Just make sure each one is trimmed to. When you shorten the stems keep in mind that the geranium will grow back fuller and denser so you might want to prune some of the side branching stems off. It's better to trim it back and let the plant produce strong, new stems. Here are the steps I took: 1. While this a more common issue with ivy-style and indoor potted geraniums, a garden geranium that doesn't get enough light may become "leggy," with large gaps between leaf nodes on each stem. Both of these geraniums live indoors year round in locations with a good amount of natural light. It was much faster to prune because it only had 6 or 7 stems & all the foliage was at the ends. I find that after a few minutes I’m in the “pruning zone” and it actually goes pretty fast. ECN. Only lasting for one growing season, annual geraniums are now placed in a closely related plant genus known as pelargonium. Pelargoniums are tough, waterwise plants that can provide a big splash of colour for minimal effort. 5. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. I saved quite a few cuttings for my cousin (I just put the shortened stems in water – geraniums root easily this way) so she can have more or give them away. The illustrations give an instant reference to the text, and make info easier to remember. Can I cut back geraniums in summer in South Africa if looking scraggly? Both she and I got the gene for appreciating beautiful plants and flowers but only I got the one for pruning. How to grow geraniums in a pot. This covers everything! I took a sampling of stems out on the patio so you could see what I was pruning off. It’s not a hanging geranium but it had turned into 1! Most hardy geraniums need to be trimmed to keep them from overtaking other plants and to encourage new growth.. Once the plant has finished blooming or you notice old growth, trim it back to within a few inches of ground level, or about an inch above the main stem. No need to fertilize at this time of year (late summer) because the plant will be going to rest. Pruning also will prevent leggy stems that might become bare of leaves and blooms. Prune the bush 1 or 2 weeks after the flowers fade. Technically these plants are both pelargoniums but most call them geraniums and they’re usually sold under that name, along with the scented geraniums and the zonal geraniums. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. However, over the summer they have become extremely leggy outside with most of the growth and leaves at the very tops. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Remove all of the dead and brown leaves from the geranium plant. Geraniums (these are actually pelargoniums) grow like crazy & need cutting back for good form & abundant bloom. I remove the longest, leggiest stems 1st so I can see better how the plant is growing. Home; Uncategorized; how to prune leggy geraniums; how to prune leggy geraniums I pruned the smaller one in exactly the same way. Katherine Gohmann is a Professional Gardener in Texas. Finally, find any “leggy” stalks that have grown long and tall with few or no leaves, and cut them to the base of the plant to stimulate new growth and create a fuller, bushier geranium. The pelargoniums tend to have much showier flowers. Cutting back geraniums will prevent woody and leggy geraniums, especially in geraniums that have been overwintered. At the end of the growing season, trim back at least 1/3 of the plant in this way to prepare it for winter dormancy. At the end of blooming period, prune geranium stems within 2 … Break the geranium into quarters & work that way. How do I remove the dead blossoms - do you remove the whole head or pull off the small petals like you do for petunias? You basically want to thin them out and open them up so the new growth has plenty of room to grow in. However, it might take a few weeks before new leaves and flowers emerge. In order to keep a geranium compact and bushy and prevent it from getting leggy, it needs to be pruned hard at least once a year. I wanted to know how to deadhead Geraniums, and I've discovered, "This is the first year I've planted geraniums, so all of the information you provided was most helpful and quite, "Total novice, so all the instructions were a godsend. True geraniums have thin stems and many are cold hardy whereas whereas the pelargoniums have thicker, fleshy stems and are tender and will freeze in colder climates. Next, trim back some of the healthy flower stems to where they’re connected to the main stem, so dormant buds will be activated and produce even more flowers. For tips from our Horticultural reviewer on how to prune new geraniums, and when to prune more mature plants, scroll down! ", "It gave me an overall idea of geraniums and about pruning them. (please see photos for more detail). This stimulates the plant to branch out at the sides and grow bushier over time which also leads to a larger production of flowers. You basically want to thin them out and open them up so the new growth has plenty of room to grow in. Cut back the leading shoots of young plants that you have recently established from cuttings; this will encourage branching. Pruned geraniums flower better and … & tip prune any which need it. [1] X Research source Geraniums come in two varieties: "true" and "common." If the cutting has one large, healthy leaf, use a scissors to make a slit in the leaf, leaving both halves attached. Pruning actually spurs new growth of stems and flowers, so trimming back a particular place won't necessarily leave a hole. This article has been viewed 276,080 times. This article was co-authored by Katie Gohmann. This article received 13 testimonials and 91% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Oh boy, more geraniums to prune! Cut them back by a third in March or April for an impressive spring bloom. It’s not difficult at all to prune an overgrown geranium but it does require some guts and a bit of patience. Replied October 11, 2016, 1:42 PM EDT. Bottom branches are almost bare. Be sure to remove dead flowers as well as any unhealthy leaves. This keeps the plant dormant for the winter and also helps it to store energy for spring. I saved quite a few cuttings for my cousin (I just put the shortened stems in water – geraniums root easily this way) so she can have more or give them away. ", Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/geranium/pruning-geraniums.htm, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/trim-geraniums-37771.html, https://www.planetnatural.com/plant-propagation/, http://edenmakersblog.com/?p=4678#sthash.6AXp7sKG.dpbs, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Mar 29, 2014 - Pruning geraniums can help keep them looking their best. Remove any unwanted stems by thinning them out. Whether you have geraniums already growing in containers or are potting up the outdoor plants for winter, pruning them back properly ensures profuse and healthy blooming the following spring. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 276,080 times. Preventing geraniums from getting leggy from the get-go is a good practice for the geranium lover. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? If you overwintered your geraniums inside, wait until the ground has thawed. You can always do a light to moderate pruning and see how the plant is growing back in 5 or 6 months. If the cutting doesn't have a leaf, you can still plant it. Instead, plan on pruning your gardenia bush after the blooming season is over, but before the daytime temperature falls below 65 °F (18 °C). Hello! Hopefully, my over-wintered geraniums will live to adorn my, "I am fairly new at gardening. Position in full sun and fill with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter. She has been a home gardener and professional gardener since 2008. Use sharp, clean shears. Jane recommends pruning geraniums and pelargoniums back by between one third to one half during March or April. UME Home and Garden Info Center . This will kill bacteria that could cause an infection in the wounds of the geraniums after pruning. Like with most flowering plants, pruning geraniums helps ensure that the plant produces large, healthy blooms throughout its blooming season. See the article below for information on knowing the right time to prune, trimming correctly, and propagating the cuttings. Always remember to cut off woody or leggy stems. Will save for reference as we progress, "I wasn't sure how far back I should cut my geraniums. If a large part of the plant is dead, you'll need to do some drastic trimming. Tip: Make sure your pruners are clean & sharp before you start a project like this. These geraniums grow indoors as houseplants so I didn’t give them the total cut back. Tip: Don’t prune in late fall or winter if you can help it. And you don't have to let the cuttings go to waste - you can use them to start new geranium plants. Pruning leggy, overgrown geraniums (pelargoniums) isn’t hard but it can be a bit puzzling when you 1st look at them. See more ideas about pruning geraniums, geraniums, healthy flowers. You'll know it's time to prune the bush once see the flowers begin to fade. Pruning Geraniums Geraniums tend to grow straggly in hot, humid climates so if this is a problem, give yours a prune when the stems start to look long and lanky. The end result of pruning geranium #2. Geraniums also grow well in pots filled with … Continue reading Geranium care → The cuttings need to be from growing stems, not from flowering ones. Depending on where you live, you can feed your geraniums come spring and then again in summer. Cutting back the plants allows for new growth and longer-lasting blooms, bringing out the best in these bright, cheerful garden staple. Katherine Gohmann is a Professional Gardener in Texas. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/Prune-Geraniums-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Prune-Geraniums-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/Prune-Geraniums-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid838839-v4-728px-Prune-Geraniums-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"