Whether or Not to Save Geraniums

Geraniums are one of our most popular summer flowering bedding plants. They flower well in cool weather. As fall progresses, they become more and more attractive. Gardeners often find it difficult to see this beauty abruptly ruined by frost, and may attempt any one of several techniques to save them. Unpleasant as it may seem, it is often best to allow the plants to freeze outdoors and purchase new, healthy plants next spring. Many geranium varieties are now grown from seeds. They are vigorous and free from pests and diseases which may easily be perpetuated by trying to maintain old plants from the garden.

Sometimes, however gardeners have old plants, with a sentimental attachment that makes them want to keep that particular plant, or a portion of it. Several techniques are possible to carry over geraniums for planting next season. Scented geraniums make good houseplants that are fairly easy to carry over. One of the old techniques was to dig plants, bunch them, and hang them from hooks in a basement or cave to over winter. Modern basements that contain furnaces are warm with fairly low humidity that do not suit this type of storage.

Areas with low, but not freezing temperatures and high humidity are best. Even with these conditions plants are weakened considerably by the time spring arrives. Cuttings or "slips" may be taken from geranium plants before frost. Make cuttings from the top four to five inches of healthy shoots. Remove flower buds and a few lower leaves. Dust the base of the cutting with a rooting hormone. Cuttings may be rooted individually in four-inch diameter pots, or in trays, flats or other containers. The container should be deep enough so at least a three-inch depth of rooting material is contained.

Cleanliness is important, so containers should be thoroughly washed and sterilized. Geranium cuttings root well in any one of several materials. A combination of half and half peat moss works well. However, combinations of peat moss, vermiculite or perlite may also be used. Whatever material is used, it should be clean, loose and well drained. After the containers are filled, place cuttings in the media to about 1/3 of their length. Water to settle the media tightly around the base of the cutting. Place the planted container in a bright window. If humidity is low, cover with a sheet of clear plastic, but place it loosely around the cuttings.

Too much moisture around geraniums can promote disease. After four to five weeks the cuttings should be rooted. At that time they can be moved into individual pots with good potting soil. If possible, they should spend the winter near a sunny window in a cool room. If there is a need to save an entire old plant, cut it back to a reasonable size while still outdoors. Dig the plant carefully, and place it in a large pot or bucket with drainage. Place it in a cool garage, basement or room where the temperature does not drop below freezing. Give it good light. Keep the soil moist during the winter.

Unless a good location or greenhouse is available, it will be weakened by the time spring arrives, but should improve quickly when moved back into the garden. Watch carefully for insects or diseases that may be brought with it from outdoors.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geranium