Martha Washington Geranium

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cookielei_IN Posted: 04-15-2012 7:46 AM

I bought one the other day and I would like some advice on the care of one  Thank you

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growingranny_va_z7 replied on 04-15-2012 8:11 AM

Charlene is the queen of them so when she gets here I am sure she will be able to give you good advice.

 

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plantdoctorzn4 replied on 04-15-2012 8:26 AM

If you'd see my MW geraniums right now, you wouldn't be too impressed! 1st DH "fried" them up when he was burning trash....and then they got touched by frost when we had 19º last week, even though they were covered.  Lucky for me, I have some cuttings going in the GH just in case the Mother plants don't make it. 

Here is some very good info I found on the internet:

Regal Geranium Care at Home

Regal Geraniums (Pelargonium domesticum) are among the most colorful and attractive of the geranium world. These tender perennials are traditionally enjoyed as a seasonal, indoor flowering plant.

Normally available between Valentine's Day and Memorial Day, Regals perform best in a cool, eastern exposure. They will typically flower for 4 to 6 weeks in this type of indoor setting. Be sure to provide plenty of water since mature Regals tend to consume water at a high rate. Be careful to not allow them to become waterlogged, or to sit in water however.

Gardeners are finding additional success with Regals in half-day sun locations outdoors as well. Today's Regal will bloom, albeit with less intensity, during the summer in the northern half of the US and all but the hottest of coastal regions. An excellent home for a holiday Regal would be as a patio plant in an eastern or northern exposure. Regals require a well-drained soil that is high in good quality Canadian peat moss. They will benefit from a ½ rate dose of liquid plant food every 2 weeks.

Regals bloom by a combination of moisture and high light stress, as well as cool night temperature. Therefore, being a bit 'un-kind' enhances summer blooming, in other words Regals bloom best under stress. Once plants have become established outdoors (after 2 to 3 weeks), only water to prevent wilting. This will encourage flower rather than foliage growth.

For over-wintering, consider cutting your plant back to approximately 1/3rd size. Then place it in a cool, bright location. Water sparingly during dark winter months. Gradually increasing water by early spring. Place your Regal outdoors on days when temperatures will remain above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

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MDgreenery replied on 04-15-2012 1:43 PM

Thanks Charlene, I'm moving mine outside today. And thanks for asking the question Cookielei!

Charlene, if you read this, can you tell me what your Clarkia are doing presently? When do you think I can expect mine to bloom? I started them from seeds last year b/c the plants from California didn't respond well. And I remembered you stating that plants started from seed in the location they are to be grown are much more hardy.

I would say so far that is true for these Clarkia I moved outside probably a month too early...but they look good...so far anyway...

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cookielei_IN replied on 04-15-2012 2:29 PM

What kind of medium do you put your starts for geraniums in and how long does it take them to root?

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cove2700 replied on 04-15-2012 6:49 PM

Cookie I don't have the MW geraniums (yet) but I start the others by just putting pieces in moist potting soil.  It does take a while for them to root or at least it does mine.  I'd say maybe a couple of wks.  minimum.

 

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