Prune Those GERANIUMS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28973, 14 August 1959, Page 9

Prune Those GERANIUMS

Geraniums are a conspicuous feature of most of our garden displays during the summer; but at present they are looking very sorry for themselves as a result of the ravages of the frosts of winter. It is timely now to start them off again on the right foot for another good summer display, and this can only be done by vigorous pruning. Cut out all blackened dead stalks to the ground line, and trim all the greener growths down to a healthy, strong eye. Many of the stems will be found to be blackened half-way up their length. It is no use leaving these, even if the tops are still showing green. Like roses, geraniums make th£ir flowers on the young seasonal wood, so a good, hard cleaning up should be the objective when pruning them. Cuttings can be made of the best and strongest of the top pieces cut off, putting them out in a warm, sheltered position to strike. These notes on geranium pruning can also be applied to fuchsias, except that since fuchsias are deciduous like roses, all small stems should be pruned off to eyes lower down on strong shoots.