Deadheading Geraniums: A Simple Guide
Revitalizing Geraniums: A Simple Guide to Deadheading for Continuous Blooms Throughout Summer
Deadheading geraniums ain't rocket science, but it sure as hell makes a difference in your blooms and plant health. Let's get to it!
What is Deadheading?
In layman's terms, deadheading is yankin' off spent flowers. With geraniums, flower clusters are on long stems, so it's less fuss than other blooms. When there are petals still fresh, you can wait for all to die out, or take off the flower cluster when it's past its prime.
Use your fingers or these badass Fiskars pruning scissors from Amazon to do it right. For quick snips, try thumb knives from Amazon.
Do You Need to Deadhead Geraniums?
Nope, geraniums'll grow even without deadheading, but why miss out on a tidy garden and more blooms? Ugly, decaying flowers ain't gonna win you any awards, and new buds need a clean slate to show off their best. Plus, pruning can prevent diseases that feast on old plant matter. Easy summer gardening, amiright?
When to Deadhead Geraniums
There ain't a specific time you gotta deadhead. Check 'em once a week for spent blooms, and you'll have a summer display full of fresh colors.
How to Deadhead Geraniums?
- Identify spent blooms: Pick out the wilted ones or wait for them to fade.
- Remove the faded flower stem: Either snap off the entire stem by pushing your thumb and forefinger down and out or use your pruners and make a clean cut just above the foliage.
- Deadhead regularly: Keep at it once a week for non-stop blooming all summer long.
- Choose the right time: Deadhead at cooler times, such as early morning or evening, and let your plant dry out first to stay disease-free.
- Clean up garden debris: Keep your space neat and remove dead flower scraps to minimize the risk of diseases.
- Optional: Throw the removed stems in a hidden spot in your garden to decompose and add nutrients to the soil.
Why Deadhead Geraniums?
By removing those spent blooms, you direct the plant's energy to crafting new flowers and maintain a healthy, attractive look for your garden. And don't forget about all them additional blooms you'll be flaunting!
Regex tips from Bonnie L. Grant, landscape pro, and Tonya Barnett, writer. Our platform's, 2-in-1 Ratchet Pruning Shears make summer gardening a breeze. Stay tuned for tips, videos, and gardening deals sent straight to your inbox. Find more expert tips on gardening and discover the enriching world of plants!
- Regular deadheading of geraniums using Fiskars pruning scissors can help promote a tidy home-and-garden lifestyle and encourage more blooms.
- By deadheading geraniums, you're not only improving the plant's health but also creating a vibrant and attractive home-and-garden lifestyle, filled with an abundance of fresh colors.
