Geranium - (Zonal Group - Annual) Feeding Instructions
Before determining how to fertilize annual bedding plants in the garden, you will need to make sure that the seasonal color beds you intend to plant have been properly prepared. Without a suitable planting bed, you will never get adequate performance from your annual bedding plants, even if you fertilize them regularly. Below are a few basic instructions and initial steps to take in order to build a "raised" annual bed that will grow healthy annual bedding plants for years to come:
- STEP 1: Start by outlining the shape of your annual flower bed with marking paint or flour.
- STEP 2: Then, with a round point shovel trench a shallow ditch around the perimeter of the bed following the outline. Cast soil from trench into the interior area of bed. For larger beds it will be necessary to bring in extra screened native top soil to raise your bed to at least a 6" height at the center and taper gradually to grade.
- STEP 3: Then till or turn in an organic compost, such as mushroom compost or composted cow manure, at a 25 to 50 percent ratio with the native soil. (depending on quality of native soil.) Avoid planting in straight organic matter or planting soil mixes that come in bags as a mixture with the native soil is best.
- STEP 4: After tilling, use a garden or leaf rake to smooth into a tapered mound. Now you are ready to plant.
SEE: Planting Instruction A Raised Flowerbed for more detailed instruction.
Fertilizing Your Annual Bedding Plants
In Beds: For season-long feeding, fertilize at time of planting with a slow-release, granular or capsule-type flower food that will last for the entire season. Some granular bedding plant fertilizers will slowly release over a 4 to 6 week period of time. There are also organic fertilizers that work wonderfully. If you like feeding your plants on a more regular basis, you can use a water soluble fertilizer to liquid feed your bedding plants every week or two, or on an as-needed basis. Refer to product label for application rates and instruction.
NOTE: After fertlizing with a granular fertilizer always wash fertilizer off leaves of plants. Do not water your annual bedding plants late in the evening as water that remains on leaves overnight can lead to growth of fungus resulting in decline of plants. Watering during the morning hours is best.
In Containers/Pots:First, when growing annual plants in containers, always use a professional "Potting Mix". Cheap ($1-a-bag "Potting Soils") are not recommended. Fill container with potting mix (tamping as you go) to a point 1/2 to 1" below the top edge of the pot. Fertilize annuals growing in pots with a slow-release flower food or once a week or so with a water soluble plant food. Refer to product label for application rates and instruction.
Geranium - (Zonal Group - Annual) Pruning Instructions
Zonal Geraniums do require deadheading. Remove spent flowers by cutting at the base of the flower stem. Yellowing leaves at the base of the plant should be removed to keep plant healthy and tidy. Plant after all danger of frost has passed and the soil is warm.
Geranium - (Zonal Group - Annual) Pest Instructions
When planted in the right soil mix (well-drained, light soil), Zonal Geraniums have no serious pest or disease problems. Plants that do not receive morning sun to dry dew from leaves may develop leaf spot. Overly saturated soil will cause root rot and decline of the plant. Best allowed to dry out a little between waterings.