Do you want your geraniums to bloom for longer? Here's some useful tips

The arrival of summer is greeted, in many gardens and balconies, with the blooming of geraniums (or rather, pelargonium) that adorn houses and courtyards everywhere. On closer inspection, there are many different species of this plant, and a search at specialized nurseries reveals dozens of cultivars and even ancient collectible varieties that have very different shapes, colors and even scents.

Even the most common ones, which are often called "zonal geraniums", are able to decorate balconies and gardens with bright splashes of color that we never tire of. So how do you make sure that their flowering period lasts for as long as possible? Here are some useful tips:

Exposure and watering

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Exposure: almost every species of this plant loves the sun.

In fact, there are very few varieties that need shelter from the hottest and direct sunlight (and they are often among the more collectible species which are more difficult to find) .. Both indoors and outdoors, therefore, choose areas facing south / west where they will be reached by the sun's rays for as long as possible during the day.

Watering: water infrequently, but abundantly.

The golden rule is to wait for the soil to dry out completely before watering again, and then soak the substrate. Make sure the pots allow excess water to drain out, and if a period of extreme heat is being experienced, place saucers under the pots to retain the moisture for a little longer. But be careful: the saucers must be kept only while it is very hot and it does not rain. Only water again when the soil is dry (dry below the surface too). If, on the other hand, more frequent rains begin, remove the saucers and let the water drain away freely.

Again, when you arrive at the end of summer and some plants still have flowers, put them in shelter from the rain but in always in brightly illuminated positions, to take advantage of the last periods of blooming before preparing them for the winter.

Trimming

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Trimming of dried flowers

Once the two fundamental conditions described above have been ensured, we need to take care of the trimming tasks. Each stem that holds the flowers dries out when it has flowered, and this must be trimmed off: it is not only an aesthetic question, but also a precaution that promotes the health of the plant, stimulating the production of new flowers.

In most cases, just wait until the flower stem is really dry (and not just slightly yellowed) and you can easily break it off with your hands. But if it offers resistance and you are tempted to use force to twist or break it off, stop: often this force will cause a laceration on the branch, which can be bad for the plant. It is best to equip yourself with a pair of small pruning shears (there are some specifically made for trimming plants), clean the blades well (disinfected with alcohol or a flame) and then snip off the dead flower stem. It takes little effor and is also oddly relaxing and cathartic.

To promote healthy growth, also remove (in the same way) any very yellow or dry leaves.

Additional advice

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Avoid placing geraniums in pots that are too large: they like to be enclosed, so it is best to repot them them to bigger containers annually (or even every two years, depending on growth).

Give them a fertilizer that is rich in potassium. Mixes with a ratio of 9-6-12 are recommended.

Happy gardening!