Before Winter, a Gardener Does THIS With Geraniums. No Soil Needed, by Clever Hacks on YouTube. 8 min 27 s.
- Video length
- 8 min 27 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Prune your geraniums before the first frost. Cut leggy stems back by about half and strip the leaves from the lower part so you are left with clean, bare stems.
Lift each plant out of its pot or bed and shake the loose soil off the roots. Work gently so the root ball stays in one piece.
Lay the bare-root plants in a clean cardboard box with the roots toward the middle. Keep the box in a cool, dark, frost-free spot and check it every few weeks.
Crush clean eggshells, cover them with white vinegar and let the mix fizz and sit for a few days. Dilute a little of it in water and feed your plants.
Put rusted nails, screws or steel wool in a jar of water and leave it for about a week. Water plants with the rusty liquid when new leaves come up pale.
Pick off yellow leaves and check the soil before you feed. Pale leaves with green veins usually point to a nutrient shortage rather than too much water.
Blend a raw potato with a spoon of honey and used coffee grounds, then stir the mix into a bucket of water. Use it on plants that need a boost before winter.
Chop potatoes, cover them with boiling water and let the water cool and stand. Strain it and water your geraniums with the liquid to push new flowers.
Tips and common mistakes
Wipe your shears with rubbing alcohol between plants so you do not pass on disease.
Never store bare-root geraniums where they can freeze; a frost-free shed or garage at 5 to 10°C is ideal.
Do not feed dormant plants in storage, and start again when new growth shows in spring.
Label each plant if you store several varieties so you know what to replant where.
Questions
Can I overwinter geraniums in pots instead of a box?
Yes. Keep them in a cool, bright room, cut them back by about half and water only when the soil feels dry.
How often should I check the stored plants?
Every two to three weeks. Remove any soft or mouldy stems and dampen the packing if the roots look dry.
Will the plants flower again next year?
Yes. Replant them in spring once the last frost has passed, water well and feed them, and they should bloom again in summer.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
