Expert: C.L. Fornari - 4/10/2010

Question
In my fathers greenhouse I found 3 rather sorry looking geraniums that he had brought in at the end of the winter. I would dearly like to revive them - is it possible? They are in compost and I have started to water them. They are about 3 to 5 inches tall and not looking good although I seem to recall they die back. I am in Lichfield in Staffs. I think they are called garden geraniums  - red.

Answer
Yvonne,
You have a good chance at saving them. I know people who actually over-winter geraniums by taking them out of their pots and hanging them upside down in their dark, cool basement... not my preferred method, by any means, but it shows how tough these plants are. They have thick stems that store a good amount of energy in them, so are more likely than some plants to revive.

Pot them up in new, moist potting soil (compost) and clip off any totally brown and dried small bits, leaving the main stem alone. Water well and put them in bright light but not hot, direct sun. You want to give them a chance to grow new roots and leaves before they have to deal with much direct sunshine. If they do sprout out, give them a MILD application of the liquid fertilizer of your choice - emphasis on mild. Once they have at least six new leaves, and are looking better, move them to brighter light/direct sun and fertilize according to the directions on whatever fertilizer you're using.

all the best,
C.L.