The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Growing => Gardens => Topic started by: Branleur on October 13, 2012, 07:07:44 pm

Title: Geraniums
Post by: Branleur on October 13, 2012, 07:07:44 pm

We are going away over the winter period for 3 months and I'm wondering how I should keep about 15 terrace and window ledge boxes  of geraniums to try and conserve them until spring?  We don't have a greenhouse, so should we put them in the cellar or try to arrange them in the house close to a window where they would get light and sunshine (when available!) We could arrange for someone to call by and give them water if that were necessary?  Thanks.

Title: Re: Geraniums
Post by: Hermit on October 13, 2012, 08:17:12 pm

Geraniums are so cheap I would just get shut and plant new. You could , if you mean wild geraniums, to just plant them out in the garden to take their chances.If you mean Pelargoniums(sp), the pot plant type, dig them up , give them to a charity shop and buy new in three months

Title: Re: Geraniums
Post by: hexhammeasure on October 13, 2012, 08:20:47 pm

put them in some sand in a cool frost free place and allow to dry out... they will grow back again in the spring

Title: Re: Geraniums
Post by: escapedtothecountry on October 14, 2012, 04:06:02 pm

Quote from: Branleur on October 13, 2012, 07:07:44 pm

We are going away over the winter period for 3 months and I'm wondering how I should keep about 15 terrace and window ledge boxes  of geraniums to try and conserve them until spring?  We don't have a greenhouse, so should we put them in the cellar or try to arrange them in the house close to a window where they would get light and sunshine (when available!) We could arrange for someone to call by and give them water if that were necessary?  Thanks.

I've taken some of mine into the greenhouse. Agree with other comments that they are cheap to buy, however plants that can survive over winter often give a better showing the following year imho as they are sturdy and stronger plants so worth keeping.

Title: Re: Geraniums
Post by: Branleur on October 15, 2012, 11:10:33 am

do I need to cut them back before bringing them inside or just let the leaf die on the plant?

Title: Re: Geraniums
Post by: hexhammeasure on October 15, 2012, 03:13:49 pm

ideally you would just take off any yellowing leaves as the die back.. but as you will be going away for 3 months I would snap the tops off just below the growing tips and take all the leaves off... the tops could have been used as cuttings but then they would need to be wateredso..


note there will be some that don't survive this way but you should have about 75% will grow back