Geraniums are among the favorite plants of garden lovers . Simple to grow, this plant stands out for its lush flowering from late spring to autumn. At this time of year, your balcony and terrace are filled with bright colors and a unique scent. But how to awaken geraniums after their winter dormancy? Here are all the details.
What can you do to wake up your plant?
Geraniums need a gentle awakening so as not to scare them. Choose the ideal period to do it, that is, between the end of March and the beginning of April. Start by placing your plant in a place with a high temperature, such as near a sunny window. Then water it with a little water, just to get it used to it. Be careful, too much water can kill it.
After 7 days, you can place the plant outside in a shaded place and then in full sun. In this way the geranium will be able to withstand the transition to external conditions.
Do they need to be repotted?
To have abundant flowering during the summer, repotting is essential. Start by eliminating weeds. Then cut off the root tips before placing the plant in the new pot. Dry leaves and stems should also be removed. When new leaves appear, it’s time to fertilize the plant . Fertilization is necessary during the growth and flowering period of the geranium. Once summer is over, you should stop fertilizing to prepare for winter dormancy .
You can use a ready-made fertilizer or prepare it yourself. The most effective is the one obtained from banana peels. Just cut them into cubes and dry them in the oven. Then scatter them in the pot of your plants.
How are geraniums watered?
To reawaken the plants, start very gently by watering once a week until new leaves appear. Afterwards, water more frequently. The basis is the moisture content of the soil. So never let the soil dry out before watering.
Whatever the variety of geranium, these plants require excellent drainage . When repotting, choose a pot that has multiple three-way drainage to avoid excess water. This way, your plant can beautify your garden and balcony for 20 years.