How to Dry Geraniums
Geraniums come in such a wide variety of colors. According to the University of Minnesota, these colors include pink, lavender, red, white, fuchsia, and even bi-colors. It is easy to pick fresh geraniums during the summer months and display them on your dining room table, but fresh geraniums are not available during the winter months. Fortunately, you can pick some colorful geraniums from your flower garden just before the first frost and dry them out. The flowers can then be displayed during the winter months.
Cut the geraniums you want to dry with a pair of garden scissors before the first frost occurs. Geraniums will begin to go dormant after the first frost.
- Geraniums come in such a wide variety of colors.
- It is easy to pick fresh geraniums during the summer months and display them on your dining room table, but fresh geraniums are not available during the winter months.
Lay your geraniums on a sheet of newspaper and remove any leaves you see from the stem. Leaves take longer to dry so it is best to remove them.
Bundle together three to five geranium stems and tie them with a piece of twine near the bottom of the stems. Leave an extra 6 inches of twine to be used in Step 4.
Hold your geranium bundles upside down and tie the extra twine to the bottom of a coat hanger.
Hang the coat hanger in a closet or other dark dry place.
Wait three weeks for the geraniums to dry out completely, and then spray them with a coating of hair spray. This will add an extra layer of protection for your dried-out geraniums.
- Lay your geraniums on a sheet of newspaper and remove any leaves you see from the stem.
- Hold your geranium bundles upside down and tie the extra twine to the bottom of a coat hanger.
Care For Geraniums Outdoors
Watch for the geranium to bloom in late spring; it continues to bloom until frost. Repeat the application every two to three weeks throughout the growing season. Water regularly, but do not over-water. Pinch off the stem tips on new geraniums if a bushy appearance is desired. Watch for pests, including aphids, whiteflies, spider mites and geranium budworms. Spray with the naturally occurring bacteria, bacillus thuringiensis. Good growing practices, such as spacing 6 inches apart and avoiding wetting foliage when watering reduces the chance for disease. If the geraniums are grown in the flower bed, pull up the plant after the first frost.
- Watch for the geranium to bloom in late spring; it continues to bloom until frost.
- Pinch off the stem tips on new geraniums if a bushy appearance is desired.
Tip
If you don't have twine you can use yarn, or a piece of string.
Related Articles
References
- ProFlowers: How to Dry Flowers
- The New Sunset Western Garden Book; Kathleen Norris Brenzel
- The Complete Garden Flower Book; Catie Zille
- Ohio State University: Pelargonium x hortorum
Tips
- If you don't have twine you can use yarn, or a piece of string.
Writer Bio
Alicia Bodine has been a professional writer for 13 years. She has produced thousands of articles for online publications such as Demand Studios, GoBankingRates and WiseGeek. Bodine is passionate about gardening, travel, education and finance. She has received awards for being a top content producer.
