Ivy Leaf Geranium Seeds - Fuchsia - PERENNIAL FLOWERS

Ivy Leaf Geranium (Pelargonium X Peltatum Summer Showers Fuchsia) - Summer Showers have a vigorous, upright habit so branches don’t interlock on the bench and plants can be tightly spaced for simpler production. These plants exhibit better natural basal-branching and less disease problems compared to cuttings, resulting in lower production and labour costs. Big, informal flower heads and distinctive ivy leaves create a beautiful cascade from baskets, tubs and window boxes, and make an excellent component in mixed containers. Well-matched across the series both on the bench and in the garden, with great outdoor performance and holding power in hot, humid climates. Flowers quickly from geranium seed, making beautiful 3 to 4 inch fuchsia flower. Tolerant down to 32F or will only survive as an annual. Soaking seed over night may improve germination.

Season: Perennial

USDA Zones: 9 - 11

Height: 12 - 15 inches

Bloom Season: Spring through late summer

Bloom Color: Fuchsia

Environment: Full sun to partial shade

Soil Type: Evenly moist, loamy, pH 6.1 - 7.0
Indoors: Cold, moist stratification. Start at least 5 weeks before outdoor night temperatures are reliably in the 10 C (50 F) range. Mix the seed with a slightly moistened, sterile, soil-less growing mix. Put this in a labelled, sealed plastic bag and store in a refrigerator for one day. The next day place this in the freezer for one day. Repeat this for one week, alternating between the fridge and the freezer. After stratifying, plant seed 0.32 cm (1/8 inch) deep in pots. Keep moist but not soggy and very warm (21 C - 70 F). When seedlings are 5 cm (2 inches) tall or more, transplant into the garden spaced 30 cm (1 foot) apart.

Outdoors: Plant seed 3 mm (1/8 inch) deep in a prepared seed bed in late fall so that the seed overwinters and germinates naturally in spring.

Outdoors Alternative: In late fall through to mid-winter fill plastic pots with a slightly moistened, sterile, soil-less growing mix. Plant seed 3 mm (1/8 inch) deep in pots and label the pots. Place them outdoors in an area where they will experience the snow and cold of winter. The seed will germinate in the pots in spring as the weather warms up. Be sure to water the pots regularly in spring and once the plants are 5 cm (2 inches) tall, transplant them into your garden.