How To Prune Geraniums for Better Growth: Detailed Guide

“How to prune geraniums for better growth?” is among the frequently asked questions among gardeners. However, knowing the correct steps to follow will make the task simple. Pruning geraniums regularly can help promote bushier growth and increase flower production.

This guide contains simple steps to help you prune geraniums for better growth, so continue reading to explore more about the process.

How To Prune Geraniums to Make Them Grow Better?

To prune geraniums to make them grow better, clean and sanitize your pruning shears before starting to cut overly long or crossing branches. Also, before storing geraniums as dormant plants in the winter, remove all of the flowers and flower stems and about a third of each stem.

1. Know the Ideal Time to Prune Geraniums

The ideal time to prune geraniums is when the summer is approaching its end before the new growth emerges and the flowering ends. There is, however, the exception of some types of geraniums that may benefit from summer pruning to prevent them from becoming leggy.

You can also prune geraniums in the spring. Late winter or early spring is an ideal time to prune most geraniums. This is because the plant is still in its dormant phase, and pruning during this time allows it to focus its energy on producing new growth rather than repairing the damage.

To prune geraniums for winter, cut back plant height, remove diseased parts, and store in a cool, dry location with minimal watering. In winter, prune dead or damaged growth, and resume regular pruning and fertilizing in spring.

You can prune geraniums in winter, but it’s important to be cautious about when and how you do it. Generally, it’s best to prune geraniums in late winter before new growth emerges.

2. Remove Any Dead, Damaged, or Diseased Leaves or Stems

This is an important step in promoting your plants’ overall health and appearance. Dead or damaged leaves and stems seem unsightly, but they can also captivate pests and diseases, which can pass on to other parts of the plant or plants in your garden.

To begin, carefully inspect your geranium plants, noting any leaves or stems that appear brown, yellow, or wilted. These may be signs of damage or disease. Use your pruning tools to cut off any affected leaves or stems at the base of the plant, being sure to make a clean cut to prevent tearing or damaging the healthy tissue.

When removing diseased or infected parts, sanitizing your pruning shears between cuts is important to avoid spreading the disease to healthy parts of the plant or other plants in your garden. You can do this by wiping the blades with rubbing alcohol or a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water.

To prune geraniums in summer, pinch off stem tips, remove yellow or diseased leaves and stems, cut back leggy stems, remove spent blooms, and consider transplanting if the plant has outgrown its container. These steps help promote healthier and more flowering geraniums during the summer season.

3. Pinch off the Tips of the Stems

To promote bushier growth, this stage entails pinching off the stem tips just above a group of leaves. The plant will look fuller and bushier as a result of pruning the tips off each stem, which encourages it to produce new growth from the buds at the leaves’ base.

By doing this, you can help your geraniums avoid growing tall and leggy, which could weaken the stalks and make them topple over.

To perform this step, locate the top of each stem, and pinch it off with your thumb and forefinger just above a set of leaves. It’s important to make a clean cut to avoid damaging the plant, so avoid using scissors or pruning shears for this step.

When pinching off the tips, leave at least two to three sets of leaves on the stem, as cutting too far back can damage the plant and reduce its ability to produce new growth.

4. Cut Stems That Are Too Long and Leggy

Over time, geraniums can become tall and spindly, with long stems that lack leaves and flowers. Cutting back these stems helps to stimulate new growth, resulting in a healthier and more attractive plant.

To prune leggy geraniums, carefully inspect your geraniums and identify any stems that are long and leggy. Use pruning shears to cut geranium stems back to just above a leaf node, the point on the stem where a leaf is attached. You can also pinch off stem tips to encourage bushier growth.

When cutting back the stems, make a clean cut to avoid damaging the plant. If you need help determining where to make the cut, remove no more than a third of the stem’s length and assess the plant’s response over a few weeks before cutting back further.

5. Remove Any Spent Blooms or Flower Heads

Removing spent flowers is important because it allows the plant to focus on producing new blooms rather than putting energy into producing seeds. This encourages the plant to bloom more flowers over a longer period, resulting in a more attractive and longer-lasting display.

To perform this step, locate any spent blooms on your geraniums and cut them off with pruning shears just above the next set of healthy leaves or flower buds. Make sure to give a clean cut to avoid damaging the plant.

Removing spent flowers regularly is important, as allowing them to remain on the plant can encourage the growth of seed pods, which can divert the plant’s energy away from producing new flowers.

6. Fertilize Your Geraniums Regularly

Geraniums benefit from regular fertilization, which provides the nutrients necessary for growth and flower production. When selecting a fertilizer for your geraniums, choose one specifically formulated for flowering plants and is high in phosphorus. Phosphorus is essential for flower production and can help your geraniums produce more blooms.

To fertilize your geraniums, begin by watering the soil around the plant to help distribute the fertilizer evenly. Then, apply the fertilizer according to the package directions, being careful not to over-fertilize, as this can damage the plant.

FAQs

– How to Prune Geraniums in Pots Properly?

To prune geraniums in pots properly, pinch off stem tips, remove yellow or diseased leaves and stems, cut back leggy stems, remove spent blooms, and transplant to a larger container if needed. Pruning the roots and maintaining plant health and shape are also essential.

Conclusion

Pruning geraniums for better growth is, without a doubt, a challenging task, but you can prune these plants by following simple steps. Here’s a summary of what you just read:

• Inspect your geraniums for dead or damaged leaves and stems, and use sanitized pruning shears to carefully cut off any affected parts at the plant’s base to prevent the disease from spreading.
• Pinch off the tips of the geranium stems above a set of leaves to encourage bushier growth, resulting in a fuller and healthier plant.
• Removing spent flowers is crucial for promoting continuous and attractive geranium bloom growth. This should be done regularly by cutting them off just above the next set of healthy leaves or flower buds.
• Regular fertilization with a high-phosphorus fertilizer specifically formulated for flowering plants can help promote growth and flower production in geraniums.

Regular geranium pruning can help promote better and bushier growth. We hope you have learned how to prune geraniums for better growth.