Geranium Care
Proper Geranium Care
Geranium care is relatively simple, and that is one of the main reasons that this plant is such a popular choice for gardeners to include in their home landscaping plans. Below is another reason that they are so popular.
Scent
Geraniums are highly scented, and are available with a variety of scents. These flowers are so fragrant that they can fill your garden with a beautiful odor. In the winter, when many choose to move their plants indoors to avoid the coldest temperatures, you can cause your home to be filled with their fragrance.
Proper Geranium care is vital to ensure that your plants are as healthy as possible. First, it is important not to plant Geraniums too early. If there is any chance at all of frost, then you should wait. Ideally, mid to late May is when you should aim to plant Geraniums.
Selecting the correct location to plant Geraniums is just as important as selecting the right time of year. If you plant in partial shade the plant will grow, but it may not produce as many flowers as it would had it been planted in full sunlight.
It is also important to be sure that the soil will not retain too much water. Proper drainage is essential to good Geranium care. Clay soil is acceptable, but you will need to mix it with organic materials in order to improve the level of aeration within the soil.
When applying fertilizer, you should water the plant well after the application. Failing to do so can cause the fertilizer to damage the plant.
Indoor Geranium Care
As mentioned earlier, these plants cannot handle frost. While truly perennials, unless you take care to keep your Geraniums safe over the winter, you will need to treat them more like annuals. Moving the plants inside is the easiest way to get your Geraniums through winter. Here are some tips for doing so.
- After pruning the plants down to about half their size, begin to dig up the plants. You must be very careful not to damage the roots as doing so could cause diseases.
- Place each Geranium in a pot that is between six and eight inches tall.
- When the Gernamiums are indoors, they will need plenty of light. Place them directly in front of a large window. If this is not possible, you can use artificial light to meet their needs.
- Proper indoor Geranium care includes making sure the temperatures are not too warm. During the day, try to keep it around a steady 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Watering needs are simple when keeping your Geranium indoors. Simply water anytime the soil feels dry. Remember that over watering is just as harmful as under watering.
Geranium care is simple and only requires that you are consistent in providing adequate water, light and fertilizer. Happily, the plant is not very popular among most pests, so that is not usually a problem.
This plant provides lovely blooms with a minimum of effort required. Consider adding some Geraniums to your garden this spring.