Geraniums -Tips On Growing Geraniums

Don't jump the gun when going to plant your geraniums. I am sure many gardeners out there are so ready to get their gardening underway, and can't wait to set in their geraniums. Yes, you may get them to take and grow, but as a rule they will not flourish, as they could if planted at the correct time. The best time to plant geraniums is when the temps will not ever dip below 50 degrees.

Roots will not grow well if they are started in low temperatures, the roots get a poor start, and as a rule stay weak through the growing season.

Where to plant, geraniums love sun... This is a given. Many gardeners claim they have success in partial shade. But-are the blooms what they should be, in number, and in size? The best light for geraniums is sun light, at least 6-19 hour of sun light is optimal. If you are going to pot your geranium in a hanging pot, make sure not to hang it under overhangs, unless you are sure the sunlight is reaching the plant 6-10 hours a day.

I suggest using a good store bought potting soil, one that is heavy on peat bottom moss, to insure good drainage. Don't add any rocks or pea gravel in the bottom of your planters, geraniums grow better when they have loads of room for roots to spread out.

Geraniums love water. You can't over water a geranium plant. One thing to keep in mind, geraniums love water, but, they don't like to a heavy soil that allows the roots to sit in a mud like consistency. Remember keep the soil light and airy. Geraniums love to drink water, and slightly dry out between drink... 

Another tip in regard to watering. Geraniums don't tolerate water on their leaves and flower, to any great existent. So keep your geraniums away from sprinklers, and forget sprinkling the leaves and flowers of a geranium plant.

Thinking of purchasing your geraniums early? Perhaps you plan to store them under artificial lights? Yes, they will grow, but again the plant will not have the great root system... I suggest waiting until your outdoors temperature will suit planting your plants out of doors.

Fertilize Your Geraniums frequently. Fertilize with liquid fertilizer or a blend of time release fertilizer that you can blend into the soil. Geraniums are heavy feeders, so weekly feedings will ensure lots of large healthy blooms.