The likes of flowers

In past years, I had no interest or time for gardening, even when I had a garden at home, my gardening skills were nonexistent. In fact, I never thought I had a green thumb because even the houseplant I bought, died after a few days.

Being aware of what you know and that which you do not know, that's true knowledge. Although we are born with no knowledge, we must continue to remain stupid in order to remain ignorant. The right use of knowledge is wisdom

I found out that balcony gardening is a fun and relaxing way to get in touch with nature, but it also has plenty of health benefits; it is good for mind and body too!

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gardening qualifies as exercise. In fact, if you work at it for just 30-45 minutes you can burn up to 300 calories.

It's always challenging to find a new home that has everything on our bucket list - the right neighborhood, the right size kitchen, whether it has a bathtub or not, and so on. One of my top wishes was a decent-sized balcony.

In addition to finding the perfect size balcony, I also found the ideal small apartment with a breathtaking view, however the balcony itself was rather dull and gray.

I moved into my new home six months before the pandemic started.

After the pandemic, and my autoimmune disorder made it impossible for me to go outside. I longed for nature's colors and splendor

As a result, I began experimenting with "balcony gardening."

In the end I discovered that a balcony garden can be as simple or as complicated as you like, and it doesn't have to cost a fortune to create.

The idea of buying several plants only to have them die within a week was too risky, therefore, I selected affordable flowers.

Pelargonium/Geranium

When the Pelargoniums didn't only bloom beautifully and last all summer, but also into winter, I was shocked.

My unexpected success encouraged me to plan better and learn about decorating balconies. and flowers.

You can create a low-maintenance, easy balcony garden by choosing the right plants and containers or you can create a masterpiece that requires constant attention. Based on your budget, space, light, and exposure, you decide how much time, energy, and money you are willing to invest.

Be aware that due to the difference in climate between balconies and the ground, balconies act as microclimates.

There can even be different microclimates on a tiny balcony.

If an area is shaded, that can be one climate; if another area is exposed to the wind, that is a different climate.

The conditions on balconies can be extreme, with huge temperature fluctuations. Also, surface treatments can affect how hot or cool your balcony is and if it retains the heat over time.

The good news is that there are plants to suit any need. But it is crucial to consider the surrounding environment before planning a garden.

By taking the time to evaluate your balcony conditions, you will significantly improve your chances of success in gardening.

The first flower of my choice

Geranium or Pelargonium?

The plants that we commonly call “geraniums” were introduced to Europe by Dutch traders who brought them from South Africa in the early 18th century.

Because these new plants resembled the hardy wild geraniums already growing in Europe, botanists mistakenly grouped them together into the same genus.

In 1753, the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus classified them under the genus Geranium. When it was later discovered that these new “geraniums” differed from European geraniums in the shape of their petals, the number of stamens, and other factors, they were reclassified under Pelargonium, meaning “stork’s bill”—a reference to the long, sharply pointed shape of their seedpod

Their original common name stuck, however, and in the US we still say “geranium” when we actually mean “pelargonium.” which is what Swedes call them.

To be honest, the first summer, I thought that the flowers would rot and die within a few weeks, so I didn't do more than water them when I remembered and fertilized them once. Yet they managed not only to survive but also thrive, which still puzzles me to this day?

Once my flowers survived the summer and even part of winter, I grew to love them, so I learned how to take better care of them.

Geraniums may be grown as houseplants or as annual flowers. During the warmer months, they can be kept outdoors in a sunny locationm or indoors by window or sunlight.

If keeping geraniums as houseplants, be sure to bring them indoors in early fall, when nighttime temperatures start to regularly fall below 50°F - 10°C.

When buying geraniums, pay close attention to color and size. Healthy leaves will have no discoloration on or below them, and stems will be sturdy, not straggly. Be sure to avoid any plants with apparent signs of bugs as well. Common houseplant pests include mealybugs, whiteflies, and spider mites.

Place plants in pots with drainage holes to avoid root rot.

Use a well-draining potting mixture (not heavy, clayey soil) when planting in containers. Geraniums do not like to sit in soggy, compacted soil.

For maximum bloom, place the plants in an area where they will get 4-6 hours of sunlight.

Allow soil to dry to some extent between waterings, then water thoroughly.

During the winter, water much less, but do not let the roots dry out entirely. Geraniums do best when given a period of dormancy through the winter months, during which they use less water and do not grow much.

To encourage blooming, deadhead spent flowers regularly.

To promote bushiness and curtail legginess, pinch back the stems.

During active growing months, fertilize every 2 weeks or so. Use a water-soluble fertilizer at half strength. Don't fertilize in winter, when the plant should be dormant.

Geraniums can be re-potted in spring to encourage new growth—or if they look like they need to be refreshed.

Geraniums that have spent the summer outdoors can be kept as houseplants, provided they get lots of sun. In Sweden, the sun may not be strong enough in late winter to stimulate buds on some varieties.

Before the first fall frost lifts the plants and, using a sharp, clean knife, cut the stems back in a shapely fashion to about 6 inches/ 15 centimeters.

They should not have to support great masses of leaves in the low-sunlight environment they are about to enter. Save a few stems as cuttings to root—an easy way to multiply your plants.

Transplant the “mother plant” to the smallest pot possible—enough to just fit the roots—using regular potting soil to fill.

Keep the plants in shade for a week, then place them in a sunny spot (they need all the sun they can get) and keep them cool.

When new growth appears in the spring, cut off all the old leaves.

Water only when the leaves show signs of drooping and provide only small amounts. Do not fertilize or feed the plants. It is critical that these plants get rest.

If you want your overwintered geraniums to bloom soon in spring, pinch them back in February. Once warm weather returns and all danger of frost has passed, take the plants outdoors and transplant them to beds or pots, as you wish.

“Gardening is the greatest tonic and therapy a human being can have. Even if you have only a tiny piece of earth, you can create something beautiful, which we all have a great need for. If we begin by respecting plants, it’s inevitable we’ll respect people.” — Audrey Hepburn