Geranians off after winter may seem unrecoverable, but with few tricks they can re -emerge in spring more luxuriant than before. Just know when to intervene and with what simple gestures to give them new energy.
When winter turns to the end, the vessels with i geraniums Survivors in the cold often tell a story made of dry leaves, branches emptied of life and an apparent immobility. Yet, under that extinguished surface, something moves. It is the nature that is preparing to start again, even if in silence. It is believed that a little sun is enough to bring everything back as before, but it is not quite so. A little help is needed, and the right time is just that.
It is interesting to note how much they are resistant These plants: even if you leave in not very enlightened or neglected corners for months, they still retain a sort of hidden vitality. Those who observe well will notice that some sprouts already begin to make room among the oldest branches. It is a signal. A sort of invitation to intervene, with patience but also with a pinch of enthusiasm. Because seeing a apparently lost plant return to life has something deeply rewarding.
Prepare the geraniums off the spring awakening
It starts from a simple but fundamental gesture: Clean geraniums from everything that is dry or damaged. Brown leaves, dry branches, residues accumulated in the soil … everything must be eliminated to allow light and air to reach the living parts of the plant. An operation that often underestimates, but that really makes the difference.
During cleaning, it is useful Check the status of the ground. If it is too compact or has an unpleasant smell, it is better to move it gently or replace it. A fresh, well drained and enriched soil with river sand can restore the roots. There is no need to be botanical experts to recognize a tired substrate: it is understood to be at the first touch, when the earth crumbles badly or remains too humid.
Another aspect to consider is the luce. Gerans need at least a few hours of sunshine directed by the day to start awakening. Place them in a bright point, preferably oriented east, will help them gradually adapt to the seasonal change. You don’t have to be in a hurry, but even wait too much to wait. March is already a good time to start these operations.
Those who deal with gardening know: the pruning of geraniums It is one of the key steps to stimulate flowering. Cut the longer or weaker branches, even if it may seem drastic, allows the plant to concentrate its energies on the new sprouts. It is recommended to shorten the branches of about a third, using well -sharp and clean scissors. The important thing is not to hurt the live fabrics unnecessarily.
Repotting, fertilizing and stimulating the flowering of geraniums in spring
After pruning, an ideal temporal window opens to proceed with the Repotting of geraniumsif necessary. But be careful: it is not always mandatory to change vase. If the roots are not too developed or do not come out of the bottom, it may be enough to replace the soil and improve drainage.
Here are some Useful tricks:
- Add a layer of expanded clay on the bottom of the pot to avoid stagnation of water.
- Use a soil specific For geraniums or a light mixture with sand.
- After setting up the plant, water Well to compact the ground.
A week after repotting, it’s the right time to start with one targeted fertilization. A liquid fertilizer for flowering plants, rich in potassium, can make miracles. Don’t overdo the doses, though. Better but constant: every two weeks it is more than enough in this initial phase.
Often the water is thought to be the key to making geraniums flourish, but it is more a question of balance. The ground must remain humid, not wet. The watering They must follow the climatic conditions and the reaction of the plant, not a fixed calendar.
It is curious to observe how, with the passing of the days, The first flowers start to peep out. Sometimes they sprout from branches that seemed dead. And every time it is a small triumph, a signal that all the work done is making its fruits. After all, it is not just about cultivating plants, but also of cultivating expectations.
The secret to having strong and colorful geraniums up to the summer
Once the plant has resumed vigor, the work is not over. Indeed, it’s just now that everything is played. The maintenance of geraniums in spring It is decisive to ensure continuous flowering up to the summer.
The position It remains a fundamental element. Better to move them gradually outdoors, on the balcony or in the garden, however avoiding the temperature changes. The fresh nights of April can still damage the new shoots. It is recommended to protect them with a light sheet if the temperatures go down below 10 ° C.
Another often neglected advice concerns the geraniums falling (like the Pelargonium Peltatum), ideal for suspended planters. They have slightly different needs: they love the sun but fear the stagnation more than the other varieties. The secret? Wide vases, perfect drainage and light but frequent prunings.
It is said that each plant has a character. And in the case of geraniums, it is evident: they are rustic, resistant, but if neglected too long they “close”. When instead they find a favorable environment, they respond with a surprising generosity. Just look at them, full of flowers, to realize that it was worth it.
Rediscover the vitality of a geranium After the colder months it is almost a ritual. A small gesture of care that, repeated over time, transforms the balcony or garden into a corner of color and life.
Photo © Stock.adobe
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