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Geranium care

Filed under: — admin @ 6:34 pm


Geranium, belongs to the Pelargonium family and unlike its distant cousin (a true geranium and hardy version) is a tender plant grown as an annual in cooler climates and a perennial in zone 10.
Geranium (P. x hortorum) or commonly known as zonal or garden geranium is a favorite for container plantings and flower beds because of its long blooming season and brilliant colors. It bears rounded clusters of individual flowers which are either single or double on a stem which rises above the rounded scalloped leaves. The fuzzy leaves may have zonal markings and emit a “fragrance” when touched.

red geranium

Care: Geranium requires little care as long as it gets full sun and well-drained, moist soil. In northern climates, they will tolerate light shade but if grown in shade will produce a leggy plant and little flowers. In southern climates, it is best to grow them in partial-sun with afternoon shade. Prolonged hot temperatures will trigger them to stop blooming.
For optimal bloom, feed the plant lightly with a well balanced fertilizer ( 10-10-10) once a month during the active growing season. Container plants may need to be fed more often (2x month) because the nutrients can leach out from the bottom of the pot when watering. They bloom best when slightly pot bound.
Geraniums need at least 1 inch of water per week. When watering, avoid getting the leaves and flowers wet, which can encourage fungal disease. Container plants may need to be watered more often but should be allowed to dry slightly between watering. Take care not to overwater as it can cause root rot.
Plant your seedlings outdoors, when night temperatures are above 40F or after the last frost date. Setting the plants out too early can cause the leaves to turn red from cool night temperatures.

Maintenance: Remove spent flower stalks and yellowing leaves. Pinching back or trimming some of the stems will encourage more branching and eventually more flowers.

Another Pelargonium worth mentioning is P.x peltatum know as ivy geranium. It has smooth leaves and grows in a trailing manner making it ideal for hanging baskets.

Winterover geraniums

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6 Comments on Geranium care»

  1. The Leaves of my Geraniums more yellow than green, what can I do?

    Yellowing leaves is a response to stress the plant is experiencing. Barring disease either overwatering or underwatering can be the culprit. Allowing the plant to wilt can cause the leaves to turn yellow and drop. Frequent wilting happens when the plant has outgrown its container and needs to be repotted. There is also a chance nutrients are leaching out of the bottom of the container when you water. Geraniums need addtional feedings(10-20-10) every 4wks during the active growing season. So check your watering practice and feed it and it should green up in no time.

    Comment by Bridgette — 3/15/2007 @ 7:00 pm

  2. I have wave petunias in large containers that did great all summer. Within last 2 weeks flowers have fallen off, shriveled, torned white ( normal color is purple) and the vines and leaves are turning brown. They get a lot of water, especially with lots of rain lately. This didn;t happen last summer - they stayed healthy well into the fall. Help.

    It sounds as if you may have a stem rot which is a major problem with petunias and too much water. It is better to soak your petunia and then let it dry out(almost wilt) before watering again. You should reduce the watering and drench the bed with a fungicide (Banrot). Cut back long straggly plants in mid summer as they will regrow and flower. Depending on where you live and the length of your growing season, it may not be worth the effort this year. I do not know why they turned white. I will research it. Kris

    Comment by Sharon — 4/12/2007 @ 1:36 pm

  3. I live in tropical Darwin Australia and would like some tips on growing geraniums, especially through the wet monsoonal season.
    ..Yve - 30/05/2007

    Geraniums love full sun and can tolerate some shade especially in hot weather. They need well drained rich soil and about 1 inch of water per week. To prevent fungal disease, avoid getting the leaves and flower heads wet which can be difficult in a monsoon unless they are under a “canopy” protecting them from the rain. Watering should be done in the morning giving the plant time enough to dry out during the day.

    Comment by Yve — 5/30/2007 @ 12:07 am

  4. I have a Geranium in a pot. I water with 3/4 cup of water every day when the sun is right on the east side of my house. Will sugar water make my plant flourish?

    You don’t indicate what size pot your geranium is in. The amount of water will vary depending on size of plant, temperature and amount of sun. You cannot water a plant on your schedule you have to water according to the plants’ needs. Sugar water feeds bacteria and fungi in the soil which can attack plant roots and stems. A balanced fertilizer that supplies all the nutrient components will make your plant flourish. For more info on sugar water use go to: http://www.bio.net/bionet/mm/plant-ed/1996-February/000470.html

    Comment by Kristin — 6/6/2007 @ 7:09 pm

  5. I have many geraniums and I was wondering is there any way I can leave them out over winter…..it would make it much easier due to indoor storage.

    Geraniums are a native to South Africa and are hardy in zones 9-10. Unless you live in those zones you will have move them indoors or store them in a dormant stage. See the question below for storage ideas.

    Comment by mary macinnis — 10/9/2007 @ 6:24 am

  6. I have about 2 doz geraniums i need to winter over to replant in the spring, I paid top price for them, and would like very much to save them. I know there is a way to do so, but have forgotten over the years. Could you please help me out as the end of the season is fast approaching.
    Thanks…..Jeffrey

    There are several ways to save your geranium over the winter:
    1. Take cuttings and root them. Take 4 ” cuttings of healthy tips, remove flowers and lower leaves . Dip the cutting in rooting hormone and insert 2″ deep in a light well drained soil. Keep cuttings in a filtered light until roots form (3-4 wks).

    2. Pot them up (trim up to 1/3 ) and keep them as houseplants by placing them in the brightest window for the winter. Water when needed and fertize once a month.

    3. Store geraniums in a dormant state. Dig up the plant and place it in a papper bag with holes in it or burlap sack or wrap the roots in newspaper. Hang up the bag in a cool, dark space (basement, crawl space). Another old way is to hang them upside-down,bare roots in a cool, dark basement and rehydrating the roots a few times during the winter by soaking them in water for a few hours. Pot up the plant in late winter (Feb) and resume watering. Place it outdoors when the weather warms up.

    Comment by Jeffrey — 10/9/2007 @ 6:59 am

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