How and why to prune geraniums in spring: you will be surprised at the result
If you want your geraniums to bloom lushly in summer, now is the time to prune them in spring. SSPDaily learned that spring pruning of geraniums is the most beneficial contribution to their future flowering.
Why prune geraniums in spring
Pelargonium is native to the south and loves the sun. In winter, due to the lack of sun, the plants stretch out and become bald. Probably everyone has noticed this sad phenomenon on their windowsills.
The situation will not improve on its own, without intervention. Of course, new shoots with young leaves will definitely grow again. But they will grow on the tops of the plant. To make a lush, blooming bush out of geraniums, it must be pruned in the spring under a stump.
When to prune pelargonium
The main criterion in choosing the time for pruning a plant is the adequacy of lighting. If you prune pelargonium when there is still little sun, the shoots will grow elongated again, rather than bushy. If you prune pelargonium late, then flowering will come later.
Experts believe that the best time to prune geraniums is the second half of February, the first half of March.
Can geraniums die after pruning in spring
Pelargoniums respond well to pruning. The only threat is root rot. This can happen because during spring pruning, you need to cut off most of the leaves, which means that the geraniums simply have nothing to evaporate moisture with.
Therefore, it is important to water geraniums as little as possible after pruning. At first, moisten the top layer of soil in the pot, then gradually increase the volume of water, focusing on the weight of the pot, the speed of soil drying out, and the number of new leaves.
How to prune pelargonium in spring
Experts advise pruning geraniums under the stump and using the "5 knots" formula.
Look at the geranium stems and find the nodes on them - the places where the leaf grows. They look like "stripes", often with dry scales. Under such a strip there is one dormant bud, ready to become a new shoot.
You need to prune the geraniums, leaving about 5 knots on each "main" branch from the bottom. This way you get "stumps" that are enough for a dense bush. You can improvise, focusing on the size of the stump - if 5 knots are not enough, you can leave more. But 5 knots is enough to get a green, fluffy bush, even with the risk that some of the buds will never wake up.
