In a bit of a pickle.....

[askyourgran]

I have been given a geranium plant cutting by one of the family, it's rather special (it bears the name of my sacred mother-in-law). It hasn't flowered this year but is a healthy plant lts has lots of leaves on it. I don't have a greenhouse and the plant is in a large pot atm in the garden, with the cold weather coming on I don't know what to do with the damned thing (sorry but I hate the smell of geranium leaves). My head will roll, Oh the shame of it - if the sacred mother in law plant dies. It looks as though it could be thinned out but don't know how to. Any suggestions.

[boxtops]

Gran, if you leave it in the garden and the frosts get it, you may lose it. Do you have a cool porch or spare bedroom where you could bring it in, so it still gets light but is protected? You could always try taking a couple of new cuttings now, to germinate in the bathroom say, just in case you lose the parent plant....

[carlton23]

http://gardening.abou...Store_Geraniums_5.htm

[askyourgran]

Thanks boxy I'm a bit nervous of taking cuttings from it but it is in a large outdoor pot atm so I'm going to have a go at least I will save one (and my self-respect). Carlton thank you so much for the link, I think that is a great idea. I don't have a cellar but maybe the front porch will do.

[rowanwitch]

geraniums are the easiest plants to take cuttings from I never bother with rooting powders just stick bits into a pot of compost, keep it just moist and leave it on a window sill.
Go to any seaside resort and the old style b and b's often have a porch full of geraniums It might go a bit leggy just trim it back next year use the trimmings as cuttings and have a garden full of them... give them to friends so if you lose yours you can always scrounge fresh cuttings

[ttfn]

Morning gran. My father used to take geranium cuttings and leave them laying on the ground overnight to form a callous. He would then pot them up the following day and we were over-run by them. As a martyred sufferer of hay fever, I hated the damn things but they always put up a magnificent show in the garden. Am smiling at the thought of the sacred MIL being left on the ground overnight to be distributed among your friends as a contingency. Better take those cuttings quickly before the frosts arrive ;)