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Pelargonium help

Magical MeerkatMagical Meerkat Posts: 311
in Plants
Hello,

My Mum has these pelargoniums that she has had for years. They are currently in my garden whilst she moves house. I've never looked after them before, so need some advice. I think they are too leggy and some of the lower stems look black and unhealthy to me. The compost looks odd too. 

I would like to be able to rejuvenate them if possible. Any tips on what I can do to these poor specimens?  

Posts

  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    I'd take cuttings and start afresh...they are really easy to propagate. Try a few and see how you get on. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Prepare a small pot of fresh compost,  cut the plant by the red line and push in the pot almost up to the leaves.  Keep it indoors until it starts to grow again. 
    the bottom leaves will die off and your new plant should take ok.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Are they getting less sun/light now than when they were with your mum? That would explain how they look a bit leggy and pallid. They also don’t like sitting in claggy wet compost, so when you water them, remove the drip trays and let them drain thoroughly. Water again when the top of the compost has dried out. The dead looking stumps at the base are normal, this is last year’s growth, she would have cut them down as you are supposed to. The compost looks a bit rich, they like a gritty, free-draining compost, but as she has had them for years, doesn’t seem to have harmed them in the past.

    Taking some cuttings as an insurance policy is a good idea! 
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • Magical MeerkatMagical Meerkat Posts: 311
    Thanks everyone. She only gave them to me today. They are in full light/sun now. Probably had more shade before.
    Should i cut last year's stumps a bit lower or are they fine as they are? I can repot into gritty compost, and take some insurance cuttings too. 
  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
    My advice is don't mess with your Mum's pelargoniums  :o 

    I have lots of pelargoniums and none of them would win prizes but I love them as they are so, unless your Mum asked for your help I would leave well alone  :)
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    I wouldn’t bother repotting them or cutting the stumps more, but would take cuttings. Just be careful re the watering. Good luck!
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • Magical MeerkatMagical Meerkat Posts: 311
    Thanks everyone for your advice. I had a look at them and none of them had suitable cuttings, that I could take without snipping the whole plant in half. Which I felt uncomfortable doing. 😬 I removed the drip trays and emptied one out and the soil was too wet and claggy, so I mixed some grit in and re potted them all. They all seem to be happy, so will leave them alone now. I'll let her know that they need more light in her new house for next year. Thanks 
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