Pelargoniums

Red maple · October 2022

I have 4 pelargoniums outside at the moment, and I’m aware that they are tender so will need protecting from frost. Unfortunately, I do not have room indoors to bring them in before the frosts come, but I do have a mini greenhouse. I’ve taken some cuttings as insurance, which I do have indoors, but I’d really like to try and save the existing ones.
For now, they are still flowering profusely, so it seems a shame to cut them back just yet, but I know I’ll need to do so soon before the frosts. My questions are, how far should I cut them back - should I leave only a few leaves on them - I want to try to avoid them developing mould and rotting, and should I be doing this now, even though the flowers are so lovely still.

Will they benefit from being covered with fleece or might this just encourage that furry mould? The mini greenhouse is unheated.

They are trailing ivy leaved pelargoniums of one variety, though I forget the name, just that they are a very pretty mauvey/pink colour.
Thank you for reading.

punkdoc · October 2022

In Gods own county you will be lucky to get them through the Winter outside.
I would cut them back by half, move them into your growhouse and be prepared to fleece them when there is a frost.

Nanny Beach · October 2022

I don't cut them back till the following spring. I leave the foliage on for protection. If you keep them dry(ie, don't water,) you shouldn't get mold. You could put them in a cardboard box lined with bubble wrap, fleece over the top,then in your green house. Or, you could move to East Sussex and leave them out!!

izzy8 · October 2022

I find that some of mine develope mould despite my greenhouse being washed down with a fungicide after the tomatoes are finished.This year I'm just keeping the doubles and another that changes colour and keeping fingers crossed. One tip I saw suggested leaving the greenhouse door open during the day.

Lyn · October 2022

I have heard of some people who dry them off, wrap in newspaper and store until next Spring. Same with fuchsias, I have never tried it though.

Red maple · October 2022

Thank you for all the suggestions - a cardboard box covered over with fleece sounds a good idea. I’ll see if I’ve got room to try that, but it’s only a mini greenhouse. Would you suggest I remove them from their pots (but keep their compost on them) before placing in the box, or will the pot offer even more protection? I suspect it will.
I’m thinking of doing this at the end of the month - unless we are forecast any frost in the meantime, which up here is a distinct possibility.

Nanny Beach · October 2022

I would leave them in the pots I do,and yes,any sunny days the green house is opened for ventilation.

Dovefromabove · October 2022

My gardening granny used to let the compost dry quite a bit, then take them out of the pots, wrap them in newspaper, and store them in a cardboard box under the bed in the unheated spare room.

Get them out in late March-ish, pot them up, cut them back, water them and put them somewhere bright but fairly well sheltered if there are still sharp frosts due.

Then when they make new growth you can use some of it for cuttings.

Red maple · October 2022

It seems as if there are various options. A bit similar to dahlia tubers (which I do lift out of their pots, wrap in newspaper and store in cardboard boxes in the garage).

As space is limited for me, the mini greenhouse will be the way to go for the pelargoniums, leaving them in their pots, cut back & protected with fleece if necessary. As I said upthread, I’ve already taken some cuttings for insurance which seem to have taken. They are on the kitchen windowsill, but I’ve no more room on there for any more.

Thank you to all of you for taking the time to reply with your suggestions.

Pelargoniums

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