Geraniums are the kings of the balcony. Let's see how to take care of them.
To take care of these plants, let's start by making an important distinction: in everyday language, the name "geraniums" often refers to plants that actually belong to the Pelargonium genus. Used on balconies in pots or window boxes, they are not very hardy and need to be kept frost-free during the winter.
Geraniums are perennial plants, their aerial part fades and disappears in winter; most of the real geraniums resist to -15°C, they are hardy, solid, very easy to maintain and allow the creation of imposing massifs over the years.
These two very distinct species belong to the Geraniaceae family.
Pelargoniums
They are the kings of balconies: used in window boxes, the ivy varieties with beautifully cut foliage offer cascades of flowers that are constantly renewed throughout the summer. The zonal pelargoniums will be used in pots for their upright habit and their wide and rounded foliage often marked with a very characteristic dark zone. Many hybrids with white, cream, pink or yellow variegated foliage will bring a touch of originality to your pots. Fragrance lovers will not be left out thanks to the varieties with fragrant foliage that can be crumpled to give off surprising notes of mint, lemon grass, pine or even rose. Pelargoniums with large flowers are more fragile but nevertheless spectacular, forming magnificent bushy plants especially adapted to the culture in jars.
The growing conditions for Pelargoniums differ little: the soil must be very rich and well drained to avoid water stagnation at the roots which would rot the plant. A mixture of good potting soil enriched with fertilizing materials and light sand will suit them perfectly. The exposure should be very sunny and warm in a well ventilated space. The secret to obtain an abundant bloom lies in a very regular contribution of "special geranium" fertilizer (once a week) on a wet substrate so as not to burn the roots. The soil should only dry on the surface between two waterings and the faded flowers as well as the damaged leaves should be removed progressively.
You can easily take cuttings from your Pelargoniums in the spring by taking 10 cm long stems and rooting them in the shade in a mixture of sand and potting soil in equal parts. Never let this mixture dry.
As soon as the first cold weather arrives, put them in a ventilated and not very heated room, protected from frost. Reduce the watering to induce a resting period, and take them out only when the weather is fine and there is no risk of frost.
Geraniums
Geraniums are excellent bedding plants, and they thrive at the foot of shrubs, which provide them with soft, subdued light, good air humidity and the temperate temperatures they need. Plant them in rich soil to which you have added a nice amount of Brown Gold® at planting time. The soil should not dry out in summer, but should never be soggy. Contrary to pelargoniums, geraniums do not require any particular care and can even become invasive because they reseed themselves abundantly. Your only work will be to cut the faded foliage in early spring to allow the new shoots to develop well.
