How do you care for potted geraniums? Master the method, and they can bloom as usual even during the dormant period

Geraniums are generally in a dormant period from late June to early August, and care during this stage requires special attention, so that they can keep blooming continuously and, even during the dormant period, still bloom "as usual."

1. Soil

Geraniums are suited to fertile, loose, well-drained, slightly acidic sandy loam. Gardeners can repot them from early August to early September each year. The potting soil can be made by mixing leaf mold with an appropriate amount of sandy soil and rice husk ash, plus a small amount of bone meal as a base fertilizer.

2. Fertilizing

Geraniums quite like fertilizer. However, from late June to early August, geraniums are in a semi-dormant state, and fertilizing should be stopped. During the vigorous growth period of geraniums, a diluted general-purpose organic liquid flower fertilizer should be applied about every 15 days. During the peak flowering period, combined with watering, apply a general-purpose organic flower fertilizer diluted 500 times once a week.

In addition, if you want to prune geraniums, after pruning, wait until the cut surfaces have dried and shrunk for half a month before resuming normal fertilizer application. Do not fertilize in winter when the temperature is below 10°C.

3. Water

Geraniums like a moist environment, but they dislike waterlogged conditions and are drought-tolerant. The soil should be dry rather than wet. Generally, water when the leaf tips begin to wilt, and when watering, water thoroughly. During vigorous growth in spring and autumn, water according to the principle of "water when dry, and water thoroughly when watering."

During the dormant period from late June to early August, they should be placed on a shaded balcony, windowsill or in a courtyard spot with little light and shelter from rain, and watering should be controlled. High temperatures, direct sunlight and water accumulation in the pot after rain can all affect dormancy, and may even cause root rot and death. Too much watering can cause leaves to turn yellow, poor plant growth, and failure to form sturdy flower buds. Therefore, special attention should be paid to watering and drainage.

4. Pruning

If geraniums are to keep blooming continuously, they need to be pruned 3 times a year. In March, thin out branches; in May, remove spent flowers and overly dense branches; from late August to early September, combined with repotting, carry out a comprehensive pruning of the plant. According to the plant's growth vigor, select and retain 3~5 strong, well-proportioned main branches growing near the base, and cut off the other branches from the base. Shorten the main branches and side branches, keeping only strong growing side buds on each side branch. To avoid excessive leggy growth, pinch off the growing tips to encourage more side branches and more flowers.

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