Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Geraniums

These are doing their best because they may have heard the Channel 7 news.  Ms. Gloom and Mr. Doom are saying any day now the weather will turn to the thirties.

I bought these at Lowes for 74 cents and although I have never liked geraniums, I do like 74 cents.
Now I am thinking I might try to overwinter them.  Just wondering if you have tried this.  It is from the Iowa State University Horticulture and Home Pest News:

"Dormant Storage

Geraniums are unusual and unlike many annual flowers, they have the ability to survive for most of the winter without soil. If properly stored, they can resist extended dry periods due to their thick, succulent-like stems. To overwinter geraniums in dormant storage, dig up the entire plant before frost and gently shake the soil from the roots. Place the plants inside open paper bags or hang them upside-down from the rafters in a cool, dark location for the winter. Ideally the temperature should be between 45-50 F. Two or three times during the winter, take the plants out the bags or down from the rafters and soak the roots in water for 1 or 2 hours. At this time, inspect the stems. While many of the leaves will die and fall off, the stems should remain firm and solid. Discard any geraniums with shriveled stems, since those plants will most likely die. Pot up healthy dormant geraniums in containers in late March or early April. Water plants thoroughly and cut back the dead stem tips. Place potted plants in a sunny window to initiate new growth. It often takes several weeks for plants to initiate growth after dormant storage.
No matter how geraniums have been overwintered, they should be healthy, free-flowering plants for spring. After being indoors all winter, your geraniums may be as anxious as you are for spring planting. Plant them after the danger of frost has passed and enjoy their colorful blooms all summer. You can invest your savings in new geranium varieties to overwinter next year."

Just saying..

5 comments:

homedunstitches said...

My Mom and Dad did that every year and allways had nicer plants every year. I remember all of them hanging upside down in paper bags in the basement. Could not figure it out back then, but now I understand.

homedunstitches said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Trace4J said...

I love geraniums.
My gram used to grow them in her bedroom all winter long and put them out on her porch in the spring.
Woolie Fall Blessings

Anonymous said...

Beautiful plant, Peggy.

Blog friend, Larry in Iowa, overwinters his. Here is the link:

http://ldeanb.blogspot.com/2013/10/it-was-fairly-warm-yesterday-and-i-made.html

Buttons Thoughts said...

geraniums have always made me sneeze when I was kid my Mom had them all over the place. They still make me sneeze:)I love the colours of them though. B