Comments on: Geranium care

By: Alexis

Alexis — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:12:12 +0000

I’m in zone nine/ten, in San Diego. It hasn’t rained yet this year. I have been dusting for caterpillars and need to wash the dust off so I have been wetting the leaves.

I have white spots on several of my geranium leaves that turn a beige or rust color. The entire leaf doesn’t die but they look terrible.

Two of my Martha Washingtons have light green leaves with dark veins and no flowers.

Something I am very confused about. The leaves shouldn’t get wet, but the BT spray-on is mixed with water and the BT dust needs to be washed off. How do I treat caterpillars and not get the leaves wet.

I see geraniums on the side of the freeways and roads, giant plants that grow practically wild and they look fine. I grow mine in pots. Is that the problem, too much attendance and the restriction of a pot?

By: Barbara Dane

Barbara Dane — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:59:54 +0000

My daughter planted three large pots ful of bright red pelargonium outside my window for Mother’s Day /80th Birthday gift. SUmmer of 2008 they were gorgeous but when we had the deck refinished the drip system was detached and they nearly died of thirst. My neighbor reconnected the system and at the same time the parched leaves crumbled, massive amounts of new foliage emerged and the plants look strong and healthy. Only problem is that now although many buds are set, mostly they don’t mature and seem to have dried up. Now there is a sooty black stuff sprinkled on the leaves and today i found a green caterpillar on a flower bud. I have only fed these plants twice in 18 mos. (fish emulsion) but they are very sturdy and large and making a great effort to set flowers. Weatherwise, they are in shade til noon, then bright sun for a few hours. We have been having a drought in N. Calif. with only a couple of good rains lately. Temperatures mild always. I love these plants and want them to flourish. What should I do? Thanks for all your good advice.

By: LIndsay

LIndsay — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:42:12 +0000

Geranium budworm
I have red geraniums that have recently become infected by a catepillar or worm that is eating the leaves. I tried to remove most of them, but believe there may be more hiding in the leaves or soil. What are these pests and how can I get rid of them? I’ve had this geranium for over a year and this is the first time I’ve ever experienced a leaf eating problem.
Thanks!
Lindsay

Hi Lindsay
There are several caterpillars that feed on geraniums such as geranium budworm. The little white moths lay their eggs on the plant and when they hatch, the caterpillars feed on the leaves and flowers. Try Bacillus thuringiensis, a safe biological control that works on caterpillars from butterflies. If infestation is light you can hand pick the insect. Pyrethrin is another stronger insecticide you can use . Be sure to follow label instructions on its use.

By: LIndsay

LIndsay — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 01:57:08 +0000

Holes in leaves
Hi
I have red geraniums that have recently become infected by a catepillar or worm that is eating the leaves. I tried to remove most of them, but believe there may be more hiding in the leaves or soil. What are these pests and how can I get rid of them? I’ve had this geranium for over a year and this is the first time I’ve ever experienced a leaf eating problem.
Thanks!
Lindsay

HI Lindsay
Not knowing what type of caterpillar is eating the foliage I can’t say which type of BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) to use BTk or BT. It may be the butterfly type and BT would work. Otherwise try insecticidal soap and see if that works. Slugs, snails can also make holes in the foliage.

By: kyla

kyla — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 20:04:43 +0000

i have two pots of large geraniums that have done well for 3 years now. this summer has been especially hot and dry…temps around 100 every day. i have the pots in partial shade, but in the past couple weeks, all of the flowers and leaves have died and fallen off the plant. will they recover when it gets a little cooler or do i need to buy new plants?

Hi Kyla
The geraniums may recover once the weather cools down. Give the plant some fertilizer to encourage new growth. The foliage may not be a lush as before. You can also take cuttings and start new plants.

By: Shirley Fulton

Shirley Fulton — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 17:36:38 +0000

Thanks very much for answering my email. I will stop fertilising the geraniums until the weather cools down.The strange thing is that all my other geraniums on the balcony are doing great.I think I may have overcrowded the ones in the boxes and they’re not getting enough air.I’ll let you know what happens!
Shirley

By: Shirley Fulton

Shirley Fulton — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:40:48 +0000

I have 2 long boxes on my balcony,facing west,sun from 11am to sunset all summer. I have 3 crimson geraniums in each,surrounded by sunbini,lobelia,bocopa and a green vine. They started off great but then developed flowers turning darker and dying prematurely. Now they’ve stopped blooming completely. It’s been a very hot summer here in BC. I water these wooden boxes every day and feed them Miracle-Gro 15-30-15 once weekly. What is their problem?
Thanks, Shirley

Hi Shirley
The hot summer is the problem. They are exposed to sun in the hottest time of day. Just like plants cannot tolerate cold temperatures the same goes for heat tolerance. Geraniums and many other plants stop blooming when the temperatures get above 85F and humidity is high. They should resume bloom when it cools down. I would reduce the fertilizer at this time and resume when the plants are actively growing.
Next year, you might want to grow plants that can stand summer-extremes such as gaillardia, lantana, ornamental peppers, portulaca, salvia, torenia.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:44:13 +0000

Can you suggest a pesticide spray (preferably organic) that I can spray on my ivy geraniums. They have brown spots and stunted growth…I have picked some of the bad leaves off – and have found evidence of some type of aphid (bright green)… Any suggestions will be helpful.

Hi Lisa
A strong spray of water will knock off the aphids. If that doesn’t work try insecticidal soap. You may have another problem-the brown spots on the leaves may be some type of fungal leaf spot. Remove the diseased leaves.

By: Stephanie Blanchard

Stephanie Blanchard — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:08:29 +0000

Thank you for your response to my question . It’s been a month and my geraniums are now looking FABULOUS!! Thank you for the advice!

I”m glad to hear that!

By: lori

lori — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:36:21 +0000

I have ivy geranium baskets. They have been doing well until the last few weeks I have noticed spots on the leaves and some of them are turning brown. the blooms are constantly dropping petals. Help. I spent a lot of money on them.

Hi Lori
Spots on the leaves can indicate a number of diseases that are weather/water related. To avoid further infection, try not to get water on the leaves (spray or rain) and remove any diseased leaves. The petal drop can be a sign of stressful conditions such as too hot growing conditions or connected to the leaf spots (bacterial or fungal). The plant usually recovers (with less leaves) when conditions improve.