How To Save Geraniums In The Fall – 2 Great Ways To Keep Geraniums Alive Over Winter! : Save those geraniums indoors this winter so they can grow and bloom again in the spring, summer, and fall of next year instead of tossing them to the curb this fall!
While geraniums are commonly considered annuals, in regions with milder winters they are truly perennials. Like ferns, they may also be kept indoors for the winter with a little more work, and then returned the next season to add even more enormous flower power.
How To Save Geraniums In The Fall – 2 Great Ways To Keep Geraniums Alive Over Winter!
The good news is that you can save your geraniums regardless of where you grow them: in hanging baskets, big pots, tiny containers, or even straight in bed. And let’s be honest—given how much flowers are becoming, this is a terrific way to save money!
Save Your Geraniums Before It’s Too Late
Early action is the key to rescuing geraniums. Unfortunately, hard or light frosts cause problems for plants. Damage to their roots frequently renders them unsalvageable.
Geraniums may endure a light frost, but when the foliage and blossoms freeze, they perish. Cell structure is severely damaged by freezing. Especially the roots, not just the foliage and blooms.
Roots are mostly water. Freezing and crystallizing water ruptures root walls and linings. Once the root structure is damaged, saving is impossible.
For overwintering, geraniums should be prepared in early fall. Action is needed when evening temperatures drop into the high 40s or low 50s. Cleaning up flowerbeds and containers with geraniums is also a good idea as they fade late in the season.
How To Save Geraniums In The Fall – 2 Easy Ways To Keep Geraniums Alive
There are two ways to winter-proof geraniums. Potted geraniums can be carried indoors in winter as houseplants. They can also be trimmed back and saved as bare roots.
Both ways are straightforward, but the optimal one relies on indoor space and light. How you raise outdoor geraniums matters too. In light of that, here is a detailed look at each method and some recommendations for helping your geraniums bloom big next spring.
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Bringing Geranium Plants Indoors – How To Save Geraniums In The Fall
If your geraniums are in smaller pots, containers, or hanging baskets, you can easily save them for next year by bringing them indoors as a houseplant.
You need the right spot to grow them as a houseplant. A area to provide light and warmth is needed.
Geraniums are tropical. They will grow if they have enough light and temps near 70° (F). Though they may not blossom, they can survive winter well.
Watering & Winter Care
A southern window provides the optimum light for geraniums. South-facing windows get the most winter sun. Also, keep them away from cold drafts and heating vents that dry them out quickly.
Water them but don’t overwater. Too much water hurts geraniums more than not enough. Watering sparingly every 10–14 days is ideal with typical indoor humidity. A grow lamp will keep them bright and healthy if they can’t get enough window light.
Let potted geraniums become dormant while bringing them indoors. Start by trimming the plant to half its size. Put it in a cold, dark place with a paper bag or burlap to block light.
If it doesn’t freeze, an unheated garage or basement works great. Monthly water your geranium softly. Bring the plant outside in April to grow new foliage.
Saving Geraniums As Bare Root Plants
Geraniums can also be saved as bare roots in winter. This is ideal for flowerbed plants or small indoor spaces.
Dig geranium roots and all to conserve bare roots. Pull the entire potted plant out of the dirt. Shrink the top growth to 1/3rd. Cut back the plant before digging to simplify the operation.
Now just store your roots until next year. Put the roots in a cardboard box or brown paper grocery bag upside down. Store in a cool, dark, non-freezing area.
Spring Care
A well-balanced liquid fertilizer will re-energize roots after plants are returned outside. Compost tea, worm casting tea, or commercial liquid fertilizer provide plants fast vigor.
Liquid fertilizers penetrate roots quickly. Granular fertilizers work but take longer to feed roots. Give your geraniums liquid fertilizer every two weeks for six weeks and they should thrive.
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