Geraniums are quite decorative plants that are widely used both indoors and outdoors. It can be sown from seed by cuttings. A lot of people don’t know how to plant a geranium seeds or care it needs for its proper growth and development.
In this article we will tell you how to plant a geranium step by step and what aspects you need to consider for its further care.
Contents
When to Plant Geraniums
Geraniums are one of the most common plants in the garden. For the same reason, they are the best known. It may be because geraniums are very noble plants that are not difficult to grow and require little maintenance. In summer, geraniums are everywhere, whether in the garden, or on balconies and windows, they adorn the landscape with their color and fragrance.
Because geraniums have such a wide variety among their different types, it is important to understand the geraniums we grow so that we know when it is best to plant them, as these plants bloom from spring to fall depending on the species and the variety. If you’re unsure, it’s best to plant your geraniums in mid-spring when the frosts have passed and won’t harm your plants.
How to plant a geranium from seed
The ideal for us to plant geraniums is to first plant the seeds in a small seedbed or pot to ensure that the germination process takes place in optimal conditions and that we do not expose the seeds to frost. To grow geraniums, follow these steps:
- Prepare your seedbed with geranium substrate and plant seeds. The substrate should be earthworm humus, peat and coconut fibers, with a little vermiculite and perlite. This mix will produce very light, nutrient-rich soil with excellent drainage, so as long as the container has drainage holes, the problem of moisture buildup can be avoided.
- Water the seeds thoroughly, place them in a sheltered place and give them a bright spot.
- When the seedlings are about 10 cm high, can be transplanted to their final locationeither outdoors or in larger pots.
- Outdoors, you have to take into account the soil that geraniums need, so it is best to dig a hole in the prepared substrate to prepare an area, if it is not clay, you can add worm humus to the soil and make it light and loose enough. Geranium holes don’t have to be huge, but it’s important that you find them in as bright a spot as possible, preferably in a sunny spot.
- potted, the size of geranium pots depends a lot on the variety or species to be planted, as their size also varies considerably. If you do not know what variety you are going to plant, choose a medium pot, if you grow a lot, a transplant is enough.
- Water thoroughly after planting, Mulch the soil well if you are planting outdoors and you may need stakes or rails to support the plant as it grows.
Necessary requirements
It should have at least 6 hours of direct light per day. Geranium tolerates partial shade and full shade, but won’t do full sun exposure as well, as light intensity directly affects flowering.
The optimum temperature is between 15 and 20 ºC. Temperatures below 12 ºC and above 28 ºC will reduce plant growth. Irrigation should be continued in moderation, since excess water can cause various diseases. It should be increased during warmer seasons, which are sufficient to keep the soil moist. In fall and winter, allow the top layer to dry out a bit.
They need a loose substrate with good drainage. For instance, a good substrate can consist of peat, sand and clay. If we plant them in pots, it is important that they are not too big, as this can stimulate root growth and damage the aerial parts. The pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0, calcium improvers can be added.
How to plant a geranium with seedlings step by step
Pull out weeds and residue from previous crops and miscellaneous residue to ensure your geraniums are growing properly. Use a plow or rake to loosen the soil to about 30cm.
The soil should be moistened and fertilized before planting. This reduces the risk of hydraulic seed dislodgement. Fertilize the soil and add about 5 or 10 cm of compost to provide the most nutrients possible. When digging a hole, geraniums grow best if grown from seedlings. Dig a hole large and deep enough for the geranium root ball to grow comfortably and roots to develop. It should be at least twice as big as the root ball.
Place the seedlings in the dug hole, being careful not to let the root ball open or break. Check that there are no roots outside the hole. Likewise, to prevent disease, avoid soil covering the stems.
For regular and medium varieties, you have to leave 15 to 60 cm between one plant and the other. If you choose tall varieties, you must leave at least 60 cm of space between each plant so that they can develop well. It transplants best on a cool, windless day.
It is important to fertilize the soil frequently. Fertilize in the spring by spreading a layer of fresh potting soil around the geraniums. Add 5cm of peat moss or mulch to keep the soil moist and prevent weed growth.
How to transplant it
Geraniums, especially potted geraniums, may require occasional transplants when they have outgrown their current space. However, these are not plants that need to be transplanted annually, so to know when our geranium needs a bigger pot, we must check if its roots are escaping through the drainage holes of the pot, or if its growth has slowed down a lot. We’ve been wearing it for more than two or three years.
It is always best to do this in early or late winter, as the plants will be dormant and less affected by the minor branch or root damage that often occurs when transplanting. As always, in addition to watering after transplanting, it is important to choose a new pot with drainage holes and to use a new suitable substrate.
Hopefully with this information you can learn more about how to plant a geranium and what care it needs.