Overwintering geraniums.

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Seems to me that I read somewhere that geraniums can be kept "alive" thru the winter under certains circumstances...I can't seem to remember those circumstances!!! Any suggestions? I have some really nice plants that I don't want to lose. Thanx!

-- Anonymous, November 12, 2001

Answers

Marcia, I just bring mine in and keep them watered and in the window for light. I brought some young ones in this year that I had started from seed and they are now blooming quite nicely.

-- Anonymous, November 12, 2001

Marcia, Seems they do better if they are kept in a cool drafty window.

-- Anonymous, November 12, 2001

I tried bringing in a couple of plants last winter. During the course of the winter, they grew so spindly and gangly, that when I put them back outside in the spring they just never recovered. Maybe I should have cut them back?? Will cuttings from these plants work? What should I use for a potting soil for cuttings? I know...I'm asking too many questions!!

-- Anonymous, November 12, 2001

A few years ago we decided to winter-over our geraniums with very good success. We cut the plants back by about 1/3, hung them up-side down in the root cellar. No pots, no soil, no water, very little light. The amazing thing is that in January, we noticed beautiful red flowers. Couldn't believe a plant wanted to bloom that bad!

We put them back out in the spring and they did wonderfully. Over time, however, the blooms get smaller and smaller, but we kept the same plants going for about 3 years.

Wishing you enough.

-- Anonymous, November 12, 2001


Marcia, I overwinter all my geraniums in hanging baskets, I cut them back by at least half, and put them in our sunporch, where it is cooler at night than the house, but warmer during the day. I fertilize with liquid fertilizer every other watering, letting the pot dry out well between waterings, too wet will ruin them quickly.

Cut them back as they get spindly, especially after a blooming cycle, this will prevent the "ganglies" from happening.

I get at least half or better to last till spring where they go back outside, had one last for 4 years.

-- Anonymous, November 12, 2001



Thanks for all the info. I think I'll try cutting these plants back and keeping them in my cellar where they will get some light. Since we heat totally with wood, I'm thinking that the air might be too dry for them.

-- Anonymous, November 12, 2001

Got to thinking that you all might have thought that I was being silly but they really DO like to be in a cool drafty window, because the dry heat IS too much for them. Good Luck Marcia!

-- Anonymous, November 13, 2001

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