My indoor geranium was not doing well in winter. I mastered the proper care for her during the rest period. Now she is healthy and beautiful

The beautiful and unpretentious geranium flower (pelargonium) is familiar to almost all flower growers. A variety of species can be found on personal plots and in apartments. But not everyone knows that in winter, caring for geraniums should be different from usual.

Geranium. Illustration for this article is used under a standard license © ofazende.com

Preparing geraniums for winter mode

The natural cycle of pelargonium, like many plants, requires winter rest in order to accumulate strength for a new active flowering.

• Geranium blooms from early March to October. Street geranium, with a decrease in daylight hours and a decrease in temperature, senses the approach of winter and begins to prepare for rest on its own.
• At home, lighting and air temperature are unchanged, and the plant does not feel the approach of autumn. Therefore, we send home geraniums to rest on our own.

Correct conduct of the winter period

What is the peculiarity of caring for geraniums in winter?

Necessary:

1. Carry out preparatory pruning of the plant.
2. Establish and maintain a gentle temperature regime.
3. Choose a place for winter maintenance.
4. Reduce watering and hydration of plants.
5. Decide on additional food.
6. Transplant.

Let's take a closer look.

Plant pruning

• Geraniums are cut in the fall, no later than October. Pruning is very important for the formation of a lush crown and lush spring bloom, especially in mature pelargoniums.
• In winter, I only prune strongly growing ampelous varieties.
• Variegated plants are very sensitive to pruning, so I do it in the spring.

Order of conduct:

• I cut off all old and blooming flower stalks in order to retain as much nutrients as possible.
• I cut off all the stems 3-5 cm above the beginning of the nodal ramifications.
• I pinch dry and sluggish leaves with my hands so that there are no even cuts that can rot.

Temperature regime

In winter, the air temperature should be cool.

• The best air temperature is considered to be in the range of 12-18 ° C. The thermometer should be near the flowers.
• To protect the roots from freezing, the flowerpots should be placed on polystyrene or other heat-saving material.
• There should be no drafts in winter storage areas.

Important! If you have ampelous varieties of geraniums, the lowest temperature for them is 16 ° C.

Location and lighting

Despite the decrease in daylight hours, pelargonium does not like shading.

• Daylight hours should be at least 12 hours.
• If possible, it is good to put flowerpots at the south window.
• If the air temperature in winter on a glassed-in loggia or veranda does not drop below 12 ° C, geranium will winter well there.
• A good alternative is additional lighting that can be installed in any convenient location.

Important! If the geranium has thin long shoots, it needs additional lighting.

Moisturizing and watering

In winter, dryness is better for geraniums than waterlogging.

• I water it every two weeks with a little water at room temperature.
• It is better to water in the morning by pouring water into the pan.
• If there is a heating radiator nearby, the leaves and the air must be humidified.

Note! If the leaves turn yellow and dry at the ends, you need to reduce watering. Droopy leaves indicate a lack of moisture.

Additional food

Healthy pelargonium does not need additional feeding in winter.

• If the plant is weakened, it can be fed once a month with a small amount of potash and magnesium fertilizers.
• When the air temperature in the room is above normal, it is undesirable to feed the flower, so as not to create stressful situations for the plant.

Should be considered! Winter feeding should not contain nitrogen, which causes active growth of green mass.

Transplant and reproduction

• You can plant or transplant geraniums no later than the end of October. The plant is transplanted into a new pot, renewing part of the soil so that it takes root well and gets stronger over the winter.
• In winter, cuttings obtained from pruning can be planted.
• The cut offshoots are placed in water or, sprinkled with crushed coal, are planted in a small container with disinfected soil.
• Cover with a plastic cup on top.
• In spring, young plants are transplanted into permanent flowerpots.

Geranium is an unpretentious and very beautiful flower. With proper winter care, it will grow brightly dense foliage in the spring and be covered in lush bloom.

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#geranium#geranium transplant#winter care