Transcript Title Slide - Towson University

Winterizing
your
Geraniums
“Geri” the Geranium Pelargonium
- a tender perennnial
Come on out Geri!
Hi. I’m Geri. I am a
Geranium Pelargonium
TENDER PERENNIAL:
a plant which won’t
survive cold winter
temperatures
Cuttings
Three ways to help me
survive Winter
start new plants from
pieces cut from a mature
plant
Repot
dig up plant, keep
indoors in a pot
Bare Root
dig up plant, shake
dirt off roots, hang upsidedown in dark, cool space
Cuttings
• Cut 4-6 inch pieces
from healthy plant
• Trim off lower leaves
• Dip cut end in root
hormone powder
• Plant in sterile soil
• Keep evenly moist
Cuttings don’t
hurt…do they?
Ouch!
Making a cutting of a Geranium
Repotting
I already have a
healthy root system
•
•
•
•
•
•
Dig up plant
Cut back to 1/3 height
Place into a flower pot
Add sterile soil
Keep evenly moist
Store indoors in a cool bright
spot
Repotting a mature Geranium
Bare root method
I’ll sleep all winter
in a dormant state!
•Dig up plant
•Shake dirt off of roots
•Hang upside-down in
a dry, dark place up
plant
Healthy
root system
will go
dormant for
the Winter
Hanging a Bare Root Geranium
Review of Three methods
1. Cuttings
Take 4-6’’ cutting
Trim lower leaves
Dip end in rooting
hormone
Plant in sterile soil
2. Repot plant
3. Bare roots
Dig up plant
Place in pot with
sterile soil
Dig up plant
Shake dirt off roots
Hang up-side down
Replant in Spring
Which is your favorite method?
Cuttings
•Lots of new plants
•Needs root hormone, water, sunlight
Repotting
•Needs indoor space, light, water, pot
•Already has healthy root system
•Can keep same plant for years
Hanging Bare Root
•Easy: dig, shake and hang
•Needs storage for ugly roots
Show video
Winterizing your Geraniums
Brought to you by
Dorothy Ballmann
Brandy Reese
Suzanne Obenshain
and….
Geri the Geranium!