We have taken them to our hearts as trailing geraniums, scented geraniums and upright zonal geraniums, because they immerse the bed and balcony in a summery sea of flowers. Without making undue demands on our we alth of gardening experience, the pelargonium blooms tirelessly from spring until the first frost. The following answers to frequently asked questions specify all relevant cultivation measures.
How to care for geraniums for optimal flowering?
Geraniums bloom with regular watering, weekly nutrition, removal of wilted flowers and sufficient sunlight. Choose well-drained, nutrient-rich soil and place in a sunny to partially shaded location for optimal blooms.
Planting geraniums correctly
The time window for planting in the bed opens at the beginning of May. Before you start, place the still potted pelargonium with the root ball in water until no more air bubbles appear. In a sunny spot, create small planting pits at a distance of 30-40 cm and enrich the excavated pits with compost and horn shavings. Place the potted geranium in it, maintaining the previous planting depth, press the soil with your hands and water.
Care tips
With the following care program you can encourage your geraniums to have a tireless flower festival until the first frost:
- If the substrate is dry, water moderately without causing waterlogging
- Fertilize the bed every 14 days with compost
- Fertilize balcony geraniums with liquid weekly from May to September
- Clean up wilted flowers continuously
Don't throw away your most beautiful pelargonium at the end of the season, because it contains the floral power for perennial growth. To ensure overwintering is successful, cut your gem back by two thirds before the first frost. Then repot the plant in a potting soil and sand mix. Water occasionally in a dark location at 5-10 degrees Celsius.
Which location is suitable?
The pelargonium is considered a prime example of a floral sun worshiper. Treat your favorite summer flower to a sunny to partially shaded location, without accumulating heat of more than 30 degrees Celsius. The geranium likes to let a gentle breeze blow around its flowers and leaves. Of course, pelting rain significantly affects the lavish floral dress.
What soil does the plant need?
In the bed, the pelargonium feels at home in well-drained, humus-rich and nutrient-rich soil, which tends to contain clay. For cultivation in pots and balcony boxes, we recommend high-quality potting soil with a low peat content. If you like to mix it yourself, add 1 part compost and sand or lava granules to 2 parts of clayey soil.
When is flowering time?
The pelargonium presents us with its exuberant abundance of flowers from May to October/November. So that you don't run out of breath on this long journey through the season, the focus is on weekly nutrient intake. Since withered inflorescences hinder the buds underneath, clean them out as soon as possible. This ensures that the well-groomed appearance is maintained and the flower splendor continues to increase.
Cut geranium correctly
Cut off spent inflorescences regularly during the summer. In this way, you create space for new buds and save your pelargonium from the strenuous growth of seeds. If individual shoots become too long, they can easily be shortened. Of course, the geranium cannot tolerate extensive pruning in the middle of the growth phase. If overwintering is planned, cut the plant by two thirds just before the first frost. At least 2 eyes should remain on the individual shoot, from which the ornamental plant will sprout again in the next season.
Watering geranium
Geraniums require a constant supply of fresh irrigation water, but they don't like wet feet at all. Only water your pelargonium when you have determined that the soil surface is dry using a finger test. Avoid overhead irrigation, but rather apply the water directly to the root ball in the early morning or in the evening.
Fertilize geranium properly
Pelargonium is grateful for a continuous supply of nutrients during the growth and flowering period. Bedding plants receive a portion of compost with horn shavings every 14 days from May to August. In the tub and balcony box, pamper your geraniums weekly with a commercially available liquid fertilizer (€16.00 on Amazon) for flowering plants.
Wintering
The majority of non-hardy pelargoniums are disposed of in German hobby gardens after a single summer season. In fact, the magnificent flower has the potential of perennial cultivation. To ensure that wintering is successful, proceed as follows:
- Before the first frost, cut off all shoots by two thirds and remove all leaves
- Take the plants out of the soil, shake them off well and place them in clay pots with a potting soil and sand mixture
- Keep slightly moist in a dark location at 5-10 degrees Celsius and do not fertilize
In February/March, cut the geraniums back to 10 cm again, making each cut just above a bud. Now plant your winter guests in fresh substrate and look after them on the bright, warm windowsill until mid-May.
Propagate geranium
Pelargonium is best propagated with cuttings. In July and August or in March, cut off strong, non-flowering shoots with a sharp knife. The cut starts just below a leaf node. Remove any buds and leaves in the lower half. Place the cuttings 2-3 cm deep in small pots that are filled with special potting soil. In a partially shaded, warm place, keep the substrate constantly slightly moist while your young ones are busy rooting.
Geranium in a pot
In the pot, the tightly upright growing zonal geraniums are particularly impressive. Use a nutrient-rich, well-draining potting soil optimized with sand or lava granules. Place some pottery shards over the water drain as drainage. Since the water requirement increases in proportion to growth, it is best to check daily whether the substrate has dried out. Only water until the first drops run out of the bottom opening and empty the saucer after a few minutes. From May to September, administer a commercially available liquid fertilizer (€16.00 on Amazon) for flowering plants every week. To prevent wilted, fallen petals from spoiling the lush appearance, clean out the dead ones every few days.
Is geranium poisonous?
Geranium is not poisonous for children and adults; at least in relation to intentional or unintentional consumption. However, skin contact with the plant sap can cause rashes and inflammation. We therefore recommend wearing gloves during all planting and care work. Pelargonium poses a deadly danger to small rodents such as rabbits, hamsters or guinea pigs. Keep your furry roommates away from the summer flower and never give the leaves as green fodder.
Beautiful varieties
- Lemon Fancy: Pelargonium with an intense scent, pink flowers and a tightly upright, broadly bushy habit; 45-50cm
- Romania: Richly flowering variety with undouble white, pink-striped flowers; With a height of 20 cm ideal for flower boxes
- Ville de Paris: Lush hanging geranium, whose red flower cascades attract everyone's attention; up to 100 cm length
- Marena: Evergreen zonal pelargonium with salmon pink flowers and a majestic silhouette; 30-50 cm high, 40-60 cm wide
- Witchwood: Premium variety with bicolor flowers in light pink and purple, suitable for overwintering; 40cm
