The maintenance of geraniums requires attention to multiple aspects, including light, temperature, soil, watering, fertilization, pruning, and pest control. The following is a detailed maintenance guide: 1. Lighting
Geraniums prefer sunny environments and require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. During high temperatures in summer, it is advisable to provide appropriate shade to prevent direct exposure to strong light from causing leaf burns.
Insufficient light can cause geraniums to grow excessively, bloom less, and have smaller flowers. During the maintenance process, it is important to ensure that the geranium receives sufficient sunlight. 2、 Temperature
The suitable growth temperature for geranium is 15-25 degrees Celsius. The temperature in winter should not be lower than 10 degrees Celsius to avoid freezing damage.
In winter, geraniums can be moved indoors to a warm place for maintenance, or covered with a cold cloth around the plants to keep warm. 3、 Soil
Geranium prefers soil with good drainage and rich organic matter. Rotten leaf soil, garden soil, and river sand can be mixed in a ratio of 4:3:3, and an appropriate amount of decomposed organic fertilizer can be added to improve soil fertility.
The soil pH value should be maintained between 6, 0-7, and 0, which is beneficial for the growth of geraniums. 4、 Watering
Watering should be moderate, following the principle of "seeing dry and seeing wet". During the growth period, keep the soil moist but not too wet, usually watering 1-2 times a week.
During high temperatures in summer, it is necessary to increase watering frequency to prevent drought; In winter, reduce watering and keep the soil slightly moist.
When watering, avoid pouring water directly on the leaves to prevent leaf decay. 5、 Fertilization
During the growth period of geraniums, appropriate fertilization is needed to supplement nutrients. Base fertilizers such as composted compost or cow manure can be applied before planting.
Apply thin compound fertilizer once a month during the growth period to promote healthy plant growth.
Increase the proportion of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers before the flowering period to promote flower bud differentiation and flower opening.
Before fertilizing, loosen the soil to facilitate the absorption of fertilizer; Watering should be done promptly after fertilization to reduce fertilizer concentration and avoid burning the roots. 6、 Trimming
Geranium grows rapidly and needs to be pruned multiple times a year to maintain plant beauty and promote new branch growth.
Pruning is mainly carried out in spring, summer, and autumn. Perform thinning treatment in spring; Prune overly dense branches and remaining flowers in summer; Undergo plastic surgery and pruning in autumn.
When pruning, attention should be paid to removing dead flowers, dense branches, and weak branches that are not conducive to plant growth. 7、 Disease and pest control
Geranium is susceptible to diseases such as gray mold and powdery mildew, as well as pests such as aphids and spider mites.
The prevention and control of diseases can be carried out by spraying pesticides such as triazolone and azithromycin; Pest control can be carried out by spray with imidacloprid, acetamiprid and other agents.
Regularly inspect plants and promptly identify and address pest and disease issues; Strengthen ventilation and reduce humidity to reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases.
The maintenance of geraniums requires comprehensive consideration of multiple aspects such as light, temperature, soil, watering, fertilization, pruning, and pest control. Only by doing these tasks comprehensively and meticulously can geraniums grow healthily and bloom into beautiful flowers.