Pelargonium geraniums

When the time comes is it worth saving and potting up my bedding geraniums for next year or is it best to bin em and get fresh for next year?

 

Not a great bedding plant grower these days mate, but I think in this day its best to bin them and buy new next year.
Most are now seed raised I believe, and so replaced easily next year.

It just depends on how much effort you are prepared to put in.

 

That is what you have to ask yourself - is it worth the time and effort. It may be if you have a favourite that you want to keep. Store the in pots - frost-free and light is important, heat not necessary as too much heat could cause them to start growing and they need to go into a dormant period. Water once or twice a week and give them a weak feed. Remove any leaves that turn yellow. Come spring give them a little extra water and they will start to grow again.

 

Anne is this not the time to take Pelargonium cuttings ? Is this way better/easier than keeping the old plant . I ask this as its one of the few cutting I have success with !!

 

August /September is a good time to take cuttings for Pelargoniums/Geraniums. I must admit that these days I am more inclined to buy new. But if anyone has a favourite it is most certainly worth taking cuttings or over-wintering the plant. Cuttings I find need more warmth than just storing the pot. In the past I have done both just in case one fails. Talking on this subject maybe I'll give it another go. We are spoilt here - there is a company that sells off overstock for other companies - shrubs plants houseplants etc - good bargains!

 

They were just the std bedding ones nothing special. Will just bin them. Still looking good at the moment though.
Thanks for the replies though

 

Pelargoniums/Geraniums

I get confused, I buy plants and the label says will bloom for one year only

Though I seem to remember, my older relations just used to chuck their Geranium plants (potted) in the garage and next year all was good again

Is there a difference between Old Geraniums and Pelargoium Geraniums we have now?

Jack McH

 

The old fashioned geraniums are hardy herbaceous plants and ideal for planting in the border or rockery. They die down in winter and flower again the following year. The geranium/pelagonium is only half hardy and frost tender so it is best to either take cuttings or store the pot in a frost-free place. In the past I have done both in case one fails.

 

So what do I look for when buying Geraniums of the hardy type ?

Jack McH

 

Most hardy geraniums are referred to as 'Cranesbill Geraniums'. As to what to look for, there are so many varieties to choose from and it would also be down to which colours you would prefer. Some favourites are Johnsons Blue, Splish Splash, Birch Double - there is just such a wonderful choice.

 

Thanks for that Anne
I will have a look see, not bothered about speciality, just a hardy Geranium of any sort

Tks

Jack McH

 

Jack - may I suggest three hardy Geraniums - "Patricia", "Rozanne" and "Ann Folkard". These are all sterile hybrids and as a result remain in flower for 4 or 5 months. Plants often stop flowering once their flowers have been pollinated and they start to set seed. But as these three are sterile they can't set seed. Some others only flower for 2 or 3 weeks - then that's it.

 

Perlargoniums are the one plant that I have been successful with. I transplanted a pink one when I move here two years ago and it has flourished. I have a blue one (perhaps Johnson's Blue?) which I inherited.

Geraniums are easily propogated; but, my dear friend has some which she houses in an unheated conservatory over winter and they do seem to thrive. Despite their ease of propogation, I have lost geraniums in the harshest weather

I think the real trick is to distinguish between the two?

 

Mum I think you've got the plants round the wrong way. You've mentioned a blue Pelargonium in the first paragraph, you are in fact talking about a Geranium.

In your second paragraph, I believe you are talking about Pelargoniums. Below is a Geranium.



I can't provide a picture of a pelargonium as I don't grow them.