Archive
A Garden Classic: Geraniums
Updated 5/2/12: Geraniums are a garden classic for a reason: full of color, simple and reliable to grow, and a controlled form, they fit in many garden applications. New varieties stretch the color palette from reds, pinks, and white to fanciful striped pinks, such as Candy White Splash', and vibrant oranges, such as 'Maverick Orange'. See all of the varieties that Knollwood is growing for you here. For more great growing tips
Following is an excerpt from Fischers website: Most Common Problems With Geraniums 1. If geraniums don’t bloom enough, they usually don’t have enough light. 2. Most geraniums are over-watered in the cool and rainy spring and kept too dry in the hot summer months. A good sign for over- watered plants is if the bottom leaves of the geraniums get yellow and the leaves show pale yellow “water spots” the size of a pinhead. 3. If the entire plant looks a bit more pale yellow than green, then it lacks fertilizer. 4. If you look at the flower buds and see little holes in the buds, budworms are present. The plants have to be treated with a chemical that, if possible, should be environmentally “friendly” and the least harmful to humans and animals. When spraying the plants, make sure to try to include the inner leaf canopy where the worms might be hiding. (Note: Knollwood recommends Sevin spray.) 5. Most of the commonly available potting mixes in retail stores is too heavy, poorly drained, and does not allow for enough oxygen for good root development. Make sure to buy the best mixes you can get with good, well structured, peat. (Note: Knollwood Garden Center uses and recommends Fafard potting soil.) 6. Usually geraniums are planted too early, when the soil is still too cold and frost can still destroy the plants