Noble geraniums (bot. Pelargonium grandiflorum) beautify many a garden with their large, colorful flowers. To do this, they need a lot of light and good care. In addition to watering and fertilizing, this also includes cleaning and cutting the plants.
How and when should I prune geraniums?
Pruning geraniums is important to promote bushy growth and abundant flowering. Pruning removes wilted flowers and shoots, while autumn pruning is recommended, leaving at least two eyes per shoot.
What does cleaning out mean?
Pruning means plucking or cutting wilted flowers and shoots. This makes the plant look fresher and more beautiful. Cleaning out not only improves the appearance of your geraniums, it also promotes the formation of new buds and flowers.
Is pruning necessary in autumn?
Pruning in the fall is not absolutely necessary, but it certainly makes sense. On the one hand, the cut plant does not need as much space to overwinter, and on the other hand, it is then easier to care for in winter. In addition, a noble geranium needs a very radical cut every now and then. This ensures lush blooms and strong shoots.
Does pruning affect growth?
A strong pruning ensures new shoots and beautifully bushy growth for your noble geranium. Even young plants can influence you in this regard. To do this, shorten the young shoots by a few centimeters about three weeks after planting. In these places the plant then branches and grows much bushier and more compact.
What should I pay attention to when pruning?
As soon as your geraniums have finished blooming in late summer, you can cut them back heavily. Shorten the shoots to around ten to 15 centimeters. However, at least two eyes should always be left so that your geraniums can sprout lushly again in spring. If necessary, you can also cut back your geraniums during repotting in spring.
The most important things in brief:
- Cleaning out promotes the formation of new buds and flowers
- Regular pruning ensures bushy growth
- Pruning recommended in autumn
- leave at least two eyes per shoot
- If necessary, pruning possible when transplanting
Tip
Ideally, you should cut back your geraniums in autumn, then the plants will be easier to overwinter and no longer need to be pruned in spring.
