Transplant Geraniums: [Conditions, Tools and Steps to follow]

Geraniums are plants loaded with many showy flowers that adorn the balconies, terraces and gardens of many homes around the world.

Its popularity has crossed the borders of the warm original regions of Africa, to spread throughout the world and lavish multicolored joy.

Even when they are quite resistant herbaceous or shrubby plants, they require certain care when transplanting with the main objective of multiplying them.

What should we take into account before transplanting geraniums?

There are some conditions prior to transplanting that any amateur or expert grower should never forget. Let’s see what they are:

transplant time

It is essential that the transplant operation be carried out just before or shortly after the winter rest of this beautiful plant begins. Why?

Experts point out that precisely in this period the plant will lose little sap, in case some of its branches or roots are broken.

This means, in other words, that the recovery capacity of the bush will be faster if these recommendations are followed, in case it suffers any loss of nutrients.

fertile ground

You must have a place available outdoors where the soil is loose. It is ideal to prepare it with the help of a previous plow, up to about 38 centimeters or between 12 to 15 inches.

Likewise, a nutrient-rich fertilizer must be ready, preferably organic, which you must add after plowing to oxygenate the soil.

The preparation of a substrate of peat and compost in sandy and clay soils is vital for the health of your geraniums. This ensures optimal aeration and prevents the accumulation of harmful salts that prevent vegetative growth and bring diseases.

enough light

Geraniums need an average of 5 to 6 hours of natural light per day, although they adapt quite well to shaded or low-light environments.

A combination of these is ideal. Sunlight in the day and partial shade in the evening. So it will be strategic to look for a place in the garden that has these characteristics.

Although it is worth mentioning that previously we know very well which is the species of geranium that we will take care of, because there are some that are very tolerant to the sun and others that are less resistant to prolonged exposure to the so-called Star King.

What is the best time to transplant geraniums?

If you plan to become a geranium grower, it is good to know that you will be adopting a perennial plant that usually blooms in summer, expanding in the growing season with great freedom in a garden.

The same will happen in a pot, so you may have to transplant it without delay, if you notice that the pot has become too small.

Any sensible gardener will tell you that the best time to repot a geranium is between late fall and early winter.

This is due to the fact that the plant will go into rest and it will be more beneficial for it if the transplant operation takes place during that period. Thus, the affectation in its roots and stems will be less, because as has been well said, the decrease in sap will be less.

What tools should we use to transplant geraniums?

Another very sensible recommendation is related to the need to have all the necessary implements to carry out the noble task of transplanting geraniums. To do this, the grower must take an inventory of the following materials:

A comfortable table for gardening.
Old pot with adult or mature plant that will be transplanted.
A pot or pot with holes and a diameter greater than 6 centimeters (cms).
Substrate of excellent quality, available in nurseries and specialized stores, composed of peat, perlite and vermiculite.
Gravel to lay a layer of the bottom of the pot, to facilitate optimal drainage and protect the roots.
Have a watering can and enough water on hand.
Acquire rooting hormones, which help strengthen the cuttings that you will plant.
Garden knife or scissors.

How do we transplant geraniums?

For you to be successful transplanting geraniums, follow these steps:

The first thing is to choose a thick branch of the mature plant that should be cut at the height of the second axil, always below the node, where more nutrients are concentrated, carefully removing the leaves at the height of the lower end of the stem.
Next, the base of each cutting you make should be soaked in growth hormones to help each cutting develop healthily. This step is not mandatory. Hormonal stimulation of the plant can be suppressed.
The pot is then filled with the nutrient-rich substrate.
For each pot it is good to place between 2 to 3 cuttings, planting them towards the edges. They can be placed in a ventilated place in the house where enough sunlight reaches.

Usually 6 to 8 weeks later, healthy roots will begin to sprout from the cutting you ‘ve managed to take.

How do we prepare the land to transplant geraniums?

A vital piece of information for the long life of your geraniums is to guarantee that the soil has very good drainage or the plant will drown to rot if the water remains stagnant or pools.

In clayey or sandy soils, the combination of organic fertilizers combined with a good compost, rich in peat, perlite and vermiculite, is appropriate.

As well as a water-soluble fertilizer, which should be applied following the recommendations of people who are experts in the field. Fertilizers that have a concentration of 20% nitrogen, 20% phosphorus and another equal amount of phosphate, with a proportion of 4 milliliters per liter of water, are ideal.

fertile ground

Likewise, a place must be previously available where the soil is loose. It is ideal to prepare it with the help of a previous plow, up to about 38 centimeters or between 12 to 15 inches.

Likewise, a nutrient-rich fertilizer must be ready, preferably organic, which you must add after plowing to oxygenate the soil.

The soil in a pot should have similar characteristics in terms of nutrients and water filtering. It is important to emphasize that a very dry soil will delay the arrival of the flowering of the plant.

However, too much water will rot the roots until they are ruined, so adequate drainage or water filtration must be guaranteed, especially in the summer season. At this time it is essential to increase irrigation so that the plant can withstand the heat.

Bibliography and references

Riedmiller, Andreas. (1999). Geraniums and pelargoniums. Guide to Buying, Growing, and Breeding. Editorial Everest. Madrid Spain.
Berette, Daniela. (2018). the geraniums Cultivation and care. Publisher DeVecchi. Barcelona, Spain.
Bergmann, Heide. (2011). Aromatic plants for balcony and terrace. European Hispanic Publisher. Barcelona, Spain.
Trabanino, Roger; Macias A., Jorssy. (1999). Management, pests and diseases of geranium in containers. Pan American Agricultural School (Zamorano University). Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Reproduced from: https://bdigital.zamorano.edu/bitstream/11036/2524/1/210891_0216.pdf
Bastardes i Cardona, Francesc. (1983). The Geranium, the most popular of our ornamental plants. Horticulture Magazine. Barcelona, Spain. Reproduced from: https://docplayer.es/48120287-Geranio-la-mas-popular-de-nuestras-plantas-ornamentales.html