Winter care for geraniums: Revive balcony blooms with ease
Geraniums, although easy to grow, require appropriate care after the winter months. Learn how to winterise them and prepare for the next season properly.
Geraniums are some of the most valued balcony flowers. They brighten balconies and terraces with their intense colour, and their species diversity ensures that everyone can find something suitable. However, to enjoy these plants for years, summer care alone is not enough. The key stage in growing geraniums is winterising, followed by properly awakening them. When should you wake geraniums from their winter rest, and how to do it?
How to store geraniums during winter?
First and foremost, we must remember that geraniums should be protected for the winter. The first step in protecting geraniums is choosing the right storage location. The best options are bright but cool rooms, where the temperature does not exceed 10°C. Places like a basement with a window or a stairway can be ideal.
Before the first frosts, it is essential to prune the geraniums. This procedure will help the plants better survive the winter. You should remove all wilted flowers and cut the stems to about 10-15 cm from the base. This minimises the surface through which the plant could lose nutrients.
How to care for geraniums after winter?
When winter begins to end, it is time to start waking the geraniums. When is the best time to do this? The best period is in February and March. Then, you can gradually increase the temperature in the room where the geraniums are stored. Raising the temperature by a few degrees Celsius will stimulate the plants to life. It is also crucial to slowly increase the room's light.
The foundation of success in growing geraniums is proper watering. It is important to remember that after winter, geraniums need intensive watering, but you must be careful not to overdo it. Abundant watering is crucial, but excess water can be equally harmful and lead to root rot.
Fertilisation is another important step towards beautifully blooming geraniums. It is worth applying special microelement-rich fertilisers to make them bloom perfectly a few weeks after moving them outside. Preparing homemade fertiliser from onion peels is a simple and ecological solution that can be used throughout the summer.
Geraniums require suitable soil to bloom fully. The best solution is to transplant them into fresh, well-draining soil. It's ideal for the new soil to contain natural compost and have a looser structure, allowing the roots to grow freely.
Changing the soil is not only about providing space for plant growth. It's also an opportunity to supply the necessary nutrients the plants lost during winter. Fresh soil supports the development of the root system and provides optimal growth conditions.
Waking geraniums after winter is a process that requires attention and precision, but thanks to careful nurturing during the season, we will be able to enjoy beautiful flowers on our balcony. Regular care for geraniums will extend their life and bring us joy from their presence throughout the summer.
