Geraniums bloom into large balls, so beautiful

Tip 1: Topping

Whether it is a geranium grown by cuttings or seeds, if you want it to bloom, you must pinch and top it. Upright geraniums generally require 1-2 pinchings, while hanging geraniums require 3-4 pinchings. The steps for pinching are as follows:

First time topping

Geranium seedlings can be pinched when they grow to 10 cm.

Topping position

(Author: Xinyingyy Source: Geranium Bar)

Cut off the areas indicated by the red lines to allow the geranium to grow more side branches. More side branches mean more flowers. Generally, you will get 4-5 branches at a time.

Second time topping

Before pinching

(Author: Author: Fei Gramu Source: Geranium Bar)

After pinching

(Author: Author: Fei Gramu Source: Geranium Bar)

A few weeks after the first pinching, many side branches will grow on the main trunk of the geranium. Wait until the side branches grow to about centimeters, and then pinch them for the second time. Still leave 5-6 leaves on each branch and cut off the rest.

3rd-4th pinching

(Author: There is not enough time Source: Walking on Flowers)

After two pinchings, the general shape of the geranium plant has taken shape. If you are still not satisfied, you can continue to top it for the third and fourth time until a large flower ball is formed.

Remove early flower buds

If there are flower buds during this period, you can pick them off to avoid wasting nutrients and wait for the final blooming.

Tip 2: Fertilization

If you want your geranium to grow into a big flower ball that everyone envies, fertilizing is essential.

Base fertilizer

When planting geraniums in pots, add some base fertilizer to the bottom. You can use chicken manure, dog manure, or compound fertilizer. Spread another layer of soil on the base fertilizer before planting geraniums to avoid burning the roots.

Fertilization during the growing season

Fertilization during the growing season: After the geraniums are planted and have taken root, you can slowly apply liquid fertilizer. You can use "Biwang" and mix it in the ratio of Biwang: water = 1:800. Apply thin fertilizer to the geraniums 2-3 times a month, not too much or too often. During this period, cooperate with topping to ensure sufficient light.

Fertilize before flowering

Before geraniums bloom in spring, we need to apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. You can use "Must-Bloom" according to the ratio of Must-Bloom: water = 1:800. Just apply it once a week.

Tip 3: Light and soil temperature

1. Lighting

It likes light and is best placed in a place with sufficient light all year round. And you should rotate the pot 180 degrees every week to ensure that every side of the geranium receives even light, so that it can grow large, full flower balls.

2. Soil

Geraniums actually don’t have high requirements for soil. Ordinary garden soil will do. Make it a little loose, and add some coal slag. The ratio of coal slag to soil can be 1:4 or 1:5. If you have perlite, sprinkle some more perlite.

3. Temperature

Geraniums prefer cool weather. They will stop growing when the temperature is above 35 degrees in the summer and must be moved indoors when the temperature is below minus 4 degrees in the winter. Provide more ventilation, especially for geraniums grown indoors.