Autumn and spring pruning of geraniums for lush flowering

Scheme of the formation of a standard plant

Geranium is suitable for the formation of a standard form - a tree with a crown. It is formed mainly from silt young plants with a pronounced central shoot. The trunk can be either straight or curved. To give an even shape, the central shoot is tightly tied to an even vertical support; if it is necessary to get a curved trunk, the shoot is bandaged to a winding support.

Stamp geranium

As the central shoot grows, it is cleared of lateral branches while preserving the leaves. As soon as the trunk reaches the required growth, the leaves are removed and the top is pinched. So the upper part will begin to bush, and over time a dense crown will form. The support is removed only when the trunk gains strength.

The standard form is placed in a warm and bright place, avoiding direct sunlight, watered and fertilized abundantly. Forming a tree takes a long time and is stressful for pelargonium, so it most likely will not bloom in the first year.

How to trim?

Among indoor pelargoniums there are species with straight and lodging stems, tall and dwarf, ampelous and shrubs. Each variety requires special attention and a special approach. Therefore, you should know how to properly prune geraniums so that it is always beautiful. But, in any case, the correction of the stems must be carried out for each variety.

Correct pruning:

1. Stimulates the appearance of lateral processes and the formation of inflorescence primordia.
2. Will give the flower a beautiful, well-groomed shape.
3. Will provoke abundant and long flowering.
4. It will allow you to get high-quality planting material.

The perennial plant is adjusted twice a year. Such procedures increase the splendor and duration of flowering. It is not recommended to prune a young flower. In such a bush, the stems are only partially removed to shape it.

When deciding how to prune geraniums in order for it to bloom, one must take into account the type and variety of the plant. Since improper processing can lead to the death of the flower. Experienced florists for this procedure are advised to use a blade or knife with a very thin blade. It is not recommended to use scissors, since in the process of manipulating this object, the stem can be transmitted, disrupting the structure of the tissue at the cut site.

Before cutting a flower, you need to carefully examine it and decide which parts need to be removed so that a beautiful bush will subsequently form. Correctly performed procedure stimulates the growth of branches and intense flowering. On pelargonium there will be no "empty" areas without leaves in and inflorescences.

Instructions:

1. First you need to remove dry, fading leaves and flowers.
2. The cut must be done with a disinfected tool over the leaf node facing the outside of the bush.
3. To prevent stem decay, the wound should be sprinkled with crushed activated carbon.
4. After the procedure, the flower must be fertilized with a mixture that contains nitrogen. This will contribute to the fastest emergence of shoots.

The plant is cut, leaving only half of its height. Thanks to this manipulation, there will be excellent air exchange inside the bush, and the lower leaves will receive the required light. In addition, the likelihood of fungal infections will be significantly reduced.

In temperate climates, geraniums are planted in a flower bed, and provided that the winter is not too cold, they are left there to winter. In cold regions, pelargonium is transplanted into pots for the frost period. Prune the street plant in the fall after it has faded.

Geranium is a favorite plant of many housewives. She is able, almost all year round, to delight with her luxurious flowering and does not require special care. By following simple pruning rules, you can make the flower healthier and more attractive. After this procedure, pelargonium blooms much more abundantly.

Geraniums have won the best spots on the windowsills in the garden due to their abundant and long flowering. This is an unpretentious plant, but it needs two annual pruning: spring and autumn. The first is light corrective, and the second is cardinal. Without proper autumn pruning, abundant flowering will not occur next summer.

When and how to trim

So, it is necessary to cut off pelargonium

It is also important to do it according to the rules. If you know how to properly prune geraniums, and apply this knowledge in practice, you can form an attractive plant that will delight the eye for a long time.

Pelargonium pruning is designed to achieve several goals: first, to maximize the development of strong lateral branches for the formation of a bush; secondly, to control the height of the plant.

If you have a perennial plant, you need to pinch such geraniums twice a year - in the fall and spring seasons.

Before pruning geraniums, take a close look at your plant: it may be in the form of a bush or one main stem. Depending on this, we will act, because it is necessary to form pelargonium only taking into account the peculiarities of its genetics.

When choosing a place to cut, keep in mind the fact that new shoots will develop from dormant buds, so try not to leave long gaps between the nodes at the top of the plant. You need to trim the culture with a sharp instrument that has undergone a disinfection procedure. If you decide not to prune, but to pinch the geranium, do it with well-washed hands.

All cuts and pinching points are carefully rubbed with chopped charcoal or activated carbon. If in a heavily overgrown bush you find shoots directed inward, they must be removed immediately. Thanks to this, you will free up additional internal space, improve air flow to the stem, and therefore reduce the risk of fungus development.

After how was the trimming done geraniums, be sure to feed the plant with any nutrient mixture with nitrogen. Thanks to this element, the culture will be able to actively grow foliage.

In the spring

After a long winter, it is imperative to carry out formative pruning in order to achieve the desired shape. The spring procedure activates the internal forces of the plant, giving it the opportunity to form additional flower stalks. You can start the process even in winter - at the end of February, or already in the first days of March.

If your geranium is already several years old, and it has reached an impressive size, pruning for lush flowering should not be too intense, otherwise the plant will grow greenery for a long time, and the onset of flowering will be postponed in time. As a rule, it is enough to remove yellow, damaged or diseased shoots and leaves from geraniums. In the process, try to make sure that there are at least 2 buds on each shoot left.

In autumn

Autumn pruning is carried out only when the plant has faded. Some people ask: can blooming pelargonium be cut or not? The answer is no. This can cause irreparable harm to the plant. Pruning indoor geraniums in the fall primarily consists in removing old peduncles and dried leaves. When this stage is completed, inspect the initially formed bush, and decide if you can remove anything else that is superfluous.

Hint: To make your geranium grow better in summer, do not let it bloom in winter - any new buds that appeared the previous winter should be removed immediately. For it to bloom, geraniums need to fully rest before the new season.

The specifics of pruning for different types of geranium

In addition to the classic zonal geraniums, ampel, royal, tulip geraniums, etc. are grown at home. All these plants also require the timely and correct formation of the bush.

Royal geranium

The large-flowered royal geranium is extraordinarily beautiful. Bright flowers, up to 5-7 cm in diameter, form lush caps of inflorescences of the most diverse colors with obligatory blotches in the form of spots, stripes, mesh.

Simple or semi-double corollas amaze not only with their size, but also with a diverse combination of colors and shades within one petal. But such beauty requires a royal attitude towards itself and punishes the owners with the absence of flowering with improper care.

The flowering period of the royal geranium does not differ in duration, only 3-4 months per season. Therefore, compliance with the rules of maintenance and pruning for lush flowering is very important.

The main work on the formation of the crown is carried out before the plant enters a dormant period, i.e. in the middle of autumn.

1. Prepare and disinfect a cutting tool (office knife, blade or ordinary knife with a thin blade).
2. Visual inspection will help identify bare shoots that are trimmed over the first leaf node at the base.
3. Leaves with yellowness and signs of deformation are cut off.
4. The main shoot, if necessary, is shortened by a third or pinched.

December-January is the time of complete rest of the royal geranium and it is not recommended to cut it, and even more so to transplant it. In February, it is permissible to cut one stem if it spoils the decorative effect of the plant.

Budding begins in April and by this time the plant should not think about anything other than flowering. It will be possible to start correcting the shortcomings of the aesthetic appearance of the royal geranium after flowering.

Ampel geranium

Ampelous geraniums are grown in pots, tall flowerpots or hanging baskets both in the room and outdoors. To preserve the decorative appearance and prevent thickening of the bush, autumn pruning of the plant and spring pinching of elongated shoots are required.

1. After flowering, dry inflorescences are removed from the ampelous geranium and the shoots growing inside the bush are cut out.
2. Cut off the shoots that have dropped the foliage over the first node at the base.
3. Shorten healthy shoots 1/3 of their length for lush bloom.

Having undergone stress during the pruning process, plants require increased attention and care.

Care

Care after pruning should be more thorough so that the plant has the strength to recover. Geranium is placed in a room with a temperature of + 15-18 degrees, the number of waterings is reduced to a minimum so that the flower does not rot. In this case, the lighting should be maximum, but without direct sunlight. For the growth of a large amount of greenery, fertilizing with nitrogen fertilizers is carried out.

As soon as the wounds from the cuts heal, you can move the plant to a warmer room, it is better to install a flowerpot with geraniums on the southern windowsill, or equip additional lighting.

It must be remembered that geranium is a light-loving plant that does not tolerate heat and stuffiness, therefore the room in which it stands must be constantly ventilated.

Constantly pruning pelargonium is necessary not only for the formation of a bush. If excess, dried out and unhealthy processes are removed, a free space is formed. The thinned bush is well ventilated, the threat of infection with fungal diseases is significantly reduced. The appearance of the plant becomes the most accurate and attractive. The mass of greenery becomes small, while the number of inflorescences and their quality increase.

How to form a fluffy pelargonium bush

Pinching the top of the plant stops the growth of the main stem, but does not stop its development at all. This is a great opportunity, by limiting the vertical growth of a flower, to get a luxurious crown.

Pinching geraniums for splendor

Pinching is considered an easier and less traumatic pruning option. The essence of this manipulation is to remove the apical growth point with the hands (fingers). In this case, the crown of the flower stops growing, but lateral shoots appear. Geranium begins to vigorously bush, becomes much lush and thicker, acquiring a spherical shape.

Most often, this gentle pruning method is used to give the desired shape to young pelargoniums. The plant obtained from the cutting is pinched for the first time after it acquires 8-10 leaves. The vertical growth of a geranium grown from a seed is stopped after 6-7 leaves. The most favorable period for pinching is the first spring months, when the growing season is just beginning. Constantly appearing fresh shoots are shortened throughout the entire time of active growth and until autumn. The tops of the sprouts are cut off, leaving no more than 4-5 leaves.

When pinching, cleanliness should be observed so as not to introduce infection into fresh wounds. Hands must be thoroughly washed with soap, the injured parts of the shoots are disinfected.

What to do after pinching?

With regular pinching of shoots and buds, geranium is actively growing and developing. Due to this, the color especially needs constant feeding with growth stimulants and a full range of mineral fertilizers (read about when and what is the best way to feed geraniums, and from this article you will learn how to properly use iodine with hydrogen peroxide to feed a flower) ... With a lack of nutrition, the plant will begin to put out many thin stems that weaken the plant.

Autumn pruning geranium

To form geraniums, you need a sharp knife with a thin blade or a high-quality pruner that does not jam the shoots. The tool is disinfected before work so as not to provoke rotting of the stems. Two days before pruning and the same number after, pelargonium is not watered. So the wounds will heal quickly.

The most accurate cut is obtained with a fine-bladed garden knife.

The pruning height depends on the shape of the bush that you want to get in the future. The longer the length of the shoots is left, the higher the plant will be afterwards. If you need a compact bush, the stems are cut "on a stump", leaving 2-3 dormant buds.

Pelargonium pruning is a necessary measure for lush flowering

There are slow-growing varieties that practically do not require pruning: variegated and mini. They'd rather just pinch the tops in the spring.

Variegated geranium does not tolerate radical autumn pruning

Before the procedure, remove all inflorescences, yellowed leaves, diseased shoots to the base in order to expose the skeleton of the plant as much as possible.

Don't leave diseased leaves in geranium pots

Step-by-step instruction:

1. Step 5 mm above the leaf node for thin shoots and 1 cm for thick ones and make a straight, even cut. The upper dormant bud should be directed to the outside of the bush so that the future crown does not thicken.
2. First, shorten the stems along the perimeter of the crown, gradually moving towards the center.
3. Sprinkle the sections with crushed activated charcoal or ash.
4. Leave the flower to winter in a bright, cool room.

A new shoot will appear from the leaf node in the future

Ampel Pelargonium Angels eventually grow long whips, balding at the base. To get a blooming ball, only 1-2 dormant buds are left in the fall. In March, the plants will bloom, but without additional illumination, some of the buds will fall off. To shift the flowering time, Angels are rejuvenated at the end of February. Then the plants will bloom in June.

In addition to pruning, for the lush flowering of pelargonium, the Angels need a cold winter.

Many varieties of ivy-leaved pelargonium grow very quickly. They are greatly shortened in the fall and the length of the shoots is normalized in the spring.

Ivy Pelargonium has leaves like ivy

After shaping, reduce the watering rate, as the crown of the pruned bush evaporates less moisture.The cut stems are used to propagate the variety you like.

For quick rooting, the ends of the cuttings are powdered with Kornevin

How to trim geraniums in autumn - video

I grow Scarlet Rambler spray pelargoniums. They hibernate in a room, and in the summer they are taken out into the garden. Earlier in the fall, I only cut the cuttings, and threw out the "hemp" with the roots. But one day I saw a two-year-old bush of this variety more than a meter tall, strewn with flowers at the neighbors. Impressed, I also began to preserve the roots of pelargonium for the winter, cutting the stems in half. Such specimens are good if you need a flowering tree near the porch or in the background of a flower bed. When a lower plant is needed, I shorten the stems to two buds.

If you want a big bush next summer, cut off a third or half of the bush.

Before pruning a geranium bush, think about what shape you want to get. In accordance with the decision made, shorten the stems above the dormant buds by a third, half, or to "hemp". Do not water the plants until the slices are dry. In the spring, be sure to pinch the tops of young shoots if they are stretched out.

Features of geranium and the need for pruning for lush flowering

Traditionally, there are three types of geraniums: tall, medium-sized and dwarf. The main difference is in the height of the stem and the size of the flowers (from 100 cm in giant ones to 16 cm in dwarf varieties). Rounded leaves have jagged edges, a heart-like base and can vary in color - from pale green to green with a burgundy tint.

Some species have plush leaves, while others have smooth foliage. Flowers in diameter reach 5-6 cm, and in royal geraniums - up to 15 cm. Flowers of different bushes can have pink, burgundy, white, lilac, cream colors; they are collected in inflorescences located on a long stalk. In addition to the bush, there are ampelous species, which include ivy-leaved pelargonium.

The most common varieties suitable for growing at home are shown in the photo:

1. Tulip-shaped.
2. Royal.
3. Terry.
4. Non-terry.

Geranium refers to plants that do not require special attention. It is highly resistant to disease and grows well on the windowsill.

It blooms from early spring to early autumn. An important condition for a decorative appearance and lush flowering is timely pruning and pinching of the bushes. These procedures not only contribute to the formation of a beautiful crown and lush flowering, but are also beneficial for the health of the plant.

Pinching and trimming - the procedures are not complicated, you just need to remember the general rules. Pruning is the procedure for getting rid of old stems and leaves. Thanks to her, the bush is renewed and grows more intensively. Pruning is suitable for mature plants. To do this, the old branches are cut in such a way that several buds remain on each, which will then give rise to new branches.

Pruning geranium

Pinching is suitable for young plants. The essence of the procedure is to remove the top, due to which the plant begins to grow to the sides - new shoots are formed, which will further contribute to the branching of the plant.

Particular attention should be paid to the places from which new shoots grow. If they grow from the rhizome, they are not touched, but when the shoots grow from the trunk, they must either be removed immediately, or wait until they grow a little and pinch again

This will make the bush more branched.

Pinching

Not all plants require the same pinching and pruning. If the geranium is annual, cut it only to shape the bush. Perennial pelargonium must be processed twice a year - in spring and autumn. In this case, spring pruning is considered the main one.

Further care

To consolidate the result, after the pruning procedure, geraniums must be moved to a cool room. The epicenter and cut areas must be treated with a special disinfectant and healing agent.In the absence of such, crushed activated carbon or cinnamon is used.

Cut geranium does not require special care and attention. It is enough to reduce the number of watering and spraying. Otherwise, the flower will not tolerate high humidity and will die. The lighting of the cut plant should be diffused. A flower that has just undergone cutting its stems wants to receive a small amount of sunlight, but not direct rays. In case of cloudy weather, the geranium should be placed under an artificial lamp.

After pruning, geraniums must be fed with fertilizers so that the plant gains strength and grows stronger.

Growers must know that spring pruning is stressful for geraniums. That is why, after the end of the procedure, the plant must be left alone, providing it with special care. The rest time for a cut flower is two weeks. During this period, the room where the pot of geraniums stands should have an acceptable flower temperature and humidity.

How to care during flowering

A flowering plant requires special care. Fundamental rules:

The flower pot must be placed on the sunny side. However, in hot summers, it is necessary to ensure that the plant gets shade to reduce the risk of yellow spots on the leaves.
It is necessary to promptly remove all dead leaves and young shoots growing from the root.
It is necessary to water the plant every 4-5 days.

It is important to ensure that the water does not accumulate and that it spreads well throughout the pot. Water the soil only after it is completely dry.
Once a week in a pot of geraniums, you need to loosen the soil

This will reduce the risk of root rot and oxygenate the soil.

Caring for geraniums during the flowering period

During the flowering period, a large amount of nutrients in the soil can harm inflorescences and shoots. However, with prolonged flowering, potash fertilizers must be used. You can feed the flower with water and iodine. To do this, a drop of iodine must be diluted in a liter of liquid. Such watering will make the flowering lush, and the color of the buds bright.

Important! During the flowering period, transplanting a bush and cutting young shoots are not carried out. It is also not recommended to prune the bushes.

Our Favorite Geranium: Fall Pruning for Lush Bloom

Let me emphasize again: you have no alternative to cropping. If you don't keep an eye on your geranium bush, it will quickly lose its shape, in just a couple of seasons. The lower part of the stem loses leaves, the greenery remains only at the top of the plant. Therefore, if you do not plan to part with your pelargonium, then you should master the technique of pruning a plant for the winter.

The problem is that geranium always stretches upward, and without your help, it will not be able to give side shoots. And only pruning (or a more gentle procedure - plucking) will help form a beautiful crown and stimulate the growth of lateral shoots.

When you prune the plant, it helps to awaken the dormant buds in the trunk that cannot be activated otherwise. In addition, this procedure contributes to the formation of new buds in the future: it has been noticed that geraniums that have been pinched or pruned give more inflorescences and look much more elegant than a bush that has only been watered, but not pruned.

As a fallback, if you missed pruning time and your flower still looks ugly, you can cut a couple of young cuttings from the top of the plant and grow new geraniums. It should be remembered that if you completely launch your geranium, then it will turn out to be useless even in terms of planting material, it may simply die.

The purpose and benefits of spring haircuts

Spring pruning is easier than autumn pruning and is more beneficial to the plant, but should be done with caution. During this period, sap flows are started in pelargonium, rest ends

In order to determine whether it is necessary to subject the flower to pruning, its appearance is assessed.

Need

To understand whether pruning is necessary for geraniums, you should pay attention to its appearance. The bare trunk is not trimmed, but if the shape is neat, you can subject the plant to spring pruning. At the same time, I remove all stems growing inward, old branches, side shoots that break the shape

In ampelous species, remove all long branches devoid of foliage and inflorescences.

What does cropping give? She favors:

• long flowering;
• growth of lateral branches;
• the formation of an even beautiful crown;
• obtaining fresh planting material for planting new plants.

Scheme of the procedure

First of all, you need to decide what shape to give the flower. After that, you can start the procedure according to the generally accepted scheme:

• the instrument for manipulation should be disinfected. For these purposes, boiling water, alcohol or an antibacterial agent is suitable;

• remove all yellowed leaves and damaged branches;

  Pruning with scissors

• shorten the tall stem, in which case new shoots will begin to grow from it, and the plant will take the shape of a tree;
• remove the lower side shoots;
• trim off any old crooked stems, leaving the stumps. In the future, bushes are formed from these stumps.

Pay attention! There is an unspoken rule for pruning geraniums - it is necessary to remove no more than a fifth of the shoots, otherwise the timing of the flowering of pelargonium will significantly shift. After the procedure, the cut sites are treated with ash or cinnamon, you can use crushed activated carbon, alcohol solution or brilliant green

Care after pruning

In order for the geranium bush to recover faster after the pruning, it needs to create several gentle conditions:

• provide normal and acceptable air humidity, periodically spraying;
• slowly and carefully adjust and normalize the watering regime;
• provide geraniums with maximum light by placing it on the most lighted windowsill (preferably southern);
• create the necessary, slightly warmer conditions by raising the temperature (compared to winter content) by 3 ... 5 ° C;
• feed with any universal nitrogen-containing fertilizer for flowering indoor crops (Hera, Agricola, etc.).

Table: caring for geraniums after spring pruning