Geranium Cultivation Tips:
**Location:**
Geranium thrives in sunny spots, especially on east or south-facing windowsills. It does well with full or partial sunlight during autumn and winter. If grown indoors, ensure it gets indirect light; too little light can cause leaves and flowers to drop quickly.
**Soil:**
Use well-draining soil rich in organic matter. A commercial potting mix or loose sandy loam works best for healthy growth.
**Watering:**
In autumn and winter, water once every 1-2 days. During sunny days, especially when the plant is in full bloom, it’s better to water daily. The more leaves you have, the faster the evaporation, so keep an eye on moisture levels.
**Light:**
Geranium requires plenty of light. It grows well in full or partial sun during colder months. Indoors, place it where it can get bright, indirect light. Insufficient light may lead to yellowing leaves and dropped blooms.
**Temperature:**
The ideal growing temperature is between 15°C and 25°C. Geranium is not tolerant of high temperatures, so it's not recommended to grow it in summer.
**Fertilizer:**
Add a slow-release base fertilizer when planting. During flowering, use a diluted liquid fertilizer every 1–2 weeks. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen, as this can lead to excessive foliage at the expense of flowers.
**Care Tips:**
For home gardeners, geraniums are often purchased from flower markets. You can buy three plants in a large box and place them on your window sill, or plant them directly. With regular watering, your window sill will soon become a beautiful and fragrant spot.
When seedlings reach 12–15 cm in height, pinch back the central stem to encourage bushier growth. In summer, control watering carefully—too much moisture can cause leaf drop. Fertilize every two weeks during the growing season, but avoid excess nitrogen. When stems and leaves become too large, stop fertilizing and remove some leaves to promote better flowering. Apply phosphate fertilizer every two weeks during bud formation for improved blooming.
To control plant height and achieve a compact, colorful appearance, consider using growth regulators like chlormequat chloride. Spraying the leaves at a concentration of 0.15% once a week for two weeks, while providing 14–18 hours of light daily, can help maintain a dwarf shape.
After flowering, promptly remove spent blooms to conserve energy for new growth. Potted geraniums typically need renewal after 3–4 years. During the flowering season, ensure they receive adequate sunlight; otherwise, leaves may droop or turn yellow. In cloudy or rainy weather, supplement with artificial light to support blooming.
**Winter Care:**
Geranium is sensitive to cold. In northern areas, bring potted plants indoors before frost and place them near a sunny window. Low light can lead to leggy growth and poor flower bud formation. In southern regions, move plants to sheltered, warm locations to protect them from cold winds. Maintain indoor temperatures between 15°C and 20°C during the day, and no lower than 10°C at night. Too low or too high temperatures can weaken the plant and reduce flowering.
Water sparingly in winter—once every 5–7 days, keeping the soil slightly moist. Overwatering can cause root rot and leaf drop. Mist the leaves with clean water to keep them clean and enhance photosynthesis. To encourage continuous blooming, apply a diluted liquid fertilizer every 10 days. You can use composted manure, fish emulsion, or commercial flower fertilizers.
Prune regularly to promote branching and more flowers. Pinch back stems several times to encourage multiple buds. After flowering, remove dead flowers and trim dense or weak branches to prevent nutrient waste. However, avoid heavy pruning during winter to protect the plant.