With a little TLC, geraniums should thrive
Make sure to dead-head finished blooms and offer potted plant a little fertilizer
Q: My mom always had lots of potted geraniums planted at her home. I never learned or watched what she’d do to take care of them. Now I’ve planted a couple of pots, in a remembrance of sorts, and they aren’t as full of flowers as hers always seemed to be. What can I do to make my pots of geraniums as delightful as Mom used to? — M.M., Albuquerque
A: Like you I enjoy growing geraniums. My mom said she grew hers because her mom grew them, so it’s that continuation of heritage going on! Mom really liked the scent of the geranium, too. She was forever petting the leaves. She’d rub one between her fingers and then sniff them almost gleefully! Now I know they are some that don’t like the tangy scent the geranium leaves offer but for me it is a living reminder of my mom. So, on that note if you’ve never rubbed and smelled geranium leaves, try it, you might like it and become one that pets geranium leaves gleefully!
OK, now to get your geraniums to become show stoppers first thing I’d suggest is removing the spent blooms or “dead-heading.” And for the geranium it’s so easy! First thing you’ll want to do is be sure the pots have been thoroughly watered and the plant is stiff and full of water. No droopy plants for this chore.
Now I want you to gather a bloom head and grasp the stalk that supports the bloom. Follow that stalk in to where it connects to the “mother plant” and then using gently opposing force snap that stalk cleanly off. When you get good at the process you can actually hear and feel the “pop” of the snap meaning you’ve done it correctly! That’s why the plant needs to be full and stiff. If you attempt to snap the stalk away from a thirsty, droopy plant it’ll likely tear and cause a lot of damage to the mother plant. So be very generous to the geraniums and have them be thoroughly watered before you dead-head!
The reason you dead-head is simple — if you don’t most annual blooming plants become lazy thinking “well I’ve bloomed so now I can rest.” There is still a certain amount of energy being directed to the finished flowers so by removing the “finished,” that energy is re-directed into setting and growing more flowers. Simple!
Then too you might want to offer fertilization to the plantings. Remember to search out a food that is meant to feed bloomers! Apply it to well-watered pots and follow the label for proper application ratios, as more is usually not better!
I’m confident that if you dead-head your geraniums and perhaps get them a fertilization, you’ll soon be rewarded with pots of color to keep Mom in your thoughts and heart! The best part — it’s easy to have continual showstopping pots of geraniums! Enjoy!
Q: I’m looking for a vining plant to grow just off my portal. I like the way trumpet vine looks but I really want something that wears yellow flowers. Suggestions? — L.A., Albuquerque
A: You’re in luck! There is a variety of trumpet vine (Campsis radicans Flava) that does offer the yellow flowers you’re wanting. I know the Monrovia Co. does offer it as a choice for nurseries so I’d suggest calling to any of the nurseries here in our area and see who might offer this treasure.
Now a wee caution, I want you to know the trumpet vine is a very vigorous grower and can become a pest if it’s planted in the wrong spot. But if you’re able to keep it growing just where you want to grow and not intrude into spaces it might not be welcome then go for it!
Can’t find it in town? I’m confident you should be able to find it online for shipping directly to you, too.
If you change your mind about growing a trumpet you might consider Carolina jessamine, honeysuckle or a yellow blooming Lady Banks rose. You do have several different options to get that yellow bloom you’re looking for. Happy Diggin’ In!