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GROWING SCENTED LEAF PELARGONIUMS

A quick reference guide to basic care information

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The No. 1 reason for a plant’s demise is due to neglect by its Owner.  It’s a fact.

Scented Leaf Pelargoniums are not a difficult group of plants to grow but they will require basic, simple care.  Getting any plant off to a good start is vital as it will not perform well if it isn’t looked after.

When your plants arrive

• It is important that the box is opened as soon as possible to provide light and air + water if required
• It is recommended that plants are potted without delay; or outside during the frost free months planted in the garden or containers

What you will need for indoor planting

• Good quality free draining growing medium , e.g. a Multi-Purpose Compost with added John Innes is the easiest to use, or a Multi-Purpose Compost with added fine grit/sand, or an addition of perlite or vermiculite.
• IMPORTANT – whatever growing medium you choose it must be free draining.
•  Garden soil will not do!!  It will clog and suffocate the roots.

•  The general rule is that you look at the plant and pick a pot that is slightly larger.

   

  Plants grow

  • SLP’s do put on growth quite rapidly from March right through to as late as November ( UK). 
  • Observe and move the plant on to a larger pot when needed. 
  • It’s a good idea to occasionally tip out the root ball from the plant pot and if the roots look really congested, move into a larger pot.
  • From Customer Feedback we know that the biggest problem is that plants are not moved on into larger pots and we are then asked why they are dying!!  Small pots for large plants is like adults wearing babygrows!

  Watering & Feeding

  • If growing in plant pots watering should always be from the bottom – further information on how to do this is on our website
  • All plants require feeding, both indoors and outdoors.  If you are new to growing start with a diluted tomato feed, once a week during the growing season.  Further information on Feeding is on our website.
  The above is intended as a quick guide for anyone who is new to growing plants.  Expertise comes with practice and maybe a few disasters but all Growers have to learn and start somewhere. 
   
   We recommend that you refer back to our website from time to time and read the Hot Topics articles and Scented Geranium Care page, which aim to be informative.