Geraniums are one of the most well known and used flowers in gardens all over America for the past 200 years. There are not many other plants that bring such a vast selection of fragrance, coloration, and foliage as geraniums have become known for. In addition to their consistent popularity they are remarkably dependable for use in all situations ranging from containers to garden beds and everything in between. When people are looking for rich, reliable color all season long inside or out, geraniums are always the safest bet.
Growing Requirements for Geranium Plants
When planted outside, geraniums always do the best in locations that allow them to take in a minimum of 6-8 hours of sun each day. Planting can start as soon as soil has begun to warm and all signs of possible frost have passed. It is important to take care in planting at a uniform soil level of which the plant was originally grown. When creating the optimal soil conditions strive for a light and loose compilation with good drainage, having a supple amount of either compost, leaf mold, or peat moss. A perfect soil condition will yield a ph of 6.5 and your geraniums will flourish.
Maintaining Geraniums
In most cases a good mulch is suggested to assist with conservation of water within the soil and to help maintain cool soil conditions during the summer months. In times of low precipitation, geraniums should be water at least once a week. Geraniums do not favor moisture on their leaves or flowers, thus is often advised to use a soaker hose whenever possible. If this is not feasible option, be sure to water during morning hours to increase chances of them fully drying before sundown. To continue producing a steady flow of blooms it is best to remove flowers as they fade, then you will maintain a perfect bounty of terrific, healthy color.
Overwintering Geraniums
One of the most under-known or overlooked facts when it comes to overwinter these plants is that you must keep them out of direct range of any heat sources. You will also want to consider initially isolating and plants brought indoor in order to remove the risks of transferring foreign insects or bacteria to you already established houseplants. When it comes to the best course of action when overwintering your geraniums you should strive for as close to identical conditions as they were used to outdoors. This means trying to recreate as much light and humidity as possible, with optimal temperatures between 60-70 degrees. This will in most cases be far cooler than most households are kept in the winter, meaning if a separate area or room is able to be specially set up specifically for this purpose you will be one step ahead of the game. In some cases by the time the end of winter comes you may notice that your geraniums becoming legging. In these cases be sure to take cutting from the mother plants, which will lead to more dense and lush mother plants as well as a boost in your geranium count for upcoming spring.