What Is The Best Potting Soil For Geraniums

The importance of finding the best planting mix for geraniums

One of the main secrets to getting geraniums (pelargoniums) is choosing the best planting mix. After all, you can't have happy plants if you don't provide them with the right environment to thrive!

Just as humans thrive in an ideal environment, plants thrive when given the right soil. Just as we depend on a nurturing environment to enhance our personal and professional growth, in order to succeed, our plants also need the right soil to grow and develop to their fullest potential.

Just as humans seek shelter under a roof to protect themselves from outside elements and intrusions, plants depend on soil to protect their delicate roots from disease, pests, and other threats.

And just as finding balance in our lives is essential to our happiness and success, plants also require the proper pH balance to flourish and maintain good health.

Although all plants need soil, not all plants are created equal.

Geraniums are particularly picky when it comes to soil. If you consider the individual characteristics of these plants, you will be able to match them with the perfect medium to provide the nurturing environment they desire.

What is the best soil for geraniums?

The best planting soil for geraniums is one that suits the needs of geraniums. The more you know about a plant's characteristics, the better your chances of finding the perfect soil. If you take the time to listen to what your geraniums need, you will be rewarded with amazing flowers.

Look for well-draining soil.

Geraniums usually thrive in potting soil that drains well and with plenty of air holes. As the well-known saying goes: "Geraniums don't like to have their feet wet." Soil that retains a lot of water and becomes soggy attracts fungus gnats and makes geraniums susceptible to root rot and other fungal diseases.

Therefore, you should look for a potting mix that contains perlite, vermiculite, or coarse sand to increase drainage.

Rich in organic matter

Your geraniums obviously need nutrients, and this can be achieved through nutrient-rich soil. Adding well-rotted compost can help add nutrients. You can also add a slow release fertilizer or liquid fertilizer to the soil to add on a regular basis to provide a steady supply of nutrients. Here is a guide to the best fertilizer for geraniums.

Consider the pH.

When it comes to choosing soil, it is also important to look at the pH level. Geraniums (pelargonium) need the correct pH to allow these plants to absorb nutrients effectively.

According to Michigan State University Extension, the ideal pH for pelargonium is between 6.0 and 6.5.

If the pH drops too low (such as below 6.0), it can cause iron and manganese poisoning, which can lead to brown spots on the outer leaf margin (the inner extending towards the entire leaf edge). , turns yellow. Edges, leaves curl upwards, and stunted growth.

Therefore, it is important to check the pH when transplanting geraniums into their new containers with soil.

If the soil pH is too low, it is helpful to use an alkaline fertilizer such as 15-0-15 or 14-2-14 to help raise the pH level. Also, it can help to apply a liquid lime composition to the container (a much better option than dry, bagged limestone). Be careful with her. Read product labels carefully.

This supplement can improve pH by 1 point in 10 days. However, once the pH is correct, the leaves will not turn green again, and therefore must be removed.

Light and breathable

Geranium roots need soil that is light enough to move around easily. Too compacted soil will, as mentioned, take up excess energy, which must be used to grow new leaves and flowers.

In addition, the soil must be aerated so that the roots can breathe. Adequate root aeration is essential for geraniums.

Free disease

It is essential that the soil be sterile and disease free. Some soils contain fungus gnats, which make geraniums susceptible to fungal diseases.

Garden soil problem

If you use heavy soil such as garden soil, know that it can carry disease and can get compacted in pots, causing the plant to struggle to push through its roots. This wastes a lot of energy, which can stunt growth and prevent the plant from using the energy to create new leaves and flowers.

Soilless medium is not compacted like garden soil and is easier for roots to grow in.

Possible options include 3 parts bark-based potting with 1 part perlite or a peat-based potting mix mixed with 1 part perlite, 1 part volcanic lapel and 1 part river sand.

Some geranium lovers use orchid bark and charcoal mixed with medium perlite or 75 percent soil and 25 percent treated cow manure.

It is also possible to grow geraniums in a quality universal potting mix designed to drain well with a handful of coarse sand (not the beach type) added to improve drainage.