Hello Steve,
I use a general purpose potting compost based on peat or loam, but not bark Three parts compost to one part vermiculite or perlite. Composts based on bark retain too much moisture for pellies.
You can put pellies into this potting mix just after taking the cuttings and trimming and they will root usually without problems.
Do not close up the cuttings and do not use rooting hormone.
Good Luck
Ron

If you root them in water then they will be quite tolerant of the potting soil that you plant them in. I use standard indoor potting soil. Just make sure that you don't overwater them especially when they only have small roots. Small root systems cannot take up water very fast and this can leave too much moisture near the plant stems, then they rot.

Hi. Thanks. Correct me if I am wrong here, but I was under the impression that you needed to develop roots first, by soaking them in water. I was surprised to hear that they would root in soil.

I am a beginner at gardening (I've been working hard at it, and learning for two years) and Bonsai. I have found out that trees are not rooted in water, but in sand. I currently have some twig cuttings in a mixture of sand and Perlite.

I have a number of flourishing Pelargoniums that I started two years ago. They have done great. I recently cut them back sharply, and have all of the cuttings in water as I have said. Various sources (including the Bonsai Forum FAQ's) state that Pelargoniums are a species used for indoor Bonsai.

I don't have them in a Bonsai-type soil, but a garden type. Since Perlite is sometimes used in Bonsai soils, I was thinking of trying grit (another subject) which is a Perlite substitute. Pine Bark does hold moisture, but Peat can as well.

Any other feedback will be appreciated.

Steve

You don't have to grow the roots in water, its just a convenient method for easy plants. Sand is used for rooting many succulent plants which will rot if they are too wet.

Was wondering why no root hormone for the cuttings? I usually grow form seed but wnted to try cuttings this late season. The cutting bed I have is damp sand tray underneath chix grit in a mini greenhouse. Will this method work well for the geraniums?