Cultivating Geraniums in Pots for Abundant Blossoms in Limited Areas
Geraniums are a popular choice for container gardening, offering vibrant colours and fragrances to brighten up any outdoor space. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to care for these delightful plants in pots.
Janey Goulding, a former assistant editor of the UK's oldest gardening magazine, Amateur Gardening, and a current student pursuing her RHS Level 2 certificate in The Principles of Plant Growth and Development, shares her expertise on geranium cultivation.
Wait until the last frosts have passed before planting geraniums in containers. When planting, allow 8-10 inches between each plant and do not plant the root ball too deep in the pot. Geraniums do best in containers with adequate drainage holes.
Water geraniums deeply once a week in spring, and more often in warmer weather, allowing the compost to dry out a little between waterings. Overwatering can lead to legginess in geranium plants and yellow leaves in the lower parts of the plant.
Starting geraniums as cuttings is often the best way to guarantee that the offspring grows true to the parent plant, and it is much quicker than a plant started from seed. To start geraniums as cuttings, select 3-5in (8-12cm) lengths of stems, remove all but the top leaves, dip in rooting hormone, and plant in compost with plenty of sand or vermiculite.
Gardeners recommend scented pelargonium varieties such as Pelargonium graveolens, Pelargonium tomentosum, and Pelargonium crispum for container cultivation when a deep fragrance selection is desired. There are various types of geraniums for container gardening, including zonal, ivy, calliope, and scented geraniums.
When caring for geraniums in containers, it's important to provide them with bright light, appropriate temperature and humidity levels, and well-draining, light or loamy compost. Add a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month to promote growth.
To prevent geranium leaf rust, space plants for good airflow, avoid splashing water on leaves, and remove infected leaves. Geranium leaf rust is a foliar disease that presents as small yellow circles on the undersides of leaves, orangey-brown spores, and raised pustules. It thrives in cool, damp conditions and is prevalent in greenhouses.
During winter, to let potted geraniums sleep, place them in a cool, dark place that won't be exposed to frosts, allow foliage and stem tips to shrivel and fall off, and keep the compost just barely moist. To keep potted geraniums awake during winter, place them in a bright, sunny position in the home and lessen the watering routine.
If yellow leaves appear due to overwatering, let the compost dry out so the plant can recover. Mary Ellen Ellis, a gardening expert, specializes in flowers, native plants, and herbs, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining the right conditions for geraniums in containers.
By following these guidelines, you can enjoy the beauty and fragrance of geraniums in your container garden all season long. Happy gardening!
