Do all geraniums get spotty and crispy edged leaves?
by
An
+3
I've had geraniums in the yards of the last few homes I've lived in. They were there/here when we moved in. I think the flowers are lovely, but the leaves make me crazy! Yellow spots and/or brown crispy edges...I pluck those leaves thinking maybe it's something that will spread...a fungus, perhaps?...and then they get leggy and messy looking. I deadhead the stems, I pick the multitudes of flowers they produce over and over, but the icky, yellowing leaves are so ugly. Is it something I'm doing/not doing? Or is it the way of geraniums?
Thanks for your input!
--An
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Geraniums yellow from improper watering.
Hmmmm. I've tried watering more, watering less, and still they get weird! What's proper watering, then? Thanks, Janet!
Geraniums are finicky.I actually gave up even as a avid gardener for well over 30 years.Rule of thumb water when soil is dry to the touch.They just as all annuals require fertilizer every other week.Using a water soluble is best which replace any watering for the day.Water in the early morning.
Thank you every one
Geraniums dont like water on their leaves. Best to water with soaker hose, or carefully try to avoid getting water on the leaves if using a hose. Learned this through trial and error, but my geraniums look great all season.
Good watering tips, Ladies! Thank you so much. The water on their leaves thing is particularly interesting to me: Typically, I just grab the hose and let the water fly! I will certainly try to be more careful...I mean, they produce tons and tons of flowers for me to enjoy...but they're already starting to look leggy...no doubt partially due to me picking off all their nasty looking leaves! And then there's fertilizer...hmmm. Haven't tried that at all! I love gardens, love flowers, love their colors and lovely scents, but seem to have a rather short attention span when it comes to caring for them. I'll weed 'til I'm "Zen-in-the face," love getting my hands dirty...but actual care...I'm kind of lazy in that department, I'm sorry to say.
I'm really a succulent person...after I discovered that you can hardly wound them, much less kill them! And the thing I really love about succulents and geraniums is that you can make a little hole with your finger, stick a snippet of a cutting in the hole, and Voila! Succulents and geraniums for miles! How fabulous!
Thank you to Janet and Q.karen11. Your advice is much appreciated.
--an