Geraniums (Pelargoniums) are beloved for their vibrant blooms and resilience. However, these cheerful plants aren't always hardy enough to survive harsh winter conditions. Knowing how to store geraniums for winter is crucial to ensuring their survival and a bountiful display of flowers the following spring. This guide provides a step-by-step process for successfully overwintering your geraniums, whether you're a seasoned gardener or a beginner.
Preparing Your Geraniums for Winter Storage
Before you begin the storage process, there are a few essential steps to take to ensure your geraniums are healthy and ready for their winter rest.
1. Pruning Your Geraniums:
- Reduce plant size: Gently prune back your geraniums to about a third of their size. This removes any dead, diseased, or weak stems. This encourages bushier growth in the spring and makes them easier to manage during storage. Use clean, sharp pruning shears to avoid damaging the plant.
- Remove spent flowers: Deadhead any remaining flowers to prevent the plant from wasting energy on seed production.
2. Checking for Pests and Diseases:
- Inspect thoroughly: Carefully inspect your geraniums for any signs of pests (like aphids or whiteflies) or diseases. Treat any problems before storing them to prevent infestations during winter.
3. Allowing for Proper Drying:
- Air drying: After pruning, allow your geraniums to air dry for a few days. This helps prevent rot during storage. Avoid overwatering during this period.
Methods for Storing Geraniums Over Winter
There are several effective methods for storing geraniums over winter. The best method will depend on your climate, space, and resources.
1. Storing Geraniums Indoors:
This is the most common and generally successful method for overwintering geraniums.
- Potting and placement: Repot your pruned geraniums into smaller pots if necessary, using a well-draining potting mix. Place them in a cool, bright location, away from direct sunlight and heating vents. A south-facing window (in the Northern Hemisphere) often provides good light without excessive heat.
- Watering requirements: Water sparingly during winter. Allow the soil to dry out somewhat between waterings. Overwatering is a major cause of winter rot.
- Temperature control: The ideal temperature for overwintering geraniums indoors is around 50-55°F (10-13°C).
2. Storing Geraniums in a Basement or Unheated Garage:
If you have a cool, frost-free basement or unheated garage, this can also be a suitable storage location.
- Protecting from frost: Ensure the space is protected from frost. Freezing temperatures will kill your geraniums.
- Light requirements: While direct sunlight isn't necessary, provide as much indirect light as possible.
- Watering: Water very sparingly, only enough to prevent the soil from completely drying out.
3. Storing Geraniums as Cuttings:
This method allows you to propagate new plants while overwintering your existing ones.
- Taking cuttings: Take stem cuttings, approximately 4 inches long, from healthy stems. Remove lower leaves.
- Rooting: Plant the cuttings in a pot filled with moist rooting medium. Cover the pot with a plastic bag to maintain humidity.
- Placement: Place the pot in a warm, bright location. Once rooted, treat the new plants as you would stored geraniums.
Bringing Your Geraniums Back to Life in Spring
Once winter is over and the danger of frost has passed, it's time to bring your geraniums back to life.
- Gradual Acclimation: Gradually acclimate your geraniums to outdoor conditions by placing them outside for a few hours each day, gradually increasing the time until they can remain outside permanently.
- Repotting and Fertilizing: Repot your geraniums into larger containers if necessary, using fresh potting mix. Begin fertilizing regularly to encourage healthy growth and blooming.
By following these steps, you can ensure your geraniums survive the winter and thrive again in the spring, providing you with another season of stunning blooms. Remember to choose the storage method that best suits your circumstances and always prioritize proper watering and temperature control to prevent rot and damage. Happy gardening!
