I also take my geranium in each winter,she is 15 yrs now. I let her finish with her flowering indoors, then I trim her back and she spends the winter in a vintage child red wagon alongside some peace lilies and rosemary. I add holiday decorations to the wagon and it fits in nicely with our log home decor, best described as “functional farm”😂. I place the wagon in front of a set of doors facing west that only has sunlight late in the afternoon in winter. They get water when they are dry, no other special care. I have never used a bug powder or anything similar, never had an issue with bugs on my indoor plants. My outdoor plants do not show evidence of bug infestation either. We totally lucked out as far as not getting the tent caterpillars that were all over the county this year. We have an organic farm and we obtain our plants and fertilizers from friends’ certified organic farms nearby.
Thank you for letting me know about the watering process. This will be my first time bringing in my geraniums, so getting a head-start on learning the process.
What are the instructions for bringing it in. Sunlight, watering? Do you amend the soil or anything come spring? I'm curious to hear! I've only viewed other videos on overwintering and storing in a basement or a bag. Thank you!
When the temperature starts to drop below 15, I started to cut all the geraniums stems (I just left the 4 top leaves and dig up the roots. I gave all of them a thorough wash to remove the dead parts and dirt. Then I repot all the green stems and roots in potting soil to bring them inside. Every 2 weeks, I give them food plant. One month later, I can notice the new shoots coming out from the roots and the new leaves and then the buds show up... It is just so rewarding as they are back alive in my heated living room, beside my sunny windows for the winter...
Good advice...apart from the systemic chemicals used...not in my garden. Neem oil and vigilance if necessary. I'm in South West Wales. Never needed any chemicals apart from when at work when we had to control blackspot on roses. Everything else there's a more natural solution that's usually always cheaper ...just slightly less convenient, possibly.
Can you please show how you store them in your house for the winter. Not sure if you put them in a dark area, or if you need to have light for them Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience. Sask. Canada watching. Zone 3 where we live, and have enjoyed our yard and deck, with hanging geranium baskets, and geranium planters. One of my favourite plants, as they continue blooming for us throughout the season. We have have two severe frosts, but I have moved the geraniums into our garage, not heated, but frost free for now.
My exact thought when she jumped to the “here it is 10 months later”! I am in Ontario and didn’t know if it needs to be in a cold cellar, or just a basement!? Hopefully someone can tell us. Soon! ☺️
Hello, I keep mine in the same pots and in the house. They like the indoor temperature. If you have large windows, place them in front of the windows to make sure they get enough light. If next to a window, make sure you close the drapes at night to protect them from overnight extreme temperature. Otherwise, place them next to/underneath an LED “full spectrum” grow light, preferably with adjustable goosenecks and more than one bulb. This makes it easier to direct the light on the plant/s. Check online. In the U.S. they are available from Home Depot. They do not need lights at night. Keep the soil damp by watering only when necessary. Do Not overwater. I hope this helps.
@@karenhales1032, you are welcome. The set up is a little different for every person and space availability. We have to work with the way one’s house is set up. We moved from Zone 8/9 to Zone 6 to be next to our new granddaughter and had to adapt to colder weather …. So bringing plants indoors in the winter has been a learning process for us. (And a hassle.) We bought a couple of foldable and very sturdy tables from Home Depot to accommodate the plants indoors. They come in 6 feet and 4 feet in length. So far our parsley has been doing well in this setup as well.
I have a 3 year old geranium that I've brought in every winter. I've never trimmed it and it's huge! I'm definitely going to trim mine back this year after seeing this! It will make it so much easier!
I am new at this too! I love Geraniums since they remind e of my Grandma but they keep dying on me! So I am getting serious and learning so I can have them for 15 years or more! great questions and answers... Thank you! this is the best video yet on this subject.😉
I inherited my mothers geraniums that are now well over 15 years. I do the exact thing you do every year. I'm putting my geraniums to bed today (late) because we have had such a warm summer and fall in MN. Awesome video. Thank you!
Oh, Belinda, what a wonderful comment and how fortunate for you to have something your Mother loved to remind you of her every day. I hope your geraniums comfort you and bring a smile to your heart for many decades to come.
@@brianmondy1705 Brian sorry for the horribly delayed response. Mine never go to sleep. I leave them near a window all winter. If you put them into dormancy, wake them up 6 weeks before the last frost with more watering and blossom boosting fertilizer.
Once you brought the geranium in the house and cut it back do you then continue to keep it where it's receiving light and do you still continue to water it or do you just let it go dormant?
I just cut a stem off and root in water. I have a 15 year old plant I keep in the house and take cuts off and root all I need for outside in water. If the main plant gets too big and woody I cut it down and it just keeps shooting out sprouts. They bloom in water all winter long.
I have managed to keep my beautiful geranium for 3yrs, trim it down and put it in the basement. I have not had an issue with bugs and usually water it a little each week, might try that product to prevent bringing in any problems.
more should be mentioned about climate zones. Here in in the NW Coast they can be left out all winter. If they are in pots you can cover them with plastic when it gets below freezing. They should be trimmed in the late fall.
Hi my friend I love your beautiful video work I will like to learned how to do everything like you do that for myself in side of the house 🏠thank you God bless 🏠🙌
Suzie, there is not another video, but there should be. I bring the potted plants inside and water about once a month, twice a month if the pot is kept at room temperature. You want the plant to take a rest and decreasing water and removing top growth forces the plant to rest for a while.
I don't know why you said that this video is not for the faint of heart. I was bracing myself to hear something to the effect that you found an economical way to fertilize your geraniums by emptying all the contents of your outhouse onto it, but what I heard you say sounded totally inoffensive and palatable to the ears. Glad it wasn't what I thought.
Could I take the flowers and old leaves off and just keep the plant in the flower pot covered with a dark cloth over the winter months? Thank you. Debbie 🤗
How do you take care of them in the winter after you trimmed it? I have 2 small ones in separate pots. They sit in front of East Window, that gets a little sun. About 1.5 hours a day. I also mist them with water twice a day, since air is dry inside. Also have a LED Lamp shine on them for 12 hours. Going on 2 mos. now, and they are doing well, so far. However, I have 3 more months left, and I want to give them a second chance this year, outside, in a raised flowerbed, they loved last year. Any suggestions? I have never done this before. Brigitte in Tulsa, Oklahoma age 66.
I just read your answer to Cindy: Cindy, place it in any window you have - north, south, east, west and water every 7-10 days. In about 6 weeks it will have regrown all the growth you removed. If it is in a south or west facing window, it will begin to bloom again in about 3 months. you do not have to place it in a dark area or your basement
@@BrigitteCoffman Brigitte, sorry for the terribly delayed response. It sounds like what you are doing is perfect. I hope your geraniums flourished during the 2022 season,.
Question...what exactly does 'bring it in' mean? Bring it in to a sun room? A basement? A garage? A dark room? What care is taken over the winter? I have had no luck putting geraniums away for the winter. Would love to be successful. I don't have room in my tiny retirement cottage, but I do have a roomy albeit dark crawlspace which is warmed due to having waterlines there. Any suggestions?
Very good questions, I'd like the know the same. I take mine into my garage every year, usually by end of October, but didn't know about the trimming and dusting. They survive but get leggy. Is a garage Ok? Does it need to be dark? Any water during the dormant months? Do you replace the soil in the spring?
Anne you can bring the potted geranium into any of the areas you listed. If you do not want it to grow during the winter decrease the watering to once a month, but water so that the soil becomes slightly moist not soaked. As long as the pots do not freeze, your crawlspace is adequate. If you can find an area where your geraniums get some light, then water once every two weeks. The plants will get leggy, but you trim back the leggy stems when you put it outside in the spring. I water with Jack's Blossom Booster throughout the winter. The geraniums seem to love it.
@@KatarinaS. I do not replace the soil. I water throughout the winter with Jacl's blossom booster. It works well. Your garage sounds fine. It does not have to be dark. In the spring when you put your geraniums outside, trim all the leggy stems back. The plant will produce beautiful, healthy new stems quickly.
Yes, I also set hem in the window for sunlight. Starting Jan I fed them epsom salt monthly. The plants started blooming again first of March. Natural light will do for regular growth with out flowering early.
Cindy, place it in any window you have - north, south, east, west and water every 7-10 days. In about 6 weeks it will have regrown all the growth you removed. If it is in a south or west facing window, it will begin to bloom again in about 3 months. you do not have to place it in a dark area or your basement.
@@harvestinghistoryllc3161 is it ok if the garage isn't totally dark? My garage door has windows all across the top and is west facing, so it gets a lot of afternoon sun, well light anyway, not much sun during the cooler months in the PNW.
Hi Josette, The pruners are ARS Needlenose Pruners. You can purchase them from Harvesting History at this link: harvesting-history.com/shop/harvesting-history-heirloom-japanese-fine-pruning-shears-shipping-included/ Shipping is included in the price. The pruners you see in the video are more than 10 years old and have spent too much time outdoors in the rain. They hold up well.
I also take my geranium in each winter,she is 15 yrs now. I let her finish with her flowering indoors, then I trim her back and she spends the winter in a vintage child red wagon alongside some peace lilies and rosemary. I add holiday decorations to the wagon and it fits in nicely with our log home decor, best described as “functional farm”😂. I place the wagon in front of a set of doors facing west that only has sunlight late in the afternoon in winter. They get water when they are dry, no other special care. I have never used a bug powder or anything similar, never had an issue with bugs on my indoor plants. My outdoor plants do not show evidence of bug infestation either. We totally lucked out as far as not getting the tent caterpillars that were all over the county this year. We have an organic farm and we obtain our plants and fertilizers from friends’ certified organic farms nearby.
Thank you for letting me know about the watering process. This will be my first time bringing in my geraniums, so getting a head-start on learning the process.
What are the instructions for bringing it in. Sunlight, watering? Do you amend the soil or anything come spring? I'm curious to hear! I've only viewed other videos on overwintering and storing in a basement or a bag. Thank you!
When the temperature starts to drop below 15, I started to cut all the geraniums stems (I just left the 4 top leaves and dig up the roots. I gave all of them a thorough wash to remove the dead parts and dirt. Then I repot all the green stems and roots in potting soil to bring them inside. Every 2 weeks, I give them food plant. One month later, I can notice the new shoots coming out from the roots and the new leaves and then the buds show up... It is just so rewarding as they are back alive in my heated living room, beside my sunny windows for the winter...
No need for dirt,
Take dirt off roots throw it in a paper bag and replant next year
Good advice...apart from the systemic chemicals used...not in my garden. Neem oil and vigilance if necessary. I'm in South West Wales. Never needed any chemicals apart from when at work when we had to control blackspot on roses. Everything else there's a more natural solution that's usually always cheaper ...just slightly less convenient, possibly.
Can you please show how you store them in your house for the winter. Not sure if you put them in a dark area, or if you need to have light for them Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience. Sask. Canada watching. Zone 3 where we live, and have enjoyed our yard and deck, with hanging geranium baskets, and geranium planters. One of my favourite plants, as they continue blooming for us throughout the season. We have have two severe frosts, but I have moved the geraniums into our garage, not heated, but frost free for now.
My exact thought when she jumped to the “here it is 10 months later”! I am in Ontario and didn’t know if it needs to be in a cold cellar, or just a basement!? Hopefully someone can tell us. Soon! ☺️
they'll die at -4C.
Hello, I keep mine in the same pots and in the house. They like the indoor temperature. If you have large windows, place them in front of the windows to make sure they get enough light. If next to a window, make sure you close the drapes at night to protect them from overnight extreme temperature. Otherwise, place them next to/underneath an LED “full spectrum” grow light, preferably with adjustable goosenecks and more than one bulb. This makes it easier to direct the light on the plant/s. Check online. In the U.S. they are available from Home Depot.
They do not need lights at night. Keep the soil damp by watering only when necessary. Do Not overwater. I hope this helps.
@@noellaq8056 thank you for your info!! 🙂
@@karenhales1032, you are welcome. The set up is a little different for every person and space availability. We have to work with the way one’s house is set up. We moved from Zone 8/9 to Zone 6 to be next to our new granddaughter and had to adapt to colder weather …. So bringing plants indoors in the winter has been a learning process for us. (And a hassle.) We bought a couple of foldable and very sturdy tables from Home Depot to accommodate the plants indoors. They come in 6 feet and 4 feet in length. So far our parsley has been doing well in this setup as well.
I have a 3 year old geranium that I've brought in every winter. I've never trimmed it and it's huge! I'm definitely going to trim mine back this year after seeing this! It will make it so much easier!
Great Mandy, it does make it so much easier.
Yes, please do it, it’s going to be much bigger and fuller. You’ll love it! Mine is now also 3 years old.
This is how my grandma does it. She’s had one plant for 54 years. Just cuts and sticks it in the cold room for the winter.
water? sunlight?
awe . i keep one for 7 years out for the summer but never cut it like that just bring it in and it flowers a couple of time in the winter .
I am new at this too! I love Geraniums since they remind e of my Grandma but they keep dying on me! So I am getting serious and learning so I can have them for 15 years or more! great questions and answers... Thank you! this is the best video yet on this subject.😉
I inherited my mothers geraniums that are now well over 15 years. I do the exact thing you do every year. I'm putting my geraniums to bed today (late) because we have had such a warm summer and fall in MN. Awesome video. Thank you!
Oh, Belinda, what a wonderful comment and how fortunate for you to have something your Mother loved to remind you of her every day. I hope your geraniums comfort you and bring a smile to your heart for many decades to come.
I'm trying this for the first time in MN. When do you wake yours up?
@@brianmondy1705 Brian sorry for the horribly delayed response. Mine never go to sleep. I leave them near a window all winter. If you put them into dormancy, wake them up 6 weeks before the last frost with more watering and blossom boosting fertilizer.
How do you know when the last frost will be? I live in bc and the weather is so unpredictable.
Once you brought the geranium in the house and cut it back do you then continue to keep it where it's receiving light and do you still continue to water it or do you just let it go dormant?
15 years!!! Amazing!!!
And they have been great years, too. She is still as pretty as her first year. I love her.
Thank you, I will try for the first time, to bring our geranium planters, and baskets in for the winter, and start them for the spring.
I just cut a stem off and root in water. I have a 15 year old plant I keep in the house and take cuts off and root all I need for outside in water. If the main plant gets too big and woody I cut it down and it just keeps shooting out sprouts. They bloom in water all winter long.
Hello my friend I thank you very much for telling me about the plants 🪴I will try it out God bless you ❤
Margret, you are most welcome. God has blessed me in many ways, not the least of which is spending my life with plants and the people who love them.
I have managed to keep my beautiful geranium for 3yrs, trim it down and put it in the basement. I have not had an issue with bugs and usually water it a little each week, might try that product to prevent bringing in any problems.
more should be mentioned about climate zones. Here in in the NW Coast they can be left out all winter. If they are in pots you can cover them with plastic when it gets below freezing. They should be trimmed in the late fall.
Thank you for the information.
Hi my friend I love your beautiful video work I will like to learned how to do everything like you do that for myself in side of the house 🏠thank you God bless 🏠🙌
Thank you, Margret.
After you cut it back, what did you do with the plant? Is there another video for that, that I'm missing?
Suzie, there is not another video, but there should be. I bring the potted plants inside and water about once a month, twice a month if the pot is kept at room temperature. You want the plant to take a rest and decreasing water and removing top growth forces the plant to rest for a while.
I don't know why you said that this video is not for the faint of heart. I was bracing myself to hear something to the effect that you found an economical way to fertilize your geraniums by emptying all the contents of your outhouse onto it, but what I heard you say sounded totally inoffensive and palatable to the ears. Glad it wasn't what I thought.
I think she said that because she cut back so much of the geranium. My guess anyway. 🙂
Could I take the flowers and old leaves off and just keep the plant in the flower pot covered with a dark cloth over the winter months? Thank you. Debbie 🤗
How do you store them over the winter? In sun/or a dark basement or what?
Outstanding
There is a whole part missing? Did you bring it inside next to a window? Water? Feed?
How do you take care of them in the winter after you trimmed it? I have 2 small ones in separate pots. They sit in front of East Window, that gets a little sun. About 1.5 hours a day. I also mist them with water twice a day, since air is dry inside. Also have a LED Lamp shine on them for 12 hours. Going on 2 mos. now, and they are doing well, so far. However, I have 3 more months left, and I want to give them a second chance this year, outside, in a raised flowerbed, they loved last year. Any suggestions? I have never done this before. Brigitte in Tulsa, Oklahoma age 66.
I just read your answer to Cindy: Cindy, place it in any window you have - north, south, east, west and water every 7-10 days. In about 6 weeks it will have regrown all the growth you removed. If it is in a south or west facing window, it will begin to bloom again in about 3 months. you do not have to place it in a dark area or your basement
@@BrigitteCoffman Brigitte, sorry for the terribly delayed response. It sounds like what you are doing is perfect. I hope your geraniums flourished during the 2022 season,.
Question...what exactly does 'bring it in' mean? Bring it in to a sun room? A basement? A garage? A dark room? What care is taken over the winter?
I have had no luck putting geraniums away for the winter. Would love to be successful. I don't have room in my tiny retirement cottage, but I do have a roomy albeit dark crawlspace which is warmed due to having waterlines there. Any suggestions?
Very good questions, I'd like the know the same. I take mine into my garage every year, usually by end of October, but didn't know about the trimming and dusting. They survive but get leggy. Is a garage Ok? Does it need to be dark? Any water during the dormant months? Do you replace the soil in the spring?
Anne you can bring the potted geranium into any of the areas you listed. If you do not want it to grow during the winter decrease the watering to once a month, but water so that the soil becomes slightly moist not soaked. As long as the pots do not freeze, your crawlspace is adequate. If you can find an area where your geraniums get some light, then water once every two weeks. The plants will get leggy, but you trim back the leggy stems when you put it outside in the spring. I water with Jack's Blossom Booster throughout the winter. The geraniums seem to love it.
@@KatarinaS. I do not replace the soil. I water throughout the winter with Jacl's blossom booster. It works well. Your garage sounds fine. It does not have to be dark. In the spring when you put your geraniums outside, trim all the leggy stems back. The plant will produce beautiful, healthy new stems quickly.
Once you bring it inside, how much do you water, etc? Where do you place it? Indirect light?
I’ve been doing this for 3 years with my paprika pepper plants.
I also would like to know where to keep the plant during the winter--what temperature and how much light. Anyone have the answer?
Thanks mam
You re most welcome, Shivbaba!
I appreciate your know?ledge. I am bringing in my geraniums and will follow your advice, but do I water them during the winter?
Yes, I also set hem in the window for sunlight. Starting Jan I fed them epsom salt monthly. The plants started blooming again first of March. Natural light will do for regular growth with out flowering early.
Diane, please water them about once a week.
What zone and part of the country are you in? What state in the USA?
What did U do with the cuttings? Thank You 🙏🏽
Sometimes I plant them, but the plantings from the video ended up in the compost pile.
@@harvestinghistoryllc3161 Oh no, why dont you plant the cuttings as you will have many more beautiful plants to bloom next year?
Once you bring the plant in what do you do with it? Put in a cool dark place in the basement or a sunny window?
Cindy, place it in any window you have - north, south, east, west and water every 7-10 days. In about 6 weeks it will have regrown all the growth you removed. If it is in a south or west facing window, it will begin to bloom again in about 3 months. you do not have to place it in a dark area or your basement.
@@harvestinghistoryllc3161 Thank you so much
it's January 2nd... is it too late to cut my geranium back this severely?
Some channel on UA-cam said to take the plant out of the soil? What do you think and the reasons to do or not??
What climate zone? Is an unheated garage ok to store the in?
Gail, your garage cannot freeze. If water freezes in a pail in your garage, it is too cold.
@@harvestinghistoryllc3161 … thanks, I’m new to this freeze/frost/snow zone. ( from Southern California).
Zone 6b is another world for me.🤣
What do you do with the pot after you’ve dusted the plant? Does it go into a cardboard box?
Leave the plant in the pot. and either bring it into your home or leave it in the garage and water slightly once a month.
@@harvestinghistoryllc3161 is it ok if the garage isn't totally dark? My garage door has windows all across the top and is west facing, so it gets a lot of afternoon sun, well light anyway, not much sun during the cooler months in the PNW.
I didn't leave any leaves on when I cut mine back
Claire, that's fine. Sometimes all my leaves are gone too. Your geraniums will be fine.
Love your pruners . What brand?
Hi Josette, The pruners are ARS Needlenose Pruners. You can purchase them from Harvesting History at this link:
harvesting-history.com/shop/harvesting-history-heirloom-japanese-fine-pruning-shears-shipping-included/
Shipping is included in the price. The pruners you see in the video are more than 10 years old and have spent too much time outdoors in the rain. They hold up well.
No thanks