whats the difference between the 2, as in South Africa we only know geraniums. I only heard about pelagoniums when I came to this country, but I still dont know the diff!!
Pelargoniums are the non-hardy ones grown as summer bedding, commonly called geraniums, though they're not related to the hardy herbaceous geraniums which you can grow in the garden. (The confusion is all Linnaeus's fault cos he thought they were in the same family.)
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
everyone seems to have different ideas about overwintering - for sure they won't survive outside unless it is a very mild winter and they are very sheltered. I have never had any luck with autumn cuttings (those taken in spring root readily for me) but I bring all my pots into an unheated lobby - spray well for insects (they seem prone to caterpillars which develop if you don't spray)- cut back any straggly bits to a lower bud if possible, and enjoy them blooming all winter. I give very little water (only if they beg for it) and they seem to get bigger and bigger each year. Occasionally one or two give up the ghost, but I have too many anyway!
I try to bring one or two plants indoors for the winter and take a few cuttings too but last year some scented leafed plants survived all winter outdoors. I cut them right down to soil level and they started to regrow in Spring.
I take mind out the garden about now, give the roots a trim to fit into a 3 to 4 inch flower pot. Cut back some top growth and keep them in the garage up against the window. I also pile up old polystyrene trays around them to reflect the light back on them. Also to prevent any grey mould, I dust them in yellow surpher.
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Very brief there, cut them down a bit keep frost free, take some cuttings now just in case.
I take it you mean pelagoniums and not geraniums?
whats the difference between the 2, as in South Africa we only know geraniums. I only heard about pelagoniums when I came to this country, but I still dont know the diff!!
Pelargoniums are the non-hardy ones grown as summer bedding, commonly called geraniums, though they're not related to the hardy herbaceous geraniums which you can grow in the garden. (The confusion is all Linnaeus's fault cos he thought they were in the same family.)
everyone seems to have different ideas about overwintering - for sure they won't survive outside unless it is a very mild winter and they are very sheltered. I have never had any luck with autumn cuttings (those taken in spring root readily for me) but I bring all my pots into an unheated lobby - spray well for insects (they seem prone to caterpillars which develop if you don't spray)- cut back any straggly bits to a lower bud if possible, and enjoy them blooming all winter. I give very little water (only if they beg for it) and they seem to get bigger and bigger each year. Occasionally one or two give up the ghost, but I have too many anyway!
I take mind out the garden about now, give the roots a trim to fit into a 3 to 4 inch flower pot. Cut back some top growth and keep them in the garage up against the window. I also pile up old polystyrene trays around them to reflect the light back on them. Also to prevent any grey mould, I dust them in yellow surpher.