Content
- Plant geranium: when?
- Geraniums do not tolerate frost
- When to plant geraniums?
- Gradually harden geraniums?
- Tips
Geraniums should go outside after the ice saints
Plant geranium: when?
Like so many popular ornamental plants, the geraniums (Pelargonium) are not native to us, but come from the hot and rather dry climate of Southeast Africa. Consequently, the popular balcony flowers tolerate neither rainy nor cold weather, so that raises the question of the optimal planting time.
Geraniums do not tolerate frost
During the vegetation period, the temperatures should not fall below 10 ° C, as the geranium otherwise their growth - and thus their flowering - set. A short-term drop in temperature is not a problem, as long as there is no frost. Especially late in the night occurring night frost can quickly lead to the death of sensitive plants.
When to plant geraniums?
For this reason, geraniums should always be released into the open air only after the ice saints, since from this time the probability of night frosts drops rapidly. The "Saints of the Ice" refer to a number of Christian saints who have their memorial days in mid-May, graduating as the "cold Sophie" on May 15. It is a century-old farmer's rule that still applies today. So, the best time to bring geraniums out is probably between mid-May and end-May, depending on the weather forecasts for your region.
Gradually harden geraniums?
However, you do not have to wait until the end of May to put your geraniums on the balcony. In appropriate weather - temperatures above 10 ° C and the sun - this is already possible in April, the plants should then be brought into the house overnight. If you want to be on the safe side, do not hang up the window boxes with the geraniums immediately, but place them first on a heat-emitting house wall directly into the sun.
Tips
But do not wait to get your geraniums out of hibernation - this should happen by March at the latest.