What's wrong with the flower spikes on my geraniums?

They're coming through ok, but then some - not all - go brown and die without flowering.

Any ideas?

Thank you

Neil C

 

Hi there

Do you mean the kind of geraniums you use as summer bedding (pelargoniums) or the hardy geraniums (cranesbills)? Both plants are fairly tolerant of dry conditions, but I'd say your plants are probably short of water. Look out for pests, too. At the moment a lot of my flowers have become homes for caterpillars.

 

Thank you, Clare. Pelargoniums. They look healthy, but I guess they might have suffered during the hot spell/s. No caterpillars, though. They're not short of water now, so will they produce more, healthy, flower spikes now, do you think?

 

My guess is that they will be fine. Pelargoniums are nothing if not tough little survivors! Keep them well watered (but not waterlogged) and feed from time to time and you'll soon have a new flush of flowers. Pick off any dead or dying leaves and flowerheads and continue to deadhead regularly.