From our perspective as geranium plants (Pelargonium spp.), we strive to produce a spectacular display of blooms. It is our purpose and our joy. However, when we cannot flower as expected, it is almost always because our fundamental needs are not being fully met. We are not being difficult; we are simply communicating. Here is a detailed explanation of the world from our point of view and what we require to reward you with abundant color.
We are sun-worshippers by nature, originating from sun-drenched regions. To initiate and sustain the immense energy expenditure of flowering, we require a minimum of 4-6 hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight daily. More is even better. When placed in a location that is too shady, our survival instinct takes over. We must prioritize growing leaves to capture what little light we can find, diverting all energy away from flower production. Our stems may become long and leggy as we desperately stretch for more light. This is not an aesthetic choice; it is a fight for resources.
Our roots need to breathe. We prefer our soil to approach a state of mild dryness between drinks. Constantly soggy, waterlogged soil is a death sentence for our root system, leading to rot. A suffocated, rotting root system cannot uptake the water and nutrients needed to support any biological process, let alone the luxury of blooming. Please, only water us when the top inch of soil feels dry to your touch. Ensure our pots have excellent drainage so any excess water can escape freely.
While fertilizer is appreciated, the wrong kind has the opposite effect. A fertilizer with high nitrogen (the first number on the package, e.g., 10-5-5) will encourage us to produce an abundance of lush, green leaves at the absolute expense of flowers. You are literally telling us to grow foliage, not blooms. To encourage flowering, we require a fertilizer that is higher in phosphorus (the middle number, e.g., 5-10-5). This is the nutrient that specifically supports the development of strong roots, buds, and blossoms. A balanced, bloom-boosting fertilizer applied every 2-4 weeks during our growing season provides the perfect diet for a floral show.
We are vigorous growers. If you never remove our spent flower clusters (a process you call deadheading), we receive a signal that our reproductive duty is complete, and we will begin to form seeds. Seed production is an exhaustive process that halts new flower formation. By snipping off the brown, wilted flower heads, you trick us into trying again, prompting us to produce more blooms to achieve our goal. Furthermore, if we become pot-bound with a dense mat of roots, we become stressed and lack the physical space and nutrients to support flowering. Gently pruning our leggy stems and occasionally repotting us into a slightly larger home gives us a new lease on life and blooming energy.
We perform best in conditions that mimic our native habitat. While we tolerate a range of temperatures, extreme heat for prolonged periods can cause us stress and a temporary pause in blooming. Similarly, air that is completely still and stagnant can promote fungal diseases like powdery mildew, which weakens us and saps our energy. A location with good air circulation helps keep our leaves dry and healthy, allowing us to direct all our vitality into flowering.
