You can now choose from several forms of geraniums. The traditional variety is called Zonal or cutting geraniums. They have huge blooms and tend to be large plants.

Seed geraniums are more compact with slightly smaller blooms. They are also called landscape or bedding geraniums and tend to bloom more than the traditional variety. Seed geraniums need to be planted six-to-eight inches apart. Zonals can be spaced further apart. Another option is ivy geraniums. They have a cascading form and are best suited for baskets, containers, and window boxes.

Geraniums need to be kept evenly moist. However, slight drying out between watering is much better than too much water. If geraniums are too dry or too wet, yellow leaves will appear in mass. It is very normal for geraniums to have yellow leaves from time to time, and they can be easily removed when they appear.

Geraniums need fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season. Avoid too much nitrogen, or they well grow green tops with few flowers. Use Bachman's water soluable fertilizer; it will provide the right amount of nutrients for healthy geraniums. Remove flower stems as they fade. This will help promote new buds.

In the Fall, geraniums can be taken indoors for the Winter. Put them in a sunny window and keep them on the dry side. Avoid over-fertilizing. Once a month is enough during this time. The plants can be pruned to shape and may even put on a colorful show all Winter.

For further information, read online our care sheet on "Overwintering Geraniums".

Revised: 03/10/98