Breeding New Geranium Colors: Hand-Pollination Guide

Gardener wants to create new geranium colors from existing zonal, star, double types.

Breeder's Method

1. Bag flowers to exclude foreign pollen.
2. Transfer desired pollen to bagged flower's stigma.
3. Rebag, wait for seed set.
4. Grow seeds—offspring vary. Select desired color.
5. Propagate selected plant via cuttings (seeds won't breed true).

Key Points

• All Pelargonium—cross-compatible if fertile.
• Hundreds of crosses may yield one keeper.
• Timing critical: pollinate when stigma receptive, before self-pollen shed.

Resource

Herb Companion article on home pelargonium breeding—applies to all geraniums.

Process is tedious but thrilling. Enjoy the journey.