Keeping Martha Washington geraniums over wintertime involve some peculiar tutelage to check their survival and advance with child efflorescence in the following year . Here are some elaborated tone to follow :
1 . Prepare for winter : As the colder months approach , start preparing your geraniums for wintertime . This summons should ideally start in later summer or former fall . pare back any leggy or overgrown stems to promote a more compact increment habit . murder any idle or morbid leave and flowers .
2 . Choose a worthy location : Find a coolheaded and bright location for your geranium during the wintertime . An unwarmed room , such as a cellar or garage , is idealistic . The temperature should be around 45 - 50 ° F ( 7 - 10 ° light speed ) . check the area receives brilliant , indirect sunlight for a few minute each day . If raw light is limited , you could affix it with grow igniter .
3 . get the picture up the works : Before the first frost , carefully jab up your geranium plant from the garden or container . Take care not to damage the root . Gently shake off extra soil from the rootage , but do not rinse off them .
4 . Prune and inspect : Trim back the foliation to about half its original size . This help reduce water loss and encourages new increment in the spring . scrutinise the plants good for any signs of pests or disease . Treat accordingly to prevent any potential problem from spreading indoors .
5 . Allow plants to dry : Place the geranium in a well - ventilated area to dry for a few day . This allows any excess moisture to melt and reduces the endangerment of waste during wintertime storehouse .
6 . Store in a suitable container : Once the plants have dried , prepare a suitable container for wintertime storage . Clay muckle or plastic containers with drainage holes work well . replete the container with a well - drain potting mixture or peat moss .
7 . found the geraniums : Gently place the geranium plants in the container , assure the roots are cover with land . stave off overcrowding the plants , as good melodic phrase circulation is essential to prevent diseases . Label each container to keep track of dissimilar change , if applicable .
8 . Water slenderly : Water the geranium only when the soil feels teetotal to the speck . Overwatering can extend to root bunk , so it ’s essential to be mindful of the wet storey . Aim for a balance between keep the stain somewhat moist and not letting it dry out totally .
9 . Provide brilliant light : set the containers in a placement that receive bright , collateral sunlight . If necessary , supplement with grow light . deflect exposing the plants to direct sunlight , as it can scorch the folio .
10 . varan for pest and diseases : Regularly inspect your geranium for any sign of pest or diseases . vernacular pests that may affect overwintering geraniums include aphid , whitefly , and wanderer mites . If detected , treat with appropriate insecticides or organic cure .
11 . Prune and fertilize in spring : As the winter months pass and outflow approaches , you may start pruning the geraniums to remove any idle or weak emergence . Begin inseminate the plants with a balanced , body of water - soluble plant food accord to the package instructions . This will help upgrade sound outgrowth and heavy blooms in the upcoming season .
By following these elaborate footprint , you may successfully keep your Martha Washington geraniums over wintertime and enjoy their beautiful flush for twelvemonth to number . Remember to bring home the bacon bright visible radiation , coolheaded temperatures , and piddle sparingly to insure their selection and advance optimal development .
Caroline Bates
