4 GENERAL INFORMATION 
matter, but they vary so much in quality that some 
experimentation is necessary to determine the best pro- 
portions. They are sometimes too rich to use except in 
small amounts. 
A potting soil mixture of 3 parts loam, 1 part coarse 
sand, and 1 part organic matter is about right. If the 
loam is very light, use less sand and organic matter, 
and if the loam is very heavy, use more. For the Dwarf 
and some of the Fancy-Leaved Geraniums, especially 
the variety Miss Burnett Coutts, it is advisable to 
double the amount of sand. The soil used for potting 
should be moist, but not wet, and should be firmly 
pressed around the plant. Firm potting encourages 
healthy, compact growth. 
Potted Geraniums will need fertilizer sooner or later. 
Need of plant food is indicated when the leaves are a 
paler green than normal and the flowers are smaller 
than usual. It is best to use one of the “complete” or 
“balanced” fertilizers. Many good ones are available. 
Vigoro (6-10-4) is satisfactory. It is easy to place the 
required amount of this on top of the soil to water in. 
Recommended doses are a small pinch for a 2%4-inch 
pot, 4 level teaspoonful for 3-inch, % to % level tea- 
spoonful for 4-inch, 1 level teaspoonful for 5-inch, and 
1 heaping teaspoonful for 6-inch. These applications 
should be made only as often as needed, and not oftener 
than once a month unless the need is very evident. Too 
frequent or too large applications may damage or kill 
the plant. Other brands of fertilizer may be stronger 
or weaker, and the instructions of the maker should be 
followed. There are now available a number of fer- 
tilizers which are dissolved in water and applied as 
liguid. These are convenient and good. The maker’s 
instructions should be read carefully, since these fer- 
tilizers are generally quite strong. It is often best to 
use smaller doses than are recommended for these fer- 
tilizers, since geraniums are better when not fed too 
richly. 
Improper watering is a frequent cause of trouble with 
potted geraniums. Geraniums are tolerant plants and 
will survive much mistreatment, but they will not thrive 
in a constantly wet and soggy soil, nor will they thrive 
in constantly dry soil. When growing well in warm 
weather they need large amounts of water, but they 
should be allowed to dry out between waterings. When 
water is needed, it should be provided generously to 
wet all of the soil in the pot. The plant should not be 
watered again until the soil is almost dry. No set 
schedule can be followed. Water only when needed. 
If a saucer is used under the pot, water should not be 
allowed to remain in it. 
If the summer sun hits directly on the pot of a geranium, 
the soil temperature may be higher than is good for 
the plant. A glazed pot, preferably a light colored one, 
will help, but a better way is to keep the plant in an 
ordinary red clay pot set inside of a glazed pot large 
enough to leave an air space between the two pots. 
Winter Flowers Indoors 
The dry air of heated houses, so hard on many kinds of 
plants, is good for geraniums. Geraniums have no natu- 
ral dormant period, and will flower the year round if 
suitable conditions are provided. 
