How to pinch geraniums correctly so that it bush and bloom well?

If you do not pinch the geranium, in most cases, a stick plant grows with one bud at the top. Therefore, experienced flower growers always resort to forming a bush. This event is held during the warm season.

Why pinch geraniums?

Plucking geraniums has several goals at once:

• stopping plant growth in height;
• the appearance of side shoots (the formation of a lush bush);
• abundant flowering.

The procedure helps to stop the growth of the main stem. As a result, dormant kidneys receive nutrition. New shoots appear on the plant. Usually, the pinching is repeated several times until the bush takes the desired shape.

Pinching is the removal of the upper part of a young shoot (the so-called "growing point").

Do all geraniums pinch?

The types of geraniums are very diverse: zonal, ampelous, royal, dwarf, fragrant ...

In the description of varieties, you can often find the promising indication of "branches". For example, for varieties:

• A Happy Thought,
• Ada Suterby,
• Achievement,
• Aunty Pam - Stellar,
• Borthwood - Stellar,
• Carmen Andrea,
• Cherie,
• Lady Gertrude,
• Marbacka Tulpan,
• PAC Candy Flowers.

This means that the plant produces more than 1–2 stems and does not require as careful shaping as other varieties.

Nevertheless, experienced flower growers insist: it is better to pinch any geranium so that it grows thicker.

Pinching is the most gentle way of shaping at home. It is well tolerated even by royal pelargonium (pelargonium is the correct name for domestic geranium). In most cases, in addition to pinching, formative pruning is carried out. The fact is that the shoots of the plant stretch out very quickly, especially with a lack of light. Then pinching the growth point is not enough.

How to pinch?

In order for geraniums to bush, they begin to form it from a very early age. For the first time, pinch the stem:

• If the plant is grown from a cutting - above the 5-10th leaf;
• If grown from seed - above the 6-8th leaf.

Lateral shoots are not allowed to grow more than 4-5 leaves. As for the timing, the pinching can be carried out from late February to autumn. However, it is important to bear in mind that pinching pushes the flowering time from 2 weeks to 2 months (pruning - 3-4 months).

The best time to pinch is the end of February and March. At this time, the plant begins to wake up after winter. Sap flow is enhanced, so the shoots are strong and healthy.

If you form a bush in the fall and early winter, new branches will grow weak. In the cold season, geraniums need to be kept cool, but with good lighting. Then the shoots will not stretch.

Algorithm of actions

The pinching process is quite simple, you do not need to be afraid of it. To pinch geraniums correctly, follow the step-by-step instructions:

1. Examine the shoot of the flower you plan to pinch.
2. Find the largest bud located between the leaves.
3. Gently pinch it off with your fingers or cut with sharp scissors (knife).
4. Place the flower in a warm place with good lighting. Young shoots need bright sunlight for rapid development.
5. Watch the flower. If the bud has awakened in the wrong place, carefully remove the sprouts.

For geraniums to bloom often, you need to form as many young shoots as possible. Hardwood trunks practically do not emit peduncles.

General rules

Most species and varieties of geraniums tolerate formation easily. The plant recovers quickly, with side shoots beginning to appear within the first two weeks.

However, no one canceled the standard safety rules:

• Pinching (trimming) is done with a sterile dry instrument or fingers.
• It is important not to pull on the shoot, to remove the growth point sharply, but carefully, without injuring the neighboring leaves and shoots.
• Before and after the procedure, the plant is kept dry for 2-3 days (not watered).
• If a transplant was performed, the formation begins after 2 weeks.
• The pinching is carried out no more than once every 2 weeks.
• Up to 40% of growth points are removed at a time.
• Places of cuts and pinches are treated with disinfectants - crushed coal, ash, brilliant green.

Formation weakens the plant and makes it susceptible to disease. Therefore, the ingress of moisture, microbes, additional stress must be excluded. Compliance with the general rules makes the procedure 100% safe.

During the active growth of side shoots, geraniums are fed with mineral fertilizers, consisting of an equal amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. In addition, until the bush takes the desired shape, it is not allowed to bloom. Then the geranium grows healthy, beautiful and strong.

Questions and answers

Can you pinch old geraniums?

The plant grows well and blooms for 3-4 years, after which it requires anti-aging pruning. Most often, shoots are cut almost at the root, to a level just above the first dormant bud. But you can just pinch the growing point if the geranium is younger than 4 years old. Then a bush will grow like a trunk.

Can blooming geraniums be pinched?

Can. But it is recommended to remove the peduncles: they take a lot of energy from the plant. During flowering, the growth of lateral shoots always stops.

What to do with scraps?

Young cuttings (tops) root very well. Leave the shoots in the fresh air for 2 hours and then stick them in the ground. After 2 weeks, the earthen lump will grow overgrown with roots. Older shoots germinate more slowly. Before rooting, it is important to make sure that they have live buds.

Geranium is a beautiful and vibrant plant. Even for novice florists, it grows and blooms well. It is enough to plant the cutting in light fertile soil and arrange good lighting. But this is not enough for many.

The most spectacular geranium is in the form of a bush, with an abundance of juicy young foliage and peduncles. In order for it to bush, it is important to carry out a formative pinching, and sometimes pruning. The pinching technique is very simple and consists in removing the growth point with your fingers or a tool. It's almost impossible to make a mistake. The main thing is not to pinch the plant during hibernation and remove no more than 40% of growth points. Regular shaping activities will make geraniums truly beautiful and impressive!