Why are the leaves of geraniums getting smaller?

Geranium is a flower that is loved by many flower lovers. It has rich varieties and high ornamental value. It looks vibrant and even novice flower lovers can grow it well. It is very hardy and can bloom in all seasons as long as there is a suitable environment. However, the leaves of some geraniums grown by some people are getting smaller and smaller. What is the reason? Let’s take a look below.

1. What is the reason why geranium leaves are getting smaller and smaller?

1. Insufficient nutrients

Geraniums require adequate nutrients to support healthy growth. If the soil is poor or insufficiently fertilized, the plant may not receive enough nutrients, causing the leaves to develop poorly and gradually become smaller. It is recommended to fertilize regularly during the growing season, using an appropriate flower fertilizer to supplement the nutrients needed by the plant.

2. Lack of water or overwatering

Improper water management can also affect the leaf size of geraniums. If there is not enough water available , the plant may be in a drought state and fail to grow properly. On the contrary, overwatering can also cause oxygen deprivation in the roots, resulting in smaller leaves. Make sure the soil remains moist but not too wet, and water appropriately, both in quantity and frequency, to avoid these problems.

3. Insufficient or uneven lighting

Geraniums need full sunlight to photosynthesize and grow properly. If the plant is kept in the shade or low light conditions for a long time, the leaves may become smaller. Try to place the geranium in a location with plenty of light, and rotate the pot regularly so that the leaves receive even sunlight.

4. Pests or diseases or pathological problems

When plants are attacked by pests or infected by pathogens, their leaves may also shrink. Some diseases and pests can deprive plants of the nutrients they need and affect their normal growth. Check whether the plants are attacked by harmful organisms, such as fungal diseases, insect pests, etc., and take appropriate preventive measures in time.

2. Maintenance methods of geranium

1. Control the temperature

The growing temperature of geranium is generally around 10~20℃. It grows well and blooms vigorously at 20℃. It can grow in both the north and the south, but it does not bloom in the high summer temperatures because of the low temperatures. In the north, it can bloom in the winter with heating. In the south, geraniums should be moved indoors after winter, otherwise they will be frozen to death if the temperature is too low.

2. Watering should be moderate

It is not recommended to water geraniums too much or too frequently. Watering too frequently will cause root rot or flower shedding. Also, because its leaves are relatively dense, it is not recommended to water too much even when evaporation is more vigorous in summer. It is easy to cause root rot or yellowing of leaves due to poor air permeability and ventilation.

3. Soil configuration

The soil choice for geraniums should be a mixture of garden soil and sand, or nutrient soil and coconut coir. These can make the roots of geraniums more breathable. An airtight environment makes it difficult for herbaceous plants to take root vigorously, and may also cause root rot or poor water absorption. You can also add some slow-release fertilizer as base fertilizer at the bottom of the potting soil.

4. Apply thin fertilizer frequently

When fertilizing geranium, the fertilizer should not be too much or too concentrated, because it blooms very vigorously, so the fertilizer supplement should be appropriate. You can apply phosphorus fertilizer or nitrogen fertilizer in rotation. This will allow it to bloom more vigorously and have more flowers. When fertilizing, it is best to dilute it with water and then water the flowers, which will not easily cause root burn.

That’s it