Geranium Winter Care Methods and Pruning and Shaping Techniques
Geraniums like warmth and fear cold, so special attention should be paid to cold and frost protection in winter. When growing geraniums in northern regions, the potted plants should be moved indoors when Frost's Descent arrives and placed by a sunny window so they receive plenty of light. If light is insufficient, the plants tend to grow leggy, which affects flower bud formation, and even flower buds that have already formed may wither due to insufficient light.
If in the south, the potted plants should also be moved after the Start of Winter to a wind-sheltered, warm, sunny spot, which makes it easier for the potted flowers to get more sun and also easier to avoid wind and cold. Indoor temperatures should be maintained at 15°C to 20°C during the day and no lower than 10°C at night. In an environment where the temperature is too low, the plants grow weakly, which is not good for flower bud differentiation, resulting in fewer flowers or even no flowers, but an environment with temperatures above 25°C is also unfavorable for their growth and flowering. Geraniums like dry conditions and fear dampness, so daily watering should be moderate. In winter, do not water every day. Even in dry weather, generally water once every five to seven days, keeping the potting soil slightly dry with just a hint of moisture.
Geraniums are flowers commonly grown in homes for both their flowers and leaves, and they are also good material for arranging flower beds and flower borders. Because they grow quickly, they must be pruned and shaped every year. Generally, the plants should be pruned at least 3 times each year. The first time is in March, mainly for thinning branches; the second time is in May, cutting off faded flowers and overly dense branches; after the Start of Autumn, carry out the third pruning, mainly for shaping.
How should the plants be pruned and shaped?
Generally, after the dog days have passed and the weather turns cooler, geraniums gradually recover their growth, and new buds have grown on dormant plants. This is exactly late August to early September, when the plants should be given a comprehensive pruning together with repotting. According to the plant's growth, generally select and keep 3-5 main branches near the base that are robust and evenly distributed, and cut off all other overly dense, weak, or leggy branches from the base. Then shorten the main branches and side branches, leaving only robust new shoots on each side branch, so that the branches of the whole plant are evenly distributed and compact, and the plant shape is full and short and sturdy.
For plants grown for one year, simply shorten them at an appropriate position. Plants that have been pruned and shaped need some time to recover their growth. Generally, after the cut ends have dried and shrunk for half a month, normal topdressing can begin, so that new shoots continue to sprout and flowers bloom successively. To avoid excessive leggy growth, pinch the tips to encourage more side branches and more flowers.
Introduction to Geranium Winter Care and Pruning and Shaping Methods
Geranium, also known as zonal geranium, fish geranium, horseshoe geranium, and pelargonium, belongs to the Geraniaceae family and includes about 230 species of perennial succulent, subshrub, or shrub plants. Geraniums originated in southern Africa and are widely cultivated around the world. Nowadays, more and more flower enthusiasts are starting to grow geraniums. At present, the issues flower enthusiasts worry about most are overwintering and pruning and shaping methods, and this article will introduce them in detail.Geraniums like warmth and fear cold, so special attention should be paid to cold and frost protection in winter. When growing geraniums in northern regions, the potted plants should be moved indoors when Frost's Descent arrives and placed by a sunny window so they receive plenty of light. If light is insufficient, the plants tend to grow leggy, which affects flower bud formation, and even flower buds that have already formed may wither due to insufficient light.
If in the south, the potted plants should also be moved after the Start of Winter to a wind-sheltered, warm, sunny spot, which makes it easier for the potted flowers to get more sun and also easier to avoid wind and cold. Indoor temperatures should be maintained at 15°C to 20°C during the day and no lower than 10°C at night. In an environment where the temperature is too low, the plants grow weakly, which is not good for flower bud differentiation, resulting in fewer flowers or even no flowers, but an environment with temperatures above 25°C is also unfavorable for their growth and flowering. Geraniums like dry conditions and fear dampness, so daily watering should be moderate. In winter, do not water every day. Even in dry weather, generally water once every five to seven days, keeping the potting soil slightly dry with just a hint of moisture.
Overwatering can cause leaves to turn yellow and fall off, thereby affecting flowering and even causing root rot and death. However, frequently spraying the leaf surface with clean water to keep the leaves clean is beneficial to photosynthesis. If you want geraniums to bloom continuously, sufficient nutrients must be supplied. Generally, a diluted liquid fertilizer should be applied about once every 10 days. It can be made by mixing bean cake, hoof pieces, and fishy water, then adding water after fermentation before use. Compound fertilizer sold in flower shops can also be used, with only 3 to 5 pieces each time.
Geraniums have many branches. To promote more flowering, the plants should be pinched several times to encourage more branching and more bud formation. After the flowers fade, promptly cut off the remaining flowers and prune overly dense or weak branches to avoid consuming nutrients. However, in the depths of winter, heavy pruning is not advisable.
Geraniums are flowers commonly grown in homes for both their flowers and leaves, and they are also good material for arranging flower beds and flower borders. Because they grow quickly, they must be pruned and shaped every year. Generally, the plants should be pruned at least 3 times each year. The first time is in March, mainly for thinning branches; the second time is in May, cutting off faded flowers and overly dense branches; after the Start of Autumn, carry out the third pruning, mainly for shaping.
How should the plants be pruned and shaped?
Generally, after the dog days have passed and the weather turns cooler, geraniums gradually recover their growth, and new buds have grown on dormant plants. This is exactly late August to early September, when the plants should be given a comprehensive pruning together with repotting. According to the plant's growth, generally select and keep 3-5 main branches near the base that are robust and evenly distributed, and cut off all other overly dense, weak, or leggy branches from the base. Then shorten the main branches and side branches, leaving only robust new shoots on each side branch, so that the branches of the whole plant are evenly distributed and compact, and the plant shape is full and short and sturdy.
For plants grown for one year, simply shorten them at an appropriate position. Plants that have been pruned and shaped need some time to recover their growth. Generally, after the cut ends have dried and shrunk for half a month, normal topdressing can begin, so that new shoots continue to sprout and flowers bloom successively. To avoid excessive leggy growth, pinch the tips to encourage more side branches and more flowers.
Summary: The above is an introduction to geranium winter care and pruning and shaping methods. We hope it is helpful to flower enthusiasts growing geraniums.