University of Vermont Extension
Department of Plant and Soil Science
Winter News
Article
ROOTING
GERANIUMS AND OTHER FEBRUARY GARDENING TIPS
Charlie Nardozzi,
Horticulturist and
Leonard Perry, UVM Extension
Horticulturist
Rooting
annual geraniums, starting the first seeds indoors, and forcing
branches into
bloom are some of the gardening activities for this month.
Geraniums
that you brought indoors this winter are probably getting tall and
leggy by now
if they're not growing under artificial grow lights. Prune back
errant branches
and take 4- to 6-inch cuttings to root. Strip off the bottom set of
leaves, dip
the cut ends in rooting hormone powder, and stick the cuttings in a
pot filled
with moistened potting soil. Keep the soil moist, and they should
root in a few
weeks.
Now
is a good time to take inventory of your supplies for seed starting.
Check
quantities of potting soil, containers, labels, etc. Wash any used
containers, then sterilize with
a 10 percent bleach solution (one part bleach to ten parts water) or
less
corrosive solution of a household disinfectant such as Lysol (one
part to 2
parts water).
Long-season
alliums, such as leeks and onions, should be started from seed now.
The very
tiny wax begonias should be started this month too, as well as
pansies. Sprinkle the seed on top of seed-starting
mix, keep it moist, and as soon as the seedlings emerge, place the
flats under
grow lights. Snip the ends of the alliums periodically to keep them
about 3 to
4 inches tall and help them grow strong. A heating mat (inexpensive
ones can be
found online and in complete garden stores) under seed flats will
keep the
sowing medium warm, helping germination.
Give
the gift of fragrance this Valentine's Day with freesias, tuberoses,
Oriental
lilies, hyacinths, or any other flowers that will perfume the air.
Just make sure others in your home aren’t
allergic to their smells. Or make a fragrant
spring gift basket with small pots of hyacinths and other bulbs set
in a larger
basket, topped with Spanish moss. If not sure what a person may
want, splurge
on a gift certificate for fresh flower bouquets from a local
florist.
Now
is a good time to repot any houseplants with roots coming out of the
drainage
holes. Choose a pot one size larger than the current pot, remove the
plant,
trim any errant roots, and repot using fresh potting soil that you
can buy in
bags at most garden outlets.
As
soon as the buds start to swell, it's time to begin pruning apple,
plum, and
cherry trees. Don’t prune when bitterly cold to avoid possible
branch damage,
and for your own comfort. Japanese plum trees and peaches (if hardy
in your
area) should be pruned to an open center, while apples, cherries,
pears, and
other plums grow best pruned to a modified leader (center is more
closed and
tree is more upright). Remove any dead, diseased, or broken
branches, as well
as crossing branches and twiggy, nonproductive growth.
While
you're pruning flowering trees, such as crabapple and plum, cut some
2-foot
sections of pruned limbs with flower buds on them (flower buds are
larger than
leaf buds). The best way to hydrate the stems is to lay them down in
a bathtub
of water overnight. If anyone in your house objects, just recut the
stems,
place them in a bucket of warm water, and keep them in a cool place
for a week
or so. When flowers begin to open, bring them into your living room
and your
house will smell of spring even though the snow may still be flying
outdoors.
(Charlie Nardozzi is a nationally known horticulturist,
author, gardening consultant, and garden coach; CharlieNardozzi.com).
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