Geranium cultivation methods and precautions

Soil selection

The soil for geraniums can be a mixture of 4 parts humus, 3 parts garden soil (or peat soil), 2 parts river sand (or perlite), and 1 part organic fertilizer. It can also be prepared by mixing fine sand, humus, perlite and organic fertilizer. Geraniums require loose and breathable soil. They can be repotted or the soil can be loosened in time every autumn.

Fertilization method

During the growth period of geranium, liquid fertilizer should be applied once every 10 to 15 days, and in the peak seasons of spring and autumn, liquid fertilizer should be applied once every 7 to 10 days. Nitrogen fertilizer should be used mainly before budding, and phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be used mainly after budding, with a concentration of 0.1% to 0.2%. If you keep it indoors in winter, the temperature will be high and it will basically not stop growing, so you can apply appropriate fertilizer. In summer, when the temperature is high, the plants are in a semi-dormant state and fertilization should be stopped. It is best to fertilize in the evening and water the next morning.

Watering method

Geraniums should be watered appropriately, preferring dryness to wetness. During the peak growing season in spring and autumn, there should be sufficient water to keep the potting soil moist, but not waterlogged. On cloudy or rainy days, generally do not water or apply fertilizer. Allow the plants to receive appropriate amounts of rainwater, but avoid excessive watering. Otherwise it is easy to cause root rot.

In winter, you can try to water the plants according to the indoor temperature to prevent the water temperature from being too low, which will cause the stems and leaves of the plants to turn yellow. (For detailed watering tips, see How to Water Geraniums )

Temperature requirements

Geranium likes warmth, avoids high temperatures and is afraid of cold. The suitable growth temperature for geranium is 15-25℃. The indoor temperature should be maintained at 10℃ in winter. It is easily affected by cold damage below 3℃, but some varieties can withstand temperatures as low as 0℃. In summer, when the temperature exceeds 35℃, it enters a semi-dormant state. Try to keep ventilation and avoid a stuffy environment that is not conducive to dormancy.

Lighting requirements

Geraniums are not afraid of strong light, but need shade at noon in summer. Geraniums grow healthily in the sun, with dark green leaves, short internodes and beautiful plant shape. When raising it at home, it should be placed in a place with direct sunlight in autumn, winter and spring. When it blooms, it can be moved indoors for appreciation and maintenance, and receive appropriate light, but avoid direct strong light to prevent the petals from burning.

Precautions

There are different varieties of geraniums with different plant shapes and heights. Small plants should be chosen for home cultivation. In addition, growth agents are required for regulation. When the plant grows to 12 cm or 15 cm, spray it with chlormequat once a week for 2 consecutive times. Ensure 14 to 18 hours of light per day, which can effectively control the height of geraniums and provide high-quality potted flowers.

Be extra careful when watering geraniums. Overwatering can cause the plant to die, while high temperatures and high humidity can cause the roots to rot. Of course, the flowering time can also be controlled. The peak flowering period is generally from April to June, but if the temperature is appropriately increased in winter, it can bloom from September in autumn to June of the following year.