HOW TO GROW GERANIUMS 
GERANIUMS OUTDOORS 
Soil: Any garden soil that will grow com- 
mon annual or perennial plants ‘will grow 
Geraniums. If the soil is too rich, Gerani- 
ums produce soft, leggy branches, dense 
foliage and a scarcity of bloom. If the soil 
is too poor, they produce pale foliage and 
small blooms. Ideal soil is slightly acid 
(about pH 6.5), 3 parts clay loam, 1 part 
coarse sand, and 1 part organic matter. 
Sun: Geraniums require a lot of sunshine. 
yet, if at all possible, they should be shaded 
during the hottest part of the day to pro- 
duce the best flowers. Geraniums will not 
do well.in complete shade. 
Water: When the soil appears dry, soak 
to a depth of at least 6 inches. It is much 
better to soak the ground once or twice a 
week than to sprinkle the soil every day. 
Always water early enough in the day so 
that the foliage will.be dry by night. 
Space: For beautiful beds allow only 8 
inches in all directions for spreading. Pinch- 
ing the tops of each plant will promote 
branching but will delay blooming several 
weeks. 
Fertilizer: Bonemeal is excellent; mix in 
a liberal amount while preparing your soil. 
For additional feeding we recommend Plant 
Marvel. 
Geraniums -growing outdoors will drop 
most of their foliage if dug and potted for 
inside use during the winter. It is better 
to take cuttings from the older plants and 
start with fresh plants for indoor growing. 
Take cuttings, anytime, 4 to 6 inches long 
from strong branches that have leaves grow- 
ing close together. Remove the leaves far 
enough up the stem to allow the cutting to 
stand upright when placed in moist sand. 
This sand should be about 4 inches deep ina 
box placed in a sunny spot. Cut a narrow 
trench in the sand and stick the cuttings 
to a depth of about 2 inches, then pat the 
sand firmly. Keep the sand moist; roots 
should appear in 3 weeks. 
GERANIUMS INDOORS 
Soil: Mix together 3 parts good garden 
soil and 1 part peat moss, pack dirt firmly 
around plants. Have the soil moist, but not 
wet, when potting. 
Containers: Clay pots are the best. Do 
not use too large a pot for Geraniums, they 
bloom best when a little pot bound. It is 
better to repot the plants, increasing the 
size pot each time. Leave at least % inch of 
space at the top of each pot for watering, 
leave more} room for larger containers. Al- 
ways have good drainage. 
Sun: To bloom indoors, Geraniums must 
have direct sun. Place them as close to the 
glass as possible. 
Here’s an Authority! 
Water: Do not allow the soil to become 
water-logged or soggy. Once a week, especi- 
ally on a sunny day, soak the plant. The 
rest of the time only enough to keep it from 
drying out. 
Feeding: Do not feed unless the plants 
have stopped growing or the foliage is too 
pale. Use any good fertilizer. If you use 
Vigoro, put a small pinch on top of the soil 
before watering the plants. We like to use 
Plant Marvel—it is completely soluble in 
water. Do not over-feed—Geraniums do not 
require heavy fertilization. 
Geraniums grown indoors dufing the wint- 
er may be planted outside in the spring, af- 
ter the danger of frost is past. 
B-101—GERANIUMS by Helen Van Pelt Wilson 
This book has delighted Geranium enthusiasts everywhere. 
Tells you 
how to grow them successfully from Maine to California. Contains chapters 
on the different types of Geraniums and lists over 300 varieties, many in 
color and line drawings. 
Yes, it’s a helpful book you'll be proud to own. 
$3.50 
