Fall chores and geranium propagation
CHRISTIE SCHLUETER There are a lot of things to do before the first frost . Here are some recommendations , plus detailed instructions on cutting geraniums to keep indoors during the winter .
Fertilize the lawn . Use a standard high nitrogen lawn food to help your lawn develop strong roots and runners . Grass that is fertilized in the fall will come back thicker and greener next spring . You may choose to follow up with a second application of fertilizer mid to late October . Though top growth will have slowed or stopped because of cooler temperatures , the underground portions remain active several weeks longer .
• Core aerate compact soils . If your soil is heavy and clay-like , or if it has become compacted over the years from kids or dogs romping on it , make a habit of core aerating every year or two . Rent a machine that takes plugs out of the soil and throws them onto the lawn ’ s surface . They will crumble and top-dress the soil with microorganisms to help break down thatch . The holes will also allow moisture , fertilizer , and oxygen to penetrate into the root zone , resulting in healthier grass .
• Renew mulch around young trees and shrubs . Shredded bark , woodchips , and other organic mulches break down where they contact soil . They settle over time . Check to see that mulching materials are about three inches deep over the root ball area of young trees and shrubs . This amount will protect them from extreme cold , as well as early spring thaws . Be sure to leave a small space between the mulch and plant trunks or stems to avoid moisture damage .
• Water evergreen trees and shrubs regularly . Evergreens keep their leaves or needles throughout the winter . This means they are more vulnerable to drying from winter sun and strong winds . Allowing them to go in cold weather stressed for moisture will increase the likelihood these plants will suffer winter burn or browning .
Geraniums
Geraniums are easy to grow and provide color in the garden from May till frost . There is a whole array of colors ranging from white to a lavender . There are fancyleaf types as well . Try different varieties each year so you can see which are your favorites .
The first hard frost will destroy geraniums growing outdoors . However , it is possible to over-winter geraniums indoors . Before frost , pot up individual plants , take cuttings , or store bare-root plants in a cool , dry place . For all of these methods , choose only healthy and diseasefree plants .
Carefully dig up each plant and place it in a six-toeight-inch diameter pot . Prune the geraniums back to one-half or one-third of their original height , then water each plant thoroughly .
Place the geraniums in a bright sunny window , or under fluorescent lights placed no more than 10-12 inches above the plants . The lights should be turned on for 12 to 16 hours daily .
Geraniums prefer cool indoor temperatures . Daytime temperatures of 65 to 70 degrees and night temperatures of 55 to 60 degrees are ideal . When they are grown in
There are multiple ways to propagate geraniums . They can be cut back and rerooted , as seen above , or cuttings can be taken , as below . It is a simple way to save your favorite plants , or clone them for more next year .
SUBMITTED PHOTOS poorly lit areas , they become tall and leggy . During their indoor stay , water the plants thoroughly when the soil becomes dry . Occasionally pinch geraniums to produce stocky , well branched plants .
Cuttings
Using a sharp knife , take a three-to-four-inch stem cutting from the terminal ends of the shoots . Pinch off the lower leaves , then dip the base of each cutting in a rooting hormone . Stick the cuttings in a rooting medium of coarse sand or a mixture of coarse sand and sphagnum peat moss . Clay or plastic pots with drainage holes are suitable rooting containers . Insert the cuttings into the medium just far enough to be self-supporting .
After all the cuttings are inserted , water the soil medium thoroughly , then allow it to drain . Place a clear plastic bag over the cuttings and container to prevent wilting of the foliage . Place the cuttings in bright light , but not direct sun . The cuttings should root in 4 to 6 weeks .
When the cuttings have developed good root systems , remove them from the rooting medium and plant each rooted cutting in a three-inch diameter pot . Place the potted geraniums in a bright sunny window , or under fluorescent lights . Water plants thoroughly when the soil becomes dry . Bare root plants
Dig the geraniums and carefully shake all the soil from the roots . Hang the plants upside down in a cool ( 45 to 60 degrees ) dry place . An alternate method is to place one or two plants in a large paper sack .
Approximately once a month during winter , soak the roots of each plant in water for one to two hours . Most of the leaves will eventually dry up .
In mid-March , prune or cut back each plant . Remove all shriveled , dead material . Healthy , live stems will be firm and solid . After pruning , pot each plant and water thoroughly . Place the potted geraniums in a sunny window , or under fluorescent lights .
Geraniums that are pruned and potted in March should develop into attractive plants that can be planted outdoors the end of May , or when the danger of frost has passed .
SeniorConnectionsHJ . COM Senior Connections Sept / Oct 2020
7