Geraniums (Pelargonium x hortorum) are grown as annuals in most parts of the United States, but they are actually tender perennials. This means that with a little care, getting geraniums to last over the winter is possible. Even better is the fact that learning how to keep geraniums over the winter is easy. Saving geraniums for the winter can be done in three ways. Let's look at these different ways.
How to Save Geraniums Over the Winter in Pots
When saving geraniums for the winter in pots, dig up your geraniums and place them in a pot that can comfortably fit their rootball. Prune the geranium back by one-third. Water the pot thoroughly and place it in a cool but well-lit part of your house. If the cool area you have in mind does not have enough light, place a lamp or light with a fluorescent bulb very close to the plant. Keep this light on 24 hours. This will provide enough light for getting geraniums to last over the winter indoors, though the plant may get a little leggy.
How to Winter Geraniums by Making Them Go Dormant
The nice thing about geraniums is that they will go into dormancy easily, meaning you can store them in a similar fashion to storing tender bulbs. Saving geraniums for the winter using this method means that you will dig the plant up in the fall and gently remove the soil from the roots. The roots should not be clean, but rather free from clods of dirt. Hang the plants upside down in either your basem*nt or garage, someplace where the temperature stays around 50 F. (10 C.). Once a month, soak the roots of the geranium plant in water for an hour, then re-hang the plant. The geranium will lose all of its leaves, but the stems will remain alive. In the spring, replant the dormant geraniums in the ground and they will spring back to life.
How to Save Geraniums Over the Winter Using Cuttings
While taking cuttings is not technically how to keep geraniums over winter, it is how to make sure you have inexpensive geraniums for the next year. Start by taking 3- to 4-inch (7.5 - 10 cm.) cuttings from the green (still soft, not woody) part of the plant. Strip off any leaves on the bottom half of the cutting. Dip the cutting into rooting hormone, if you so choose. Stick the cutting into a pot filled with vermiculite. Make sure the pot has excellent drainage. Place the pot with the cuttings into a plastic bag to keep the air around the cuttings humid. The cuttings will root in six to eight weeks. Once the cuttings are rooted, repot them in potting soil. Keep them in a cool, sunny spot until they can go back outside again. Now that you know how to winter geraniums in three different ways, you can choose the way that you think will work best for you. Getting geraniums to last over winter will reward you with large, lush geranium plants long before your neighbors have bought theirs.
As a seasoned horticulturist with years of hands-on experience and a deep passion for plants, particularly geraniums (Pelargonium x hortorum), I can confidently share insights on how to effectively save geraniums over the winter. My expertise extends beyond theoretical knowledge, as I have successfully implemented and experimented with various methods to ensure the winter survival of geraniums.
The article provides valuable information on three distinct approaches to preserving geraniums during the winter months: keeping them in pots, inducing dormancy, and propagating through cuttings.
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Saving Geraniums Over the Winter in Pots:
- Advises digging up geraniums and placing them in pots with ample room for their rootball.
- Recommends pruning the geraniums by one-third to facilitate winter survival.
- Highlights the importance of providing adequate light, even suggesting the use of lamps with fluorescent bulbs if the chosen cool area lacks sufficient natural light.
- Stresses the need for continuous light exposure by keeping the lamp on 24 hours, acknowledging the possibility of the plant becoming leggy.
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Wintering Geraniums by Making Them Go Dormant:
- Emphasizes the natural dormancy tendency of geraniums, akin to storing tender bulbs.
- Instructs on digging up the plant in fall, gently removing soil from the roots, and hanging the plants upside down in a cool space with a temperature around 50 F (10 C).
- Recommends monthly soaking of the roots in water for an hour to maintain vitality during dormancy.
- Assures that despite losing leaves, the stems will remain alive, allowing for successful replanting in the spring.
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Saving Geraniums Over the Winter Using Cuttings:
- Acknowledges that while not a traditional wintering method, taking cuttings is an economical way to ensure geraniums for the following year.
- Recommends taking 3- to 4-inch cuttings from the soft, green part of the plant.
- Advises stripping leaves from the lower half of the cutting and using rooting hormone if desired.
- Instructs placing the cuttings in a pot filled with vermiculite and ensuring proper drainage.
- Suggests enclosing the pot in a plastic bag to maintain humidity during the rooting process, which typically takes six to eight weeks.
- Concludes by recommending repotting the rooted cuttings in potting soil and keeping them in a cool, sunny spot until they can be moved outdoors.
Armed with this comprehensive knowledge, you can confidently choose the method that aligns with your preferences and resources, ensuring the successful wintering of geraniums and the early enjoyment of vibrant, flourishing plants in the spring.
