Geraniums, a tender perennial, require lifting and storage to withstand the winter months in areas that freeze. Winterizing geraniums can take a little time, but the tubers can successfully be regrown the following spring to bloom again. This helps save money each year, because the gardener does not have to buy new plants.
Potted Geranium Care
Potted geraniums require storage away from cold temperatures in a location that remains below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, but above freezing so the plants can remain dormant. Move the pots indoors, place them in a cellar, a garage or other sheltered location where they will not suffer from freezing weather. The leaves may turn yellow and fall from the plant, but they will return with vigor when spring weather arrives. The plant will require watering only when it is excessively dry. Too much watering can cause the geranium to suffer rot or other fungal diseases
Lifting the Geranium Tubers
Dig up the tuberous root system of the geranium plant in the fall, prior to the first heavy frost. Shake all dirt away from the plant’s root system. Clip away the plant’s top growth and discard. Remove any damaged or diseased sections of the root system and discard. Dust the tuberous roots with a general purpose fungicide to help prevent the roots from suffering fungus during the winter storage months. Never store tubers that are moist or they will easily become infected with fungus. Make sure the tubers are completely dry prior to storing.
Place the tubers into a paper bag filled with dry peat moss. When storing a great deal of tubers, consider placing them in a plastic container with a lid filled with peat moss.
The geranium tubers will need to be stored in a dry, dark location until spring.
Alternative Method
Gardeners who have an old fashioned root cellar may want to consider storing geranium tubers the way past generations once did. Simply dig up the plant, shake the excessive dirt from its root system and hang it upside down in the cellar. The plant must be kept in the dark when stored this way. Also make sure there is no drastic deviation in temperature.
Winter Time Care
Exam the geranium tubers monthly to make sure there are no signs of fungus or rot. If a tuber looks infected, promptly discard or the tuber because it may infect the remaining tubers.
Halfway through the winter months lightly dust the tubers again with fungicide, to prevent fungal infections from arising.
Springtime Care
When all danger of frost has passed, remove the tubers from their storage area. Check all the tubers to make sure they are healthy. Tubers may appear shriveled, black or have areas of white fur. Any tubers that appear unhealthy will need to be discarded.
Replant healthy tubers in containers or in the garden. The tubers will quickly begin to grow as the soil temperatures rise.
Benefits
Successfully winterizing a geranium can give the gardener a feeling of satisfaction, because the plant can continue to provide enjoyment for several years. There is no reason to allow a perfectly healthy plant to die if it can be successfully stored and regrown.