Profusely blooming noble geraniums (bot. Pelargonium grandiflorum) are a real eye-catcher in the garden or on the balcony. However, if the flowers wither, the splendor often leaves something to be desired. Now it's time to clean it out. But what is that actually?
How do you properly clean geraniums?
Cleaning out geraniums properly means carefully breaking off wilted leaves and flowers at the leaf node without damaging the plant. Regular cleaning promotes the formation of buds and ensures a longer flowering period for geraniums.
Why is cleaning important?
The gardener understands cleaning out as the removal of wilted leaves and flowers. Regular cleaning keeps your geraniums he althy and promotes their flowering. Because the plant puts its strength into new buds instead of into the formation and ripening of seeds. You can extend the flowering period of your geraniums with this simple care measure.
How are geraniums properly cleaned?
You don't need any tools to clean out your geraniums, just reasonably skilled fingers. Simply break off the wilted flower stalk at the leaf node. How often you should clean out varies depending on the plant. When watering, check the condition of your geraniums and remove any wilted parts of the plant. Standing geraniums generally need to be cleaned out more often than hanging varieties.
What else is important for lush blooms?
It's not just cleaning that helps your geraniums bloom for a long time. A warm and bright location is also important for lush blooms. The more light your geraniums get, the more buds they will form. Noble geraniums also benefit from cool overwintering; the cold stimulus also stimulates bud formation. However, it shouldn't be too cold in the winter quarters, because noble geraniums cannot tolerate frost.
Does cleaning out replace pruning?
Cleaning in no way replaces any pruning. Only the wilted parts of the plant are removed. A strong pruning can be done in autumn. This means your noble geraniums need less space to overwinter. Pruning in spring is also conceivable. Both give the noble geraniums the chance to sprout again vigorously. Pruning young plants also ensures dense, bushy growth.
The most important things in brief:
- regular cleaning promotes bud formation
- does not replace pruning
- Carefully remove wilted plant parts, do not cut them
Tip
Regular cleaning will encourage your geraniums to bloom, but it is not a replacement for pruning.
