Many gardeners knowingly fell in love with geranium, because it has a beautiful appearance and long-term flowering, does not need special growing conditions, is simple and unpretentious to care.
However, there are a number of simple requirements that must be followed in order to get a beautiful lush bush - this is pruning and pinching.
Purpose of the procedure
Timely and competent pruning of geraniums (pelargoniums) is a guarantee of the formation of a fluffy, attractive bush. However, cutting the plant is not only important for the ornamental appearance of the plant, it allows you to rejuvenate and renew it, thereby prolonging the life.
Learn how to grow pelargonium from seeds, as well as what features care for tulip, ivy, ampel, royal and magnificent geraniums.
The same applies to indoor geraniums, which are prone to growth and intensive growth. The main task of pruning - thinning of the crown in order to improve air exchange, ensure good lighting and power foliage. 
Without carrying out this procedure, pelargonium will have a neglected, neglected form, as a result, it will stop blooming and transform into a “bare” plant without form.
The main benefit of a haircut is as follows:
- extension of flowering time;
- provide a better exchange of nutrients;
- the formation of lateral shoots;
- preparation for the wintering process.
Did you know? There is a variety of geraniums that blooms all year round. Then pruning can be done at any time. However, autumn haircut is considered more useful and necessary.
When to start pruning
Usually, the manipulations associated with the removal of excess branches, the formation of crown on geraniums, are carried out before or after overwintering the plant. In winter, pelargonium is at rest, therefore, experts advise cutting it until December.
The main cutting is done in the fall, after the plant has faded. This will preserve the vitality and nutrients for future growth of young shoots. 
For all varieties of geraniums, it is important to adhere to constant monitoring of the shape and condition of the bush. It is impossible for one procedure to get the bush of the desired shape.
Pruning should be done as soon as the side shoots begin to lengthen.
Important! The peculiarity of pelargonium is that it alone almost never produces lateral shoots. That is why, outside intervention is essential. A hairstyle will allow the lateral buds to awaken, form a new stem and activate flowering.
The timing of pruning and crown formation will also depend on the plant variety.:
- zonal pelargonium perfectly tolerates autumn haircut, moreover, it needs it regularly due to the rapid formation of buds and budding;
- Ivy geranium is cut in the fall (until December) and spring (early March);
- ampelous pelargonium crown form as needed;
- variegated variety is difficult to tolerate pruning in the fall, so it is better to transfer the procedure until spring;
- mini-varieties do not need a haircut at all. Sometimes, solely for decorative purposes, the top and side stems are adjusted;
- royal geranium pruned completely, leaving a stump and move to a cool place. These procedures are carried out infrequently.
You will be interested to get acquainted with the most sought-after species and varieties of room geraniums, also learn how to cut and pinch geraniums for lush flowering.
How to cut geraniums for the winter
If you plan to trim a plant that has been kept on a street or balcony all summer, then it is necessary to transfer it to the room a few weeks before the procedure, so that geranium will get used to the new conditions. In the event that pelargonium is cut immediately, she will experience stress and can get sick.
Required Tools
For the implementation of the haircut will need special tools. It is not recommended to use pruners or scissors, as they can leave rough and torn edges.
It is better to give preference to a sharply-shaped stationery or kitchen knife, a conventional blade. 
Also, be sure to treat all the tools with disinfectants, which can be any antiseptic: alcohol, descept, etc.
If there is no disinfectant solution, then the instruments need to be boiled for 10-15 minutes.
Step-by-step instruction
Before cutting the plant, it is recommended to thoroughly wash your hands and treat them with an antiseptic. The autumn pruning procedure is carried out in the following sequence:
- Inspection of the bush. First, carefully inspect the plant and think through its desired shape.
- Pruned dry foliage, weakened, twisted and dry stems. This will immediately see the true form of geraniums and free up space for new twigs.
- An incision is made above the leaf knot. Stems growing inwards, crossed or weakened branches are removed.
- Start trimming from the outer stems, gradually moving towards the inner ones.
- All sections are necessarily treated with crushed charcoal, ash, cinnamon, a solution of alcohol or ordinary brilliant green.
- It is recommended to trim the tips of the branches after 4-5 leaf nodes. At these places will form new shoots with flower stalks.
- If necessary, trimming more than half of the bush, the procedure is carried out in several stages, keeping between each about 10 days.
Video: how and when to cut geraniums After the event, the soil is fertilized with special nitrogen preparations intended for this type of plant, and also provide the appropriate temperature and light conditions.
Did you know? When choosing a place for cutting branches, experts recommend to take into account the fact that new shoots are formed from dormant buds located in the nodules. Therefore, there is no need to leave long internodes on the tops.
What to do with the plant after pruning
Treated geranium does not require special care, but requires certain conditions of detention:
- all sections are disinfected to prevent infection;
- the plant after pruning is transferred to a cool place where the temperature varies from +18 to + 20 degrees during the day, and from +10 to +15 degrees at night;
- provide the bush with sufficient lighting (up to 12 hours) per day, with an additional light source on short light days;
- reduce watering to two times a week. Moisturize the plant after complete drying of the soil in the pot;
Important! It is better not to add water to the plant, rather than to overflow. Due to the lack of green foliage, the remnants of moisture can not evaporate, which can lead to rotting of the root system, and, as a consequence, the destruction of the bush.
- immediately after treatment, nitrogen fertilizers are applied, which should be sufficient before pelargonium is awakened;
- provide geraniums a normal level of humidity in the room. Increased humidity can lead to the development of a disease called “black leg”.
Pruning geraniums: is it possible to get by
Of course, you can not cut the plant, but hope for the formation of a beautiful bush in this situation is not worth it. Geranium refers to the type of crops that have a tendency to stretch the stems, and an elongated column loses its leaves and ceases to bloom.
As a result, instead of a lush, beautiful bush, it turns out a shapeless empty plant.
In addition, thanks to the autumn procedure of shortening the shoots, you can:
- increase the number of new plants by planting cut stalks;
- achieve more resistant, fluffy and regular flowering;
- "make" the bush grow, give new side shoots;
- free the plant from extra stalks and leaves;
- improve flower ventilation.
Answering the question: "Do you always need to cut geranium?", You need to be guided by its type. An annual flower is not necessary to cut, but a perennial flower needs pruning twice a day, in spring and autumn.Find out also how the geranium is used for medicinal purposes, ordinary and blood-red.
The main mistakes novice florist
The process of removing geranium stems is quite simple, but sometimes beginning flower growers make mistakes, which may result in poor appearance of pelargonium or even its death. Among the most common mistakes include:
- off time pruning. Not all types of geraniums tolerate winter haircut positively. In addition, the removal of stems during flowering can cause the inflorescence of the inflorescences;
- removing too many shoots. Pruning more than half of the stems at a time can lead to stress, after which geranium does not grow and bloom for a long time;
- pruning high above the leaf knot. After such events, the top of the stem dries out, even dies off, because of which the appearance of the flower is lost;
- reusable haircut. Too frequent pruning of the stems leads to inhibition of the development of buds and buds.
We recommend reading about the 15th ke most beautiful indoor plants for your home.
An unremarkable, familiar to all from childhood, geranium with proper care and timely, competent pruning, can turn into a completely exclusive, very beautiful plant. Everybody can create a long-flowering masterpiece on his windowsill, it is enough for this at the right time to cut Pelargonium and provide it with comfortable conditions for intensive growth.
