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**** The Gardener's Forum ****]
Winter Care of Geraniums
Pelargonium
Barbara wrote:
After lifting geraniums (also hanging ivy geraniums and citronella),
how do I store for the winter? Thanks - Barbara
poknhope@orwell.net (in NE Ohio)
The most important thing I can tell you is to keep all of your plants away from heat sources in the
house. Also be aware that there may be insects on the plant, which could migrate to your houseplants, so
you might want to spray them before exposing them to your others.
The best way is to try to re-create the same conditions indoors that the geraniums were growing in,
outdoors. Try to provide as much light and humidity as you can. The best temperature range would be
from 60-70 degrees, which is cooler than a typical house in the winter, so if you have a spare room, that
might be cooler, with sufficient light, you have it made.
Even in these conditions, your geraniums may begin to get leggy and less attractive by the end of
winter. If this is the case,simply take cuttings from the mother plant. If you are inclined to try cuttings, geraniums are a very easy plant to restart......
Take cuttings in September from healthy plants which have been kept
rather dry for a couple weeks. Use a clean, sharp knife and make a cutting 3 to 4 inches in length from the growing tips. Trim off the lower leaves from the cutting, and stick it into a coarse, sandy medium in a small pots or in flats, and water well. Place them in indirect light. Do not allow the cuttings to dry out. After roots are formed, move the new plants into full sun and water only enough to keep them from shriveling. Fertilize with a weak solution of liquid fertilizer every two weeks once the new plant shows signs of new growth.
Not only will the mother plants become bushier, you'll increase your stock of geraniums just in time for
spring!
The winter care for the ivy geranium, or citronella would be the same.
Bill
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[wintering+geraniums]