How To Grow Geranium

How To Grow Geranium involves planting correctly and fertilizing properly.

The common geranium, which is planted in garden beds, planters and even grown in doors is a member of the genus Pelargonium. Members of the genus Geranium are the wild geraniums that can be found growing wild but are also nice additions to a country garden and the herbaceous perennials.

The common geranium can be grown in beds or containers and will do well in either. The ivy leafed geranium is a natural for hanging planters. The Regal geranium does not do well outside and should be grown in a container that can be put outside on mild days and moved inside at night and during cold or hot weather.

How To Grow Geranium is similar for plants in beds and containers. Geraniums should be planted in an area that is sheltered from strong winds. Put them in a spot where there will be full sun for 6 to 8 hours a day. Use a well drained soil that is slightly acidic. Prepare the bed by fertilizing with a 5-10-5 fertilizer. Once the flowers are planted, fertilize once a month with a 10-10-10 fertilizer. Mulch the area and water once a week or as required.

How To Grow Geranium for Planters

To grow geraniums in outdoor planters, use a soil that is well aerated. Put them in a spot that will get 6 to 8 hours of sun and fertilize with a commercial fertilizer monthly. Water once a week or as needed – do not let the plant sit in water, make sure your container has adequate drainage. If you find your plant looks wilted it may need to be moved to a larger container.

How To Grow Geranium for Indoor Plants

The Regal or Martha Washington geranium is not suited for outdoor use but perfect for the indoors! Put your plant in a sunny window for best results. Perfect temperatures for your indoor geranium are mid 60’s during day time hours and mid 50’s at night. Fertilize once a month in spring and summer and every 2 months in fall and winter. Water weekly and use a container that has good drainage.

Geraniums are hardy, but like any plant can be susceptible to disease. Some common disease are Black Leg where the stem becomes blackened and the leaves fall off, Leaf Spot where leaves become spotted and drop off, Gray Mold where the plant has gray moldy spots, Rust where the plant gets rusty looking spots and leaves turn yellow and drop off, Root Knot nematodes -swelled roots and stunted growth and Dropsy which produces lesions on the plants.

To combat most disease, remove all leaves that are infected, make sure you do not take cuttings from any plant with disease. When watering make sure you do not splash the leaves.

Some pests you might find making a meal of our geraniums include: