Quick Guide - How to grow Cranesbill
Name - common name Cranesbill, botanical name Geranium. Perennial, but for best results needs renewing every 2-3 years.
Location - best grown outdoors in either a container or directly into the garden. If grown in containers the best location is a south facing balcony to provide enough light for abundant blooming. During cold months with frost danger, bring containers indoors. If the geranium is planted directly into the garden and high summer heat is usual for your region, place it under semi-shady spot, so that it has some natural protection during the hot days. Can be grown indoors, preferably at a southern sunny window.
Light - geraniums prefer full sun; they can just as well tolerate semi-shade and even full shade; difference is that the average plant will not produce as much blossoms when it is growing in shade; sometimes you can find specific shade-tolerant geraniums sold at nurseries, ask at the nursery for those varieties; the shade-tolerant plants usually have leaves with a darker, deeper shade of green (check out my shade-tolerant "ivy pelargonium")
Temperature - optimal temperatures are 65-70°F (18-21°C) during the day and 55°F (12°C) at night. However the temperature tolerance of the plant is big, and will survive anywhere in the range 32-105°F (0-40°C). You do need to protect it from frost or extreme heat. It may survive occasional frost once per season, but needs to be brought indoors right away. Likewise if there is extreme heat for over several days in a row, bring to a more shady place if possible
Temperature to bloom - geraniums require a night temperature between 50-60°F (10-15°C) to bloom, so if it doesn't bloom during the hottest summer weeks, this is only natural
Watering - moderate watering - once or twice per week, depending on the soil properties and weather - if the soil does not drain well - water less. Geraniums can withstand occasional overwatering either because of you, or due to heavy rain fall, but it should not be overwatered over a continuous period of time. During winter months water once per 2 weeks.
Soil - geraniums prefer well drained soil mixture of equal parts regular soil, perlite, and peat. It will grow in regular potting mix just as well, only you should be more careful not to overwater the plant too much.
Fertilizing - fertilize once per 2-3 weeks during the blooming period - typically from late spring to early-mid fall. Fertilize according to fertilizer's instructions. Fertilize the plant also when it is growing and producing most of its leaves. No need to fertilize during the late fall and winter - if your geraniums are still blooming during those seasons, fertilize every other month at most.
Propagation - propagated with cuttings rooted in water, sand or directly into potting mix. Can also be raised from seed.
Additional care
- clean old blossoms, and dead leaves every other week to stimulate more blooming and development;
- cut stems according to desired shape;
- protect from frost with bringing the plant indoors;
- if overwatering occurs for several days, make sure to inspect the plant (when it is dry again) and clean any molded leaves or even whole stems if necessary
Name - common name Cranesbill, botanical name Geranium. Perennial, but for best results needs renewing every 2-3 years.
Location - best grown outdoors in either a container or directly into the garden. If grown in containers the best location is a south facing balcony to provide enough light for abundant blooming. During cold months with frost danger, bring containers indoors. If the geranium is planted directly into the garden and high summer heat is usual for your region, place it under semi-shady spot, so that it has some natural protection during the hot days. Can be grown indoors, preferably at a southern sunny window.
Light - geraniums prefer full sun; they can just as well tolerate semi-shade and even full shade; difference is that the average plant will not produce as much blossoms when it is growing in shade; sometimes you can find specific shade-tolerant geraniums sold at nurseries, ask at the nursery for those varieties; the shade-tolerant plants usually have leaves with a darker, deeper shade of green (check out my shade-tolerant "ivy pelargonium")
Temperature - optimal temperatures are 65-70°F (18-21°C) during the day and 55°F (12°C) at night. However the temperature tolerance of the plant is big, and will survive anywhere in the range 32-105°F (0-40°C). You do need to protect it from frost or extreme heat. It may survive occasional frost once per season, but needs to be brought indoors right away. Likewise if there is extreme heat for over several days in a row, bring to a more shady place if possible
Temperature to bloom - geraniums require a night temperature between 50-60°F (10-15°C) to bloom, so if it doesn't bloom during the hottest summer weeks, this is only natural
Watering - moderate watering - once or twice per week, depending on the soil properties and weather - if the soil does not drain well - water less. Geraniums can withstand occasional overwatering either because of you, or due to heavy rain fall, but it should not be overwatered over a continuous period of time. During winter months water once per 2 weeks.
Soil - geraniums prefer well drained soil mixture of equal parts regular soil, perlite, and peat. It will grow in regular potting mix just as well, only you should be more careful not to overwater the plant too much.
Fertilizing - fertilize once per 2-3 weeks during the blooming period - typically from late spring to early-mid fall. Fertilize according to fertilizer's instructions. Fertilize the plant also when it is growing and producing most of its leaves. No need to fertilize during the late fall and winter - if your geraniums are still blooming during those seasons, fertilize every other month at most.
Propagation - propagated with cuttings rooted in water, sand or directly into potting mix. Can also be raised from seed.
Additional care
- clean old blossoms, and dead leaves every other week to stimulate more blooming and development;
- cut stems according to desired shape;
- protect from frost with bringing the plant indoors;
- if overwatering occurs for several days, make sure to inspect the plant (when it is dry again) and clean any molded leaves or even whole stems if necessary
