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Trimming Pelargoniums and Geraniums
There are several times during the year that we trim our geraniums or pelargoniums. We do this when removing spent blossoms, when re-invigorating a plant, but trimming is more extensive when we are preparing plants in containers for wintering over. There are a few methods of wintering over, but I will address here the method that leaves the plants in a pot for the winter. The other methods are hanging the plants in a cellar without trimming, or placing them in brown paper bags without trimming.
For plants that have been in the ground, pot them up into the appropriate size container. I prefer clay, but plastic pots work well too as long as over-watering is prevented.
Below is a photo of container zonal geraniums
(Pelargonium x hortorum hybrids) and one 'Regalia' (Pelargonium x domesticum hybrid) before they are trimmed.
These plants have thrived through the summer, blooming almost non-stop without too much trimming. Some of them are in clay pots and some are in plastic.
The first step is to check the plant over for any insect or disease problems. If any of the stems look less than perfect, they would be trimmed first. There have been years when I re-pot all the plants that have been outdoors and are coming in to the house. This eliminates my missing any soil-prone insects. If the plants will be on a heated closed-in sunny porch, in a living room or other indoor room, trimming will be less extensive than if the plants are going to be in a more dormant stage such as in an unheated garage.
For plants that will be indoors, perhaps even under lights, the goal is really to trim the plant enough to make them manageable indoors and for re-invigorating growth. First, remove all the blossom heads. Then, look at the stems and decide if you want to retain any certain shape to the plant. The stems that will be removed can be cut with sharp scissors, an x-acto type knife, or some people snap them at a joint. Any of these cutting methods are fine. The amount of stem to be cut for plants coming into a warm environment is less than for those going into deeper dormancy.
The stem on this plant above is 15 inches long. The red line shows the area it will be cut, and as shown below the cut or snap should be right above a node.
For plants going into deeper dormancy, a lower cut can be made, as it will allow the plant to be more compact and healthy when it resumes active growing again in spring. The scan below shows the lower cut. It is again done just above a node, as new leaves will sprout from the node area.
Plants stored in a cooler environment, above 45 degrees, but less than 60 degrees, such as in a cellar, can be cut back to 6 inches above the soil line. Plants coming into the house that will probably have an average of 65 + degrees will have more winter growth and can be cut to about 10 inches. They are left a little taller because they will have more growth and will need the extra leaves that are left on the plant for photosynthesis.
Here are the trimmed plants, ready to be stored. The two plants on the lowest row and on the right are planned to be under lights in a living room.
The other added benefit of this fall trimming is that the cut stems can be placed in soil or water and new plants started. See the page Starting from Cuttings for how to do this.
Other geranium or pelargonium types can be trimmed in the same manner when needed, keeping the cuts right above the node.
International Geranium Society
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