The internet can be a very helpful and confusing place at the same time. I mean…some time ago, I searched up ways to prune my pothos plant, and people just seemed to have complicated the hell out of it.
The same is the case with deadheading geraniums or any other plant.
In today’s article, I’m going to make deadheading geraniums simple. You’ll learn to get deadheading right and equip yourself with some special techniques that can allow you to achieve continuous blooming all summer long!
Let’s dive right into it, shall we?
Why Deadheading Geraniums Keeps The Flowers Coming?
Unfortunately, geraniums are one of those plants that naturally slow flowering down when old blooms are left to stay on the stems for too long.
When the flowers begin to fade, the plant inherently directs all its energy into seed production instead of promoting new flower development.
Deadheading gives the plant an opportunity for rejuvenation and allows the flowers to keep coming continuously since none of the energy is leaked into unwanted and unproductive mechanisms.
And if you want even more flower power, this care guide for blooming geraniums will walk you through everything else you can do.
What Deadheading Actually Means (And What It Doesn’t)
Contrary to popular belief, the point of deadheading is not to just cut down the entire stem or prune back the whole plant.
Many beginners tend to get this part wrong, in my opinion. You’re simply removing individual blooms once they’re done flowering and begin to fade.
Deadheading is not meant to injure or harm your plant in any way! Instead, it’s about giving it the space and energy to rebloom. Deadheading regularly will help you keep your plants tidy, blooming continuously, and free from any unwanted disease or rot. I mean…who doesn’t want that?
And if petunias are on your garden too, here’s how to deadhead them properly for fuller, longer-lasting blooms.
Deadhead Geraniums – Step-by-Step Instructions
You don’t necessarily need any specialized tools or gardening equipment to deadhead geraniums.
Tools Needed: A small pair of clean, sterilized garden scissors should get the job done easily. If you don’t even have that, just use your fingers.
The first step is pretty simple: just identify the faded blooms. They will generally have a dull color and a dry, crispy exterior.
Follow the smaller flower stems down to where they connect to the thicker, main stem.
You can snap the stems off with your fingers or precisely cut with scissors right at the base of the stem.
Bonus Tip: When deadheading geraniums, don’t just remove the smaller petals. Take the entire flower stalks off for complete rejuvenation. Also, I’d suggest deadheading in the morning since that’s when the plants are driest and carry the lowest risk of rot.
How Often Should You Deadhead Geraniums?
Although there aren’t any hard and fast rules for this, I’d generally suggest deadheading your geraniums at least once per week during the peak blooming season.
However, this would vary greatly by region and climate conditions since, in hotter areas, flowers may fade quicker, meaning they’ll need to be deadheaded more often.
And if you’re wondering which other flowers benefit from this practice, here’s a quick guide to which flowers benefit from deadheading and some that don’t.
What Else Can You Cut? (Without Harming the Plant)
While you’re deadheading your geraniums, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to remove any yellowing or damaged leaves as well. This will keep the plants healthy and energized for any harsh conditions or downturns to come.
In case you see leggy growth or overly tall but thin stems, it may help to lightly trim the top few inches of your geranium plants to encourage denser, bushier growth.
Let’s Conclude
Deadheading geraniums isn’t that complex of a task that the fear-mongering gardeners make it out to be. That said, just knowing the basics sometimes won’t be enough. You’ll be faced with challenges and obstacles often, so having some deeper deadheading knowledge would certainly help.
If you’re ready to level up your skills, this detailed guide on deadheading dahlias also offers great insights that apply to many flowers beyond just dahlias.
Over time, your deadheading skills will improve. Your cuts will be much more precise, and it will become second nature for you to deadhead plants well.
Most people will be better off just following the simple steps and instructions given to them for deadheading, while more experienced folks who may be passionate about gardening are free to do things their way and play around.
Rest assured, you can’t go wrong with either method, as long as the general deadheading principles are adhered to. Best of luck!
