If you still want to admire your geraniums this year next year, you can easily overwinter them. We show you how it works.
Geraniums are among the most popular balcony plants * among Germans. Nevertheless, in many places they are sorted out after a year, although the perennial flowers can be hibernated relatively well. We have tips ready for you.
Wintering geraniums: when should the flowers be brought to their winter quarters?
Geraniums can stay on the balcony for a relatively long time - they are an eye-catcher for all neighbors throughout the summer and into autumn. The plants can even tolerate light frosts of around minus five degrees Celsius . However, you should be a bit protected for this. However, when it gets too cold, it's time to finally bring the geraniums to their winter quarters. This is usually the case at the end of October .
Did you know?
The term “geranium” is not true at all. The popular balcony plants are actually called pelargoniums . The term "geranium" has probably become naturalized because of its similarity to the cranesbill species that have the botanical name "geranium".
How to overwinter the geraniums in the flower box
Geraniums can be overwintered in their flower boxes or in separate containers. Which variant you choose is up to you. However, variant 1 is less time-consuming: You don't need to pay too much attention here, as geraniums are quite robust and require little water - they store it in their thick stems and leaves. Choose a location that is as cool and dark as possible. Cellars or attics are ideal here. The temperature should be between five and ten degrees. Alternatively, however, there is also a bright place with around ten to 15 degrees, for example the winter garden. The only important thing is: the darker the location, the cooler the temperature and vice versa .
During the winter, water the plants every now and then and check for rot or pests. In the next year, the geraniums will then be transplanted in fresh balcony flower soil.
Also interesting : With these tricks, your geraniums will be an eye-catcher all summer long.
Hibernate: put geraniums in boxes
The My beautiful garden portal offers a second method for wintering geraniums - in boxes. To do this, remove the flowers from the flower box with a hand shovel and carefully remove the loose soil from the roots. However, a high proportion of fine roots should remain.
Then prune the shoots back to about ten centimeters with the secateurs, leaving two to three knots per side shoot. Also, remove a large part of the leaves to avoid pest infestation or plant diseases. Then each plant is individually wrapped in newspaper and placed in a box. If necessary, spray the shoots with water in their winter quarters to keep them moist. * Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
Also read : Can I also let my potted plants overwinter outside?