Plant, cultivate, propagate and more

Plant scented geranium correctly

The departure of the ice saints in mid-May gets hobby gardeners busy, because now the planting season for a large number of summer flowers, such as the beguiling scented geranium, begins. The sun worshiper is planted in no time at all, because the procedure is as follows:

• Soak the still potted root ball in water for 20-30 minutes
• Meanwhile, dig a small pit in a sunny spot with 1.5 times the volume of the root ball
• Enrich the excavation with sifted compost and horn shavings
• Unpot the fragrant geranium and plant in the middle up to the lower pair of leaves

Planting in the pot and balcony box is the same. In addition, insert some potsherds or pebbles between the substrate and the water drain as drainage.

care tips

The uncomplicated care program enables even beginners to score points with a scented pelargonium. Successful cultivation rests on these pillars:

• Water moderately with alternately moist soil and dry periods in between
• Fertilize every 2 weeks from April to August
• Regularly clean withered and faded leaves
• Before the first frost, cut back to 10 cm and put away

Linger the winter geraniums in a bright location at temperatures of 5 to 10 degrees Celsius. Only water enough to avoid drought stress on the root ball. That Fertilize discontinue until April altogether.
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Which location is suitable?

The scented pelargonium is one of the sun worshipers of the garden. A delicate coat of hair protects the plant from sunburn. Therefore, plant geraniums in the sunniest possible places, warm and air-flushed. The more hours of sunshine the plant can get, the more lush the flowers and the more aromatic the scent. The aroma artist makes no significant demands on the soil, because it thrives in any good garden soil that is nutritious, humic, slightly chalky and well-drained is.

What soil does the plant need?

The scented pelargonium plays out its aesthetic and sensual strengths when it is granted this soil quality:

• Nutrient-rich, humus-rich, fresh soil
• First-class water drainage, without risk of waterlogging
• Preferably slightly calcareous

In pots and window boxes there are scented geranium their best in structurally stable potting soil with low peat content, optimized with a little sand or lava granules.

What is the best planting time?

A scented pelargonium has nothing to oppose frosty temperatures. This results in a recommendable planting time from mid-May to the end of June. At least the ice saints should have said goodbye before the African fragrance queen moves outdoors. If you want to be on the safe side, wait for the cold weather at the beginning of June.

When is flowering time?

Under normal weather conditions, a scented geranium blooms from May to September. In years with mild winters, scented geraniums could even be seen blooming in sheltered locations on Christmas Eve. As long as it doesn't freeze, the plant fulfills its tasks in the fragrance and strolling garden without a break. The top premise is regular pruning back of withered flowers and withered leaves.

Cut scented geranium correctly

Regular pruning contributes significantly to the vitality of a scented pelargonium, so that the abundance of flowers and aroma fulfill the hopes set. How to professionally cut a scented geranium:

• Pinch young plants once or twice for bushy growth
• Repeatedly cut out wilted flowers and withered leaves
• Shorten all shoots to 10-15 cm before putting them away

Shortly before an overwintered geranium moves into the garden and onto the summer balcony, cut off shoots that are too long to a length of 10 cm. At least two leaf nodes per shoot must remain on the plant for it to sprout again.

Water scented geranium

Provided by mother nature with delicate hairs to protect against evaporation, the fragrant geranium knows how to cope perfectly with short-term dryness. On the other hand, waterlogging causes life-threatening problems. Therefore, water the scented geranium moderately. Only water when the substrate surface has dried to a depth of 2 cm. This is less often the case in the bed than in the pot or balcony box.

Fertilize scented geranium properly

In order for a scented pelargonium to be able to produce the beguiling scent and the pretty flowers, it depends on a regular supply of nutrients. How to fertilize the African beauty as needed:

• From May to August, fertilize the bed organically every 14 days with compost and horn shavings
• Fertilize in liquid form in the planter every 2 weeks with a preparation for flowering plants
• Do not apply fertilizer from September to April

hibernate

Native to the warm, sun-drenched regions of South Africa, the scented geranium does not tolerate frost. A perennial cultivation is still possible if you overwinter the plant like this:

• Before the first frost, remove all leaves and shorten the shoots by up to two thirds
• Leave at least 2 leaf nodes at a height of 10-15 cm on the fragrant geranium
• Remove the plant from the jar to carefully shake off the spent soil
• Place in a flower box or box in a mix of potting soil and sand
• Place in a bright, cool location at 5 to 10 degrees Celsius

During the hibernation, only enough water is poured so that the soil does not dry out. The scented geranium does not receive fertilizer. From the end of April gradually increase the amount of water, fertilize in a diluted concentration and gradually get the plants used to higher temperatures and sunlight. The overwintered geraniums can be cleared out in mid-May.

Propagating scented geranium

If you have grown particularly fond of a scented pelargonium, simply breed offspring with exactly the same attributes. This is achieved with the help of cuttings during the months of June and July. How to proceed:

• Cut non-flowering top cuttings with a length of 10-15 cm
• Defoliate the lower part of each shoot except for two pairs of leaves at the top
• Fill small pots with lean substrate to plant 1-2 cuttings two-thirds into each

Keep slightly moist in a bright place that is not in full sun until the seed tray has developed roots. Then replant your youngsters in normal potting soil to take care of them on the sunny windowsill until next May, like an adult scented geranium.
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Scented geranium does not bloom

If a scented pelargonium refuses to flower, the following causes are behind the shortcoming:

• Too little or too much pruning: Clean out regularly and shorten to a maximum of 10 cm in autumn
• Drought stress or waterlogging: Water moderately when the substrate has dried
• Nutrient deficiency: Fertilize organically every 2 weeks from April/May to August
• Frost Damage: Do not plant before mid-May and allow in before the first frost

Although the focus of a scented pelargonium is on the leaves, from which the aroma emanates, nitrogen-rich fertilization should be avoided. Although this drives the growth of the foliage, this is at the expense of a lush abundance of flowers. With organic fertilizer you avoid this problem.
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Beautiful varieties

• Mable Gray: Pink flowers with a deep red heart and lemony scent, suitable for mosquito repellent; Growth height 90 cm
• Plum Rambler: Rosebud premium variety with cherry red flowers and a delicate rose fragrance; Growth height 60-80 cm
• White Unique: Impresses with white-pink flowers and a sweet-spicy scent; Growth height 80-90 cm
• Pink Champagne: Seduces with a delightful scent of ginger and bright pink flowers; Growth height 40 cm
• Peach Cream: A magnificent specimen with green and yellow variegated foliage, pink flowers and a peach scent; Growth height 30 cm