Geranium Pelargonium 'Lord Bute' (R)

Water

Geraniums, including the Pelargonium 'Lord Bute', should be watered deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering. They typically need water every 7-10 days, depending on the temperature and humidity levels. Providing about 1 inch of water, which for a standard pot might be around 8-16 ounces, is sufficient to saturate the soil without causing waterlogging. During hot, dry spells, they may require more frequent watering, while in cooler temperatures or when indoor, they often need less. Over-watering can lead to root rot, so it's essential to ensure the pot has good drainage.

Light

Pelargonium 'Lord Bute', commonly known as Geranium 'Lord Bute', thrives best in bright, indirect sunlight. A spot near an east or south-facing window where the plant can receive at least 6 hours of daylight without direct harsh sun at peak hours is ideal. Avoid placing them in full shade or overly dark areas, as this will impede their growth and flowering capability.

Temperature

Geranium 'Lord Bute' prefers a temperature range between 60-75°F (15-24°C) and can survive minimum temperatures down to 50°F (10°C). They do not tolerate frost, so it's important to keep them protected from temperatures below freezing. The ideal temperature for robust growth and flowering is within the preferred range, keeping them away from cold drafts and hot air vents.

Pruning

Pruning Geranium 'Lord Bute' helps to encourage bushier growth and more blooms. Prune back leggy stems and deadhead spent flowers regularly throughout the growing season. The best time for major pruning is in late winter or early spring, right before new growth begins. Remove any damaged or diseased foliage when noticed. A general tidying up can be done after the main flowering period to rejuvenate the plant for the next season.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The best soil mix for growing a Geranium 'Lord Bute' should be well-drained and fertile, such as a mix of equal parts peat, perlite, and potting soil. The soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0.

Repotting

Geranium 'Lord Bute' should be repotted every one to two years or when it has outgrown its current container, typically in the spring just before the new growth starts.

Humidity & Misting

Geranium 'Lord Bute' prefers moderate ambient humidity but is quite adaptable and can tolerate indoor humidity levels. A level of 40-60% is ideal, avoiding excessively dry or very high humidity environments.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright indirect light and keep soil moist.

• Outdoor

  Full sun or partial shade, and protect from frost.

• Hardiness zone

  10-11 USDA

Life cycle

Germination begins when Lord Bute pelargonium seeds are sown in warm, well-draining soil; they sprout within a few weeks given sufficient moisture and warmth. The seedlings develop true leaves and gradually form a bushy structure with scalloped, aromatic foliage. As the plant matures, it produces striking flowers typically in shades of deep plum or dark purple with a pale edge, blooming in cycles mostly through the warm season. After flowering, if the spent blooms are deadheaded, the plant may enter a rest period before producing new flowers. Pelargonium 'Lord Bute' can be propagated through cuttings, initiating a new life cycle when these cuttings develop roots and grow into mature, flowering plants. As a perennial, it can survive for several years in mild climates or when overwintered indoors in regions with cold winters.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• Propogation: The Pelargonium 'Lord Bute', commonly known as geranium, is most effectively propagated through stem cuttings. Propagation is ideally done in late summer to early fall, ensuring that the cuttings have time to establish roots before the colder months. The preferred method involves taking a healthy stem cutting about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) long from a mother plant, making a cut just below a leaf node using a clean, sharp instrument. Leaves on the lower half of the cutting should be removed. The cutting can then be dipped in a rooting hormone to encourage root growth, though this is not compulsory. It is planted in a moist potting mix, firmly pressed in, and placed in a warm location with indirect light. Within a few weeks, the cutting should develop roots, after which it can be transplanted into a larger pot or directly into the garden soil, assuming the climate is suitable for outdoor growth.