It worked. I have a 5 inch line of liatris sprouts - nearly the length of the stalk piece. That is quite exciting! Anyone try this with gaillardia? Just bury the head?

Karen

Martha

Here is a link that might be useful: seeds

I also have more veggie packs. IF YOU WANT BOTH YOU MUST INCLUDE A NOTE AND EXTRA POSTAGE!!!

Be mindful of the new postal rates.

Minimum - 20 packs of flowers and 10 packs of veggies. All are my choice. Unblock your email please. Let's go!

Any garage that is open to winter's cold is not a place to store a geranium....or any plant for that matter.
The geranium can renew itself when the sun returns in February/March.
But, it must not be touched by frost.

Into a cool area of the basement...the crawl space might...might be above the temperature that would harm it.
A coldcellar or fruit cellar or a cool area of the basement that is not heated is ideal.
There it spends the winter...alone, untouched by water, by light, or heat.
It can be left on a shelf, in its pot or not, or in a paper bag that is left open to allow moisture to escape.
It can be hung upside down (that's the easy way to hang) and left as is.

In February, bring it out, cut it back to about 4 - 6 inches, given fresh potting soil in a clean pot, given material that will prevent soil from clogging up the drainage holes, watered and given a sunny window.
Soon new leaves form. Its at this time the plant is given some fertilizer--1/4 rate -- until the plant is well leafed.
That takes about 3 - 4 weeks.
Maybe before it goes outside again, it might show a flower bud--in any way, it will flower again as good as ever.

Every day or so turn the plant 1/4 turn to allow full sun measure to the whole plant.

Allow the plant to dry down somewhat...don't let it dry out, between waterings and always water to drainage.
Dump the excess.

But, it must never be touched by frost.

The other way is to let the plant live on as it was outside by placing into a pot and given a sunny window until the flowering stops.
AT this time, it can go into the coolness of the basement until February.
Some just continue to treat it like any houseplant. Water when it needs it, give it as much sun as weather permits, and in February, cut it back, re-pot with fresh potting soil and continue to treat it as a coming houseplant.

Soaking the roots will be done after you plant it because you will water the plant until drainage is seen below.
Soaking the roots might be considered if you feel they wont get the required water when you water the plant but if you give it frsh soil, a thorough watering after planting, there should be no concern for the roots getting their fill.

The water that accumulates in the saucer below will be left for about 10 minutes to allow full drainge....then dumped so that it cannot be re-sucked up around the roots which got rid of it.
Then given the best sun you can give it...south or west or east is a good esposure and in about 10 days you should begin to see new growth and advancing foliage each day for about a month when the foliage will be quite full.
When first watered, no more water unttil it begins to foliate, then only as the plant needs it. Every time you water, water to drainage and dump the excess.
Poke your finger down to test whether dampness is there...if so, let it go another 2 - 3 - 4 days, then test again. Do not overwater...the plant can only use a little at this time....its the sun that determines how fast the plant grows and its easy to water too much thinking the plant needs it. The finger test is a reliable way to determine that.

Each or every other day, turn the plant 1/4 turn thus ensuring all parts of the plant is receiving adequate sun.

Don't be concerned if the flowring doesn't come before setting it outside--it will come in its time.
When temperatures outside allow it, put it out during daylight hours, back indoors at night, back outside -- indoors...each day giving longer periods and acclimatizing it when it will go out and stay out.

Geraniums expand greatly their roots and can be given containers that suit their roots.