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Annuals/geraniums

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Expert: - 7/29/2008


Question
I too live on the north shore of Long Island. I planted 4 pots with geraniums and they did beautifully until about 1 1/2 weeks ago. The plants look like they are thriving, the leaves are green, but they no longer bloom. This is the first time I have used geraniums and I did so because I thought they would require little work/worry. I haven't fertilized yet as I'm not sure what product is best to use. Any feedback on how I can get my flowers back would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Geraniums ARE easy ... as long as you follow a few basic rules.  Let me know if you've broken any of these:

1.  Don't fertilize with high Nitrogen fertilizer.  Do you know how to read the N-P-K data posted on the side of every container of chemical fertilizer?  N = Nitrogen (for leaves). P = Phosphorus (for roots and flowers).  K = Potassium (various).  NEVER 'feed' Geraniums a fertilizer high in Nitrogen.

That means the biggest two numbers on that container of fertilizer should NOT be for Nitrogen.

10-20-10 is good.  5-10-15 is good.  1-4-3 is good.  20-20-20 is BAD.  20-10-10 is BAD.

Because the FIRST number in the fertilizer is Nitrogen.  And that will give you a lot of beautiful leaves.  No flowers.

If your Soil came in a bag from the garden center, and it's 'enriched' with any type of fertilizer, look at the bag to see the formula they used.  If it's highest in Nitrogen, you're out of luck.

2.  Give Geraniums LOTS of Sun.  These plants need all the light you can give them.  Less light, the fewer flowers.

Porches and windowsills may be Sunny.  But they are probably not going to have the flood of light that these plants LOVE.  Put the pots out in the Sun.

3.  Remove spent (dried up) flowers.  If you leave dead and dieing flowers on any plant, the next step is to pour energy into making Seeds.  That leaves less for leaves, and even less for flowers.  'Dead-head' those dried up flowers... BEFORE they make seeds.

Thanks for writing.  Keep me posted.

THE LONG ISLAND GARDENER

Annuals

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Long Island Gardener

Expertise

Decisions, decisions... If you can't make up your mind which Annuals to grow, you're not alone. Problem with your new flowering Annuals flats? I`ve been there, done that. Petunias, Sweet Alyssum, Larkspur, Marine Blue Lobelia -- they all grow here at my house on Garden Street on Long Island, N.Y.. Cutting and Cottage Gardens, Sun and Shade Gardens, White Gardens and Night Gardens, I`ve done them all. Annuals are the perfect summer flower, bursting with color June through fall's first frost. I can`t speak on Cactus or tender Tropical Plants -- they don`t grow outside in my Zone 7. I`m no Farmer, so I cannot guide you on Fruits and Vegetables. But whether it`s an Annual you want to start from seed, mail-order or pick up at your local garden center, I can help you grow amazing blooms this Summer. Yes, together, we can turn your neighbors green with envy.

Experience

I have a lifetime of gardening behind me here on the North Shore of Long Island. While I have degrees in related fields, there's nothing like hands-on work to build real knowledge. I stay on top of current science -- there's a boom in research, and Kingdom Plantae is filled with surprises. By the way, I really do live on Garden Street.

Publications
Gannett newspapers, The New York Times, and hundreds of others - but not on Annuals.

Education/Credentials
B.A., botany; graduate credits in European Intellectual History and Political Science; minor coursework in related fields, docent training at our local botanical gardens (required for volunteers). I'm currently working on an advanced biochemistry degree.

Awards and Honors
I could tell you, but then you'd know who I am.

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