Here in this section we will explain about growing Pelargonium (Geranium)

About Pelargoniums

Pelargoniums or often called geraniums, are a common flower and plant in most gardens as they add a lot of colour to borders, pots and hanging baskets. They are a very easy plant to look after and are easy maintenance.

There are 3 main types of Pelargoniums that are common in the garden. These will give you plenty of colour through the summer.

Angel:- This variety is a bushier Pelargonium and more compact. these have a pansy type looking flower. these tend to be used in pots, troughs and containers

Zonal:- This variety is bushy and upright with groups of single flowers. the flowers come in red, salmon pink or white.

Regal:- This variety usually flowers before the Zonal variety. these are great in pots and containers. you can even grow them indoors. They have ruffled flowers making them more Regal (hence the name). These come in White, Purple, Pink and Mauve

There is a variety called Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums this is due to the leaves being similar to ivy. These are ideal for growing in baskets due to them hanging down.

Garden Centres

Garden Centres are a great place to choose your Pelargoniums. They usually have a great variety for you to choose from. Amzaon also have a great range that you can purchase.

Sowing Pelargoniums

You can buy seeds online or from a garden centre and start your own off rather than purchase as plants as they are expensive. If you are growing yourself though you will need to start them off early from January in a heated greenhouse or a propagator. Seeds are not that expensive and can be purchased online.

Sowing Pelargoniums / Geranium Seeds Video

Here you can see a video of me explaining about planting these seeds.

Planting

When planting your Pelargoniums outside you need to make sure the frost has finished as this could damage the plants. You are best waiting till the end of May or the beginning of June. Before planting your Pelargoniums outside you will need to harden them off so they are used to the weather and it won’t shock them.

When you purchase your plug plants from the garden centre or online you need to remove them from this straight away. They need to be potted up into plant pots. They need to be in a warm green house at a temperature of around 7-21 degrees. If you have kept last years plants you will need to re pot these into fresh compost in Spring.

When the time is right to plant these outside you need to put them where they are most suited too. Regal variety prefer partial shade, Zonal prefer some shade. You can grow your Pelargoniums in borders, containers, hanging baskets to add colour to your garden. They need to be planted in fertile soil.

Caring for your plant

When looking after Pelargoniums they do not require a lot of water from spring to summer. Do not let the compost get too wet or this could kill your plant off. Feed your plants around every 14 days. Feed with liquid fertiliser. Once flowers have formed on the plants use a tomato feed every two week. Do not feed every fortnight through autumn and winter just every month

Looking after through Winter

Pelargoniums are perennial plants, some people grow them as annuals though and dispose of them after summer.

The best way to look after these during winter is to bring your pots into the greenhouse over winter and either cover them with bubble wrap or fleece to protect them.