deadheading geraniums

Question

Is it true that you should deadhead a new bloom on a geranium when first planted? I have been told that right after I planted my geranium, which there was a nice red bloom on it, that I needed to take it off, so that the plant would get bigger and spread out faster. I don’t want to look at a green plant when there is a new bloom and it looks pretty! What is the right thing to do?

Answer 1

To encourage a geranium to become bushier, you pinch 1/4 to 1/2 inch off the end of all stems that are at least a few inches long. This will create a fuller looking plant by forcing the geranium to grow two new stems off the original. You do not have to take off your flower – enjoy that flower! You can wait until the flower fades before nipping it off.

For more information on pinching geraniums, please visit the following link:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/geranium/pruning-geraniums.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/pinching-plant.htm