What are the different colors of zonal geraniums?
Zonal geraniums have an upright stance and come in a variety of colors white, red, crimson, burgundy, peach, salmon, and bi-color. SCENTED-LEAF GERANIUMS Their mid-green leaves are sometimes variegated, and clustered flowers bloom in shades of mauve, pink, purple, or white. There are over 140 varieties in a wide range of scents, including P. P. P.Pelargonium ‘Americana White’ (Zonal Geranium) is a bushy, evergreen, tender perennial with huge clusters of brilliant white, semi-double flowers, up to 4-5 in. Blooming continuously (if deadheaded), the luminous blossoms are reported to withstand wind, rain and heat better than most.
What is the difference between zonal geraniums and regular geraniums?
Zonal geraniums are propagated by cuttings while seed geraniums are through seeds. Zonal geraniums are genetically advanced plants, propagated with the goal of producing sturdy, stronger zoned leaves and shatter-resistant flowers. Zonal geraniums are faster to grow and flower faster than the seed geraniums. Profusely flowering geraniums require sufficient water. On dry, hot summer days it can even make sense to water them twice a day. Whether a plant needs water or not can easily be determined by carefully pressing a finger into the soil. If it feels dry down in the deeper layers, it’s time to water.Hardy geraniums also need adequate sun exposure, moist, well-draining soil, and a light shearing. These perennials flower best in full sun, at least 4-6 hours a day. Your plant may not bloom at all in soggy, waterlogged soil.Geraniums benefit from regular feeding to promote healthy growth and plenty of vibrant blooms. Use a quality all-purpose feed like Miracle-Gro’s All Purpose Concentrated Plant Food every 2 weeks or so. Be sure to dilute as the packaging directs.Growing zonal geraniums is a snap. These blooming beauties thrive in full sun, except in the hottest parts of the country, where the plants benefit from a little shade during the afternoon. In planting beds, tuck zonal geraniums into well-drained soil that’s been amended with plenty of organic matter.If your plants start looking “leggy”, which often happens with reduced light, prune or “pinch back” stems just above a leaf node to produce new growth. Water the geraniums when the soil feels dry to the touch.
Will zonal geranium survive winter?
If left outdoors after the first hard frost of the season, they will die. But geraniums are actually tender perennials that tolerate temperatures of 45°F or higher, and temperatures between 55°-65°F are ideal when growing geraniums indoors. Before the frosts arrive, dig up your annual geraniums. Knock the soil off the roots and snip off any flowers or flower buds. If the soil was damp, allow the plants’ roots to dry off for a few hours before proceeding to the next step. Grab a cardboard box that is large enough to accommodate your prepared plants.During winter, geraniums grow best with night temperatures of 50° to 60°F (10° to 16°C) but will survive if they drop to 32°F (0°C) and/or rise above 80°F (27°C), as long as they are kept relatively dry.To overwinter geraniums, lift plants that are in garden soil or large pots and pot them into a smaller pot. This should be done before the first frost. Remove any damaged leaves and faded flowers. Cut plants back by about a third and position in a frost-free but bright place.Put the box or bag on a shelf and keep it in a basement or other dry, dark, cool spot. Check plants every four weeks. If stems start to shrivel, soak the rootball in a bucket of water for an hour or two. Allow plant and soil surfaces to dry to a dripless state before returning geraniums to their storage containers.
Do zonal geraniums like sun or shade?
Here’s how to keep your Zonal Geraniums thriving: Light Requirements: These geraniums thrive in full sun to partial shade. While they love plenty of sunlight, they can also tolerate some shade, making them versatile for various garden spots. Regular watering every week will suffice to meet its needs without over-saturating the soil. As an outdoor plant that flourishes in sunny environments, zonal geranium benefits from well-draining soil that mimics its native habitat’s dryness, ensuring excess water doesn’t linger around its roots.Annual geraniums will not survive winter freezes and can either be discarded at the end of the growing season or overwintered indoors or inside a greenhouse. To overwinter them, dig up the plant in the fall and cut back the stems by about one-half.To bloom abundantly and continuously, geraniums need watering regularly. Use your finger to find out whether you need to give them a drink. If the soil feels dry and warm to a depth of 2cm, your plants need more water.Annual Geraniums, also known as Zonal Geraniums, are not as hardy and typically have a shorter lifespan. They are grown as annuals, which means they will complete their life cycle in one year. These plants will die with the first frost and will not come back the following spring.Overwintering geraniums as potted/house plants Geraniums can be overwintered indoors as houseplants. This is particularly easy if they are already being grown in pots, but plants that are in the ground can also be overwintered this way.
How long does zonal geranium last?
Bloom Period: Zonal geraniums start blooming in mid-spring and will repeat bloom until frost. Deadheading the entire flower stalk after the flower fades will encourage more blooms. Shape the Plant by Pruning After a perennial geranium has spent the season in bloom and begins to die back, you’ll want to prune it. This keeps the plant dormant for the winter and also helps it store energy for spring. Depending on your zone, this might need to happen anywhere from August to late October.Geraniums don’t need to be deadheaded, but there are many benefits to doing so. Your plants will continue growing and producing more flowers even if you don’t prune them. But the ugly dead flowers will linger over the foliage and take away from the beauty of your summer blooming plants.Pinch geraniums as soon as you bring them home. When you buy a new pot or flat of geraniums, pruning them immediately will encourage them to grow in a full, round, bushy shape. Be sure to remove dead flowers as well as any unhealthy leaves.Dormant Storage Geraniums have the ability to survive for most of the winter without soil. Dig up the entire plant before frost and gently remove the soil from the roots. Place the plants inside open paper bags or hang them upside-down from the rafters in a cool, dark location for the winter.