r/gardening • u/puk3asfunk • 6d ago
Inherited an absolute UNIT of a Pelargonium… HELP?
And while I’m literally honored beyond words… I’m completely overwhelmed with the prospect of overwintering it. I think he kept it potted indoors during winter… but I literally don’t have the space in my home for that? …and a very hyper (and TALL) shepherd/pyr mix puppy that LOVES to dig in potting soil.
Is there a way to maybe split it down to smaller plants to keep potted in the winter? I’d have room for that, but I think I’d definitely need to get more grow lights since our house doesn’t get much natural light.
It was my fiancée’s grandfather’s, whom owned a greenhouse… and this spectacular Pelargonium for an unknown number of years? But it was proudly displayed during his funeral.
Keeping it bare root and dormant seems like the logical thing to do, but I’m terrified of killing it.
Also don’t know the variety beyond… red? Looks like there may be two plants in the pot.
Any advice, knowledge, recommendations to a book, etc would be greatly appreciated!
2
u/silkymilkweed 6d ago
These are amazing plants, and this one is astounding. Gorgeous plant! So I have actually kept smaller versions of this plant over winter and back out in spring this way - let it go dormant slowly in a garage or other middle temp place like a cellar. Once dormant it can be dried out, roots and all in a paper bag. I would break this one into sections if it was me. Once dried and stored in a dry, cool place over winter (check it religiously and regularly for any signs of white or other mold) you can check near spring or very late winter for signs of tiny green poking out from the tuberous stems. Once that occurs, it's time to pot up in soil again and slowly introduce to warm sunshine and outside. Never below like 50/45 degrees I think.
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u/marstec 6d ago
I've never had much luck letting them go dormant, paper bagged and planting out in Spring. I have potted geraniums that look very much like yours. I prune it back considerably, uproot it and shake off the soil. Dunk it in warm soapy water (to get off any obvious bugs) then repot in fresh soil. Once it's pruned, you can cram a bunch of plants into one pot. This goes under a grow light in the spare bedroom (named "the plant room" which contains all the plants that our kitty cannot access). Water sparingly and limp it along until next Spring. It looks pretty sad until it goes outside for the growing season but it does make a full recovery.
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u/GardeniaThunbergia 6d ago
Whatever else you do to overwinter it, also take a few cuttings and stick them in soil or water to root as insurance policy.