How to Successfully Cultivate Geranium in India – A Farmer’s Guide

Geranium grows well in well-drained porous soil rich in organic matter with a pH value of 5.5-6.0. It requires tropical, sub-tropical, and temperate climates with temperature ranging from 5°C to 23°C.

Geranium is a long-standing crop, so ploughing twice or thrice is important, and after that, the soil should be fined with the help of a rotavator. Complete the process by levelling the soil properly.

Geranium has no seed setting. It is propagated vegetatively by cutting a 20 cm terminal consisting of 8 nodes from healthy plant is taken & is treated with 0.1% Benlate solution for 10-20 seconds.

Geranium is planted in nursery beds at 5 cm spacing during Apr - May. Then, it is watered twice daily for 3-4 days & sprayed with a 0.2% Urea solution bi-weekly, before they are ready for transplant.

Geranium needs very little water to grow, so proper irrigation on alternate days for first 15 days and then twice a week is done. During winter & summer, irrigation is done at intervals of 7-10 days.

For proper growth of Geranium plant, 10 tons of good quality FYM, 35 kg N, 35 kg P2O5 and 35 kg K2O/ha are incorporated into the soil in the form of urea, superphosphate and muriate of potash.

Geraniums do not require extensive pruning, but the wilted flowers are removed to encourage new growth during blooming season. Pinching the growing tips of young geraniums can also help shape growth.

To deal with pests & diseases, spraying a 0.2% Benlate solution 2 weeks before harvest and treating the cut ends with fungicide after harvest are necessary. Repeat the spray after 2 weeks.