Cranesbill Geranium 'Chantilly'

Water

Geraniums, commonly known as cranesbills, including the Geranium 'Chantilly', should be watered deeply and thoroughly to soak the soil around the root zone. Once the topsoil has dried out, typically an inch deep, it is time to water again. This may mean watering every three to seven days, depending on climate conditions and the plant's location. In terms of volume, aim for about one gallon of water per plant each time you water, ensuring that it's distributed evenly around the plant without splashing the foliage to prevent leaf spot diseases.

Light

Geraniums, including the Geranium 'Chantilly', thrive in a spot that receives full to partial sunlight. Ideally, they prefer about six hours of morning sunlight each day, sheltered from intense afternoon sun, which can be too harsh. If grown indoors, a south or west-facing window is a good spot for these plants to receive adequate light without becoming scorched.

Temperature

Geraniums, such as the Geranium 'Chantilly', do well in a temperature range between 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, which promotes healthy growth and blooming. They can tolerate brief periods outside of this range, but prolonged exposure to temperatures below 30 degrees Fahrenheit or above 80 degrees Fahrenheit may stress the plant and impede its performance.

Pruning

Geraniums, such as the Geranium 'Chantilly', should be pruned to encourage bushy growth and to remove faded blooms and dead foliage, which promotes further flowering and prevents disease. The best time to prune is in early spring or just after a flush of blooms has finished. Light pruning and deadheading can be done throughout the growing season to maintain the plant's shape and remove spent flowers.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Geranium 'Chantilly', commonly known as Hardy Geranium, thrives in a soil mix that is well-draining, rich in organic matter, and slightly acidic to neutral with a pH ranging from 5.8 to 7. Additions like peat moss, compost, and a handful of perlite or coarse sand can create the ideal growing conditions for this plant. Regular garden soil can be improved for better drainage and nutrient content to meet these requirements.

Repotting

Hardy Geraniums like Geranium 'Chantilly' typically need to be repotted every 2 to 3 years. Repotting is best done in the spring just as the plant begins to grow. Choose a pot only one size larger than the current one to prevent overwatering issues and use fresh soil mix to replenish nutrients.

Humidity & Misting

Geranium 'Chantilly' prefers moderate humidity levels but is quite adaptable and can tolerate the range of indoor humidity found in most homes. It is unnecessary to provide extra humidity for this hardy geranium, making it an easy-care plant in terms of humidity requirements.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright indirect light and water when topsoil is dry.

• Outdoor

  Full to part sun, well-draining soil, water regularly.

• Hardiness zone

  4-8 USDA

Life cycle

Geranium 'Chantilly', commonly known as Chantilly Geranium, begins its life cycle when seeds are sown in well-draining soil and typically germinate within a few weeks under the right conditions of warmth and moisture. The seedlings then develop into young plants with characteristic lobed leaves and a bushy growth habit. As the plant matures, it enters the vegetative stage, during which it produces robust green foliage and begins to form its distinctive floral buds. The blooming stage follows, with Chantilly Geranium showcasing its colorful flowers that can range in shades from pink to lavender, often throughout the summer months. After pollination, which can be facilitated by insects or wind, the plant produces seeds, completing its reproductive cycle. Eventually, as temperatures drop with the approach of winter, the geranium may enter a period of dormancy, slowing or ceasing growth until favorable conditions return.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• The ideal time for propagating Geranium 'Chantilly', commonly known as a type of hardy or cranesbill geranium, is in the spring or early summer. This ensures that the cutting or division has sufficient time to establish roots before the cold weather sets in. The most popular method of propagation for this plant is by stem cuttings. To do so, select a healthy, non-flowering shoot of about 4 to 6 inches (around 10 to 15 centimeters) long. Remove the bottom leaves to expose a clean stem, dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder to encourage growth, and insert the stem into a pot filled with a moistened mix of half peat and half perlite or sand. Ensure the pot has drainage holes. Place the pot in indirect light, maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging, and within a few weeks to a month, the cutting should develop roots and can be planted in the garden.