Geraniums grow in bright red, graceful pink, gorgeous white, passionate purple… and the list goes on. Needless to say, they are the perfect addition to any garden, window sill or vase. Follow these steps to learn how to grow and care for your beautiful geraniums.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Planting geraniums
Step 1. Choose the right place to plant geraniums
Whether you plant them in the ground or in a pot, geraniums are generally one of the easiest plants to grow and care for. They can be planted in spots with full sun, partial sun, or light shade. Generally, geraniums do best with five to six hours of sunshine a day, although this number can be a little more or a little less. It is best to plant geraniums in soil that drains well. Geraniums don't really like having their feet too wet and soggy soil could make them sick.
If you live in an area that is really hot for a long period of the year, try to find a place with shade in the afternoon and with relatively humid soil
Step 2. Choose the right pot if you are planting geraniums in pots
It should have holes in the bottom, because geraniums don't like soggy soil. Purchase a pot large enough for the plant, according to the geranium variety you bought. If you have a smaller plant, a 15 - 20cm pot will work, while larger varieties will need a 25cm pot.
Step 3. Choose the right time of year to plant the flowers
Industry associations recommend planting geraniums in the spring, after the last frost. Depending on the type of geranium, the plant can bloom in midsummer, late summer, or fall (although sometimes the flowers have a mind of their own and bloom in spring. Either way, be prepared to enjoy their beauty at any time. excluding winter).
Step 4. Prepare the base in the garden
Geraniums bloom in soils that have been cultivated and are loose. Use a tiller or rake to ensure that the soil is loosened by at least 30 - 35 cm. After loosening the soil, mix 5 - 10 cm of compost to give the soil as many nutrients as possible.
Step 5. Give each plant enough space to grow
Depending on the type of geranium, separate each plant by 15 - 60 cm. If you have a large variety of geranium, give it at least 60cm of room to grow.
Step 6. Dig holes for each plant
Each hole should be approximately twice the diameter of the pot containing the geranium. For example, if you bought a geranium in a 6 '' pot, you should make a hole that is 12 '' in diameter.
If you choose to grow geraniums from seeds, sow them directly into the soil. If you choose to use seeds, be aware that plants will take longer to grow and bloom. If you have sown the seeds in a pot, initially keep it inside while the seeds take root. Once the seeds begin to sprout, the pot can be moved outside
Step 7. Place the plant in the hole
Gently take the geranium out of its container, being careful not to break the roots. Place the plant in the hole so that the root ball (the bundle of roots that was squeezed into the pot) is level with the soil surface. Fill the rest of the hole with soil and compact the soil down around the plant so the geranium can stand up on its own. Water immediately.
Try to avoid putting soil on the plant stem, as a buried stem could cause the plant to rot
Part 2 of 2: Caring for Geraniums
Step 1. Water the plants when needed
Geraniums are considered relatively drought tolerant, but that doesn't mean you never have to water them. To find out if the plants need to be watered, check the soil. Use your fingernail to dig just below the soil surface - if it's dry or barely damp, you need to water the flowers.
For potted geraniums, be sure to give enough water. Water until the water comes out of the bottom (that's why you need pots with holes in the bottom)
Step 2. Use the compost you need
Every spring, you should add a new layer of compost around the geraniums. Put 5cm of mulch on top of this layer. Mulching will help keep the soil moist and will also reduce the number of weeds brave enough to grow around geraniums.
Step 3. Keep the plant healthy by removing dead flowers
After the flower has bloomed, remove the dead flowers and other parts of the plant so it can grow back healthy and strong. Remove the leaves and stems that are dead (they will be brown in color) so that no fungus grows (which tends to form on the dead parts of the plant).
Step 4. Separate the plants every three to four years
Once the plants have grown (and most likely have extended their borders quite a bit) they should be separated. Separate the plants in late spring. To do this, lift the plants (and their roots) off the ground, remove the clumps that have grown around their stems and replant them.
Step 5. Fertilize with liquid fertilizer such as 20-20-20 or 15-30-15
Follow the instructions on the fertilizer to know the quantities to use and the times. Try to avoid dropping fertilizer on the leaves of the plant.
Advice
- Geranium plants can be planted. Break off a stem and remove the leaves at the bottom. Plant in half as you would other cuttings.
- Grow geraniums on their own in pots or mix them with other plants to create flower beds in the garden. Geraniums blend well with a lot of other plants
