In article 8KuUb.229322$xy6.1164094@attbi_s02,
jrstark wrote:

Jan Flora wrote:
In article ,
(danielle) wrote:


My geranium plants live outside during the summer but I keep
them indoors in the winter. Can anyone give me advice about the
best way to do this? Someone suggested wrapping them in newspaper
and storing them in a dark place. Someone else said put them indoors
but don't water them at all. Another person said to leave them outside
in a sheltered spot. I've tried all 3 with varying success.
Can anyone give advice? What's the best way?


I put mine on top of the fridge and let them grow all winter. Whack them
back without mercy when they get leggy.

Jan, Alaska
USDA Zone 4

I have a citrosa that is getting really leggy, but it also looks like it
will bloom soon (little green buds).

Was planning on cutting it back when I take it outside, should I do it
sooner? How far back is without mercy? It's about 29" at the tallest,
but there is some lower growth.

It's in my semi-heated basement, about 50 degrees F and growing towards
the lamp.

Janine

I've whacked mine back to a couple of bud nodes (is that what they're
called?) on each stem. Mine is in a pint jam bucket right now, and about
3 foot long, cascading off the fridge. It smells like lemon furniture
oil when you touch it. I have no idea what cultivar it is -- got it as a
slip off a neighbor's plant.

You could probably give it a good haircut when you put it outdoors for
the season. That way you'd get nice thick growth. But if it wants to
bloom for you right now, gee, let it!

I live in a daylight basement, so plants kind of languish in here all
winter, then go nuts in March when the daylight comes back. (We
have snow on the ground until May 10 or so, here at the house.)

Jan