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Extended Description
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Outdoor Container Culture – Geraniums make attractive additions to the landscape when grown in containers at entrances, on decks and patios, or in window boxes. Choose pots at least 8 to 12 inches in diameter, large enough to hold enough substrate for a good root system, and to contain enough water to prevent wilting during hot, dry weather. Plants may need to be repotted into larger containers later in the season if they have grown large and begin to wilt between waterings. Water as often as needed to prevent wilting, because the leaves of wilted plants turn yellow and drop off, resulting in unattractive, leggy plants. Select containers with adequate drainage holes, and do not allow pots to sit in saucers of water. Instead, place the pot on a layer of gravel in the saucer. Avoid overhead watering which wets leaves and flowers, which can encourage development of diseases. Do not use heavy clay garden soils which may not provide sufficient aeration. A mix of equal parts of garden soil, peat moss and perlite makes a good growing medium. Leaf mold, composted pine bark or composted yard waste can be substituted for peat moss. Mix in 1/2 teaspoon of a complete garden fertilizer plus one teaspoon of dolomitic limestone per volume of each 8-inch pot. Commercial potting mixes are ready to use, light in weight, convenient for gardeners and support good growth of geraniums.
Bedding Plant Culture – Geraniums should not be planted outdoors until all danger of frost is past and the soil has warmed. Geraniums grow best where they receive at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily. Flowering is reduced and diseases may be more problematic in the shade. Good air circulation is beneficial, but protect from strong winds, which can break the brittle branches.
Soil in the flower beds should be well drained. Consult Horticulture Information Leaflet No. 555, Installation and Maintenance of Landscape Bedding Plants for more information.
A soil pH of 6.5 (mildly acid) is ideal, with poor growth occurring below pH 5.5. Submit a soil test to the N.C. Department of Agriculture, and follow recommendations for addition of lime to raise soil pH.
Proper fertilization of geraniums is of utmost importance. Geraniums respond well to fertilization and are stunted and yellowed in soils that lack a ready source of nitrogen. Make sure that organic matter added is well decomposed, or it may rob nitrogen from the geraniums as it decomposes. A garden fertilizer with a N-P-K analysis of 5-10-5 or 6-12-12 applied at a rate of 2 to 3 lbs per 100 ft2 (one heaping teaspoonful per ft2) is recommended before planting. Through the growing season geraniums require fertilization every 4 to 6 weeks. Apply 10-10-10 or 8-8-8 at the rate of 2 lbs per 100 ft2. Choose a fertilizer with a slow-release form of nitrogen to guard against leaching of nitrogen during heavy rains, which may damage ground and surface water quality, and to ensure a steady supply of nitrogen to the growing plants. Consult Horticulture Information Leaflet No. 551, Bed Preparation and Fertilization Recommendations for Bedding Plants in the Landscape for more information.
Transplant geraniums after all danger of late frost is past in your area. Geraniums are easy to transplant and establish quickly after soils are warm in the spring. If bedding plants have a heavy, dense root ball, knock the potting mix out and break up the root ball before planting. Break up or remove peat pots, never letting the peat pot extend above the soil surface, as this wicks water away from the roots. Plant geraniums at the same level as they were growing in pots ¾ not deeper, and not shallower.
Mulching with pine straw, pine bark chips or shredded hardwood bark mulch is recommended to conserve water in the soil and prevent splashing of soil onto plants during heavy rains, which may spread disease organisms. Apply mulch after the soil warms in the spring. A 1- to 2-inch layer of mulch is adequate to reduce high soil temperatures during the summer, prevent soil crusting, improve aeration and reduce weed growth.
Water geraniums sufficiently to prevent wilting in the landscape, at least once per week if rainfall is not adequate. Soaker hoses and drip irrigation are preferred for water conservation and to keep water off of the foliage, which contributes to disease problems. If using overhead irrigation, water early enough in the day to allow leaves and flowers to dry before nightfall, which will help prevent disease problems.
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