Q.Geraniums
I want to save my geraniums over the winter with the dormant hanging upside down method in my crawl space. (Michigan winters) My geraniums are huge. They are three foot around and about 18 inches high, first year plants. Do I cut them back now or wait till spring to trim them?
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
They are generally pruned back by a third prior to bringing them indoors.
I've always felt that hanging a geranium upside down in the basement sounded like "cruel and unusual punishment". I would suggest that if the plant is in the ground, transplant it into a container that barely holds the roots, get it somewhat established, then give it a good pruning. If the plant is already in a container, go ahead with the pruning. Set the plant in a cool place that is sunny, and keep it rather dry through the winter months. We hold our geraniums over this way, and they respond beautifully. Since their root system does not have to revive itself, the plant looks a lot nicer more quickly when spring finally comes.
