Geranium Geranium 'Red Admiral'

Water

The Geranium 'Red Admiral', also commonly known as just Geranium, should be watered thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. This generally means watering about once every week, but this frequency can increase during hot, dry periods or decrease during cooler, damp conditions. The goal is to maintain evenly moist soil without overwatering, as Geraniums do not like to sit in waterlogged conditions. When watering, apply water directly to the soil and avoid wetting the foliage to minimize the risk of leaf diseases. Each watering should provide enough water to reach the roots deeply, usually amounting to about 1-2 gallons depending on the size of the plant and the pot.

Light

Geranium 'Red Admiral' flourishes best in full to partial sun, making it ideal to position the plant in a location where it receives at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight daily. An east or west-facing window would be an excellent spot indoors, while outdoors, a place with morning sun and afternoon shade can provide optimal lighting conditions to ensure vibrant growth and bloom.

Temperature

Geraniums, including the 'Red Admiral', prefer a temperature range of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and should not be exposed to temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, as they are not frost-tolerant. To encourage blooming and robust growth, keeping the plant in the ideal temperature range is crucial. During winter months, ensure that the Geranium is kept away from cold drafts and windows that may cause drastic temperature drops.

Pruning

Pruning the Geranium 'Red Admiral' is essential to promote bushy growth and to remove any dead or yellowing leaves and spent blooms, encouraging new flowers to form. Light pruning can be performed throughout the growing season as needed. The best time for more substantial pruning is in the early spring or just before bringing the plant inside for winter if growing in a cold climate, removing up to one-third of the plant to keep it compact and rejuvenated.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The best soil mix for geraniums (Geranium 'Red Admiral') is well-draining potting soil with peat, perlite, and compost. The ideal soil pH for geraniums is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0.

Repotting

Geraniums should be repotted every 1-2 years to replenish the soil and provide space for root growth. Spring is the ideal time for repotting geraniums to promote healthy growth during the growing season.

Humidity & Misting

Geraniums prefer moderate humidity levels but are adaptable to lower humidity conditions typically found in home environments.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright, indirect light.

• Outdoor

  Full sun to partial shade, protect from frost.

• Hardiness zone

  10-11 USDA

Life cycle

The life of a Geranium 'Red Admiral', also known as Pelargonium, begins with seed germination, where the seed absorbs water and breaks dormancy to sprout. As a seedling, it develops its first true leaves and gradually matures into a young plant. During the vegetative stage, it produces a rosette of leaves and begins to grow rapidly, focusing on increasing its size and strength. The transition to the flowering stage occurs when environmental cues such as day length and temperature signal the plant to produce flower buds. The plant blooms, showcasing its vibrant red flowers, which, after pollination, may result in the production of seeds if fertilization occurs. Finally, as a perennial, the cycle can repeat itself after a period of dormancy, often triggered by colder weather conditions in its non-native habitats or seasonal changes in its native environment.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• Propogation: For the Geranium 'Red Admiral', the most popular method of propagation is through stem cuttings, typically done in late spring to early summer to take advantage of active plant growth. To propagate, a healthy stem about 4-6 inches (10-15 centimeters) long is cut just below a node, where leaves emerge, using a clean, sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears. The lower leaves are carefully removed, and the cut end can be dipped in a rooting hormone to encourage root development, although this is optional. The prepared cutting is then inserted into a pot filled with moist potting mix, making sure that at least one node is below the surface. The pot is placed in a warm location with indirect light, and the rooting medium is kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. Roots typically develop within a few weeks, after which the new Geranium plant can be gradually acclimatized to its final growing conditions.