How to care for and grow Geraniums organically
The garden geranium, Pelargonium x hortorum, is a herbaceous perennial plant in the family Geraniaceae. It adapts to beds, borders and containers, and can overwinter indoors as a houseplant. The current color palette includes shades of orange, pink, purple, red and white, as well as bi-color and double-petal varieties. In this article, you will learn everything you need to know to care for and grow geraniums organically.
What are geraniums like?
The ringed leaves are generally green to dark green, fuzzy, and have a pungent fragrance, especially when crushed or rubbed.
The thick, branching stems have visible scars where the petioles have fallen off. They range in height from one to three feet tall and equally wide, depending on the variety.
The plants usually have a bushy growth habit, although there are some variations. In tropical regions, the stems may become woody.
They thrive in a full sun location, but can benefit from partial shade in warmer locations. The soil should be rich in organic matter, moist but not soggy, and well-drained.
It is important to keep in mind that these plants do not like wet feet or moisture-laden leaves, two problems that can invite fungal diseases. Let’s see how to grow geraniums.
Methods for growing geraniums
From the seed
You should start sowing seeds indoors in late winter to get ahead of the 13 to 15 weeks it takes for plants to grow and flower. If you live in a warm area, you can sow the seeds outside at any time.
Fill the containers with soil to a height of 1 to 2 centimeters below the rim of the pot. Before sowing, gently scarify the seeds with an emery board to break up the seed coat.
Space the seeds three to five centimeters apart in larger containers or one seed per cell if you are growing in seedbeds, and cover them with just one or two centimeters of potting soil.
Soak the containers to saturate the growing medium and cover with clear plastic wrap.
To ensure germination, the soil temperature should not exceed 24°C, so place the containers out of direct sunlight in a room with a daytime temperature of 20 – 24°C, and 15 – 18°C during the day. the night.
Water when the soil is dry; You should keep it moist but not waterlogged. Remove the plastic wrap when you see the first sprouts.
Once they have reached a height of at least 10cm, you can place all the seedlings in individual 15cm diameter pots filled with soil. At this point, you can dilute the houseplant fertilizer and apply it to the seedlings every two weeks.
When all risk of frost has passed, gradually acclimatize the growing plants outdoors by taking them outside for a few hours a day for about a week before transplanting them to the garden or outdoor pots. Plants should flower 13 to 15 weeks after sowing seeds.
From cuttings
You can also create new geranium plants from cuttings of existing plants. It is best to take cuttings from fresh, green growth, rather than old, woody stems. The best time to do this is in early spring, or just after a new burst of growth after flowering.
Disinfect a sharp knife and make a clean cut about 15 centimeters from the tip of the stem, preferably just above a leaf node. This helps stimulate the existing plant to grow new foliage.
Cut all but the top leaves at their points of origin, so that you have a piece of bare stem about four inches long.
Place the cutting in a clean, transparent container. Fill the container with about four inches of water, making sure the water is not in contact with the leaves at the top of the stem.
Choose a location that is out of direct sunlight and change the water daily to keep it fresh. In about a month, you will start to see roots growing from the bottom of the stem.
Wait until the roots are well established, about an inch or two, before transplanting the rooted cutting to your desired location.
Transplant Geraniums
You can also start with seedlings, rooted cuttings or established plants from your local nursery.
For the transplant, choose a place with soil rich in organic matter and that drains well, and work it until it has a crumbly consistency at a depth of at least 30 cm. Or, fill the container of your choice with a good quality potting soil.
Choose a wide pot, with a depth of at least 20 cm, to give the roots ample space to absorb nutrients and water. Place the plant at the same depth as it was in its original container. Tamp the soil firmly and water thoroughly.
If you planted in a container, water until the water runs out of the bottom and then water a second time.
Tips for growing Geraniums
When planting outside, whether in the garden or in containers, choose a location in full sun. For regions with scorching summers, a location with some afternoon shade is best.
The garden soil should be moderately fertile and well-drained. The ideal pH is between 6.0 and 6.5. Space plants 20 to 30 cm apart in the garden and 15 to 20 cm apart in pots.
Apply a balanced 20-20-20 (NPK) fertilizer according to container directions at the time of transplanting to the garden, and use a water-soluble plant food for containers. Continue monthly applications throughout the growing season.
Mature plants do not like “wet feet” but should be watered before the soil dries out completely. You can use a moisture meter as a guide.
If you are in a warm region, add a 10cm layer of mulch around the plant to cool the soil, help retain moisture and promote good drainage.
For those growing geraniums in colder regions, you will be happy to know that you can overwinter your plants indoors.
Maintenance
Geranium is a low-maintenance plant that will not take up much of your time and will reward you with abundant flowers.
To encourage repeat flowering throughout the growing season, cut off spent flower heads. To do this, trim the entire stems, or inflorescences, at their points of origin.
Water the garden and pots before the soil dries out completely. Remember that containers dry out faster than soil, so check them regularly.
Be sure to water at ground level to avoid wetting the foliage, which often contributes to fungal infections.
Trim discolored or damaged foliage to prevent pests and diseases.
Fertilize monthly during the growing season with a balanced 20-20-20 (NPK) fertilizer in the garden, and a water-soluble houseplant food if growing them in containers.
Pests and diseases of Geraniums
Healthy plants do not usually suffer from pest or disease problems. However, oversaturation, inadequate drainage, excess water on leaves, and/or poor spacing of plants can make them vulnerable to pests and fungal diseases.
The pests to watch out for are:
Aphids
Caterpillars
mealybugs
Bedbugs
white flies
You can try to eliminate the insects with a stream of water from the hose. If this doesn’t work, you may need to apply an insecticidal soap or neem oil . Pests can carry diseases, so you shouldn’t ignore them.
Possible diseases are:
Botrytis blight, also known as gray mold, is caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea, and usually begins with spots or lesions on foliage or gray mold on flowers.
Leaf spot is caused by several fungi in the genus Alternaria. Symptoms include dark brown spots on the foliage that appear to be waterlogged. As the disease progresses, these spots may be surrounded by a yellow halo of dying tissue.
Root rot, also known as blackleg, is a fungal infection caused by Pythium spp. Brown lesions appear at the base of the stem that gradually turn black, killing the plant.
Use best gardening practices to avoid these fungi. Remove affected plant material and apply a fungicide as necessary. To prevent spread, dispose of diseased plant remains in the trash or burn them.