north at Northwood Pulpmill Road