Effective care of geraniums begins at the time of planting. Remember that these plants only tolerate positive temperatures, so they should only hit the outside when at night There is no more frost risk. The pots must have drainage holes, because standing water is the most common cause of root rot. It is equally important to plant geraniums at appropriate intervals, a minimum of 20 centimeters, which will allow them to develop freely. The best results are given by gardening soil with the addition of compost or fertilizer with a slow effect, which ensures stable Access to nutrients for many weeks.
In the summer, geraniums need a regular, but its frequency should not be based on rigid schedule. The mistake is made by those who follow routine and water the plants, for example, every other day, regardless of the actual needs of the ground. Instead, it is worth assessing the moisture of the earth each time, putting your finger to a depth of several centimeters. Watering becomes justified only when the substrate inside the pot is clearly dry. Geraniums are able to survive short periods of dryness, but in hot weather they need to regularly supplement water, especially in the morning or evening. It is then that the plant best absorbs moisture and evaporation is limited to a minimum.
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Another compulsory care treatment is removing faded flowers and dried leaves. This action stimulates geraniums to produce new buds and at the same time limits the development of fungal diseases. Better air circulation among the stems reduces the risk of infection, especially in rainy weather. It is worth remembering that geraniums are susceptible to gray mold and aphid attacks. Therefore, any sign of yellowing of leaves, spots or deformation should be a signal to action, because early symptoms of diseases or pests allow minimize losses in the whole cultivation.
One of the biggest problems when growing geraniums is Choosing the wrong position. These plants require intensive sunlight, which is why balconies and terraces with northern exhibition or strongly shaded by neighboring buildings are not a good place for them. In such conditions, geraniums grow poorly, the shoots excessively increase, and the number of flowers is limited. If the balcony does not meet the condition of a minimum of six hours of light a day, it may be a better solution to cultivate geraniums on the windowsill from the south or west.
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Protection against wind and rain. Open, unsatisfied spaces expose plants to mechanical damage, especially with stronger gusts of wind, which can break the stems and pick inflorescences. Prolonged rainfall without the possibility of sheltering pots lead to development, especially on dense full -flowered varieties. Lack of any cover also makes the soil in containers lose the structure faster and the flowers become susceptible to infections. A good solution in such situations is the use of light but stable side covers or roofs made of transparent plastic that protect plants, without limiting access to light.
Problems with long and lush flowering of geraniums often also result from bad fertilization. Beginner gardeners willingly reach for the cheapest fertilizers with a universal composition, which usually contain too high a dose of nitrogen. This ingredient promotes the intensive growth of leaves, but at the same time limits the production of flower buds, which makes the plant produce a lot of green mass, but blooms poorly. It may also be a mistake to regularly use home -made preparations, such as coffee coffee grounds, which in the long run acidify the ground and can lead to deficiencies of elements necessary for healthy growth. Changing the soil reaction negatively affects the absorption of nutrients, which weakens geraniums and it reflects on their condition.
