Pelargoniums - overwintering

It might seem a little early for this thread but the weather outside has almost fooled me into believing that it's already October :(
I usually grow pelargoniums (geraniums) fresh from seed each year but this year I have had some really lovely plants and would like to try to overwinter them. I have heard that these plants can be lifted, presumably trimmed of their leaves, and stored bare-rooted in a cool place wrapped in newspaper unwatered through the winter months.
Has anybody tried this method or can recommend alternative ones? What's the best time to lift the plants if they are to be brought inside?

 

Hi Jack. I have heard that too. If you think about it you can do this for a lot of plants - you only have to see the range of bareroot plants for sale in the spring. I have never done it. I suspect that it is easier and safer to overwinter them in a pot. They will survive a little frost in say a garage, if they are pretty dry. I have had Zonals survive outside over winter in pots next to my house (in Yorkshire!).

Whilst Zonals go totally dormant over winter - barerooting should work. However Regals don't go totally dormant - they continue to grow slowly all winter, so I wouldn't bareroot those.

 

JBH - yes that is what I do with the ones I particularly like as well as taking cuttings.

With both the secret of success if keeping them in a greenhouse, is to keep them very dry. If in the house, find a light window sill in a little used spare room - where your likely to forget them.

 

Thanks for these suggestions.
I have taken cuttings and, like you PeterS, will chance one or two outside as they occasionally survive if there aren't hard frosts.
I will try the bare rooted method and report back on how the plants are doing this time next year!

 

I leave mine outside, in pots, but I make sure that they can drain properly. I think that you have to avoid having the roots wet. Having said that, we haven't had a hard winter, down here, for a little while so I'm not sure how you would fair in the colder areas