Soil for indoor geranium: what kind of land is needed, how to choose the composition of the soil for planting at home and what does this flower dislike when watering and feeding?

Geranium or Pelargonium is an incredibly beautiful plant often grown at home. Pelargonium has a delightful color of lush flowers, it fits perfectly into any interior, and fills the house with coziness and warmth. Geranium belongs to unpretentious indoor plants, but you need to take care of the flower at home correctly so that it has an excellent appearance. Competent care includes: replanting, temperature, lighting and watering. Each time a geranium is transplanted, the required soil composition should be used for its cultivation.

How to transplant geranium from the street

So, we will learn how to correctly transplant geranium back from the street into a pot. The day before, you need to water the plants well - maybe even with some excess. Then carefully dig up the bush along with a lump of earth and transfer it into a pot of a suitable size.

If the bush has grown and does not fit into its previous pot, you can take cuttings from the plant and grow a new, young plant. Or divide the bush into several and plant them in several pots.

Further geranium again passes into the category of indoor plants. When transferred from open ground to a house, the death of some of the leaves is a completely natural and inevitable phenomenon. This is how the plant adapts to new conditions.

Soil preparation for pelargonium

You can buy soil for pelargonium ready-made or mix humus for 2 hours, sand for 1 hour and peat for 1 hour. The root system of a plant can become moldy if you take heavy and stale soil. The plant loves nutritious and loose soil. After transplanting, the earth is not rammed; once a month, the top layer is additionally loosened. Geraniums need a high sod layer (at least 2 cm).

Pelargonium bait after transplant

The plant accepts fertilizing with mineral compositions well. At the end of winter, they begin to feed with potash and phosphorus compounds. On the other hand, nitrogenous ones are reduced. This promotes abundant flowering in spring. Top dressing is carried out once a month (in winter and autumn) and once a week (from early spring to late summer). Two weeks before transplanting into the house, the bait is stopped.

Lighting and temperature

Geranium should overwinter at a temperature of 8–10 ° C, but it tolerates an ordinary room one well. Do not put a flower on the south windows. Although the plant loves light, the afternoon sun is unacceptable. Twilight will have a detrimental effect on flowering. In the spring, geraniums can be transferred to the loggia before disembarking in the garden.

Humidity and watering

Geranium is moisture-loving. Watering abundantly should be done daily. Water for irrigation should be at room temperature.

The humidity in the room is allowed at least 20%. In apartments with a central heating system, the leaves are treated with a spray bottle every two days.

What land is needed for geranium

To find the perfect geranium soil, pay attention to the following characteristics:

Looseness of the soil. Its breathability depends on it.
The ability to pass and retain moisture.
Nutrient content (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium). In order for pelargonium to develop favorably, it is advisable to use moderately nutritious soil. In a well-fertilized soil, the plant can begin to build up a green mass of leaves.
Soil acidity.For pelargonium, it is recommended to choose slightly acidic or neutral soil.
The mechanical composition of the soil. Squeeze a little damp earth in your hand - suitable soil will crumble, poor-quality soil will collapse into a dense lump.

An important aspect is the composition of the soil. To ensure friability and moisture permeability, high-moor peat is an indispensable base.

land for geranium photos

Note! Its positive properties are beneficial only under the condition of regular watering and feeding.

An environmentally friendly fertilizer, dolomite flour, based on peat, saturates the soil with magnesium and reduces acidity. In inexpensive substrates, dolomite chips are replaced by chalk, but chalk is not a source of nutrients. Additional components are vermiculite, perlite, charcoal, sand.

A flower transplant should be carried out annually, since the land for pelargonium must be constantly renewed.

Preparing a substrate for planting a flower

Preparing the substrate and planting pelargonium is a simple process, if you follow some rules:

Before preparing the substrate, you must choose a container for planting. If you reuse the pot, it must be washed and disinfected.
Place a good drain on the bottom of the container. You can use expanded clay, pebbles, crushed stone, broken brick, etc. A quarter of the volume of the pot or flowerpot is taken to the drainage layer.
Next, you need to pick up a neutral or slightly acidic soil. Air permeability and water permeability are important conditions.
The substrate should contain: turf, leafy soil, peat, sand, charcoal. You can buy potting mix at a flower shop or make your own.
A couple of weeks before planting the flower, you can sterilize the substrate. To do this, place the soil mixture in an oven at 80C or in a water bath.
For planting a flower, it is best to choose a moderately fertilized soil. Once every few months, you need to feed the geranium with liquid fertilizers.
The last stage is watering with distilled or boiled settled water.

Drainage

In addition to the drainage holes in the pot, geraniums are vital for drainage in the form of a layer of bulk materials. Usually a layer of 2-3 cm is placed on the bottom of the container.The materials for creating drainage can be as follows:

Expanded clay. Expanded clay gravel is a piece of fired clay. Due to its porous structure, it perfectly absorbs excess moisture. The advantage of expanded clay is the ability to accumulate moisture and give it to the substrate as needed. It is also used as drainage due to its low weight. Some manufacturers offer expanded clay, enriched with trace elements.
Shards of pottery or brick chips. Drainage from fragments of earthenware, broken brick can be prepared by yourself. The layer of drainage material must be sprinkled with sand.
Styrofoam. This material is recommended for use with indoor plant hydrogel, which can absorb large amounts of water. The downside of the material is the risk of geranium roots growing into the foam.
Coal. The antiseptic properties of charcoal are the main advantages of this drainage material.
Vermiculite. Available exclusively from a flower shop. High water absorption capacity is the most valuable property of vermiculite.

in a pot, geraniums are vital drainage photo

Note! Geranium does not tolerate stagnant water in a pot or flowerpot. Excessive watering leads to yellowing of the leaves, rotting and death of pelargonium. Therefore, the plant needs a high-quality drainage system.

Clay materials can be reused after transplanting. Be sure to rinse and disinfect them with a manganese solution.

Important! Choose a material that is not susceptible to rotting and the spread of pathogenic bacteria.

Possible mistakes

The Pelargonium plant is unfriendly, but if you make mistakes when leaving, it will get sick and may die. Let's take a look at some of the most common mistakes:

Overflowing. The leaves are willing and falling off. It is necessary to let the soil in the pot dry out, then loosen the top layer.
The temperature is too low. The edges of the leaves turn red. Delivery of the flower to a warmer room.
The soil is heavy. The leaf desires and falls, the root system began to rot. It is necessary to change the soil.
The plant is infected with microorganisms. Gray spots appear on the leaves, the trunk dries. It is necessary to work with fungicides, change or sterilize the soil, remove the affected leaves.

Transplanting geraniums from a garden to a pot in the fall is a simple process. The most important thing is to follow the exact rules of the recommendation.

How to transplant geraniums into another pot

If you have already transplanted indoor geranium from one pot to another, then transplanting it from the street is no different from this procedure, which takes place in several stages:

we prepare a container, soil and water for transplanting (it must be settled and at room temperature);
the container for one geranium bush should be small - it is a pot 10‒15 cm high with a diameter of 15 cm. It is in small pots that the most intense flowering of the plant is noted;
the soil can be purchased at a flower shop - this is an earthen mixture for growing geraniums, or prepared independently, consisting of 8 parts of sod land, 2 parts of humus and 1 part of sand;
put drainage on the bottom of the pot, which can be crushed brick, expanded clay or river pebbles;
we take a geranium bush, previously extracted from open ground, or from another pot, and examine the roots - we cut off those that are rotten or affected by pests;
we lower the plant into a pot and pour in the substrate. We carefully compact the earth surrounding the roots, and fill up all the voids between the roots and the walls of the pot. Moreover, the ground for laying in a pot must be pre-moistened;
water the transplanted plant and put it in a dark place for a week;
after seven days, we place the flower in a well-lit place, where it should be constantly;
2 months after transplanting, you can feed the plant.

Many are interested in how often to transplant geraniums? Usually, the first transplant should be carried out in the spring 2 years after planting a young plant, and then as needed, based on the reasons mentioned above, but not more often than once a year.

For many decades, geranium has been such a frequent inhabitant of Soviet window sills that many have managed to set their teeth on edge. But neglect of this plant is not entirely justified, because today's geraniums only vaguely resemble those stunted bushes that can still be found in some institutions. Lush greenery, a huge number of shades of petals and patterns on the leaves have successfully won their small army of fans, which only grows from year to year.

Geranium is a completely unpretentious houseplant. One of the few things that can significantly harm her is a transplant. In the article, we will tell you step by step when and how you can transplant geraniums at home after buying it or in other situations, show a photo of the plant after transplanting.

What kind of soil does the flower like?

Geranium is not a timid plant, and errors in the use of the land are permissible, which, however, should not be abused. Geranium loves loose, fertile and well-drained soil, with acidic, slightly acidic or neutral pH. Ready-made geranium soil mixes can be purchased at flower shops.

You can buy a ready-made substrate for flowering indoor plants or a universal soil by adding:

vermiculite;
washed river sand;
peat;
perlite.

TIP: The mixture must be carefully moved and made sure that there are no lumps, mold and signs of insect activity. To provide the roots with good aeration, it is necessary to lay expanded clay or broken brick on the bottom of the pot.

Pelargonium in the fall. Autumn: cut geraniums in time

This geranium needs pruning for a long time! ()

Geranium is one of the favorite plants of flower growers. She is unpretentious, and her lush umbrellas adorn the bush until autumn. And then the question arises - what to do with the flower next? An excellent, I would even say, a necessary option is cropping.

Why? Yes, because our geranium managed to grow strongly before summer and release new (and not always necessary, I hasten to notice!) Shoots. Chaotic twigs spoil the whole picture and decorativeness. Again, we need to give the flowering and fragrant bush an attractive shape. Even if you are happy with the appearance of the geranium, pruning is also a rejuvenation of the plant, which improves the growth of pelargonium.

Interesting: Of course, there is an alternative. Cut geranium cuttings and root them again. But the laws of nature were distributed so that such a procedure should be carried out in the spring, when the active growing season of the indoor plant begins. But in the fall, when the life processes of a flower slow down due to a decrease in temperature and a decrease in the duration of daylight hours, the stalk may not give roots or not take root.

So when to cut geraniums according to all the canons of floriculture?

Briefly about the plant

ATTENTION: The name of this plant comes from the Greek language, in translation - crane. It came from the similarity of geranium fruits with the beak of this bird. The plant received similar names in other languages, for example, the crane in Russia. The plant is very diverse, but we are familiar with it as an indoor or garden flower.

Geranium acquired a beautiful appearance through the efforts of the English breeder George Tradescan... Even then, its healing properties were known: an ointment with geranium juice got rid of lice, and nose drops helped to cope with colds. Even Peter the Great himself cured an ingrown nail, which caused him a lot of suffering, with the help of this plant.

For a long time, geranium has been pleasing with its lush flowering flower growers. It is quite undemanding to care for (for more details on how to care for geraniums in order to avoid various problems in growing, we wrote here). In addition, it cleans the air, thanks to the special substances phytoncides.

When can and should you transplant?

All indoor flowers need to be transplanted periodically, when the plant grows out of the previous pot, and the soil loses its beneficial properties. In the case of geraniums, this operation must be carried out every 2-3 years. But there are always times when a transplant needs to be performed off-schedule:

if the roots become cramped in the pot (the roots are visible on the surface of the substrate and in the drainage holes);
if the plant turns yellow and withers, the earth does not dry out completely and there is a suspicion of the occurrence of root rot;
if, despite proper care, geranium does not grow and does not bloom. One of the possible reasons is unsuitable soil (which soil is suitable for indoor geraniums?);
if at the beginning of autumn it is necessary to transfer the plant from open ground back to the room.

Is it allowed to do this with a flowering plant?

Transplanting the plant during the flowering period is strongly discouraged, because he simply does not have the strength to successfully cope with such stress. It is necessary to wait until the geranium has faded, otherwise, with a high probability, the buds will fall off, the leaves will begin to turn yellow and the flower may even die. If a transplant is needed urgently and there is no way to wait for the end of flowering, it must be done very carefully, by transshipment. It is better to cut off all peduncles beforehand.This will allow the plant to focus on restoring the root system without wasting energy on further flowering and seed formation.

Indications

If you nevertheless decide to transplant during the flowering period, there must be objective reasons for this:

The roots took up the whole pot, there was practically no soil left. You can see the roots sticking out of the holes in the bottom of the container. In this case, the plant with a lump is easily removed.
For some reason, the flower was flooded with water, and this threatens its life.
The flower does not grow, blooms poorly, has a weakened appearance, few leaves in the lower part of the stem, despite care and feeding.
The plant has undergone some kind of disease that infects the soil.

A common mistake of novice florists is transplanting into too large a container. Until the plant has mastered this space, it will not begin to bloom fully. It is worth replanting only when the roots have occupied the entire volume of the earthen coma... In a container with a diameter of a couple of centimeters larger.

Features of the

In Soviet times, almost every house had a window sill decorated with geraniums. Many have retained in their memory that this plant is unremarkable, but today's varieties are simply mesmerizing with their beauty and interesting color schemes, patterns on the leaves, and lush greenery. Every year the number of fans only increases, so it is worth considering in more detail how to transplant indoor geraniums, as well as note the subtleties of caring for it.

Geranium is an unpretentious plant that does not require special care. The only danger for a flower is a transplant, because if it is done incorrectly, the plant may even die. Indoor flowers need to be transplanted for the following reasons:

the plant grows, its root system cannot fit in a cramped pot;
the soil loses nutrients, the plant needs new soil for normal growth and development.

You need to transplant geraniums at home 2-3 times a year. But sometimes there are situations when a plant needs an unscheduled transplant. It is correct not to hesitate with a transplant in the following cases:

when the pot becomes small for the plant, while the roots are usually visible in the holes of the pot, they are also visible over the substrate;
if the geranium receives proper care, but does not grow, and also does not bloom, here the problem may lie in the wrong substrate;
when geranium begins to wither, its leaves turn yellow, and the soil cannot dry out completely, which is usually caused by rot of the root system;
if you need to plant a plant from open ground in a pot in the fall for further growing at home.

Soil value

Why not transplant pelargonium into the first substrate that comes across on the counter in a flower shop? The fact is that the fate of the plant depends on the composition of the soilwhether it will bloom at home or not.

Turf. It is rich in nutrients that are so necessary for the growth of indoor plants: palm, dracaena, monstera, ficus.
Leafy land. It is obtained in a simple way: in the fall, foliage is collected, stacked. In the summer they constantly spill it with water, remembering to shovel it at least twice. Even after 2-3 years begonias, cyclamens, camellias, myrtle, etc. are planted in it.
Peat - an obligatory mixture to increase the acidity of the soil. It is collected in a swamp, stacked, shoveled from time to time to eliminate harmful substances.
Heather land , it is harvested in heather thickets, and then added to pots with azaleas, orchids, gloxinia, etc.

Suitable periods

The best time to transplant geraniums is the end of winter and the beginning of spring. (approximately February to April). A plant emerging from a dormant state will best survive this traumatic operation.

Is it permissible to carry out the procedure in the summer?

Can you transplant in the summer? During the period of active growth, you can safely carry out the procedure, the main thing is that it does not coincide with the flowering stage.

What about autumn?

With the end of the warm season, geraniums grown in the open field must be transferred back to the house (read about growing geraniums in the open field here). In this case, a transplant is simply necessary and the plant will transfer it without much loss (if the procedure is performed according to all the rules).

Stages

Pot selection

A large volume of geranium substrate is not needed, for the first planting, a pot 10-12 cm in diameter is quite suitable. With each subsequent transplant, the container must be selected 2-3 cm larger than the previous one. A pot that significantly exceeds the size of the root system will sooner or later lead to waterlogging of the soil, which can cause the death of the plant.
In a ceramic pot, geranium will feel better than in a plastic one. Clay is able to remove excess moisture and salts from the soil, which will best affect the growth of the plant.

Substrate making

Geranium is one of the most unpretentious plants when it comes to the quality of the soil, it can grow in both ordinary garden soil and in a universal substrate for flowering plants. There are also special mixtures, here are some formulations:

humus, sod land, river sand in a ratio of 2: 2: 1;
garden soil, peat, sand in equal proportions;
turf land, leaf land, peat, sand in equal proportions.

Before transplanting a plant into a new substrate, it must be sterilized. This will help avoid various diseases and pests.

Plant preparation

There are no specific ways to facilitate geranium transplantation. The main thing is to choose the right time (you cannot transplant in winter and at the time of flowering). The day before, the plant must be watered abundantly so that the substrate is completely saturated with moisture - this will help to more easily remove the flower from the pot. You can also use growth stimulants as an additional guarantee that the geranium will recover successfully.

Choice of potting mix

In order for pelargonium to feel good in a new pot, the optimal soil should be selected for it. The soil should be loose and well-drained. The following compositions correspond to these qualities:

special soil for pelargonium;
universal potting mix suitable for indoor flowers;
land from the garden. For team colors, topcoat should be used. It is best to take land from under fruit trees and bushes;
DIY soil for pelargonium. To create it, you need components such as vermiculite, perlite and river sand. The first two components can be replaced with humus and peat. They are taken in equal proportions. You can also mix river sand (coarse fraction), humus and sod soil in a ratio of 1: 2: 8.

Which composition to choose, each grower decides for himself. Remember that the soil chosen for geraniums must be free of pathogenic microflora and parasites. Therefore, it can be treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

After it has been determined which soil should be used, the pot that is optimal in size should be chosen. In this case, the soil for room geranium is always poured into the pot on top of the drainage layer, consisting of small pebbles.

Why transplant geranium

The need to transplant a plant arises when the root system grows and it becomes cramped in the planting container. You can understand this by lifting the pot - the tips of the roots will be visible through the drainage holes. At the same time, the flower begins to suffer from a constant deficiency of nutrients, it is easily exposed to diseases, there is a risk of its death.

The flower needs transplants as it grows

A transplant may be needed in the following cases:

the occurrence of root rot due to a violation of the irrigation regime;
stimulation of the onset of the flowering stage after a prolonged dormant period;
excessive exposure of the lower part of the stems;
soil contamination with pests and pathogenic microorganisms;
the need to replace a damaged pot;
severe depletion of soil for pelargonium;
rejuvenation needs.

Additional Information! To rejuvenate a flower, it must be planted in a new container. Simultaneous reproduction by dividing the bush is possible.

Step-by-step instructions for transplanting

We will tell you how to properly transplant geraniums at home and on the street.

At home

Before proceeding with the transplant, it is necessary to prepare a new pot, soil, drainage, a sharp knife or scissors, and water for irrigation. Further, the procedure is simple:

Place a drain on the bottom of a new pot (for example, expanded clay or broken brick).
Cover the drainage layer with earth.
Remove the plant from the old pot. To do this, it is best to firmly grip the geranium by the base, turn it over, and then gently pull the pot up.
Examine the root system carefully and use a knife or scissors to remove any dry or rotten areas. If the damage is not visible, it is better not to disturb the earthen lump.
Place the geraniums in the center of a new pot and sprinkle gently with earth in a circle without tamping.
Water abundantly so that the soil is completely saturated with water.

In open ground

For transplanting a flower outside, it is very important to choose a moment when the temperature stabilizes and frosts will not threaten the plant. The very end of spring or the beginning of summer is best suited.

The disembarkation process proceeds as follows:

The soil must be thoroughly loosened (approximately 35 cm deep).
Dig a hole the size of which can fully accommodate the root system of the planted geranium.
Put a layer of soil mixture on the bottom of the pit (purchased soil or one of the options described above is suitable).
Carefully remove the plant from the pot so that the roots are not damaged and place in the center of the hole.
Next, you need to sprinkle it in a circle with earth, so that the roots are completely covered.
Sprinkle with water in moderation.

Geranium planted in the garden can delight with its flowering until autumn, some species are even able to successfully winter, but it is better to transfer the plant back to the apartment with the onset of a cold snap. Read about the intricacies of care for geraniums in winter here.

We offer you to watch a video about transplanting geraniums into open ground:

Getting rid of pests

If a geranium flower is planted, home care is to eliminate pests that can infect the plant. The following diseases usually appear:

Gray rot. In this case, the leaves are removed, and the bush is treated with antifungal agents.
Root rot. Appears due to frequent watering. The flower must be transplanted by removing the rotten roots.
Whitefly. With this ailment, the leaves turn yellow. You need a tool like Actellik. Multiple processing may be required.
Powdery mildew. The leaves have a whitish bloom. This is a fungal disease, treatment is performed by Topsin-M or Topaz.
Aphid. You can notice it on the lower sides of the leaves. There are many drugs in stores that eliminate pests.
Rust. This is a fungal disease that fungicides are used to treat.

Geraniums may stop blooming. This happens when the conditions of detention are violated. For example, there is a lack of light or the soil is very moist. Subject to the rules of care, the plant will develop well, delighting its owners.

Geranium flower is a wonderful decoration for home furnishings. It is enough to properly care for it, and then it will delight with its appearance and aroma all year round.

How to return a flower from the street home?

It is worth replanting geraniums back to the pot in early September. before the onset of the first cold weather (read more about growing geraniums at home in this material).

The procedure in this case will be as follows:

Water abundantly so that the entire root system is saturated with moisture.
Pour the drainage layer and a small amount of the substrate into the prepared pot.
Gently dig up the plant along with the clod of earth surrounding the roots.
Remove excess soil and carefully examine the root system. If the roots are too wide, they can be pruned, as well as all dry and damaged areas.
Place the geraniums with the rest of the earth in a pot and sprinkle with earth in a circle. There should be at least 1 cm to the top of the pot.
Water in moderation so that the soil is saturated with moisture.

In the photo below you can see what the geranium looks like after transplanting, on the street and at home in a pot:

Choosing material and size

To date flower shops abound with a huge variety of different plant pots... But not all of them alone are suitable for comfortable growing geraniums, since each type of pot has its own advantages and disadvantages.

First you need to decide on the material from which the pot will be made.

Plastic pots they are durable, have a low weight, low price, and the peculiarities of production allow them to be given various shapes and colors, therefore, products made from this material look better in the interior.
Clay pots meet the requirements of the plant well. The moisture in such pots will evaporate faster, which will prevent root rot, and the clay washes out salts harmful to the plant from the soil. True, from this, the pot will eventually turn black. Clay products have a porous structure that provides additional aeration allowing the roots to breathe.

Watch a video about choosing a pot for room geranium:

Preparation

Before proceeding directly to the procedure itself, you should pay attention to the main points of preparation.

Pot

Choosing the right pot size is difficult for beginners. You should not buy a very large pot, because the plant does not need a lot of soil for normal development. If the flower is transplanted for the first time, then a container of 10-12 cm in diameter will be the best choice. The next transplant will be carried out into another pot, while its diameter should be 2-3 cm larger than that of the previous one. If the container is too large for a flower, then over time the soil will become waterlogged, which will lead to rotting of the root system. If we consider the various materials from which the pots are made, then ceramic models are more suitable than plastic pots. Many gardeners use clay containers, because this material perfectly removes residual moisture and salts, as a result, the plant grows and develops well.

Can you plant like that?

Due to the ability of geraniums to survive and continue to grow even in unfavorable conditions, it can be propagated without using roots. But in general there are three ways to propagate this culture:

The first method takes too much time and patience, because in order to germinate seeds, you need to provide strictly defined conditions, the second is rather risky, since delicate roots in the process of dividing them are very easy to damage, but the third, by cuttings, is preferred by most people involved in the cultivation and breeding of geraniums.

The main advantage of this method is the ability to propagate the plant without touching its roots, which guarantees the complete safety of the mother plant.

Follow-up care

Due to the fact that geranium is very sensitive to the transplanting process, it needs special attention during this period.Despite the fact that at normal times this plant thrives on a southern or southeastern windowsill in bright sunlight, it is better to place the transplanted flower in a shaded place for about a week.

Watering should be done in moderation, carefully monitoring how the soil dries up. Geranium does not need much moisture, she is accustomed to the arid climate. As a result, waterlogging can be detrimental to her, especially when the plant is weakened after transplantation.

It is not necessary to fertilize the flower for 2-3 months after transplantation; all the elements necessary for growth are contained in sufficient quantities in the renewed soil. In the future, feeding can be done once a month, special means for geraniums, or universal fertilizers for flowering indoor plants are suitable. At the first feeding, it is important to reduce the dosage by 2-3 times in order to avoid damage to the roots, then apply fertilizer according to the instructions. Find out how and what to feed a plant at home or at a summer cottage here, and in this material read about how to prepare and use iodine dressing.

Our grandmothers also proved that geraniums can grow and even bloom in spite of any conditions: in a simple land, not rich in nutrients, under the scorching sun rays or far from them, on a balcony, where even in summer the temperature can drop below +10.

Geranium can withstand almost everything, except for an incorrectly made transplant and a constant excess of moisture. But this does not mean that extreme conditions are familiar to this plant, like other indoor flowers, geraniums need care, and then it will reciprocate.

Can I do this after purchase?

Can you transplant after purchase? As a person familiar with store flowers firsthand, I can tell you unequivocally - no. The plant was transplanted in a nursery, then it survived, possibly, several transports, a stay at transshipment bases and warehouses. The penultimate step was the store where you bought it. And finally, your home.

Geraniums, usually also blooming, have received a huge dose of stress. Transplanting a flower immediately after purchase would be an unforgivable mistake.... A period of rest is required, during which geraniums adapt to new conditions.

Very often, flowers bought in a store die after flowering. During this period, a very careful attitude towards them is required: you need to monitor the temperature, humidity of the air and soil, protect to the maximum from any external influences.

How to water properly?

In summer, it is recommended to water the plant abundantly, but make sure that the ground dries out completely between watering cycles. It is quite simple to check the dryness of the soil, for this you need to immerse your finger in the ground 1-2 phalanges, your sensations will be enough to determine the moisture content.

If you still have doubts, just follow the rule: in geranium irrigation, it is better to underfill water than to pour it... The fact is that geranium comes from arid Africa, its roots and leaves are adapted for the accumulation of excess moisture and its rational consumption during periods of drought. Constant dampness will lead to decay of the roots, and fungi that are detrimental to the plant can form in the ground.

When to transplant

It is equally important to know about the periods when the transplant is completely contraindicated, as well as the reasons for such a ban:

The period is from November to the end of February, as geraniums begin preparing for the approaching winter, gradually going into hibernation mode. The slowdown in all processes associated with life leads to the fact that adaptation in a new place can also be delayed for a rather long period.This can affect both the condition of the plant and postpone the onset of its flowering period.
The period from May to the end of summer is also extremely undesirable for transplanting without an urgent need. This is due to the fact that in the summer, the active flowering of geranium begins, therefore, it spends on this process and preparation for it most of its vitality and the accumulated reserve of nutrients. Any changes made during a period when the flower was in a weakened state can lead to the fact that it will be very difficult for him to experience them.