Hello, it's your geranium here. You want me to bloom all summer? I'd love to! It's my purpose and my joy. But I need your help to make it happen. Think of it as a partnership. Here’s exactly what I need from you to put on a spectacular, non-stop show of color.
First and foremost, I am a sun worshipper. To produce the immense amount of energy required for constant blooming, I need at least six to eight hours of direct, bright sunlight each day. The more sun I get, the more sugars I can photosynthesize. This energy doesn't just go to my leaves; it fuels the entire flower production process, from forming buds to opening vibrant blooms. If you place me in too much shade, I'll focus my limited energy on mere survival, and flowering will be the first thing I stop doing. A sunny south or west-facing location is my idea of paradise.
While sunlight is my energy, I need specific nutrients to build the flowers themselves. A regular, balanced fertilizer is okay, but to truly thrive and bloom, I need a diet tailored for performance. Look for a fertilizer where the middle number (phosphorus) is higher than the others, like a 5-10-5 or a 10-20-10 blend. Phosphorus is the key nutrient that directly supports strong root systems and, most importantly, prolific blooming. Feed me with this bloom-booster fertilizer every two to three weeks throughout the growing season. This gives me the raw materials I need to keep producing new flower heads instead of just green growth.
This is the single most important thing you can do for me during the summer. When a flower cluster fades and begins to die, it starts forming a seed pod. From my perspective, my mission is complete once I set seed, so I will stop producing new flowers. When you deadhead—by snapping or cutting off the entire spent flower stalk down to the main stem—you trick me. You remove my finished work and signal that I need to try again. This redirects all the energy I would have wasted on seed production into creating brand new buds. Check me every few days and remove the faded blooms; I will reward you with a continuous flush of color.
My watering needs are simple but specific. I do not like having wet feet. Soggy, waterlogged soil will suffocate my roots and lead to rot, which will quickly end any chance of blooming. Please water me thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Soak the soil until water runs freely from the drainage holes, then let me be until I need it again. This cycle of deep watering followed by a period of slight dryness encourages my roots to grow strong and deep as they search for moisture, making me a healthier, more resilient plant overall.
Finally, consider my living quarters. If I'm in a container, it must have excellent drainage holes. My roots need oxygen as much as they need water. Also, while I don't need a massive pot, being slightly root-bound can actually encourage me to bloom more, as it signals that I should focus on reproduction (flowering) rather than expanding my root system. If I'm in the ground, ensure the soil is well-amended and not heavy, compacted clay. Good, loose soil allows my roots to spread and access the water and nutrients you're providing.
