Regal Pelargonium (UK), Martha Washington Pelargonium (US) (Pelargonium x domest

Regal Pelargonium (UK), Martha Washington Pelargonium (US)
Pelargonium x domesticum

Beautiful flowers! Do you know what to do with them when they are done flowering? I read in one book to let them rest w/o watering for a month in a cool place, then bring them out and start watering again. Anyone know if this works? thanks, kooger

Hi Kooger,
Thank you! I have some of these planted outside in the yard and some in Coco fiber baskets under a tree. I just water them, and they do fine with little care. They do seem to be drought tolerant and look great even when they don't get watered for a while. I cut them back at the end of the summer after the flowering period is over because they become long and lanky. Here are some others that I have growing in a large container:

Hi Clare,
Those are so pretty and lush and showy! I plant many pelargoniums in the summer. Those are on my want list for next year. Thanks for the photo.

This message was edited Monday, Dec 15th 10:43 AM

I grew these 2 years ago. Got the slips from the Amish here in Iowa. Absolutely loved the flowers the first season, they reminded me of a Gloxinia in flower. I brought the entire plant and pot inside for the winter in my sun room. It loved it there and I tried a number of times to take cuttings. All failed except those I started in perlite and tented for humidity. This summer we had such a drought I put a saucer under the huge pot and unwittingly drowned the poor thing. Miss it and want to find another plant for next spring. Would love a cutting if you have any extras!

Thanks Clare. I ended up cutting off the long ends and putting it in my bedroom window for the winter. We'll see what it looks like by spring. Iowagal - mine is Raspberry Swirl and if it looks healthy, I could sure send you a slip in the spring. It wouldn't have to travel far - I'm in the NW corner of the state. I assume you are in the SE?

Thanks, Kooger, Iowagal, and roshana. Cuttings root very easily in water or soil. In fact, when the main plant gets large and woody, I've been known to take cuttings before pulling the main plant out. Iowagal, check with me again in the spring after the freezing weather is gone!

Kooger - I live near Chariton (6 miles west) in the south central part of the state. Hope you come to the Iowa Roundup next spring in May here in Chariton. Lots of new people to meet as several have joined from Iowa this year. I would love a slip of your Raspberry Swirl. The ones I tried to root in water rotted instead of rooting. Maybe too woody where I cut it off the mother plant.

Clare - thanks for sharing your experience with rooting this beauty. I had no luck with the water rooting as stated earlier, but would love to try again. Thanks!

Iowagal, it might be that cuttings only root easily in the summertime. Perhaps warmth has a lot to do with it because I've never tried rooting pieces during other seasons. Also, I always root green cuttings. I think that you are right that the woody cuttings are hard to root. I will be happy to send you cuttings for a SASE in the spring. Just remind me so I don't forget.

Iowagal -finally found my way back to this thread. I couldn't remember who asked me for the Raspberry Swirl. I put 4 cuttings in a jar and 2 are already rooted. I'll try pot them up and should I just bring them to RU in May or try to mail them earlier?

Well I'll be darned! I was just searching for this thread again to see if you would bring cuttings of this plant to the Iowa Roundup in May. That will be early enough as I think I remember this plant loves warmth and I can keep it inside okay until it is time to go outside for the season. I see you have signed onto the list for the roundup. I can't believe how many new members from Iowa we have this year. The Red Haw State Park is very near here - so see you in May!

Kooger,
Will start a Raspberry Swirl for me too?

What a beauty to look forward to at the round-up!

a

TLC - yes, will bring all extras to the RU. I have 5 in water and 2 are rooted. One looks sad :( don't know if it'll make it. I did switch it to a brown glass bottle. Should have done that right away. My mother found out years ago that slips root faster in brown glass than clear glass. I've always thought it to be the filtered light but don't know for sure.

TLC - yes, will bring all extras to the RU. I have 5 in water and 2 are rooted. One looks sad :( don't know if it'll make it. I did switch it to a brown glass bottle. Should have done that right away. My mother found out years ago that slips root faster in brown glass than clear glass. I've always thought it to be the filtered light but don't know for sure. I also always leave the cuttings lay out overnight for sure, sometimes even 1-2 days before I put them in water. Very seldom rot then.

edited to add: check the pic from Clare_CA on Dec. 14 at 8:47 am. The red on my plant looks to be a bit darker but could be the camera.

This message was edited Jan 2, 2004 12:09 PM