Looking for a few simple secrets for how to best fertilize your potted geraniums to perk them up and get them blooming big again?
When it comes to brightening up patios, porches, balconies, and decks, few plants can compete with the colorful blooms of potted geraniums. Not only are they beautiful and easy to maintain, they can also bloom for the entire season with just a bit of care.
But if you want your geraniums to keep growing strong and flower non-stop, feeding them the right way is vital. Especially when you are growing them in containers or hanging baskets where they can run out of nutrients fast!
The Best Way To Fertilize Potted Geraniums For Big Blooms
Why Feeding Potted Geraniums Is So Important
Geraniums are what many gardeners call “heavy feeders.” That means they need a steady supply of nutrients to grow strong stems, full foliage. And even more importantly, produce their big, beautiful blooms.
In a garden bed, geraniums can stretch their roots into the surrounding soil to search for extra nutrients. But in a pot or hanging basket, they are limited to the small amount of soil in their container.
Even though most potting soils start off with some nutrients, those nutrients don’t last long. In fact, within just a few weeks of planting, most of the original energy in the soil has been absorbed or washed away with watering.
Once that happens, if you’re not feeding your plants, they’ll start to slow down. Bloom production will drop off. Leaves may start to yellow. Before long, your geraniums will look tired and worn out. But this is exactly where fertilizing can save the day. But one thing is for sure – it needs to be the right set of nutrients – delivered in just the right way!
The Fertilizer That Works Best For Potted Geraniums
There are two main types of fertilizer you can use on plants – liquid (also called water-soluble) and granular (slow-release). Both have their advantages, but for potted geraniums, it’s best to fertilize with a liquid energy source.
Liquid fertilizer is mixed with water and applied directly to the soil or even sprayed lightly on the leaves. Because it is in liquid form, the nutrients are absorbed quickly by the roots. That, of course, means the plant can use it almost immediately.
Granular fertilizers, on the other hand, are mixed into the soil and break down slowly over time. These can be useful in flowerbeds or large containers where you don’t want to fertilize as often. But when it comes to potted geraniums and their need for constant nutrients to produce new blooms, a liquid fertilizer gives faster and more noticeable results.
What Nutrients Do Geraniums Need Most?
Just as important as how you feed your geraniums is what you feed them. And this is where many gardeners make a big mistake when fertilizing potted geraniums.
When you shop for fertilizer, you’ll notice a set of three numbers on the label. These numbers tell you how much of the three main plant nutrients are in the mix. The first number stands for nitrogen (N), the second for phosphorous (P), and the third for potassium (K).
Nitrogen (N) helps plants grow strong stems and lush green leaves. Phosphorous (P) supports healthy roots and plays a big role in helping plants produce flowers and fruit. Potassium (K) helps plants stay healthy overall and strengthens their ability to handle heat, disease, and drought.
Fertilizing Potted Geraniums With Balanced Power
Most flowering annuals do best with far more phosphorous and potassium and less nitrogen. But geraniums tend to perform best when the three nutrients are in balance.
Too much nitrogen can actually cause the plant to put all of its energy into growing leaves and stems, with fewer blooms. But if you balance it out with equal parts phosphorous and potassium, the plant can grow strong and still flower heavily.
For geraniums in pots, a fertilizer with an even ratio like 10-10-10 is ideal. This type of balanced fertilizer gives your plants the right amount of each nutrient they need for steady growth and flowering. Affiliate Link: Triple 10 All Purpose Liquid Fertilizer 10-10-10
Feeding On A Regular Schedule
Once you’ve chosen your fertilizer, the next big question is: how often should you use it?
Because plants in pots get water so frequently, nutrients wash through the soil faster than in garden beds. That means you need to feed your geraniums more often to replace what is lost.
With a liquid fertilizer, the best approach is to fertilize your potted geraniums every 7 to 10 days using half of the strength recommended on the product label. Using fertilizer at half strength helps prevent overfeeding, which can damage the plant or cause unwanted buildup of salts in the soil.
Fertilizing more lightly but more frequently gives your geraniums a steady flow of nutrition without overwhelming them.
A Few Extra Tips…
Fertilizer alone will not keep your geraniums blooming. Make sure your potted geraniums are getting at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each day. These are sun-loving plants and will perform poorly in full shade.
Also, be careful not to overwater. Let the soil dry out slightly between waterings. Constantly soggy soil can lead to root rot and a tired-looking plant. Well-draining soil and containers with good drainage holes are essential.
And whatever you do – keep deadheading the old blooms off of your plants! As flowers begin to fade, they use up the plant’s energy trying to go to seed. By removing those spent blooms, you redirect that energy back into producing new buds. The result? More flowers and a healthier, neater-looking plant.
When deadheading a geranium, don’t just pinch off the flower itself. Instead, trace the flower stem down to the next major joint (where it connects to another main stem) and remove the entire flower stalk. This helps keep your plant tidy and also stops the old stem from using up energy.
Here is to fertilizing your potted geraniums to perfection this year – and to having your geraniums bloom big all summer long. And don’t forget – with a few simple steps, you can save your geraniums over the winter! See: How To Save Geraniums In The Fall – 2 Great Ways To Keep Geraniums Alive Over Winter!
Simple Garden Life
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