| How do I get big flower heads on the geraniums that I start from seed?? |
| Healthy geraniums will give you the best blooms, but in some cases seed geraniums just won't match up to the fancy specialty type named varieties that are vegetatively propagated and consequently sometimes pricey for that reason. To maximize the blooms on your geraniums, plant them in full sun. Grow them in a good rich soil that is well amended with organic matter. Make sure the drainage is adequate, and water as needed to keep the soil evenly moist but not sopping wet. Provide good fertility by feeding regularly according to label instructions with a fertilizer of approximately 10-30-10 analysis, deadhead them (remove spent flowers)regularly, and keep an eye out for pests such as whitefly and aphids that could sap the plant's strength. Last but not least, do not set them out in the garden too early as they resent cold soil as well as cold weather -- and make sure you start them a good 16 weeks ahead of your set out date, use supplemental lighting if you do not have a greenhouse, and allow about a week for acclimating them gradually and harden them off prior to planting. Best wishes for Big geranium flowers this summer! |
