I start geraniums from seed every year. Actually they are very easy to germinate, it's just that they require some time to sprout and grow. Most years I get close 100% germination if not the full 100%. I like the maverik series because they are a little earlier, but I have grown Orange Appeal.

I start them in mid February and they usually bloom the end of May--first part of June. I do cuttings too so it doesn't matter to me if they are just in bud or starting to bud when I set them out.

I start my seed on a heated grow mat and put them in a tray with a humidity cover, on my south facing window sill. I offset the cover a bit in the day so there is a bit of air circulation and put it back at night. I transplant them into the pots they will stay in until setting out, in Mid April and transfer them to my greenhouse. I'm in zone 3 so my greenhouse doesn't get operational until mid April.

If I had to say one thing about growing geraniums from seed I'd say watch the water. Zonal geraniums don't like wet feet. I do a lot of misting before they germinate and when they are small. I use damp off when I first wet the soil and in the mister. I find they are better started in a small flat with just a couple of inches of soil and then transplanted into pots when they are bigger.

If I can grow them with success with my method you can certainly grow them with your setup.

Hi Oilpainter,

thank you so much for the tips and such a great post. I'm really looking forward to trying this and with your help I think I can do it.

Take care,
Luv_to_gardn