I'm going to try to keep these two geraniums going all winter in this south facing window. Lots of sun and the same exposure that they were grown in all summer. I used to keep one or two in the basement a few years ago, but I often forgot about them and by the time I remembered.....they were doing poorly. I thought that being right here at my elbow...I would be able to be more attentive to their needs.
Many years ago, I pulled up geraniums in the fall, brushed off the dirt and hung them from the beams in the basement. There they hung all winter long....with no water. I did this so I could save money and not have to buy them. In the spring, when I checked, there were little green sprouts coming from the branches. I planted them later in the spring and was always disappointed that they took such a long time to get flowers and look like a healthy geranium.
Another way I tried was to take cuttings in the early fall and root them. This is a good way, but I don't want to fuss with that anymore.
There's no reason for me to keep these except for the fact that I love to see pictures of a geranium in a clay pot on a window sill. I've always thought that I would paint a picture like this, but so far...I haven't. One of the geraniums that I am keeping is one that came in the hanging basket from my daughter. It was so pretty and bloomed all through the summer. The other is the 88 cent one that I bought 18 of to plant in the driveway planters.
So, each month I will post a picture of my geraniums....to show how they are doing....and most of all to remind me to take care of them.
Today is pool day and we are getting ready to leave soon. Have a nice day....brrrrrr.....cold here. Did I see snow on the weather map for the NW?
Balisha
I did the upside down bare root thingie too, but I was disappointed in the spring. I also used to keep a couple on the window sill, when I lived in the farmhouse. Now, I have no room for such things. It's a pity too considering how much they will cost next spring.
ReplyDeleteI hope they do well for you. I, too, tried the upside down hanging years ago and was disappointed. I usually don't plant them anymore, but this year I did buy a pink one that I really like. I may try to save it in the basement.
ReplyDeleteI did the upside down hanging geraniums in a paper bag last year and they kept barely alive with just tiny sprouts. They didn't do well when I planted them. Wasn't worth the hanging and replanting. I think our geraniums are now different than they used to be. My mom always hung her geraniums and they thrived. Now that I am thinking about it, during her last couple of years when she was still gardening she said that all she could find were "just seed geraniums". They weren't the same as geraniums from her earlier years when they were from cuttings. Mom has been gone now for almost 30 years ago. So that was a long time ago that she noticed that. I think that is a good idea that you had to post about them as a reminder to yourself. I will be interested in seeing how they do. Last year I kept my mandevilla in the window during the winter. It thrived and even had a lot of flowers and vined in and out through the window blinds. About three weeks before the weather warmed up enough for it to go outside, it broke out in aphids. The leaves mostly fell off but the blooms kept blooming. I am glad I didn't throw it away. I took what was left of it outside as soon as it was warm enough and all of the vines got new leaves on them and it has been filled with blooms all summer. You just can never tell whether or not flowers are going to pull through during the long winter.
ReplyDeleteIt was so cold in the house here this morning, that I turned the stove oven on and also boiled a big pot of water to take the chill off. When I heard the weatherman say 47 degrees for a low tonight, I decided that it was time to change the filter and turn the furnace on so it will be ready for late tonight when it gets cold in here. Whew! that first time of the season furnace smell. One of my good friends says that smell makes her feel cozy. I am going to try to think that way, too.
I have never had luck with growing geraniums but I absolutely love them. Blessings to you this weekend.
ReplyDeleteGeraniums are one of my favorites. I'm glad you'll keep these over the winter to enjoy again next summer.
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