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I live on the lower floors and last week I finally put the geranium seedlings outside. In previous years I followed these steps exactly and the geraniums were almost down to the ground. Blooming nonstop from spring until autumn.
I don’t let geraniums overwinter, but every AJR I buy seedlings. These are the basic tips by which I always find the most beautiful and strongest plants.
Basic tips when buying geraniums
-Pay attention to the letters. They must be firm, healthy and free of pests.
-The plant must have a well-developed root system.
– The geranium must not be wilted.
A strong plant is essential
Until mid-May we pinch them when planting . That way the geraniums will be full of strength and ready to bloom, they will be lush and beautiful. From around mid-May (or a little later) I stop pinching and let buds and new shoots push out.
When I plant them, they bloom like this!
For trailing geraniums I always plant them into a special substrate for trailing geraniums. Pots must have a double bottom; only then can you water them properly. I plant a maximum of 4 quality seedlings in one pot.
Around each seedling I insert 3-4 fertilizer sticks and water them. For three weeks, until they are well rooted, I water from the top and add a little fertilizer for trailing geraniums to each watering.
After three weeks I can already pour water into the holes at the bottom of the pots , the geraniums are sufficiently rooted and know how to draw water from the bottom of the pots.
Watering during the summer
During flowering I care for the geraniums much like anyone else. I water regularly and add Kristalon fertilizer about 1–2 times a month. I also follow my grandmother’s watering method: not every time, but at least a few times a month I water the geraniums with a nettle brew. It is also excellent against pests. I always water with standing, ideally rainwater.
How to prepare the watering?
So simply soak young nettles in water and let them steep – I leave it for up to 2 weeks and simply use it for watering. It is also an excellent protection against pests; nettle water doesn’t smell good to them either.
