It is possible to flower a balcony with a multitude of flowers more or less resistant to shade, sun or drought. Know that to create a blooming and resistant balcony, the sure value remains the geranium.
The different varieties of geraniums
Geraniums were for a time wrongly classified as obsolete plants. In geraniums or rather pelargoniums, there is an incredible amount of decorative and solid varieties to adorn planters.
It is no coincidence that certain species bear the popular name of “king of the balconies” . Although this is the simple red ivy geranium, one could easily call all geraniums “king of the balconies”.
When to plant geraniums on the balcony?
Unlike in the open or in a bed, geraniums in planters installed on a balcony are easier to shelter from the cold. In case of frost, they can be sheltered from the cold.
They can take place on a balcony from April.
What exposure for geranium?
Geraniums love the sun , however, they can also be placed in partial shade. We avoid the northern exposure not that they will not develop but the flowers will be less abundant . Instead, reserve the shade for fuchsias or impatiens.
Which planter to choose?
If terracotta planters are more aesthetic, they have the disadvantage of increasing the weight on a railing. In addition, in the event of a fall they will be more dangerous for passers-by.
Plastic planters are fine as long as they are strong enough not to warp. It will also be necessary that the volume of potting soil is sufficient for the geraniums to take root properly .
Planters should be drilled with drainage at the bottom. Drainage can be done with clay balls or chippings placed on the drainage holes.
Choose the right land
You can make your own geranium soil with a mixture of universal soil, compost and garden soil. The recipe for geranium soil can vary depending on the nature of your garden soil. Although clay retains water, in excess it can be harmful to geraniums .
Otherwise, you can find geranium soil everywhere, which is used pure, without adding soil or compost.
Planting geraniums in planters
Before planting, remove all advanced inflorescences and keep only the flower buds at the start of coloring. Remove all yellow leaves. Soak the pot for a few seconds in water then delicately remove the geranium. The white roots should go around the pot.
The geraniums or zonal rights are placed at the back of the planter and ivy geraniums in front. No need to break up any clods or unravel the roots. This operation is even harmful for the recovery of geraniums. Pack around the geraniums then water copiously the first time.
Install saucers under your planters
The saucers allow you to conserve the irrigation water and avoid watering too regularly.
Then wait a week before watering so that the roots go in search of moisture and occupy the entire space of the planter.
If the temperatures are cool, water preferably in the morning and vice versa if it is hot, water the planters in the evening.
What to do with geraniums in the event of a rainy spring?
Despite rainy, stormy and very watered periods, a balcony of geraniums can very quickly become flowering again, provided that all the faded flowers or not are removed. During spring and summer, a balcony can suffer from meteorological hazards, starting with a hail storm, wind or more simply a long rainy period. The weather is gray and the temperatures are cool … in short, the weather is not there for the geraniums.
What to do in the rainy season?
Start by removing all the faded flowers as well as those barely blooming. The best technique is to remove them with the petiole up to the stem. If the weather forecast is still gloomy for several days or if you are away for a week, you can also remove the buttons at the start of coloring. This method makes it possible to avoid diseases and especially to strengthen the geranium plants. A removed button is immediately replaced by three new inflorescences which will emerge from the geranium.
Remove the yellow leaves
As long as they are located at the foot, there is nothing to worry about: it is the old leaves lacking in light that are disappearing in favor of a new generation. Only in wet periods can they rot and devalue the geranium. With the sun, the problem does not arise.
Empty the saucers
Geraniums are drought tolerant very well , but excess water prevents the roots from developing and can even cause them to rot. As a result, the geranium turns yellow and no longer blooms.
Wait for good weather to give them fertilizer
If the geraniums are not spent because of bad weather, it is useless to add fertilizer which could also cause a “liver crisis”. As soon as the weather is more favorable, add half-dose fertilizer the first time, then increase as soon as the geraniums regain their vigor.
What if her geranium has broken?
On a balcony, we are not immune to a gust of wind, an unfortunate gesture or a thunderstorm …
Above all, don’t panic, a branch broken by a gust of wind can be cuttings to give birth to several geraniums which from the first year can overflow a small planter.
- Fill a planter 2/3 full with a cutting soil or a universal soil extended with sand and a little garden soil.
- Soak the planter.
- Prepare the cuttings by detaching them from the main branch, removing the flowers, buds and leaves from the bottom.
- Prick each cutting without pushing them too far in 1 to 2 cm.
- Cover the cuttings with a wintering veil for at least a week.
- Place a saucer under the planter and put it in partial shade.
- Water under the saucer once or twice a week depending on the temperature.
- Rooting begins about two weeks after transplanting.
- no fertilizer.
Result of geranium cuttings
Three weeks after planting
The king geraniums of the balconies are in bloom which proves the success of the rooting of the cuttings. It is still too early to save the first flowers. They must be removed as well as the buds so that the young cuttings can gain strength.
Remove weeds
During these 3 weeks, weed seeds have also germinated in the middle of the rooted cuttings, this is the sign that the substrate is suitable for reproduction. It only remains to do a little weeding to prevent the competition from taking hold.
Remove the yellow leaves
In humid periods, it is important to remove the leaves, which turn yellow as they go, as they can cause rotting. The first yellow leaves are not a sign of disease, it is only a reaction to the cuttings.
Blow the cuttings of geraniums
This operation is called “blowing” by horticulturalists, it is in fact a pinching of the end of the cutting between the thumb and the index finger to allow the cutting to emit several stems and to be more strong thereafter.
Make a watering sparingly as sunshine and heat. Young cuttings should not lack moisture at this stage, otherwise the first roots will be lost. Be careful, excess water is even more harmful than lack of water.
Do not give fertilizer
After three weeks, it is still a little early to fertilize the cuttings. At this stage, there are still fertilizer residues in the substrate for the young ivy geraniums (Pelargoniums peltatum) to use. Wait 1 additional month to start adding diluted fertilizers.
How to fertilize geraniums?
When to fertilize a geranium?
A geranium gardener is a marathon runner who must cross the finish line in great shape and without incident. Before starting, the rider must be in good health. The plants chosen must first be healthy and vigorous .
Moderate fertilization during repotting
At the start, the athlete takes care of himself without forcing too much. He runs while saving his strength. When repotting, the geraniums are planted in a suitable substrate that is neither too rich nor too poor.
Balanced watering
The first waterings are to be given sparingly, we do not water a plant that is bathed in water with yellow leaves. It is drowning assured.
Little cravings at the start of summer
After several weeks, our geraniums start crying out for famine. No need to wait for the first signs of fatigue. You must add a granulated or liquid fertilizer.
But be careful without excess, the marathon runner does not yell at the end of 10 KM, he only takes a small snack. Geranium also prefers a fertilizer diluted by half so as not to burn its roots. Small snacks and water on a hot day is the recipe for finishing the race in great shape.
Fertilize little but regularly
You can add fertilizer to each watering with solutions divided by 4 for the first fertilization and then by two for the following ones.
Prune the first flowers
In order to facilitate new growth of buds and consolidate the plant, we will remove the faded and open flowers from the geraniums at the beginning of the season or just after their cuttings.
