Hi all. My first post, so be kind! This year I have had the chance to grow quite a few potted Geraniums from seedlings. Since I didn't want to lose them through fall and winter, I bought a Greenhouse. 6'x6'x8'. It's a simple enough Greenhouse that is made from a plastic, with metal framing. It has window flaps for ventilation. I have added a 40 watt light bulb for the colder months to come. Question #1. Has anybody had experience with having Geraniums grow through the winter in a Greenhouse like this and if so, what has been your experience? #2. I have put the plants in a week and a half ago, after we had all that rain. I have noticed that the plants are dry in the Greenhouse but the petals are still wet and I see some mold growing on the old petals and some on the leaves. Can they be saved? The stocks on the plants have grown very thick through the summer months(a few of them look like small trees, with the stock so thick) and I don't want to lose them. #3. Will a 40 watt bulb give off enough heat or should I try higher? I have been looking around for awhile to buy a Greenhouse and finally found this one at Canadian Tire. The price was perfect for the size I needed and if anyone is looking for a inexpensive Greenhouse, try C.T. It's the cheapest place I found for what I can afford. Any feedback will be very much helpful! Thanx! Drew.
Drew--the pelargoniums are somewhat hardy, sometimes they make it thru the winter outside here. Keeping them from freezing would still be very helpful, tho. I doubt that a 40 watt bulb will do it if/when we get an arctic blast...but keep watching the temp in there and you would add more "wattage" when/if necessary. The equal problem in your greenhouse will be rot. You're already seeing some mold, and this will get worse unless you really dry things out. Keep the structure open to air on the sides or however it works for now...keeping the rain off is good tho. And don't water unless they start to wilt in there...some people successfully overwinter these things hanging in the basement totally dry (so I hear) so don't be too generous with the water. You won't see actual growth thru the winter, too little light. So aim to just keep the plants alive until days lengthen in March, then they can resume growth.
Growest, Thank you for the information. I will keep one of the flaps open for air circulation. I had them closed because I thought that would help dry them out a bit. Now, if we could do something about all these wind storms ripping through our area! Thanks again! Drew21
Pelargoniums do need winter protection over here but all I do is cut them back and keep them on the windowsill. I have never had trouble overwintering them this way yet so many seem to feel they need special treatment! If you have a lot a greenhouse would be a good idea but it may need heating-not a lot,just enough to keep away frost.