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Hanging geraniums, botanically known as Perlagonium peltatum, are among the most popular plants in the flower box at home. What very few people know is that the ornamental plants are quite robust and can also overwinter in local areas. Below you will find out how you can keep your hanging geraniums for several years.
Overwintering by location
Frost-free basement rooms as a perfect place for the winter
The Mediterranean Pelargonium peltatum is not directly hardy, but it can survive the winter. However, the plant does not tolerate frost, but it can withstand low temperatures for a short time.
When October has arrived it's time to move the hanging geraniums to the perfect spot for the winter. Under no circumstances should it be too dark in this place, but there are other requirements for the ideal place:
- frost-free quarters necessary
- bright, not too warm place is perfect
- Cellar rooms with light are well suited
- Temperatures should remain constant
Prune hanging geraniums if there is not enough space
If there is not enough space to set up the plants, you can prune them. If there is enough space in the basement, you can set up all plants cultivated in pots directly with the pot. If your plants were housed in the box, you should dig them up.
You have to be extremely careful here, because if you damage the root ball, the plant can die.
You have to cut the existing tendrils of Pelargonium peltatum so that they will sprout again next year. Only two or three thicker parts of the tendril remain.
Plants that have been dug up are placed close together in a large flower pot. Cover the bottom of the pot with potting soil beforehand. The plants now remain in a cool, bright location and only need very little water.
Check that when you get a chance no pests are present on your plants. Dangerous are withered leaves, which you should remove again and again in winter.
A dark place can also be used
The hanging geranium can also overwinter in a dark place, but then you have to cut hard. Above all, the leaves must be completely removed so that spider mites and aphids do not have a target to attack.
Even in the dark quarters, you have to dig up plants that were previously in the flower box and place them close together in a large flower pot. Watering is done once a week on average, it is sufficient if the bales are damp.
The end of winter time
In February the hanging geranium is ready to start the new season. To break hibernation and usher in the spring season, it's best to follow these instructions:
- separate the individual plants from each other
- place the hanging geraniums in individual pots
- place the pots in a light spot
- in May you can take the plants outside
In the new temporary quarters, you can plant geraniums again water regularly, but you must ensure that waterlogging is avoided.
Use cuttings for propagation
Albeit a special one among your hanging geraniums beautiful model is present, you should use the trimmed tendrils to propagate Pelargonium peltatum. Autumn is the best possible time for this.
You have to cut off the shoots so that a leaf node remains below. As a result, the roots can develop faster.
Put the cuttings in a flower pot with potting soil and place them in the winter domicile. By the beginning of the year there are usually so many roots that you can move the young plants to a normal pot.
Benefits of hibernating
Overwintering gives you several advantages. On the one hand you save the costs of buying new geraniums. On the other hand strengthen They overwinter the plants and the flowers become more numerous. Even if they are not hardy outdoors, it is worth the effort to overwinter them.
Tips for wintering:
- A light spot is ideal, as hanging geraniums are evergreen
- a dark place will tolerate if you cut the shoots
- Remove leaves to prevent pests
- the lowest possible temperatures are optimal, but there must be no frost
- do without fertilizer during the rest period
- Keep root ball moist
If you follow these instructions, the geraniums will survive the winter phase without any problems. The flower density increases visibly over the years, measured by the number of winters survived.