How to transplant geraniums - step by step instructions at home and on the street

Geranium is considered one of the most unassuming indoor plants. But growers who grow a flower on their windowsills know how important it is to create suitable conditions for it. One of the mandatory procedures is to move to a new pot. This requires knowing exactly how to transplant geraniums.

Why transplant geranium

The need to transplant a plant arises when the root system grows and 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.

Optimal time for the procedure

The time at which the flower is transplanted largely determines the period of its adaptation in a new place. Usually, a geranium transplant at home is carried out in the spring. With an increase in daylight hours, the plant starts vegetative processes, it most easily perceives stressful changes. At the same time, some growers are guided by the lunar calendar, knowing about the reaction of plants to the movement of the night star.

The most unfavorable time is considered to be the winter months. The plant transshipment carried out in March or April will give the best results and will be the most painless.

Move the flower back to the house or apartment before the onset of cold weather

Is it possible to transplant geraniums during flowering or in summer

Geranium transplant is allowed at any time of the year, but under favorable conditions the plant blooms almost continuously throughout the summer. Can blooming geraniums be transplanted?

With active budding, the bush spends a lot of resources, and entails a protracted recovery period. As a result, the bush may not cope with stress and shed flowers. It is for this reason that it is recommended to postpone the transplant for another time.

Do I need a transplant after purchase

Many purchased flowers quickly die when they find themselves in a home environment. At the same time, the plant is provided with complete rest so that it adapts to the changed external conditions, because in a short period of time the flower has experienced a number of stressful situations: transplantation on the garden site, transportation, maintenance in the store.

Experienced growers try not to transplant geraniums immediately after purchase. In the first days after the appearance of a new plant in the apartment, the optimal temperature and humidity are maintained.

Plant preparation for transplanting

The day before replanting the flower, it is watered abundantly so that the basal earthy clod more easily comes out of the pot when handling the plant.

There are no other ways to minimize plant transplant stress. The only way to mitigate the consequences of the procedure is to choose the optimal time.

Pot size and material

When choosing a new pot for transplanting geraniums, the reasons for the procedure are taken into account. If you need to move a flower that has become cramped in the previous planter, the size of the new container should be 1-2 cm larger.Choosing a pot that is too large will lead to the fact that the root system will begin to develop a new space, due to which the flowering period will not come in due term.

In a large pot, the plant will turn into an untidy bush.

When a flowering transplant is carried out, it is recommended to take a pot that exactly matches the volume of the root system. The same applies to the movement of geraniums for the purpose of rejuvenation and the simultaneous division of the bush into several independent plants - each container must be suitable for a new specimen.

It is allowed to use a landing container made of any material. Choosing a plastic planter, take into account that it has poor air permeability, but is more practical to use. A ceramic pot is more expensive but more attractive. It is environmentally friendly and is better suited for long-term cultivation. Due to the porous structure of the material, delicate roots can grow into the pot, which will lead to the risk of damage during transplantation.

Soil composition

Properly selected geranium soil will relieve the plant from severe stress. Soil for room geranium should include the following components:

• turf soil for geraniums - 2 parts;
• rotted humus - 2 parts;
• coarse sand - 1 part.

The soil may contain small amounts of peat. Another option is to purchase a universal soil for flowering crops. Purchased land is suitable for most indoor flowers, fully meeting their nutritional needs.

Drainage layer

Whatever the composition of the soil mixture, the soil for room geraniums should include a drainage layer placed at the bottom of the pot or planting pit. Without it, excess moisture will stagnate in the root zone, resulting in rotting of the root system. The following are used as drainage:

• broken brick;
• expanded clay or pebbles;
• fine crushed stone.

To prevent the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot from clogging, experienced growers cover the drainage layer with a small piece of construction mesh.

The drain is placed on the bottom of the pot.

How to transplant geraniums - step by step instructions

Knowing what kind of land is needed for geraniums, they begin to transship the plant. It is better to find out in advance how to transplant geraniums at home step by step and prepare everything you need.

In addition to moving an indoor flower from one planter to another, they are often transplanted into open ground in the spring and transferred back with the onset of autumn.

At home from one pot to another

Handling home geraniums is easy. The procedure consists of the following steps:

1. A drain is placed at the bottom of the container.
2. A little earth is poured over the drainage layer.
3. The flower is carefully removed from the previous pot along with the root ball.
4. The plant is placed in a new planter, filling the voids with soil mixture.

After the completion of the transplant, the flower is returned to the same place. The first watering is carried out no earlier than 3-4 days later.

In open ground

With the correct movement of geraniums into open ground, the perennial decorates the site with abundant flowering. To make the plant feel comfortable in the garden:

1. The soil in a selected well-lit area is dug up with the addition of compost mixture.
2. A small planting hole is prepared, with a depth equal to the height of the pot, which contains the flower.
3. The plant is carefully rolled over to a new place and the earth is compacted around it with your hands.
4. The transplanted geranium is watered abundantly with settled water.

From open ground to a pot in autumn

For wintering, geraniums are returned to room conditions. You should figure out how to plant geraniums in a pot in this case.

Inspection of the roots avoids the introduction of insect pests into the house

After a thorough inspection:

1. The land around the bush is watered.
2. Prepare a pot with drainage and a small layer of earth.
3. The flower is removed from the soil along with the root ball.
4. The soil is carefully removed from the roots, examined. At the same time, strongly overgrown, non-viable tips are cut off.
5. Geranium is moved into a pot, sprinkled with soil and carefully tamped.

A flower that has spent the summer outdoors is transferred to a well-lit place with minimal shading. It is also advisable to trim the shoots to a length of 20 cm to help the geranium get used to the new environment.

Follow-up care

Those who have undergone transplanting geraniums require special treatment and attention. First of all, the changes concern the location of the flower: the plant, accustomed to bright lighting in the south or southeast window, is transferred to a windowsill with moderate light. The geranium is returned to its usual place 1-2 weeks after the procedure.  You should not be zealous with watering. The frequency of soil moistening depends on the rate of drying of the soil in the pot.

When a new nutrient soil for geraniums is used during transplantation, the flower is not fed for 2-3 months after the procedure. After the specified time, the geranium bush is fertilized once a month with a complex composition for flowering indoor plants. Concentrated preparations are diluted and used strictly according to the instructions. The only exception is the first feeding, during which the dosage should be 2-3 times lower than the minimum.

After summer on the street, geraniums are kept for some time on the balcony or loggia

A strong and undemanding plant can be in the same pot for many years, and feel good. Growing a perennial at home, sooner or later you will have to familiarize yourself with the rules of transplantation and reproduction. It is important to consider what kind of land geraniums love. A competently transplanted bush will gratefully respond with abundant flowering.