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Question
I am in Zone 7-in the mid-Atlantic states. I recently read an article-(maybe Southern Living?) regarding overwintering geraniums by cutting them relatively short, removing from outdoor pots, and overwintering them upside down in plastic bags. It sounded like a neat way to keep them compared to keeping them hanging in pots all winter in the basement. I misplaced the article. Any thoughts on this and exact directions?
Pamela,
My guess is that whomever wrote this article hadn't done it...plastic bags will make them mold. You CAN cut the stems down to about 8" tall, take them out of their pots, shake most of the dirt off the roots and put them in PAPER bags upside down in a cool but not below 45 degree location. Given this treatment, about 80% of the time they come back when you pot them up in early April and start to water again.
If I was over-wintering regular, run-of-the-mill geraniums I'd probably do this, but if I had speciality varieties that I really wanted to be sure lived, I'd keep them in a sunny window and take cuttings in February.
all the best,
C.L.
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thank you so much!! I was concerned about using the plastic bags too! Hopefully this will work out well and not take up so much room as the normal overwintering of geraniums does in our home! P. Smart | ||
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Answers by Expert:
C.L. Fornari
Expertise
Annuals suggested for specific situations (sun, shade, windowboxes etc) New or unusual annuals are a particular interest of mine, and I grow many of these from seed. I am happy to help problem solve, answer questions about maintenance, and guide you to sources of unusual plants.
Experience
I am a garden writer/speaker/consultant and host of a weekly gardening radio program in the Northeast. I have been gardening all my life for my own pleasure, and started as a professional gardener and garden communicator 15 years ago. I work part-time at a garden center, selling and tending shrubs/trees/annuals/perennials...and doing some propagation and design work. I often think that all these professional activities serve to put a somewhat legitimate framework around a serious case of plant-lust.
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