For your geraniums, hot weather and drought are bad news. Although these plants are generally hardy, they can sometimes suffer from these hazards.
In this article, we’ll look at how to restore vigor and beauty to geraniums that have previously suffered from heat and drought.
We’ll look at what causes geraniums to dry out and turn black, and at the steps you can take to restore their vitality.
Causes of geraniums drying out and turning black
After a heatwave, it’s essential to understand the reasons for the plant’s drying out and black discoloration.
There are two main factors to consider:
- Water stress: during a heatwave, water evaporation is higher, so the plant is not properly humidified. Geraniums are particularly sensitive to hydric stress, which causes leaves and flowers to dry out.
- Excessive heat: Geraniums love the sun, but they also need cool conditions to ensure proper development. So when the heat is too intense, plant cells break down and the plant’s leaves and flowers can turn black.
Restoring vigour and beauty to your geranium
Now that you know the causes of your geranium’s disastrous condition, it’s time to do something about it.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Prune out dried-out, blackened parts: Remove all damaged leaves and flowers using clean, disinfected pruning shears.
- Water deeply: To rehydrate the soil and provide your geranium with the water it needs, it’s important to water deeply. You need to moisten the soil until it is completely saturated with water.
- Apply fertilizer: To help your geranium recover, you can apply a specific fertilizer for flowering plants.
- Observe and adjust: Over the following days and weeks, observe your geranium carefully for signs of recovery.
By following these steps, your geranium should gradually regain its pre-heat-wave vitality and beauty.
Protect your geranium: tips and advice
Once you’ve saved your geranium from the heatwave, it’s time to think about how to protect it in hot, dry weather.
Here are some tips and advice to put into practice:
- Choose the right location: If your geranium is in a pot, move it to a more suitable spot for protection.
- Optimize watering: To avoid water stress, it’s important to water your geranium regularly and abundantly, especially during heatwaves.
- Use mulch: Mulch is an organic material spread over the soil surface to protect plant roots, conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature. You can use pine bark, wood shavings or dead leaves to mulch the base of your geranium.
- Monitor your geranium’s health: Finally, monitor your geranium’s health on a regular basis and intervene quickly if there are any signs of water stress or excessive heat.
By applying these tips, you’ll boost your geranium’s resistance to heatwaves.
The most heat-resistant geranium varieties
There are many varieties of geranium that are more resistant to heatwaves than others.
- Bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum): native to Europe and Western Asia, this cranesbill produces bright pink to dark red flowers and can reach heights of 30 to 50 cm.
- Geranium macrorrhizum: native to the mountains of Eastern Europe and Southwest Asia, this geranium is also highly drought-resistant. It has pale pink to violet-pink flowers and fragrant foliage.
- Geranium cinereum: native to the mountains of Southern Europe. It is particularly suited to dry, rocky soils and produces pale pink to dark purple flowers.
By choosing heatwave-resistant geranium varieties, you’ll increase your garden’s chances of success.
Protecting and caring for your geraniums during heatwaves will enable you to enjoy their beauty and bloom all summer long.
