Thurston's Cranesbill Geranium × oxonianum f. thurstonianum

Water

The hardy geranium, known commonly as Geranium 'Thurstonianum', requires moderate watering. Generally, you should provide about one inch of water per week, ensuring the soil stays evenly moist but not waterlogged. During the active growing season in spring and summer, increase watering to twice a week, depending on weather conditions and soil type. For container-grown plants, water until excess water flows from the drainage holes, which could be about 1 to 2 gallons depending on the size of the container. Reduce watering in the winter when the plant is dormant.

Light

Geranium 'Thurstonianum' thrives best in full sun to partial shade. An ideal spot would allow for morning sunlight with some afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates, to prevent scorching of the leaves. This plant is versatile and can also grow in locations with dappled sunlight throughout the day.

Temperature

The ideal temperature range for Geranium 'Thurstonianum' is between 60°F and 75°F during the day. It can tolerate temperatures down to around 30°F, but frost can be damaging, so protection might be required. This plant generally prefers cooler nighttime temperatures, which can enhance flowering and overall growth.

Pruning

Prune Geranium 'Thurstonianum' to encourage bushier growth and to remove any dead or yellowing leaves. The best time for pruning is in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, should be done regularly throughout the blooming period to promote more blooms.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The best soil mix for Hardy Geranium (Geranium × oxonianum f. thurstonianum) should be well-draining and fertile, with a mixture of loam, peat, and coarse sand or perlite. The soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from about 5.8 to 7.2 for optimal growth.

Repotting

Hardy Geraniums typically do not require frequent repotting and can be left undisturbed for several years. Repotting is generally only necessary if the plant has outgrown its current container or the soil has become depleted, which might be every 3 to 4 years.

Humidity & Misting

Hardy Geraniums are adaptable to a range of humidity levels and do not require high humidity to thrive; average room humidity is usually sufficient. They are quite tolerant of outdoor conditions and do not have specific humidity requirements.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright light, ensure pot has drainage holes.

• Outdoor

  Plant in partial shade; water regularly; well-drained soil.

• Hardiness zone

  5-8 USDA

Life cycle

Geranium × oxonianum f. thurstonianum, commonly referred to as the Thurston's cranesbill, commences its life cycle as a seed, which upon germination in the spring, sprouts into a seedling with characteristic geranium foliage. As the seedling establishes, it grows into a vegetative plant with a robust root system and develops stems and leaves during its growth phase. During the flowering stage, typically in late spring to summer, it produces soft pink to lilac flowers that are hermaphroditic, containing both male and female reproductive structures to facilitate pollination. After successful pollination, usually by insects, the plant sets seeds encased in a distinctive beak-like fruit. Once matured, these seeds disperse, often by the beak-like fruit mechanism that flings seeds away from the parent plant. In the dormant stage, during the colder months, the plant's above-ground growth dies back, with the roots remaining alive to regrow in the next favorable season.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-early summer

• Geranium × oxonianum f. thurstonianum, commonly known as the Thurston's Crane's-bill, is frequently propagated by division. This method is most successful when carried out in the spring or autumn. To propagate by division, a gardener would carefully dig around the plant to lift it from the soil, ensuring they retain as much of the root system as possible. The clump is then gently pried apart into several smaller sections, each with a portion of the root system and several shoots. These divisions are then replanted at the same depth they were originally growing, spaced approximately 12 inches (about 30 centimeters) apart to allow for ample growth. The soil should be well-draining and the divisions kept well-watered until they are established.