Success With Unrooted Geraniums

To get the best performance from unrooted cuttings you must be equipped to properly handle them: root-zone heat, automatic misting systems and sterile benches, pots and soil are required.

At Oglevee we've probably rooted more than a billion geranium cuttings during the past 30 years. The following tips, should help you succeed with your rooting program.

Pre-Planting Preparations:

• Sterilize soil, pots, benches, and tools.
• Wash greenhouse down with a high pressure nozzle using soap and water.
• Spray weeds in greenhouse with an appropriate herbicide.
• Soil (media) considerations: light, well-drained media, 1:1:1 peat:perlite: soil; pH adjusted to 6.0.

WHEN CUTTINGS ARRIVE, OPEN BOXES IMMEDIATELY AND PLACE CUTTINGS IN COOLER (40°F) OR UNDER MIST.

Planting:

• Plant into pre-wetted soil, water-in and mist immediately, place under 1000-2000 foot candles of light.
• During the first three days mist cuttings 24 hours per day, foliage should be constantly moist. Avoid stress.
• Maintain root zone temperature at 68° F for the first 16 days after planting.
• Days four through six mist sun-up to sun-down.
• Foliage should barely dry before misting. Begin fertilizing on day five at 250 ppm N.
• Sometime between days seven and nine roots should be visible. Foliage should show a minimal amount of stress between mists.
• Days 10 through 12 mist as needed to reduce stress-- approximately 45 min. to 1 hour on a sunny day. Soil temperature should remain at 68°F.
• Days 13 to 15 plants should be lightly rooted. You may turn off the mist.

Disease & Insect Control:

• Remember, systemic plant bacterial, fungal, and viral diseases are not airborne. They must be transmitted by man, insects, or splashing water. Botrytis is a major problem in geranium production. Keep all plants clean and free of bloom, except when finishing.
• Exotherm Termil provides excellent control when used on a weekly basis.
• Sterilize everything that comes in contact with the geraniums.
• Do not interplant with crops that have not been tested for bacteria, fungi, and virus.
• Wear clean clothes before handling geraniums.
• Wash hands with soap and water before handling geraniums.
• Incorporate a preventative spray program for insect control.
• Do not handle tobacco products when working with geraniums. Be sure to scrub with soap and water after handling tobacco.

Under certain circumstances unrooted geraniums can increase your profitability. But, unrooted cuttings are not for everyone. Before trying them, make sure you've considered the extra costs such as heat, bench space, chemical sprays as well as the risks associated with having the plants in your greenhouse for a longer time, compared with rooted cuttings. And by all means, don't hesitate to call us if we can be of assistance.