How to grow potted geraniums? A detailed guide to cultivation techniques
1. Planting geraniums: plant in spring. In the south, plant in the ground; in the north, pot culture with indoor overwintering is preferable. Generally, pot culture is used. When planting in the ground, choose a spot that does not easily accumulate water; the soil should be loose, fertile and well drained, preferably sandy loam. For pot culture, use a growing medium mixed with leaf mold, garden soil and sand.
Before planting, first place tile pieces at the bottom of the pot to aid drainage. Generally, plant first in a small pot without applying base fertilizer; after tending it for a period, move it into a larger pot. At this point, apply an appropriate amount of decomposed stable manure as base fertilizer in the pot, fill in growing medium above it, and keep the roots from directly touching the base fertilizer.
2. Light and temperature: it likes sunlight. Except in summer when the sun is very strong and shade or moving it indoors is needed to avoid direct sunlight, it should receive sufficient sunlight at other times, with at least 4 hours of sunlight daily, so that it can keep blooming year-round.
If light is insufficient and it grows in shade for a long time, the plant tends to grow leggy and flower bud differentiation decreases. The suitable growing temperature is 16-24°C, and growth is most vigorous in the cool climate of spring and autumn. In winter it should be moved into a greenhouse, with the temperature maintained at around 15°C during the day and not lower than 8°C at night, and with sufficient light ensured, it can still continue to grow and bloom.
3. Watering and fertilizing geraniums: strengthen water and fertilizer management during the growing period. Apply dilute liquid fertilizer 2-3 times per month; after flower bud differentiation, increase the application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. The soil should often be kept moist but on the dry side; it must not lack water or suffer drought, otherwise the leaves turn yellow and fall off, affecting growth and ornamental value; but it also must not be watered too much.
If the soil is too wet, otherwise the plant will grow leggy, affecting flower bud differentiation, producing few flowers, and even causing root rot and death. Watering should follow the principle of not watering when dry and watering thoroughly when watering. In summer when the temperature is high, the plant enters dormancy, so watering should be controlled and fertilizing stopped.
4. Shaping and pruning: to make the plant's crown full and compact, shaping and pruning should begin from the seedling stage. Generally, when the seedling is 10 cm tall, pinch off the growing tip to promote new branches.
After the new branches grow out, pinch the tips another 1-2 times until a satisfactory plant shape is formed. Flowers bloom at the tips of the branches, so after each flowering, promptly remove the flowers and prune to promote continuous new branches and nonstop blooming. Generally, pruning is carried out 3 times: in early spring, early summer and after autumn.