"How To" series: Overwintering and Propagating Geraniums with Alice

Alice's geraniums are gorgeous and are spotted around her garden and in many of her containers. She shows you how to act now to save your favourite geraniums (and save some money!) before the cold weather hits, and how to multiply them for a stunning display next year. Lots of helpful information for zone 5 (USDA zone 4) gardeners and a bonus method for those with cold cellars/basements from susansinthegarden.com https://www.susansinthegarden.com/201... Supplies you will need: Hand pruners Sharp knife Cutting board Vermiculite Alcohol to sanitize tools Rooting compound (optional) Trays for cuttings and a separate container that holds water (and the tray) Potting soil Pots for rooted cuttings Houseplant liquid fertilizer (diluted) Timeline: 1. Before frost, pot up geranium from garden after cutting back severely, and place in cool basement window where it will get some light (east and west facing are fine). 2. In early to mid February, cut back plant again, this time taking cuttings immediately below a leaf node, and place in moist vermiculite, check water level weekly. Allow the mother plant to flourish as it will make another lovely plant. 3. After a few weeks, check cutting for resistance when gently tugged, and pot up if well rooted. 4. Place potted cutting in the sunniest window you have, out of the cool basement, and fertilize lightly every couple of weeks. 5. Two weeks before average last frost date, start to harden off new geraniums and mother plant - one hour each day with increasing one hour until in full sun. 6. After all chance of frost has passed, plant out your geraniums in containers or the garden.