Growing Geranium Flowers
Growing Geranium flowers is a simple matter and proper care will yield a summer full of blooms.
The wild geranium (genus Geranium) is great for cottage gardens and grows wild in the US while the common geranium (genus Pelargonium) is more suited for planting in formal gardens and containers.
Growing Geranium flowers is similar for plants in beds and containers. When planting geraniums in your garden beds, wait until after the last frost. These plants can be damaged in strong winds so make sure you plant in a somewhat sheltered area. Use a well drained soil and a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sun per day. Fertilize monthly with a 10-10-10 fertilizer. Water weekly.
Growing Geranium Flowers In Planters
Geraniums will grow just as well in outdoor planters as in your garden bed. The key is to make sure you pick a planter big enough to support growth of the plant. Use a soil that has plenty of aeration like a commercial mix or garden dirt mixed with perlite. Use a container that will drain well and even add some rocks to the bottom so that your plant does not sit in the water. Plant in a sunny spot that is protected from strong wind. Fertilize monthly and water weekly.
Growing Geranium Flowers Indoors
Some geraniums such as the Martha Washington geraniums are not suited for outdoor growing but can be beautiful indoor plants. Put our plant in a sunny window for best flowering. Plant in a well drained soil and use a fertilizer formulated for indoor plants. Fertilize monthly when plant is flowering but cut back to every two months in the fall and winter. Your geranium will do best if the day time temps are around 65 degrees with night temperature around 55.
Disease
Black Leg – stem turns black and leaves fall off - treatment - Use fungicidal spray to help control spread, never take cutting from a diseased plant.
Leaf Spot – leaves become spotted and drop off - treatment - remove and discard infected leaves, avoid splashing water on plant when watering.
Gray Mold – plant shows spots that are grayish and moldy looking - treatment - remove infected plants, make sure there is good air flow between plants, treat with fungicidal spray.
Rust – plant has rusty looking spots and is turning yellow - treatment - treat with fungicidal spray.
Root Knot nematodes – stunted plant growth and knotted roots - treatment rotate plants every year, destroy infected plants – do not replant in an area that has had this problem.
Dropsy – happens on indoor plants where there are lesions on plants - treatment - water less frequently and put plant in a sunny spot.
Pests
Caterpillars - some caterpillars like to much on geraniums (perhaps they have heard of it’s medicinal properties?). These can be controlled with sprays.
Aphids - try controlling aphids with ladybugs or a special spray.
Whitefly - usually starts in the greenhouse but can spread to the garden on infested plants. Small white flys and black sooty goop can be seen on the leaves which will fall off after turning yellow. Can be controlled with sprays.
Mites - Causes leaves to curl and drop off – control with sprays.
Termites - Subterranean termites tunnel through the stems of geraniums causing them to turn yellow and die. Treat the soil with the appropriate termite treatment. Don’t let them get to your house!
Slugs - slugs love gardens but they also love beer. Leave a saucer out and you will catch more than your fair share of slugs!
More On Geraniums:
Healing Properties Of Geraniums
Explore the medicinal uses of this plant from healing skin to repelling insects to relieveing symptoms of PMS.
Geranium Care
How to plant and care for your Geraniums.
Geranium Pests And Disease
What's making your plant turn yellow? Find out what it could be and how to treat it.
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