JEAN’S TIPS ON OVERWINTERING GERANIUMS
These tips are provided by Jean Dangerfield. They are her personal experiences with over wintering geraniums.
Geraniums are easy to over-winter. I start at the end of September or up to mid October, removing my geraniums from their large planter pots or from the garden. I carefully shake the old soil off the roots, and plant them in a 1 gallon pot or larger if necessary. I use a mixture of potting soil and peat moss, so that the roots are comfortably covered and firmly patted down in the soil. I trim off all large and fading leaves and remove flowers. There is no vigorous growth during this period. I allow them to go semi-dormant by keeping them in a cool place (not dark) and allowing them to become dry. Water is sparingly applied only once a month from November through to March and the dead or dying leaves are tidied up. I do not allow them to flower [this will zap their energy]. They can handle up to two degrees of frost but ideally should be maintained between 2 degrees and 15 degrees C.
I have taken cuttings from the larger plants as well. I dip the cuttings in hormone rooting powder and pot them in a light potting or starting soil, and pat them in firmly. They can NOT handle frost. I water these twice a month and do not let them dry out totally. Again, I tidy up the dead or dying leaves and do not allow them to flower.
During the dormant period, I check my geraniums for any sign of bugs and if necessary, I gently mist them with my preferred insecticide (soapy water); if you are going to use something other than soapy water, check your municipal bylaws for a list of less toxic products.
In April I start to water the geraniums twice a month, and if possible bring them to a brighter location. I trim them well and remove any obviously dead shoots. By April I gradually move them outdoors, but avoid direct sunlight. Now I allow new growth. I harden all my geraniums slowly, and by mid-May I put them in pots, using good potting soil, or in the ground in a sunny location. I plant the cuttings which have successfully rooted into larger pots in good potting soil. My geraniums bloom from May to October (or later).
GOOD LUCK
