Banana peels: The secret to vibrant balcony geraniums

Geraniums, once associated with grandmother's gardens, have become extremely popular. Many varieties are available in garden centres, differing in size and leaf colour. Although the plant originates from Africa, it has adapted well to our climate. If properly cared for, it can delight for years. It is crucial to remember to fertilize it appropriately. When we take proper care of this, the geranium will reward us with beautiful flowers.

To "nourish" geraniums, we don't need to buy fertilizer from the store. Simply use waste that we have every day in the kitchen, specifically banana peels. To prepare the fertilizer, wash the banana peels, soak them in water with baking soda, then place them in a jar with warm water for two days. After this time, the solution can be diluted with water at a 1:1 ratio. This fertilizer can be used for watering geraniums and also as a spray for pests.

You cannot overdo it with banana fertilizer! It is worth remembering that with artificial fertilizers, we might end up being too generous, which can be harmful to our flowers. Moreover, banana peels are rich in calcium, which helps maintain the proper pH of the soil. The fertilizer can be used every three days, but once a week is also sufficient.

It's best to water geraniums in the morning or evening, avoiding wetting the leaves, which can lead to fungal diseases. In summer, it's recommended to water them twice a week and on hot days even daily. It is important not to let the soil dry out, but also not to water too excessively.

Besides banana fertilizer, geraniums can be watered with nettle or field horsetail decoctions. Plants grown in pots should have good water permeability, which can be achieved with expanded clay or holes at the bottom of the pot.