How to save geraniums for winter? My geraniums i overwinter indoor in a spare room#ilovegardening., by Pinay in Switzerland#RandomVideos#Shortvideos! on YouTube. 1 min 15 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 15 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Move your geraniums indoors before the first frost is forecast. Lift bedding plants with a fork, keeping as much root as you can, and shake off the loose soil.
Pot each plant into a container with drainage holes using fresh potting mix. Firm the soil around the roots and leave a small gap below the rim for watering.
Cut the stems back to about half their height. Remove spent flowers, yellowing leaves and any damaged or mouldy growth with clean pruners.
Water the pots until water runs out of the drainage holes, then let them drain fully. Do not leave them standing in a saucer of water.
Place the pots in a spare room with good light and a temperature of about 5 to 10 degrees Celsius. Keep them away from radiators and draughts.
Water only when the top of the soil feels dry, roughly every two to three weeks. In cool rooms the plants need far less water than in summer.
Check the plants every couple of weeks. Pinch off any dead leaves and remove fallen debris so mould and pests do not settle in.
In early spring, water more often and move the pots somewhere warmer and brighter to wake the plants up before planting them out again.
Tips and common mistakes
Take a few stem cuttings in late summer as a backup in case the parent plants rot over winter.
Yellow leaves usually mean too much water, not too little, so let the soil dry out before you water again.
Label the pots with the flower colour so you know what you are planting out in spring.
Questions
Can I overwinter geraniums in a dark garage or cellar?
Only if the room stays above freezing and you keep the plants almost dry. In full darkness they will go dormant and may look bare, but they usually regrow once brought into the light in spring.
Should I cut geraniums back before storing them?
Yes. Cutting the stems to about half their height reduces stress and stops the plant putting energy into leggy growth that will not survive the winter.
How often should I water geraniums in winter?
Every two to three weeks is usually enough in a cool room. Check the soil with your finger first and water only when the top few centimetres are dry.
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.
