Wintering Geraniums Hi Stan, Don't hold this against me Stan but I come from Calgary and only get to hear your show when I get up to Vegreville to see my mother, that works out to about 4 times a year. I know you have been asked hundreds of times about wintering Geraniums so here is another question. I have looked on the internet for info and have found lots but living in Calgary I would like to know if I did this right. I did a couple different things: First, I dug up my Geraniums, cut them back to about 6" of the root ball, cleaned of as much dirt as I could, hung them upside down in my wine cellar where it's about 12C and dark. Oh yeah, I also sprayed them. Is this the way to do it? Also, info on the net indicates I should soak the roots in water for a couple hours once a month. Is this true? I plan to re-pot in the spring. The second way, I took the tops, selected slips and rooted in starting soil and root starter. They are in a cool room with a north window. I assume this will work but isn't it a little early to plant cuttings, I could have a forest in here by spring!! Some people said I should take slips off the ones I have hanging in the March timeframe and then plant them. Which way is right or the best way. Once they root maybe I should put these in the wine cellar to slow down growth and give them a dormant period. This is the first time I've tried this!! The Only Way To Predict The Future Is To Create It!! James (Calgary) James. Never apologize for being from Calgary. Most of our good friends are living there. The procedure you have done with the geraniums is being accomplished by other local gardeners. It is not, however a procedure used by growers. We would take late cutting from the parent plants sometime in mid Sept. then after a mild frost, dig them up to be potted or contained in large window-type boxes to grow on in the cool to cold greenhouse. Cutting then would be struck during the Jan. to March months, and grown on in 5 inch pots. Bright but cool conditions with moderate to stingy watering. When new growth is showing to a length of 3 inches, fertilize with 20.20.20 and when growth reaches 5 to 6 inches cut off to shape the plant , and if necessary to continue the cutting procedure. Maintain temps of 60 night and 75 to 80 degree day temps. Continue the fertilization after every five times you water. You will find a feature on my web site at:www.whatsupstan.com on how to take geranium cuttings. Visit Gro Like A Pro.

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