KEN'S PRIZE-PELARGONIUMS ~ A POTTY TIP

A POTTY TIP

I always double pot all my Pelargonium plants in the greenhouses, I find that it halves my watering. Plants do not dry out so quickly especially in the summer, and also helps to keep the roots warmer in the winter.

Placing a plant inside another pot of the same size.

UNIQUES & REGALS

Below you will see a Unique called Polka. I removed some of the bigger leaves to let in more light to the leaf axils. This helps the new growth coming through, makes them stronger and new leaves will soon help the plant to make a nice shape. It also helps air to circulate through the plant in winter, my Regals get the same treatment.

POLKA WITH LEAVES REMOVED

LIFE OF A SHOW PLANT

Something I get asked a lot is how long do I show a plant for. Well that depends on what type of plant it is. On average it is between 3 & 4 years, after which they are used in the garden or dumped. The Oldbury Duet in the photo was 3 years old when it won the Best in Show at BEGS 2008, I cut it back and as you can see it has come back really well. Fingers crossed it's looking good enough to be back on the show bench in 2009, when it will be 4 years old, (it was grown from a spring cutting). I grow Angels and Regals on a 2 year cycle so I take the cuttings in the spring, and they are not allowed to flower until the 2nd year.
I have found over the years that a plant grown this way, will be larger and therefore produce more flowers.

3 YR OLD OLDBURY DUET

SAME PLANT

22 MONTH OLD PLANT OF ORIENTAL DELIGHT

The plant of Quantock Kirsty below shows the sort of plant I aim for. It is in a 5" pot and stopped to get a round shape.

QUANTOCK KIRSTY

I have used the 2 photos of Bold Carmine, to try to show why I prefer to grow on a 2 year cycle.

ONE YEAR OLD PLANT OF BOLD CARMINE

As you can see a 2 year old plant, can have up to twice the amount of bloom.

A 2 YEAR OLD PLANT OF BOLD CARMINE

Comments

20.04.2014 08:16

ken

Hi Ted double potting simply means using an empty pot of the same size and place over existing pot that the plant is grown in. Will do a photo to explain Ken.

19.04.2014 16:59

Ted Jones

really enjoy your pages! However 'Double potting' I have never heard of! Just what does it mean?
Regards Ted.

12.07.2011 23:32

Jean Balsom

Do you cut a year old plant back as I am interested in showing I find your site excellent.
Can you tell me where to buy deacons also pippa.
many thanks

Latest comments

05.06 | 07:32

You're my no. 1 inspiration in the Pelargonium growing/showing world. Appreciation abundance, plus some! Your site has taught me more in a short period of time, than any other source or outlet.

16.04 | 21:49

Wow I love your plants ,beautiful ,I wish I could grow them that well in Australia

17.12 | 10:40

Hi Jacqueline, I do not cover the box as the cuttings will rot off in too much humidity. I only water them once they are nearly dry as not to overwater. Ken

15.12 | 18:58

Hi Ken. Thanks for the info. I would like to know, do you cover the box? How often do you ‘bottom’ water the cuttings?