A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 Storing geraniums

Hello. I was wondering if anyone knew how to store geraniums over the winter? My mom said there was a way without having to plant them indoors, but I don't know how. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!

I was wondering the same thing Mandy.

I found this thread from last yr.
"I have been saving my geraniums for 3 years now. I pull them from the soil, trim the tops back and put them in my dark basement in a paper bag. I check on them starting about the end of Ferbruary and when I see new green growth I pot them back up. They are growing beautifully by the time I plant my annuals in May. I think it's worth it! "
I beleive member netty had this reply.
Sounds good don't it? I think I'll try it too.
Diane

That sounds good! I'll have to give it a try. At least it doesn't take much effort... that's what I didn't want to have to do. It would be worth it for me just to buy new ones in the spring, but this sounds super easy! Thanks for the info!!

Also, if you do a FORUM SEARCH and type in
GERANIUMS.... I believe you'll find several posts/threads on this...
And there was several different things you can
do for them...

*if you can't find them or want further clarification, give a great big holler..*

Yup, that's what I do with my geraniums! In fact, brought mine in last night for the winter. Good thing too ... saw some SNOW today!

I'm just stuffing allll of mine in the
basement tonight..
Snow is on it's way...

Oh great!
I was wondering exactly the same thing. Will try this method. But I have an additional question: Mine are still blooming, do I wait till the blooming time is over, or cut it down flowers and everything now? (The weather is still very mild around here, I don't think it's been lower than 50 at night).

thank you and happy gardening,
t.

it is supposed to get up to 72 here tomorrow! neener, neener!

Does anyone know if this will work with scented geraniums? Mine are already in the compost pile, but next year,,,? maybe

Treelove - just make sure you get them in before they freeze. I also have 2 big pots of Geraniums that I move inside each winter to a sunny window and treat as houseplants. (I don't have room to keep them all this way, so the rest get put in the dark side of the basement until spring)

Rainie - I've never tried it with scented geraniums. But I don't see why it WOULDN'T work

Thank you, Netty! And look at the weather: as soon as I mentioned that the nights are mild, the temperature drops to 36. So I better move them in soon.

happy gardening,
t.

When you bring them in and put them in the paper bag in the basement, do the roots not dry out? Do you leave any soil at all on the plant?

Mandy, I haven't heard "neener, neener" in years !
LOL !

Deborah, I'm glad to give you a little laugh! I actually have never said it in years. HA!

I leave no soil on my geraniums.

I cracked up, Mandy !

I have saved mine too, but please explain the paper bag method if you would,I just cut them back and replant in spring?

Thanks