Winterize Pelargoniums: Expert Tips for Blooms in Spring
Winter can be tough on geraniums, but with the right care, they can bloom beautifully in spring. Here's how to ensure your geraniums survive the cold months, according to expert advice from Olga Kurylenko.
From January, water your geraniums every two weeks, increasing to once a week from February. When it comes to feeding, wait until the end of February and use a complex fertilizer low in nitrogen but high in potassium. This will help them prepare for the growing season ahead.
To store geraniums, you can either keep them in a cool place at 5-10°C, or wrap their roots in a wet substrate and place them in a pot with a breathable lid. However, avoid leaving them outside as frost will kill them. Following these steps will ensure your geraniums survive winter without any loss.
Olga Kurylenko advises not to rush with nitrogen due to lack of light in winter. Instead, focus on potassium to strengthen the plants. She also suggests pruning and repotting geraniums, especially royal geraniums, which should be pruned almost completely. For damaged ampel and zonal geraniums, remove half of their shoots and root the cuttings for new plants. This process is crucial for their winter survival.
To summarize, winterize your geraniums by adjusting watering and feeding, providing cool storage, and pruning and repotting as needed. With these steps, your geraniums will be ready to bloom again in spring, thanks to the expert advice of Olga Kurylenko.
