Geraniums are perfect plants to decorate our balconies or terraces as they withstand high temperatures very well and are very easy to care for. In addition, the great color of its flowers manages to brighten the appearance of our houses and buildings.
If you want to start planting geraniums and do not know how to keep reading since throughout this article, we will explain in detail the procedure that you must carry out. You will discover that planting geraniums is a very fun and simple activity so … what are you waiting for to start?
What do you need to plant geraniums?
- Seeds or cuttings of geraniums
- Earth
- Fertilizer
- Pots
Instructions for planting geraniums
- Before starting to plant you must take into account a number of aspects. The first one is really important and has to do with the time of year in which you must carry out the planting. You should plan the event carefully that it takes place after the frost season. If you plant during the winter, you will most likely get nothing more than wasting time and effort. Geraniums withstand high temperatures very well but frost suits them quite well. When the plants are adult and strong, they can withstand a fairly cold weather, but the same does not happen when they are weakened or in the process of growing. You should also remember that the flowering of geraniums occurs in summer, so the ideal is that you plant them in spring. However, you can also plant them during the summer or autumn, although if you do it during this last season you must take special care that this happens at least three months before the frost begins.
- Another important point to keep in mind when planting geraniums is to choose a good place. Really this point does not have any importance if you decide to use a pot, since you can move it easily but, without a doubt, it will be of vital importance if you decide to plant them in your garden. In case you have decided on the second option you should choose a very bright place, since geraniums need a lot of light. Remember that they can withstand very high temperatures, but if you live in a very hot climate you should opt for a place where during the hottest hours, they can receive some shade. You should never select a place in the shade because they will not grow healthy and you will have very few flowers, looking sad and downcast.
- In case you decide to use a pot make sure it is the right one. You must take into account the size and material. It is advisable that you opt for a clay pot, as that will allow the plant to enjoy good drainage. That’s important since geraniums have a tendency to rot if their roots get waterlogged. As for the size I cannot offer you a standard measurement since that will depend on the species of geranium you decide to plant. There are more than 240 varieties and each of them has different colors and sizes. If you select a large variety, you should be sure that your pot will be able to offer the space it needs throughout its growth. I recommend that you inform yourself of the type of species you are going to plant and that you consider the final size that your geraniums can reach. Another option is that you use a medium-sized pot and with the passage of time, as the plant grows, you change it. In addition, transplanting your plants every one or two years is always a good idea since the change of soil favors their health.
- Once you have selected the place where you will plant your geraniums you must prepare the soil. The soil must be loose, very well oxygenated and for this you can remove it with the help of a gardening palette. It must also have a neutral pH and be rich in organic matter and to make sure this is the best thing you can do is place a layer of fertilizer. If you are going to plant in your garden you must make sure that it has a good drainage system and that the water will not flood. Remember that this point is fundamental so that geraniums do not contract diseases or rot their roots.
- Then you must make small holes in which later you will place the seeds or cuttings of geraniums. You can do them with a finger or with the help of a stick. The pits should have a minimum separation that allows the geraniums to grow without disturbing each other. Again, the separation will depend on the variety of geranium you have decided to plant. Do not worry too much about the depth of them, with about three centimeters will be more than enough.
- Place the seeds or cuttings in the hole. If you would be interested in planting cuttings but do not know how you will like to know that it is something very simple. You simply need to select a series of healthy stems from your geraniums. The length of each stem should be about ten centimeters. Choose the youngest and strongest since the older ones take longer to take root. It is also not recommended that you select the paler ones. You need to cut them with a fairly sharp tool so that they do not spoil or fray. Cut two or three stems for each pot so that you can guarantee to achieve at least one of them. Before planting them, leave them a few days immersed in water to release roots. When you are going to introduce the cuttings into the earth, make a small cut in one of the nodes closest to the base. As you can see, obtaining geranium cuttings is a very simple operation and a good and economical alternative to buying the seeds.
- Cover the hole with soil and water. Do not use too much water as you would drown them, you should only spray the earth with a small amount of water so that it is a little wet. If you have used cuttings, make sure that the water does not fall directly on them and focus on the base of the stem.
Tips for planting geraniums
- As you may have seen through a careful reading of the previous steps, planting geraniums is a very simple and fairly fast procedure. It is a very strong and resistant plant so you should not take too many precautions. However, it is a good idea to cover the pot for the first few days with a clear plastic. This will allow light to enter and maintain optimal humidity levels. If you have planted outdoors, it will also offer you protection against birds and insects.
- Finally, it is advisable to plant flowers during the period of action of the full moon or in the crescent quarter. The action of the moon during these phases helps further vegetation growth.
- Learn more about plants and flowers in our category dedicated to them.