Mar 29 2017

Homemade (indoor) geranium or pelargonium - care at home

The houseplant pelargonium (popularly called home or indoor geranium) belongs to the Geranium family. This family includes 5 genera and 800 plant species. Geranium is the most numerous genus, and pelargonium is the most popular species of the Geraniaceae family. Therefore, when they talk about caring for geraniums at home, they most often mean pelargonium. We will help you understand the similarities and differences between these plants.

Their main similarity is that both plants belong to the Geraniaceae family. And they are similar in appearance. The shape of the seed pod resembles the elongated beak of a crane in both species. Their erect stems and leaves covered with small glandular hairs, arranged oppositely or alternately, are also similar. Both plants have a characteristic specific smell, bright appearance, are medicinal. They are unpretentious, resilient, love good lighting, and are easy to grow and propagate.

What is the difference between pelargonium and geranium

No one has been able to cross these plants with each other and get seeds - they have different genetic characteristics. Pelargonium is a newcomer from the African savannas, and geranium comes from the northern hemisphere. Therefore, heat-loving pelargonium prefers warm apartment window sills, and geranium blooms in gardens and meadows until frost. IN middle lane In Russia, geranium, meadow and forest, is found everywhere and calmly endures winter without shelter. Only in the Far Eastern and northern regions does it not grow - the climatic conditions there are too harsh for it. Geranium flowers have 5 or, less commonly, 8 petals. Geranium flowers correct form. House geranium, pelargonium, has five petaled flowers irregular shape: The top two petals are separate from the bottom three and are slightly larger than them. Geranium flowers are usually solitary, but sometimes collected in inflorescences. Geraniums have ten developed fertile stamens. Pelargonium flowers are collected in spectacular umbrella inflorescences. Pelargonium has no more than seven fertile stamens. The rest are underdeveloped. Geranium flowers are painted in a wide variety of shades, often blue-violet. Only scarlet color is never found in geraniums. Pelargonium, on the contrary, does not have blue flowers. They are usually white, red and soft pink. Geranium can be found in every garden - summer residents love it very much. Popular varieties of geranium: Magnificent, Georgian, Oxford. It blooms from early summer until frost. And pelargonium pleases with its flowering at home almost all year round. In summer, it can be taken out onto the balcony or even into the garden. But with the onset of cold weather, pelargonium is returned to the house on a warm windowsill.

The most favorite varieties of pelargonium

Fragrant is a lush bush with small leaves and bright flowers. Gives off a pleasant aroma of lemon or mint. Less common is fragrant pelargonium with the scent of nutmeg, orange or apple. However, the flowers are inconspicuous, and the leaves are rough and flat. Of these, they distinguish essential oils and aromatics for cooking. The leaves themselves are not used for food!

Royal is a unique bush with a short stem, large flowers and jagged leaves without a zonal pattern. It blooms with very beautiful flowers, but not for long. This group of pelargoniums was bred in the 60s of the last century.

Angel is a hybrid of the curly variety, part of the group royal pelargoniums. Similar to the royal one, but smaller, more compact, with small leaves and flowers similar to pansies.

Ampelous or ivy-leaved - this pelargonium has thin stems and an ampelous growth pattern. Its leaves are similar to ivy, and its flowers are simple, double, and even in the form of rosettes.

Zonal - this bush has a developed, upright growing stem and dark circles on the leaves that divide the leaf plate into multi-colored zones. Flowers can be simple or double. They are not large, collected in inflorescences-umbrellas of white, red or pale pink. Many people call this pelargonium geranium.

The features of caring for geraniums and pelargonium differ no more than caring for garden plant from caring for indoor plants.

We will look at growing in room conditions homemade geranium - pelargonium. How long the external attractiveness of the plant will remain depends only on the care of its owner, and the lush and bright inflorescences of pelargonium will decorate the interior of your apartment. At home decorative varieties Pelargoniums retain their spectacular appearance for at least five years. But there were cases when pelargonium lived and bloomed for ten or more years with good owners. We will introduce you to simple conditions under which your pet will delight you with its beauty for a long time and improve your health.

Among decorative flowering house flowers, there are very few representatives as attractive and, at the same time, unpretentious to care for as pelargonium. Now you can see for yourself.

Content temperature

Pelargonium feels great all year long under normal conditions. room temperature. It does not require greenhouse maintenance, is quite tolerant of high summer temperatures and in winter it will be comfortable on a cool windowsill, only its leaves should not touch the cold glass.

Lighting

Pelargonium loves well-lit places both for growing in a pot and for keeping it in the garden in a flowerbed during the summer. On the windowsill, on the hottest summer days, it is advisable to cover its leaves from the scorching sun. During the rest of the year, she is only glad to have sunlight, since with its lack, the leaves and flowers become smaller and become brittle. On the balcony, if it is located on the south side of the apartment, pelargonium will bloom all summer. On the north windows winter time pelargonium may not have enough natural light. Its shoots will begin to stretch out, and the decorative effect will be lost. In this case, you will have to resort to additional lighting using a fluorescent lamp or phyto lamp.

Air humidity

Pelargonium does not like too humid indoor air. Does not tolerate spraying of leaves and flowers. Ventilate your room more often. In the warm season, place flowers on balconies and verandas in the fresh air.

Watering

In the summer, pelargonium needs to be watered daily, but little by little. The water should be at room temperature and settled. Avoid over-moistening the soil and getting water on leaves and flowers. Drain excess water from trays. Until it's dry upper layer substrate - do not water. This will protect your beauty from rotting roots and death of the plant. In winter, pelargonium is watered less often, a couple of times a week.

The soil

The soil for pelargoniums should be fertile and loose with an acidity pH of 7 or slightly less. For home maintenance in pots, you can purchase a special soil mixture for flowering geraniums or pelargoniums. You can prepare the soil yourself from a mixture of garden soil, sand and peat in equal quantities. Before use, disinfect the substrate - calcine or steam it. And don't forget to put a good drainage layer of expanded clay or pebbles on the bottom of the pot. To ensure good access of oxygen to the roots of pelargonium, the soil must be loosened both in the pot and in the garden.

Pot

Young pelargonium likes the pot to be small, either 10 cm wide or 10 cm long. Accordingly, an adult beauty will bloom better when its root system entwines the entire earthen lump in the flower container. You can plant two plants at the same time in one pot - with different, contrasting colors of flowers, for example, with white and red petals. It will be very beautiful.

Feeding and fertilizers for pelargonium

Pelargonium needs to be fed from time to time. Especially when she sits in a small pot. Organic fertilizers, especially fresh ones, it does not tolerate, feed with mineral fertilizers. There are special fertilizers for flowering flowers on sale. ornamental plants. Apply them during the growing season and flowering, spring and summer, once every 2 weeks. There is no need to feed pelargonium in autumn and winter. A good feed for pelargoniums is iodine water: 1 liter. Add 1 drop of iodine to settled water and stir. Water the damp (after the main watering) soil near the walls of the pot so as not to accidentally burn the roots. Geranium will immediately respond with vigorous and luxurious flowering.

Transplanting pelargoniums

If the root system of pelargonium does not fit in the pot, its roots peek out from the drainage holes, and the plant withers soon after watering, it’s time to transplant the geranium into another pot. Take a pot 3 - 4 cm larger than it was, preferably a clay one. Pour boiling water over it to avoid fungal or viral diseases of its previous tenants. As with any plants, replanting pelargonium is stressful. Therefore, try to transplant the plant into a new pot carefully, along with the soil, without damaging its root system. And carry out this procedure no more often than once every two to three years. You can only add fresh nutrient soil to the flower pot from time to time.

If you have a large pot, plant two or three pelargonium bushes in it at once. In cramped conditions, but not in any offense - together they will bloom better!

Pruning home geraniums

During summer flowering, do not prune pelargonium. Just cut off the faded umbrella inflorescences so that they do not absorb moisture and nutrients. In the fall, it happens that pelargonium turns into a voluminous, shapeless bush, completely devoid of attractiveness. When flowering stops, home geraniums need to be pruned. Moreover, the more you prune it, the more shoots will appear next spring, the richer and denser its crown will be, the more abundantly and longer the pelargonium will bloom next year. You should not be afraid of deep pruning, because on the bare stem there are plenty of dormant buds that will begin to grow even in winter.

Pruning is especially needed zonal pelargoniums, they are the ones most often found on the flower shelves and windowsills of amateur flower growers. Royal varieties have slightly different agricultural technology, so such plants are formed more accurately and only in the second year after planting. Pelargonium is not pruned in winter. In winter, the plant's defenses and metabolic processes are weakened. Cuttings cut at this time do not take root.

After winter, pelargonium usually loses its attractiveness and decorativeness. Depending on the care and where it is kept, some branches are stretched out, others are exposed. At the beginning of spring, under no circumstances in winter, you need to put its crown in order - do pruning. Do not allow the bush to grow too much - try to give the crown beautiful view. It is better to cut out large old stems, leaving only young shoots. If the shoot has six or more leaves, it needs to be pinched at the top so that the bush becomes more luxuriant. For the same purpose, when growing pelargonium from cuttings, after 8–10 leaves, the growing point is removed. When growing from seeds, this is done a little earlier, after 6-8 leaves. Shoots that grow from the upper axils of the leaves are removed, leaving only shoots growing closer to the root. Keep in mind that pinching and pruning the plant delays flowering for some time. Do these procedures in early spring.

Reproduction of indoor pelargonium

Homemade geranium, i.e. Pelargonium is propagated by seeds and vegetatively.

Cuttings

This is the simplest and quick way- using cuttings. In addition, the signs are completely preserved mother plant, and the first flowering already occurs in the first summer after rooting. Cut cuttings from the tops of an adult plant, 7-10 cm long, with four to five leaves. Make a cut under the bud diagonally. Tear off the bottom pair of leaves. Let the cuttings lie in the air for two to three hours so that the cuts dry out and become covered with a film. Sprinkle them with crushed activated carbon and plant them in a prepared, slightly damp substrate. Don't cover it with anything. Place the pots in a well-lit place, but not in the sun! Do not water for 24 hours. The next day, start watering very carefully, drop by drop, to prevent the shoots from rotting. In a month, good roots should appear. Young pelargonium can be transplanted into a permanent pot and cared for like other plants. To make the bush grow lush, pinch at the growing point at the top.

Sometimes the cuttings are placed in a glass of standing warm water. With this method, rotting of cuttings occurs more often. We recommend adding an activated carbon tablet to the water. And reserve a larger number of cuttings for rooting at once, in case they die.

If your pelargonium has grown too tall over the winter, leave only part of the trunk with the lower young rosettes in the pot, and cut off the rest and use it for propagation. We have already described above how to root the tops of shoots. Cut the middle of the trunk into pieces so that each has several buds. Roots will grow from the lower buds, and shoots with leaves will come from the upper ones. Root parts of an adult healthy trunk cut into a piece in the same way: dry it, treat the cut with crushed coal, it wouldn’t hurt to dip it in Kornevin powder, then plant it in the ground. Do not flood young plantings - they must breathe. In early spring the survival rate of cuttings is almost 100%.

Propagation by seeds

It is believed that pelargonium grown from seeds grows more luxuriantly and blooms much better than those grown from cuttings. May be. But this method is more complex and time-consuming. Buy seeds from special, trusted stores. Sowing time is January or February. Place the seeds on a slightly damp surface of the substrate in a container and close the lid. You can use another container, then cover it with film or glass. Place in a warm, dark place. The temperature should be between 20 - 25 degrees. In a week or two the first shoots should appear. Move the container or other container with the seedlings to a bright place. Open the container lid slightly to ventilate the greenhouse and remove any condensation that has accumulated there. When two true leaves appear on the seedlings, they need to be picked. It is advisable to reduce the further temperature to 16 - 18 degrees. After a couple of months, the grown pelargoniums can be planted in small pots and you can begin to care for them like adult plants.

Dividing the bush

Sometimes mature plant propagated by dividing the bush into two approximately equal parts. To do this, remove the plant from the pot. Shake the soil from the roots. Carefully straighten and distribute the root system into two parts. Using a sharp, clean knife, divide the bush into two parts. The sections must be sprinkled with crushed charcoal or activated carbon. Each part of pelargonium is planted in its own pot according to all the rules successful landing. Healthy, strong plants will quickly restore their shape and bloom the same summer.

Home geraniums do not have a pronounced dormant period. It does not shed its leaves, but drinks less water and rarely blooms. During this period, it is advisable to water it less. Once every 10 days is enough. And don't feed it. You will begin to fertilize in the spring with complex fertilizers containing nitrogen, and in the summer with potassium-phosphorus fertilizers. But, just a little. It is also advisable to reduce the temperature to 20 degrees. during the day. Below 12 deg. It’s better not to lower the temperature at all, even at night. It is good to place the flower pot on a cold windowsill - the coolness from the window glass will be enough for a quiet winter life for home pelargonium.

Diseases

Blackleg

If the base of the stem turns black, it begins to rot - your pelargonium has become infected with a disease that is terrible for indoor flowers -. Most likely, you allowed the soil to become waterlogged and the plant’s root system to become overcooled. We are sorry, but pelargonium cannot be saved. The bush must be destroyed along with the soil. The pot can be disinfected and used again.

Gray mold

Gray mold appeared on the leaves of pelargonium in the form of plaque or cobwebs. There are dark spots on the stems. This happens with excessive watering when the soil does not dry out well. Roots suffer without air. You most likely have heavy soil or poor drainage. Therefore, pelargonium developed a disease - gray mold. It is caused by fungi and is therefore treated with antifungal drugs - fungicides.

Leaf rust

Small yellow-red spots appeared on the leaves of the pelargonium, which eventually turned into stripes. The leaves turned yellow, dried out and fell off. This - fungal disease. It appeared from high humidity in the room, uneven and irregular watering. But perhaps the fungi came to you from contaminated soil. Remove leaves and shoots affected by rust. Spray the flower 2 - 3 times with a break of 10 days with fungicides such as oksikhom, Abiga Peak and others.

Biological products, such as phytosporin, do not treat rust!

Powdery mildew

Mealy spots appeared on the leaves of pelargonium and on its flowers. They are easy to remove, but they appear again and again, enlarge, become gray, dense, and then turn brown. The leaves dry up, the flowers fall off. The plant stops developing. Your room may have very high humidity and heat. You may have overfed your pelargonium with nitrogen fertilizers. Instead of blooming more profusely, the flower became sick. Regularly ventilate the room, do not spray the plants, do not feed them with fertilizers containing nitrogen additives. Spray the flower with a solution of water with milk and iodine or fungicides such as topaz or oxych.

Pests

Since ancient times, people have been treated with indoor plants, specially growing those that were most suitable for them. medicinal purposes. Pelargonium has many magical properties. Flower pots with geraniums they often decorated the window sills in our grandmothers' bedrooms and kitchens. The aroma of pelargonium has been proven to help relieve headaches and stress. At the same time, ants and flies do not like their smell. Decoctions of the leaves are used to treat gastrointestinal tract and nervous disorders in people. They are drunk during insomnia. In addition, they treat joint pain, conjunctivitis, hypertension and much more. But there are also contraindications - consult your doctor before prescribing this or that treatment for yourself.

Since ancient times, pelargonium (before everyone called it geranium) has been grown in every family. It was believed that she protected the house from damage and the evil eye, protected the family from conflicts and quarrels, and contributed to the material well-being of its owners. Where flowering geraniums grow, love and harmony live there! Who knows?! But just because this abundantly flowering plant is so attractive and completely unpretentious - it’s worth having it at home!

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One of the popular houseplants is geranium. Most varieties have bright colors, a pleasant smell and beneficial properties. Now many have forgotten about them. It grows well at home.

Introduction

Caring for it is accessible even to inexperienced gardeners. But for successful breeding, you need to know the characteristics of the plant.

About 300 years ago it was brought to Europe from South Africa Pelargonium, mistakenly classified as a species of geranium. Since then there has been confusion about the name.

Those flowers that our grandmothers grew on windowsills are called pelargonium. Flower growers have bred approximately 10,000 varieties of it. Geranium is a winter-hardy shrub. To avoid confusion, in the text we will call everyone by their usual name.

Kinds

There are currently 6 known varieties of geranium:

Ampelnaya

It is distinguished by long branches that descend downwards.
Their length can reach 90 cm.
It is best hung in a flowerpot.
Flowers are white, red, purple.
They are located at the top of the falling branches.
The inflorescences are tassel-shaped.
The leaves have a smooth surface.
There are about 70 varieties of ampelous geraniums.

Royal

Geranium is the most capricious of all types.
It grows as a bush from 30 to 60 cm in height.
Her flowers are large, double.
Its inflorescences have the shape of umbrellas.
Situated on long stems, they form a hat.
In color, they can be solid, from white to purple, or they can be spotted.
The leaves are round and have serrated edges.

The most common type.
Its bush can reach 80 cm in height.
Its leaves are round in shape with white, yellow or brownish edges.
The stems are long, straight, and at their top there are inflorescences - umbrellas.
Their color is varied, from white to dark red or purple.

Fragrant

Rare plant.
This is due to the difficulty of reproduction: Cuttings take several years to take root, but seeds are difficult to obtain.
It looks like kohlrabi cabbage.
The leaves, located on long stems, are covered with hairs.
They have a velvety surface.
The flowers are on a branched peduncle.
Their color is greenish-white.

Has variegated leaves.
They can have spots, streaks, lines different shades: red, yellow, red.
The height of the bush is from 15 to 45 cm.
Its flowers are small, have many colors, but are inconspicuous in appearance.

Beneficial features

Essential oil

Homemade geranium is a medicinal plant. Healers claimed that she could cope with any illness: from ARVI to cancer. It is very often used in alternative medicine.

The folk epic says a lot about its benefits, for example, the proverb: “Geranium on the window - health in a basket.”

Let's consider its main properties in more detail:

Modern scientists have studied its properties. It turned out that the aroma of pelargonium is bactericidal; it purifies the air in the room in which it is located.
The aroma of the leaves repels insects. Everyone knows that it repels moths. Previously, clothes were arranged in sheets and put away for long-term storage.
Normalizes blood pressure. To do this, the piece of paper is applied to the wrist.
Treats colds. It is recommended to gargle with the infusion, and drop the juice from the leaves into the nose, 2 drops at a time.
Relieves pain symptoms. The leaf is applied to the sore spot.
Geranium essential oil has a calming effect on the nervous system.
Using geranium oil you can relieve vasospasm.
Normalizes heart function.
Decoctions help with kidney and liver diseases.
The roots of red pelargonium block the growth of cancerous tumors.

Contraindications

When talking about the properties of the plant, you need to take into account that it can cause harm:

Children should not be allowed to take infusions and decoctions orally. Use only externally in the form of lotions and compresses.
Geranium should not be used in the treatment of those who have ulcers, thrombophlebitis, or constipation.
Use with caution in pregnant women and elderly people.

Features of reproduction

Geranium can be propagated in three ways:

Seeds
Cuttings
Roots

Each method has its pros and cons. Let's take a closer look at them so you can choose one that's convenient for you.

Seeds

Geranium seeds

At home, it is possible to grow a pelargonium bush from seeds. You can collect them from your own plant or buy them. The grown flower may differ from the parent bush. New varieties are developed using this method.

The disadvantage of seed propagation is the duration. The plant takes longer to grow and begin to bloom. After flowering ends, beak-shaped fruits are formed.

You need to let it ripen and dry without tearing it off. When you open the dried fruit, there will be seeds. By the way, pelargonium got its name thanks to its fruits. The literal translation means “beak of a crane.”

In order for the seeds to germinate at home and sprout, you need to follow simple rules:

The soil should be loose. For an ideal substrate, mix 2 parts turf soil, 1 part peat and 1 part river sand. It needs to be moisturized. Place the seeds on the surface, keeping a distance of 5 cm. Cover the top with a 0.5 cm layer of sand.
To make it easier for the sprouts to hatch, the seeds should be rubbed with sandpaper. She will remove the top layer. For greater efficiency soak them in a growth enhancer. If these conditions are not met, the germination process will take 3 months.
After sowing, the container is covered with film and put away in a warm place. As soon as the seedlings appear, it moves to a bright and cool place. The soil is aerated. Condensation is removed from the film.
You need to water in moderation. For watering, use a pinkish solution of potassium permanganate. Drops should not fall on the sprouts themselves.
Geranium seedlings are picked 14 days after the plant hatches. You can’t delay it, because the roots are also developing. Late planting can damage them. The geranium is transplanted into a permanent pot on the 45th day.
After the sixth leaf appears, they begin to pinch. This process will form a beautiful bush indoor geranium. It won't let him stretch out too much.

Cuttings

Cuttings can be carried out at any time of the year. But the best period will be the off-season: spring, autumn. Although they also have pros and cons.

Spring is the time of awakening. In geranium shoots it is activated Vital energy. By planting the cutting at this time, you can already enjoy the flowering of the young bush in the summer. But on the other hand, cutting cuttings will slow down flowering.

In autumn, after the flowering period is over, the cuttings are stronger. They, having become stronger, will accept it faster. Florists autumn period reproduction is considered the best. The downside is that you will have to wait until summer for the first flowers.

How to take cuttings:

Cuttings are cut only when they are healthy and without damage. The optimal length is 7–10 cm. This should be done with a sharp knife or pruning shears. The cut should be located between the nodes of the branch.
Excess leaves must be removed. Only a few pieces are left at the top. This is done so that nutrition does not go to the foliage, but to form roots.
The cuttings are kept in the purchased solution to stimulate root formation for 3 – 5 minutes.

Rooting options:

A hole is made in the substrate, where the future bush is planted.
You can, after the amplifier solution, put it in a glass of water. To disinfect, crush two tablets of activated carbon into it. It is transplanted into the soil after roots appear.

This method is not suitable for royal geraniums. It will rot in water.

There is a way to root in a bag: pour soil into it, tie it, make slits, where the cuttings are planted. It is not particularly convenient, but moisture is thus retained, preventing the substrate from drying out. This is important for the appearance of roots.
There are special greenhouses. They consist of a container for soil and a lid with holes for ventilation. The method is good for a large number of shoots. They come heated. Their use is convenient: the soil is moistened, plants are planted, and closed. And all that remains is to wait for rooting.

Whatever method is chosen, you need to remember that the main thing is hydration. Water nourishes and promotes the formation of the root system. But you can’t overwater geranium. It will rot from excess moisture.

Propagation by roots

Sometimes geraniums grow new shoots from their roots. If you plant them out, you will get a new bush. To do this, the entire plant must be carefully removed from the ground. The root is divided so that the children have part of the root system. Then the bushes are planted in separate pots.

Care

Watering a flower

Pelargonium is not whimsical. She doesn't demand special care, but the rules must be followed. Then the plant will delight with lush foliage and beautiful umbrellas of flowers.
Geranium is a big sun lover. Pots with it can be placed in open sunlight. Cover the bushes only in extreme heat to prevent the foliage from getting burned.
Watering should be plentiful, especially in hot weather. Nevertheless, it is worth observing the measure. From an excess of moisture, the geranium will begin to rot and die.
To avoid stagnation of water, you need to think about good drainage for each pot. For example, put medium-sized pebbles on the bottom. The container should be small so that the root system can entangle the entire earthen ball.
Bushes should not be sprayed. Geranium foliage does not like excess moisture. When watering, you also need to try not to get it wet.
Depending on the period, you need to choose feeding. So, during flowering, geraniums need mineral fertilizers, containing phosphorus and potassium. Once it has finished blooming, it needs to be fertilized with nitrogen.
You need to feed every week from April to October. If the bush is transplanted, then there is no need to use fertilizing for 2 - 3 months.

Features of care in autumn and winter

With the onset of cold weather, the care of pelargonium needs to be changed. Temperatures below +12 degrees will become critical.

She loves warmth

In autumn and winter, geraniums should be placed on windows to ensure maximum illumination. It is advisable that the room is not very hot. Regular ventilation is recommended.

Watering should be reduced to once a week. Be sure to check the substrate; you don’t need to overdry it either.. This can cause the geranium to wilt. Fertilizers also need to be reduced. Once every month and a half is enough.

In autumn and winter, you may notice partial yellowing of the leaves. This is a normal process. They just need to be removed. If the tips of the leaves dry out, this indicates a lack of moisture. The solution is to increase watering.

Transfer

Preparatory process

Geranium tolerates transplantation well, regardless of the time of year, although it is better to carry out the procedure in the spring. Waking up from winter dormancy, the plant tolerates any changes more easily.

In summer, when the flowering period begins, its forces are directed to the inflorescences. The transplanted bush will spend it on the root system, adapting to the new environment.

Do not forget that geranium does not like space. You need to choose a compact pot for transplanting. In a large container it will not bloom profusely, its purpose will be to develop the root system.

To understand that it’s time to replant the bush, there are several criteria:

Plant growth has slowed down
The soil dries out quickly, which leads to more frequent watering
Roots peeking out of a hole in the bottom of a pot
You can check by removing a lump of geranium. If the roots have entwined the entire lump, then it is time to transplant

When the transplant is carried out in old pot, it must be disinfected. Wash in a solution of potassium permanganate or bleach.

Transplant process:

Drainage is placed in the prepared pot
Get a bush with a lump of earth from an old container
Check to see if all the roots are healthy. Damaged or showing signs of disease are cut off with scissors.
Next, place it in a new pot. The space between the flower and the walls is filled with moistened soil
The substrate must be compacted so that air does not pass through it
There is no need to feed geraniums for the first 3 months.

Trimming

Pruning the branches of a bush is done to form a bush. The process stimulates the growth of side shoots. Geraniums begin to form from the moment of planting.
Geranium grows tall. Without pruning, it may not produce lateral shoots. It has buds at the nodes that bloom and produce a new shoot when upward growth is blocked.
Pruning is best done with a sharp knife. Scissors pinch the stem and damage the tissue. This leads to plant disease.

The cut is treated with activated carbon. This will prevent rotting and pest attacks.

Pruning should be done to improve the health of the bush. When the inflorescences begin to fade, they are cut off. Dried and damaged branches are also removed. And only after this, if necessary, the strongly grown shoots are shortened.
The procedure is carried out regularly until winter. From December to March, geraniums are left alone. During this period of time, she is vulnerable, and her growth is slowed down.
In spring, weakened stems are removed for lush flowering. If there are long ones, they can be shortened. It is important to leave 3 buds, this will ensure lush flowering.

Geranium (Latin name Geranium) is known as pelargonium. This is a perennial herbaceous or semi-shrub plant belonging to the family and genus Geranium. The genus includes about 400 species of geranium. They settled on many continents and are found in all climatic zones of the world, even on such remote islands as Madagascar and New Zealand. Some representatives of the species can be found in high mountain areas. The most beautiful representatives of the family are the genus Pelargonium. It is distributed only in the tropical zone and became the progenitor of indoor geraniums.

Geranium has long been loved by our grandmothers and takes its place of honor on window sills and balconies. In Soviet times, this plant was considered a bourgeois plant. They just called it “crane bird”. WITH Greek language The name of the plant is translated as “crane”. It is called similarly in England and the USA. In Germany the plant is known as "stork nose", a name given to it for the shape of the capsule that forms after flowering. In Bulgaria, due to its medicinal properties, geranium is called “health resort”.

Geranium extract has:

antiseptic;
antiviral;
tanning and other properties.

To preserve the decorative appearance of the bush and lush, long-lasting flowering, you need to know how to prune geraniums. In this article we will describe in detail how to properly grow geraniums at home.

Garden geranium is large group cultivated species of geranium, the ancestors of which were meadow geranium and forest geranium. They grow up to 60-80 centimeters in height. The entire stem is covered with fluff or glandular fibers. The leaf blade is strongly dissected, most often five-lobed. Leaves on long petioles are located near the basal rosette.

Flowers are single or paired, raised on a peduncle. Consist of five separate petals. The color of the corolla is blue, violet and lilac. Hybrid varieties, such as blood-red geranium, have carmine-red bud color and beautiful carved foliage, which turns red with the onset of cold weather. Himalayan geranium gave rise to varieties with terry bud, colored bright blue, blue, and sometimes purple, for example, like the Plenum variety. The root system is represented by rhizomes lying close to the surface of the earth. In some species it reaches 1.5 centimeters in diameter and 10 cm in length.

Indoor geranium is the popular name for pelargonium. This geranium is native to the Cape region of South Africa. In the wild, these small plants can tolerate short periods of drought and rainy seasons. Breeders derived from this unpretentious plant indoor geranium.

Pelargonium grandiflora is the most popular variety among lovers of indoor floriculture. Low varieties (up to 50 cm) are compactly located on window sills. The leaves are green, sometimes with a brown border, often entire, and have a wavy edge.

U scented geraniums The leaf blade is openwork, strongly dissected. All leaves on long petioles are alternately located throughout the stem, covered with villi. Stems are erect.

There are also ampelous varieties. The root system is fibrous. Flowers of various colors are collected in a lush umbrella inflorescence. Hybrids not only have a variety of pleasant aroma, but also beautiful complex buds, similar to small peonies, roses or tulips.

Red geranium is the most favorite variety of pelargonium among our grandmothers. It is endowed with mystical and healing properties. These are zonal species that require formation. By properly pruning the bush, lush umbrellas of double and simple flowers are formed. On long inflorescences they will rise above the dense mass of greenery. The leaves are on long stalks, green, in some varieties dark purple with green edge. The edge of the leaf is wavy. With the exception of hanging varieties, the stem is erect. Among some varieties there are stems without glandular fibers, with almost smooth shiny leaves. Ampelous varieties of red pelargonium are an excellent decoration for balconies or hanging flowerpots.

History and interesting facts

The Cape region of South Africa is rich in plant species, most of which have long been grown as domestic plants. This area is home to the geranium plant. Together with the discoverers from South Africa, the flower came to Great Britain, where it was so popular that it was sketched in paintings, and ladies decorated their dresses with it. Cultivated geranium came to Russia only at the end of the 17th century.

Geranium quickly took root in homes. Her beneficial features difficult to underestimate. For example, the air in the room where this flower grows is enriched with phytoncides.

Essential oil obtained from geranium:

relieves migraines;
helps fight depression;
promotes human mental activity;
helps cope with asthma attacks, but can cause an allergic reaction.

In folk medicine, geranium juice is used for:

sore throat;
runny nose;
otitis.

Having geranium in the house is useful not only from a medical point of view, but also from an esoteric one.

Due to such popularity, geranium has given rise to many signs and superstitions. Unmarried girls carried dried white geranium flowers with them to find true love. The essential oils of the plant protected against evil forces and the evil eye. It is believed that the flower can have a positive effect on financial side its owner.

People have endowed different colors of geranium with different magical properties:

white geranium can attract the attention of the opposite sex. Helps women get pregnant and bear a healthy child. In houses with white geraniums there are no frequent quarrels and scandals;
Red geranium promotes strong feelings in young families and couples who have been married for a long time. Red geranium has the ability to preserve the youth of its owner. Young girls, if this flower grows at home, get married successfully;
pink geranium helps to find understanding in difficult relationships and find love. For girls who have been waiting for a marriage proposal for a long time, it helps to bring the wedding date closer.

Very often the question arises whether there is a difference between pelargonium and geranium, and what is the correct name for it. Pelargonium (Latin name Pelargonium) is a beautiful representative of the Geranium family. Pelargonium is found only in South Africa. The plant is light-loving and drought-resistant. Cultivated on Reunion Island for its essential oils.

Flowers of various colors are collected in an umbrella-shaped inflorescence. After flowering, a fruit-box with dry sepals is formed. The opening of the box begins from the bottom to the top. Stems are straight or creeping. From species with creeping stems, cultivated hanging varieties for vertical gardening were obtained. The leaf shape is simple, palmate, and in some species palmately dissected. Grown as indoor plant or taken outside in the summer.

Geranium and its many species are found everywhere in the wild. They are frost-resistant and suitable for growing in gardens. Flowers solitary or paired. The stem is erect, the leaves near the basal rosette are petiolate, and the leaves on the stem are sessile. The leaf blade is heavily dissected.

Types and varieties

Geranium is a perennial garden plant suitable for areas with any conditions. There are varieties for open sunny lawns and, conversely, those that prefer the translucent shade of trees. Due to its wide distribution in various natural areas, varieties of geraniums (Himalayan geranium or large-rhizome geranium) have been developed that can tolerate frosts down to -35 degrees. These species are native to the mountain slopes of the Himalayas, Alps and Balkans, which makes them not only frost-resistant, but also adapted to poor soils.

Long selection has made it possible to obtain varieties of double geraniums colored in dark purple, almost black and carmine colors. In addition to flowers, the bush is decorated with greenery, which in autumn turns red like the blood-red varieties of geranium.

This family has not only decorative properties. This variety of geranium, bog geranium, is attractive for its content of sucrose, glucose, catechins, triterpenes, flavonoids, tannins and vitamin C. This species has long been used by our ancestors for treatment. The flower grows everywhere on the edges and meadows of the European part of Russia.

A huge number of varieties for indoor floriculture have been obtained from wild pelargonium from the coast of South Africa. Among the geraniums for home grown The most popular is Pelargonium grandiflora. The unusual shape of the flower consists of two upper and three lower petals, overlapping each other, making the flower look like a violet. With proper care, lush inflorescences reach 15 centimeters in diameter. This type is described in more detail later in this article.

Norrland

Pelargonium norrland

Pelargonium Norrland is a representative of zonal species. Obtained through selection, it is a very resistant variety that lives well both in the garden and at home. The flowers are double, deep pink, forming dense inflorescences. The plant is large, with thick shoots, so it needs shaping. Pruning is carried out in early spring before flowers appear. You can pinch the bush or trim old shoots in the fall.

It is better to choose a place for planting in the garden in translucent shade. Direct sunlight, as well as a very dark place, will have a bad effect on the decorative qualities of the bush.

Maintenance in winter should take place at above-zero temperatures (+10…+12 degrees). In summer, at a temperature of +18...+25 degrees, the plant is taken out into the open air. For planting, you need to purchase ready-made soil or compose it yourself from 2 parts of leaf soil, 2 parts of peat soil and 1 part of coarse sand. For good development and flowering of pelargonium, the pot should be small.

In summer, the plant needs abundant watering. To avoid waterlogging, drainage must be placed at the bottom of the pot. The plant does not need spraying. They are fed twice a month with mineral fertilizers; in winter there is no such need. After transplantation to new soil the plant is not fed for two months, since fresh soil contains all the necessary nutrients.

It is better to replant pelargonium in the spring, before flowering begins. Pelargonium Norrland is susceptible to fungal diseases such as gray mold, and can also be damaged by insect pests ( mealybug, whitefly).

Lemon

Lemon geranium

Lemon geranium belongs to the group of fragrant geraniums. The ancestor of these varieties was brought from the Cape of Good Hope. Botanists became interested in this species and developed varieties with the smell of chocolate, cinnamon, apple, eucalyptus, strawberry and rose. Lemon geranium has a pleasant bright aroma. The leaves are dark or light green, with a strongly dissected leaf blade. The entire plant is covered with scent glands in the form of hairs.

The flowers are inconspicuous, white-red or white-violet. This does not at all affect the popularity of the flower, as it has medicinal properties. Crane grass treats infertility, insomnia, high pressure. Used in cosmetology for oily skin and against hair loss.

Growing a plant at home is not at all difficult. Pelargonium is not afraid of bright sunlight; it is not afraid of burns on the leaves. Minimal watering is required, only after the soil in the pot is completely dry. Regular pruning and shaping of the crown in the spring gives the bush a nice appearance. If you do not flood the plant, it is rarely exposed to diseases and pests.

Martha

Pelargonium martha

Pelargonium Martha is a miniature representative of pelargoniums with a beautiful, densely double inflorescence. The flowers are white, with a gentle light green tint at the beginning of flowering and milky white at the end.

Its small height, about 20 centimeters, makes it an ideal indoor plant. It practically does not grow over the summer, and the thick, rich greenery does not fall off in the winter. It is better to choose an eastern or western window for a room for pelargonium. Bright sun will shorten the flowering period. Water regularly, but little by little. Does not require bush formation. Responsive to mineral fertilizers for flowering plants.

Terry

Terry geranium

Terry geranium is a group of hybrids united by beautiful lush flowering multi-petal buds. There are 22 varieties in total. The color of the buds is very diverse. Flowering plants are often compared to roses. The leaf blade is green, whole, with a wavy edge. Among terry pelargoniums there are also hanging varieties. Usually these are small plants with long flowering, the buds of which do not fall off, but dry on the peduncle unchanged.

At home, a window without bright sun is suitable for her. To maintain lush flowering and decorative look bush terry geranium needs to be formed. This variety is perfect for growing indoors, but in the summer they feel better outdoors.

Reproduction is vegetative. All domestic varieties are hybrid, as a result of which propagation by seeds will not produce results and the young plant will not inherit all the maternal characteristics. Soil for planting can be purchased in stores. Cuttings take root easily and begin to bloom in the first year.

Ashy

Ash geranium

Ash geranium is a wonderful garden species that winters in the middle zone. It got its name from the silvery-ashy color of the leaves. Flowers lilac shades with dark purple veins. It begins to bloom at the end of June. For planting, choose partial shade or a sunny corner. Any soil will do, as long as it is well-drained. During the growing season, it is necessary to feed and pick off dried buds and branches once a month in order to maintain decorativeness and prolong flowering.

Natural habitat: Europe and the Caucasus. On mountain slopes with poor soil it forms bushes 15 centimeters high. Ideal for alpine slides and stone gardens. Based on the wild species, the variety Ballerina was bred.

Roberta

Geranium Roberta

Geranium Roberta - annual herbaceous plant, which has medicinal properties. Distributed throughout Russia and neighboring countries. Prefers wet meadows, swampy banks of rivers and lakes, rocky slopes. The stem grows up to 1.5 m, is covered with brown fibers and is highly branched. The leaves are dark green, palmately divided, with long petioles, densely covering the shoot.

The flowers are simple, consisting of five purple petals with white veins. Flowering begins in June and ends in September.

The green part of the plant contains flavonoids, essential oils and vitamin C. The root is rich in tannins. Behind medicinal properties The plant was previously called God's grace and was used for fever, gout, and bleeding. Before use, you should consult your doctor, as decoctions may cause allergies or stomach upset.

Bolotnaya

Swamp geranium

Swamp geranium is widespread in Europe. She prefers wetlands located in damp forests and meadows, as well as in floodplains. This is a perennial herbaceous plant with a closely lying root system, sometimes reaching the surface. The leaves located near the root rosette quickly die and change color, becoming reddish-brown. The height of the plant is about 30 cm, sometimes reaching 70 centimeters. The stem is erect, heavily pubescent. The leaf blade is five-parted, dark green in color, covered with villi. Unlike the leaves on the root rosette with cuttings, the leaves on the stem are sessile with three lobes.

The flowers are up to 3 cm in diameter and purple in color. The petals are entire, ovoid in shape with a wedge-shaped base. After flowering, an elongated fruit is formed, covered with villi with dark brown seeds.

Due to the presence of tannins, catechins, sucrose, glucose, as well as resorcinol and pyrogallol in the plant, it is often used in folk medicine. Mostly the green part of the plant is collected during flowering. Dried and used as decoctions.

Grandiflora

Pelargonium grandiflora

Pelargonium grandiflora also has a more common name - royal pelargonium. It gained great popularity thanks to its beautiful flowers. Outwardly, they resemble pansies and grow up to 5-7 cm in diameter. The inflorescence forms a lush umbrella, petals with veins and dashes, painted in different colors.

Royal geranium has earned special love due to its aroma. Through selection, varieties have been developed that can bloom for 4 months. The flower is densely covered with greenery, grows up to 50 cm in height, while remaining compact and attractive. The leaf blade is green, whole, and has a wavy edge with denticles.

Pelargonium grandiflora does not like drafts and direct sun rays. Additional lighting in winter will contribute to successful flowering. For keeping in winter, a temperature of 12 - 17° is suitable. In winter, watering is reduced to a minimum; the soil should be completely dry. In summer, it needs regular and abundant watering. In summer, the plant needs additional fertilizing with mineral fertilizers.

Pruning of the plant is carried out in the fall. It is better to extend the procedure over 2-3 months, gradually removing the shoots. In winter, thin weak shoots are pinched. In March, this process is stopped so as not to damage the developing peduncles. Transplantation is done after flowering. The pot should be 1.5-2 cm larger than the previous one.

It will not be possible to propagate a plant by seeds while preserving its species characteristics. The most convenient way is propagation by cuttings. They are obtained during pruning of the plant. Young cuttings are dried for 2 hours and planted in a moist mixture of peat and sand.

Lack of light leads to elongated shoots and pale leaves. Excessive watering, especially in winter, provokes the appearance of root rot. A plant that is left outside for the summer may be attacked by insect pests. To combat them it is necessary to use special insecticides.

Himalayan

Himalayan geranium is a perennial garden plant. This is very frost-resistant type, capable of wintering at a temperature of -30°. The variety gained the ability to adapt to poor soils thanks to its natural habitat. It grows wild on the slopes of the Himalayas, Tibet and the Alps. In the garden it can grow up to 60 cm.

The leaf blade is unevenly dissected into five lobes, up to 10 cm in diameter. Indigo-colored flowers, with a pleasant aroma and dark veins, about 5 cm in diameter. The inflorescence is corymbose, two on the peduncle. The calyx is lanceolate with three dark veins.

The wild species gave rise to many garden varieties, able to feel great in open sunny areas and in partial shade. Selection has made it possible to develop terry varieties based on it, for example Geranium himalayense Plenum.

Lake

Pelargonium lake

Pelargonium Lake - representative terry varieties, has bright orange flowers. Peduncles are long. The petals are colored unevenly, lighter closer to the edge, creating an iridescent effect and adding volume to the already dense inflorescence. As with all zonal varieties, crown formation is required in autumn and spring.

The variety is valued not only for its beautiful flowering, but also for the decorative color of its leaves. A dark brown stripe runs along the edge of the leaf. When there is insufficient light, the plant becomes very elongated, exposing the stem. In winter, water rarely; the temperature in the room is maintained not exceeding 17°. In summer it is better to take it out into the fresh air.

Peony-shaped

Peony geranium

Peony geraniums are representatives of domestic terry varieties. Each flower is up to 5 cm in diameter. The inflorescence size is up to 15 centimeters. The plant is low, densely covered with leaves. The leaf blade is round in shape with an uneven edge. In winter, peony geraniums are kept at room temperature. In the summer, it is better to take it out onto the balcony or street, away from drafts. The room is suitable with an east or west window. The bright sun of a southern window can cause damage and leave burns on the tender leaves of the plant.

Any soil is suitable for replanting, preferably with neutral acidity. You can make it yourself or purchase it at a specialty store. The soil composition should include humus, peat and sand. The peat content should be minimal, since its ability to accumulate moisture can lead to the death of the plant. A prerequisite for good maintenance is the presence of a drainage layer of at least 1-2 cm. During the growing season and active growth feeding is needed. Mineral fertilizers must contain phosphorus and potassium.

The flower is rarely replanted, only when the root system tightly occupies the entire pot. Independent propagation by seeds is impossible, since all varieties are hybrids. The desired seeds can be purchased in specialized stores. Optimal shape propagation - by cuttings. To do this in the spring, during pruning, several cuttings are saved and left to dry for 2 hours. outdoors. Leaves from the bottom of the cutting are removed. After planting the cuttings, the soil is compacted and watered with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

Peony varieties are susceptible to infection with gray mold, and insect pests love to feast on the sap of the plant. Most often on geranium you can find cyclamen and spider mite, aphids and whiteflies. The flower must be regularly inspected and sprayed with insecticides in a timely manner.

In addition to insects, the condition of pelargonium can be affected cold air and high humidity. In these cases, the stem turns red or black at the base. If there is no flowering, the reason may be excessive feeding. This problem can be solved by stopping feeding. The lack of flowering can be affected by a lack of light: the plant becomes very elongated, the foliage becomes light-colored. green color.

Gorgeous

Geranium is magnificent

Superb geranium is a wonderful species to grow in the garden. It forms clumps 60 cm high and grows quickly. The flowers are beautiful, rich of blue color, with dark veins. Large, widely spread flowers were obtained by crossing Georgian and flat-petaled geraniums. Geranium blooms from mid-July to late autumn.

The stem is erect, densely covered with green leaves. Each leaf is divided into five blades with a carved edge. The root system is fibrous. The plant is unpretentious, but in the garden it is better to choose well-lit places. In autumn, the leaves change color to orange-red. Magnificent geranium has been grown in gardens for more than 100 years. It is an indispensable element of landscape design.

Seeds are not formed, the plant is sterile, propagation is carried out by cuttings or dividing the bush.

Large rhizomatous

Geranium macrorhizome or Balkan

Large-rhizome or Balkan geranium has a pleasant smell and the ability to maintain the green color of foliage even under snow. It easily tolerates severe frosts. Delicate purple flowers bloom for about a month. U hybrid varieties Flowering may be longer and the flowers are often purple and white. In autumn, the leaves of the Spessart subspecies acquire a brick-golden color. The leaves consist of six distinct lobes with a serrated edge. The rhizome is thick (1.5 cm), lies close to the surface. Prefers well-drained soils without stagnant water. Does not need shelter for the winter. It is attacked by aphids and whiteflies. During periods of stagnation of water, it is affected by root rot.

Lesnaya

Geranium forest

Forest geranium is widespread throughout Russia. Most often found in meadows and edges of deciduous forests. The perennial herbaceous plant can tolerate low temperatures. The plant grows in height from 50 to 80 cm. The leaves, attached to the basal rosette on long cuttings, are pinnately dissected. The leaves on the upper part of the trunk are sessile. Stipules are lanceolate, Brown. The flower consists of 5 separate petals, colored purple. There are no more than 2-3 flowers on one peduncle. Flowering lasts about a month, from mid-June or early July.

Aboveground shoots are used as medicinal raw materials. It has astringent, disinfectant and tanning properties. Geranium decoction helps with gout, rheumatism, and treats diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Before use, you should consult your doctor.

Lugovaya

Meadow geranium or meadow cranebird

Meadow geranium or meadow crane grass is a herbaceous perennial frost-resistant plant. The habitat of the species is the temperate latitudes of Eurasia. This species is often found in villages, growing along fences. Loves moderately moist edges and steppe slopes. The root system is represented by a thick root up to 10 cm long. The stems are often single, covered with small fibers. The height of the plant varies from 30 to 80 cm. The leaf blade is green and densely pubescent. The leaves at the root rosette are on long petioles (10-20 cm). The leaf plate itself is from 6 to 12 cm, divided into 5 blades. The leaves on the stem are sessile and consist of three lobes.

During flowering, the flower opens wide and consists of five lilac-blue or purple petals. Flowering is short-lived, about 1 month. In September, in place of the flower, a fruit is formed, similar to the beak of a crane, with a large number of seeds covered with specks. The length of the box is up to 3 cm. Geranium prefers well-lit places, but can also grow in partial shade.

Crane grass has medicinal properties. During flowering, the green part of the plant is harvested. Closer to autumn, the rhizome is dug up and dried. Meadow geranium is a good honey plant, the best among all varieties of geranium. In ancient times, this species was used to produce green dye. Based on this variety, breeders developed a large number of others capable of spending the winter without shelter.

Blood red

Blood red geranium

Blood red geranium is a low-growing variety of outdoor geranium. The height of the flower rarely exceeds 50 cm. The leaf blade is deeply dissected, each lobe is lanceolate. In summer, the leaves are green, but with the onset of cold weather they become bright red. Flowers cover abundant flowering the whole bush. Size when opened is from 3 to 5 cm. Colored in carmine red, pink and pale pink color. Unlike previous species, the flowers on the peduncle do not rise above the leaves, but are in the same plane with them. Flowering begins in June and July and ends in September.

How to care for geraniums at home?

Caring for geraniums at home is not at all difficult. Like all indoor plants, it requires lighting, watering and replanting. Timely pruning and crown formation will ensure lush flowering. Pelargonium is perfect for a novice gardener. How to care for geraniums is described in detail in the article below.

Watering and humidity

Geranium domestica originated from a region with a very warm climate. Long dry seasons and well-drained soil prevented even heavy rains from sharply increasing soil moisture.

The question arises: how to water geraniums so as not to harm them? For successful cultivation at home, varietal pelargoniums need to be provided with good drainage and moderate watering. The lump of soil in the pot must dry completely before the next watering. Water for watering geraniums must first be filtered and allowed to settle. If geranium leaves turn yellow, this may be a sign of insufficient watering. There is no need to spray the plant, this can harm its velvety leaves.

Lighting and air temperature

Despite the fact that geranium is unpretentious, it still requires care. It does not need additional lighting, but on northern windows the flower will stretch out and the flowering period will be shortened. In summer, it is recommended to take the plant outside: the ideal temperature is +25…+27 degrees. In winter, the plant does not lose its decorative effect, the leaves do not fall off. Optimal temperature for winter maintenance it ranges from 15 to 18 degrees.

Care for geraniums in winter

Care for geraniums in winter is insignificant. A window is perfect for keeping it. By controlling temperature changes, you can achieve abundant flowering. Watering is reduced, it is enough to water once every ten days. The plant does not need fertilizing with mineral fertilizers during this period. Only very fast-growing zonal varieties are pinched in winter. Most species, when at rest, do not develop green mass.

Soil mixture

Stores sell ready-made soil for geraniums, or you can choose a universal one for flowering plants. To create your own soil, you need to mix equal parts humus, turf soil, sand and a little peat. The ability of peat to accumulate moisture can lead to waterlogging and death of the flower.

Fertilizer and feeding

Most often, beginning flower growers wonder how to feed geraniums. A flower can grow in one pot for several years. During this time, the soil is depleted, washed away and loses nutritional value, leaving only the function of holding roots. For abundant flowering, you need to feed the geranium with something.

Like all decorative flowering plants, pelargonium is responsive to the phosphorus content in the fertilizer during the period of bud formation and flowering. In early spring, before flowering begins, flowers can be fed with nitrogen-containing fertilizer. Throughout the summer, organic fertilizers will have a positive effect.

Please note that the more often you water, the more often you will have to feed the flower. You can also feed with improvised substances. For example, one of the proven effective fertilizers is sugar. A tablespoon of sugar is diluted in a liter of water and the plant is watered no more than once a month. You can add yeast to water with sugar and leave it to react for an hour, then pour this mixture over the flowers. Such liquid cannot be stored, nor can it be used in dry form. You can add drunken tea or coffee to the soil to loosen it, but it must be taken into account that this increases the acidity of the soil.

Pruning and forming a bush of indoor geraniums in the fall

When to prune geraniums? The most frequently asked question from flower growers. Geraniums must be pruned for the winter not only to obtain lush flowering, but also for the purpose of reproduction. At home, pruning geraniums will preserve the decorative appearance of the bush and prevent the trunk from becoming too long and “balding.”

How to properly prune geraniums in the fall - step-by-step instructions:

Tool preparation. For pruning, use a sharp, disinfected knife. You can use a blade or a paper cutter.
The cut is made obliquely - from the center to the outside of the plant, 1/3 or 2/3 of the entire height of the plant.
In autumn, geraniums are pruned to obtain young shoots. To do this, the cutting must contain at least 3 internodes and leaves.
To make the bush thicker in the spring, the cut is made above the leaf node.
To reduce the density of the bush, the cut is made under the leaf node.
The cut area is treated with crushed coal or cinnamon powder.
After pruning, feed the plant.

Pruning, pinching and crown formation in spring

In spring, pelargonium does not need heavy pruning. You can get a small “cosmetic haircut”. Spring formation begins in February, but no later than March. At this time, pruning of geraniums is carried out so that at least three buds are preserved on the bottom of the trunk.

Basics of proper crown formation

How to prune geraniums correctly so as not to harm the bush and not lose flowers? When forming bushes, you can only maintain its genetic shape; pruning will not work to change the ampelous appearance to a zonal one or vice versa. Interior The bush needs thinning first, this will allow better air circulation and avoid the appearance of rot and insects.

To form stamped pelargoniums, a support is used, since the flower trunk is very fragile. Leaves and branches are trimmed at the bottom of the trunk. Large bushes are almost never pruned; their regeneration processes are slowed down. The flower will spend a lot of time and effort restoring its greenery, which means flowering may stop.

Step-by-step instructions for spring pruning:

Geranium pruning in spring is carried out no later than March.
Use a sharp blade or a previously disinfected knife.
Only weak and very elongated shoots are cut off.
After pruning, be sure to feed the plant with nitrogen-containing fertilizer.

Why and how to pinch geraniums

Geraniums are pruned in spring to form a beautiful plant shape. Maximum pruning carried out in the fall produces new branches, on which lush flowering is formed. If the bush grows quickly in winter, pinch it with clean, dry fingers.

Mistakes when pruning geraniums at home

Spring pruning of geraniums is the most dangerous. A plant that is pruned too much may not bloom or may bloom very late. To avoid this, it is better to either limit yourself to autumn pruning or leave at least 2-3 leaf buds.

Diseases and pests

Diseases of geranium are not terrible; it is a fairly strong plant. Like all flowers, maybe improper care and excessive watering, suffer from gray mold and rot. If you put pelargonium outside very early, cold nights and heavy watering will lead to powdery mildew. Being constantly at home, the likelihood of becoming infected with aphids and whiteflies is not so high for geraniums. Each gardener must make his own choice whether to place pelargonium outdoors or not. Despite the illnesses, keeping geraniums in the fresh air will have a very good effect on development.

To combat insects, insecticides such as “Fitoverm”, “Fufa-Nova”, “Aktara” and “Aktelik” are suitable. Fighting rot is more difficult. The affected area must be removed with a sterile sharp knife and the entire plant must be treated with Horus, Switch, and Fitosporin.

Flower growers who feed the plant with tea and coffee are faced with the problem of small midges. They do not harm the flower, but rather cause inconvenience to the owner of the flower, and are a consequence of waterlogging of the soil and a high content of organic matter.

Medicinal properties and contraindications of geranium

In this article we have already talked about medicinal properties geraniums The most common source of raw materials is meadow geranium. In summer, during flowering, the green part of the plant is harvested. It is cut at a height of 15-20 centimeters and dried at a temperature of no more than 40 degrees in special cabinets or a well-ventilated room. The sun's rays should not reach the raw materials. The roots are collected in the autumn: they are cleaned, washed in cool water and dried.

Geranium decoction and extract are used for the following diseases:

uterine bleeding,
diarrhea,
hemorrhoidal bleeding,
dysentery,
enterocolitis,
nervous excitability,
epilepsy,
insomnia,
fever,
stomatitis,
eczema,
purulent inflammation

The properties of geranium essential oils have found wide application. They are used for diseases of the upper respiratory tract and treatment of the consequences of colds. They will help cope with spasms that cause headaches, menstrual pain, cramps, and also normalize blood pressure. Treat herpes, fungus and eczema. Cosmetology treats acne and pimples. Soothe and moisturize the skin, removing flaking. They are part of anti-aging and anti-cellulite oil mixtures. To strengthen hair, the oil is mixed with water and apple cider vinegar. The resulting conditioner is not stored, used immediately.

When mixed with olive oil, geranium essential oils are used to remove kidney stones, reduce sugar, remove helminths, and also for stomach ulcers.

The healing properties of geranium are perfectly preserved by the oil. To get 100% natural oil You need to chop 4 tablespoons of leaves, pour in a glass of refined sunflower oil. Infuse in the dark and cool for 5 days, then 1.5 months in the sun. Strain the mixture and store in the refrigerator in a dark bottle.

Transplantation and propagation

Further in this article, methods for propagating geraniums by cuttings and seeds and possible difficulties with cuttings are described in detail. Let's look at how to replant geraniums at home, what kind of pot and soil will suit it.

Propagation by seeds

Geranium seeds have good germination. Propagating geraniums by seeds will produce a large number of young and healthy plants. It is not difficult to obtain seeds yourself, but most varieties are hybrids, which means their seeds will not bear all the characteristics of the mother plant. It is better to use seeds from a trusted store. There are also seeds that take more than two months to germinate (such as ivy-leaved geranium).

How to plant geraniums to get good plants?

The seeds are covered with a thick shell. For faster germination, they need to be rubbed on a fine sandpaper. Soil for planting can be purchased at flower shop. Purchased soil is enriched with minerals and nutrients, but not every soil is suitable for geraniums. Under the wrong conditions, geranium from seeds may appear two weeks later; the bushes will have thick stems and poor flowering.

It is better to make the soil yourself. Its composition should include peat, river sand and turf soil, in a ratio of parts 1: 1: 2. The finished mixture is disinfected by treating it with a solution of potassium permanganate and then calcining it in the oven. A shallow pot or container is suitable for seeds. The container is filled with soil, moistened and left for a day. The seeds are planted to a depth of one centimeter and sprinkled with soil. The finished containers are moistened with a spray bottle and covered with film. It is necessary to leave a hole for ventilation. When the first shoots appear, the film is completely removed. There is little soil, so it dries out quickly. It is necessary to water regularly, but little by little.

Young shoots require a lot of light; the best place for them is on the windowsill. The soil is periodically loosened and when the first leaves appear, they are planted in separate pots. Disposable plastic cups will do. After the appearance of the fifth true leaf, the seedlings are pinched to form a more branched bush.

Propagation by cuttings

At home, geranium can be propagated by cuttings throughout the year. Best results obtained from cuttings cut in the spring. The rate of root formation also depends on the variety of geranium. So, zonal and ivy-leaved varieties will give roots in 2 weeks; royal and fragrant pelargoniums will need from 4 to 6 weeks for this. In winter, it will take twice as long to germinate roots. Weak young cuttings tend to stretch when there is insufficient light in winter. It is better to use lighting and pinch out in the spring.

How to propagate geraniums from cuttings at home?

If you want to get beautiful lush flowering this year, you need to start cuttings no later than March. At this time, the active process of growth and movement of sap throughout the plant begins. Autumn cuttings, cut in September and October, will also take root well, but will not begin to bloom until June.

For successful rooting, the cutting should not be less than 2.5 centimeters low-growing varieties and 5 centimeters for tall ones. It must contain leaves and 2-3 internodes with leaves removed. Flowers and buds must be removed; this will delay root formation in seedlings. Cuttings are carried out with a sterile knife (can be boiled or wiped with alcohol). The cut must be treated with Kornevin or charcoal. After cutting, the resulting cuttings are left in the shade until the cut dries. Plastic cups with holes or specially purchased containers are suitable for planting.

The soil should be very loose, it’s good if 1/3 of it consists of sand and vermiculite. It is necessary to place fine drainage at the bottom of the cup. The soil should be disinfected by spilling boiling water or a solution of potassium permanganate. After treatment with boiling water, the soil should cool down. The cuttings are deepened into the soil by 2 centimeters and taken to a dark place for 5 days. After 5 days, the tray with seedlings is taken out to the window. Water through a tray, maintaining a temperature of +14…+16 degrees. If individual plants begin to turn yellow and wither, they must be placed under jars. Geranium cuttings can be considered successful if new leaves appear.

You can get roots by leaving the cuttings to germinate in water. To do this, cut the stalk, leave it to weather, and then place it in a glass with water and activated carbon. After roots appear, transplant to permanent place into a small pot or glass.

There are species that take a long time to form roots. In this case, a circular cut is made on the branch of the mother plant through a bud. At the site of the cut, gum grows and small tubercles form on it; these are the rudiments of the roots.

Transplanting home geraniums

Geranium incanum Johnson's Blue

In this chapter we will look at how to replant geraniums without harming the plant. Geranium can grow in one pot for a very long time, up to 10 years. A sign of a necessary transplant will be roots protruding from the hole in the pot. The new pot should be 1-2 centimeters larger than the previous one. A pot that is too large can cause the flower to die or delay flowering until the plant's roots have taken over the entire space. The first pot should not exceed a width of 10-14 centimeters and a depth of 10-12 centimeters. It is necessary to have drainage holes and a layer of expanded clay.

The pot can be made of any material. If you like to water, an unglazed ceramic pot will suit you. The lump of earth in it quickly dries out and becomes saturated with air. You can also plant it in a plastic pot, providing the pelargonium with a good layer of drainage and moderate watering.

Any soil that is neutral in acidity is suitable for the flower. It is better to further enrich universal and store-bought soils with perlite, sand or vermiculite. The soil should be loose and moderately nutritious. It should not contain moisture-retaining components such as sphagnum.

It is very important to choose right time years for transplantation. Flowers transplanted in spring (February-April) tolerate stress best. During autumn transplant the flower takes longer to recover. It is not advisable to replant it during flowering and in winter. During the flowering period, due to transplantation, pelargonium may shed its flowers and will not produce new buds this season. In winter, being at rest, the flower will not take root and may die.

A plant purchased in a store is most likely in a flowering state, so do not rush to replant it, wait until the pelargonium drops its flowers. A plant without flowers must be quarantined for two to four weeks. During this time, the flower adapts to indoor conditions. Make sure there are no pests on it.

Stages of transplanting a flower purchased in a store:

The pot is 1-2.5 centimeters larger than the transport pot.
Place drainage and a layer of soil at the bottom of the pot.
Moisten the soil.
Place pelargonium in a pot with a lump of old soil.
Add fresh soil around the edges and on top.
Water and compact the soil.

How to plant geraniums?

Very often, a flower that grows for a long time in one pot produces babies, forming a lush bush, making it difficult for the geranium to form and thickening it too much. To provide nutrients to each new plant, they must be planted. In spring, water the bush abundantly, remove it from the pot and carefully shake off the soil, separating the roots. The resulting young plants are planted in separate pots.

If you place pelargonium in a flowerbed for the summer, it is not advisable to remove it from the pot. There is less chance of soil insect infestation in the pot. In addition, replanting in the spring, as well as in the fall, when the plant returns home, is extra stress for it.

Possible difficulties

Why does geranium turn yellow?

There may be several reasons for yellowing leaves. We'll look at them a little later in this chapter. The leaves may turn red around the edges, and then entirely. This happens with flowers located on the street. Too cold air at night will lead to the destruction of chlorophyll and reddening of the leaf blades. This is how the plant prepares for winter.

Why doesn't geranium bloom - how to make it bloom at home?

Flowering can be affected by too frequent watering. During excessive waterlogging, the buds fall off or do not form at all. When kept very hot, especially in winter, flower buds do not form. Another reason for the lack of flowers may be lack of lighting. Too much pruning in the spring can also stop flowering.

To get lush and long-lasting flowering, you need to prune the bush in a timely manner. In winter, keep it in a cool room with good lighting, extend daylight hours in the spring with artificial lighting if there is not enough natural light.

Too frequent use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers can also cause geraniums to stop flowering. This manifests itself in the lush greenery and lack of flowers.

Why do the leaves dry out and the geranium turn yellow?

The reason may be in the natural development of zonal species, when the plant becomes old and becomes very elongated. If the leaf begins to turn yellow at the edges, this is a sign of a lack of fertilizer in the soil. Whitish or yellow spots indicate the appearance of aphids. If the entire plant is weakened and the leaves turn yellow, this indicates the presence of whiteflies. Root rot can also cause the entire flower to turn yellow. To solve these problems, it is necessary to inspect the plant and eliminate all options that are unsuitable for development.

With the onset of cold weather, many plants require special competent care, because only with this method will your flower in spring and summer be able to delight the eye with its abundant blooms. Geranium is one of these plants. But how to properly organize care for geraniums in winter? How to properly prune a plant before wintering? You will find all this in our article.

We will pay attention not only to preparing an indoor flower for the cold season, but will also dwell in more detail on what temperature conditions and watering schedule should be followed to maintain the health and productivity of the plant.

Care for geraniums in winter

Geranium is an unpretentious plant, but in order for it to bloom in winter, it needs more careful care. With the onset of autumn, many flowers need to be moved to a place protected from the cold. Geranium is one of these plants. It must be carried so that it does not experience stress from sudden changes in temperature (Figure 1).

Note: Some varieties bloom almost all year round, so by moving them indoors you need to create optimal conditions.

The basic requirements for caring for geraniums in winter are:

In cold weather, it is better to place it in a cool room. A south window works well.
The plant will not disappear even with partial darkening, but then there will be no abundant flowering. Daylight hours for the crop should be 12 hours.
In winter, the amount of watering is reduced, since low temperatures and high humidity can cause root rot. The plant should also not be dried out too much - it will begin to wither, turn yellow, and shed its leaves.
You only need to feed the flower once every month and a half.
Winter care also involves constant pruning of branches. If this is not done, the flower will lose its decorative effect and become unattractive. By carrying out timely and high-quality pruning of the crown, the geranium will become lush, and the flowering will be beautiful and long-lasting.

Figure 1. Under certain conditions, the plant will bloom in winter

Preparing geraniums for winter

The end of growth and the transition to a dormant state for plants occurs in September-October. For geraniums, the dormant period begins from November to February. At this time, the flower is kept in a cool room (8-10 degrees), carefully watered, avoiding overflow (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Preparing a houseplant for winter

If the weather is sunny in September, then the flower has enough light to continue flowering. The longer the weather is warm outside, the bigger plant wastes nutrients, which is why they often need to be watered and fed. With the onset of cloudy and rainy days, the flower pots are transferred to a cool place, watering is carried out moderately.

Note: In winter in warm rooms The flowers grow vigorously, forming light shoots that are pruned in the spring. In a cool place, it smoothly goes into a dormant state, slowing down its growth and sparingly consuming nutrients.

If your geranium was in the ground in the summer, then, with the onset of cold weather, you should dig it up, cut off one third of the roots and plant it in a small pot, and also trim the bush itself. The flower pot must be placed in a dry, sunny place. Remember that the crop does not like sudden changes in microclimate, otherwise the leaves may turn yellow and dry out. You need to moisten the soil as it dries.

How to care for geraniums in winter

Geranium is not very demanding in terms of care and can live in almost any room. But with the arrival of cold weather, caring for it will change a little. With proper care, the plant will delight you with its flowering until January.

Traditional measures for plant care are considered correct lighting(including artificial lighting), timely but moderate feeding, and ensuring optimal temperature conditions in the room.

Lighting

This is a very light-loving plant, so the best place to place it in winter would be a south-facing window sill. It is the most illuminated and the flower will grow and bloom well there. But you should be careful, since constant exposure to ultraviolet radiation can lead to severe burns, which will cause the death of the flower (Figure 3).

Figure 3. The best place for a flower - a window facing south

The duration of daylight should be at least 12 hours. If you leave a flower in a shaded place, there is a chance that its leaves will not develop and will remain small. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to provide the plant with additional lighting. This can be done using a special lamp placed at a height of 10 cm from the top of the plant. As a rule, phytolamps are used for this purpose, but it can be successfully replaced with a conventional fluorescent lamp or fluorescent lamp.

Nutrition

Mineral fertilizers such as potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron and copper are used as fertilizing. Fertilizers are applied twice a month. If you use a complex one, then it should contain minimal amount nitrogen. It causes excessive leaf growth and stunts flowering.

Figure 4. In the cold season, watering and fertilizing should be moderate

It is not recommended to feed the flower if the room is very hot; this can become very stressful for it (Figure 4). Before applying fertilizer, you should water the fertilizer so as not to burn the root system. Remember that this crop does not like fresh fertilizers in the form of droppings, manure or compost, so there is no need to fill the flower with them.

Temperature

The air temperature in the room drops slightly during the cold season, so you need to create a comfortable conditions, where the temperature will not drop below +12 degrees. Often it does not reach such extreme levels. You need to measure the air temperature not in the room, but on the windowsill where the flower pot is located. But if the room is not warm enough, there is a chance that the plant will freeze and drop all its foliage. The crop also reacts poorly to dry air; this happens when there is a heating radiator under the windowsill where the plant stands (Figure 5).

Figure 5. The flower must be protected from too dry air

Taking into account these requirements, you will have to take care of providing additional temperature conditions. For example, to prevent the roots of the plant from freezing on the windowsill, it is advisable to place the pots on a sheet of foam plastic, which will provide optimal thermal insulation. If the air in the room is too dry, you can install a stationary humidifier or simply place any container with clean water. As it evaporates, it will increase the air humidity in the room to an optimal level.

How to prune geraniums for the winter at home

The dormant period of the plant begins in the fall and the main thing that needs to be done is to prune it. In the future, this will serve as the foundation for future inflorescences. If the following conditions are met, but without pruning the flower, one cannot talk about beautiful and lush inflorescences in the future (Figure 6).

The trimming sequence is as follows:

At the end of September, all peduncles and flowering ones are also cut off: this procedure will allow you to preserve your useful material for the winter.
Yellowed or wilted leaves are plucked off: it is recommended to pinch them off rather than cut them with scissors. The scissors leave behind mere protruding roots, which can later begin to rot and lead to disease or even death of the plant.
To get dense flowering, in September the flower is cut before the branches begin or just above (3-5 centimeters) the node. The cut top part can be rooted as a cutting for propagation.

Figure 6. Basic types of pruning: pinching and shortening

The plant is pruned until it loses its lush appearance. Don’t worry that the crop will lose its attractive appearance: such radical pruning will help save nutrients and give the crop the opportunity to grow young, lush shoots.

If your flower is still young, then just pinch it, adhering to the following rules:

Young plants begin to be pinched when their height reaches 5-6 centimeters.
The next pinching is carried out when the plant has grown another 5 centimeters.
To give the flower a spherical shape, pinch it a third time in a similar pattern.

Plant pruning can be done both in autumn and spring, depending on the variety. For example, zonal ones grow, and if the branching is not very long, they don’t need to be pruned, and it’s better not to touch small plants at all until spring.

For variegated varieties, pruning is very stressful, so pruning is best done in the spring. Ampelous varieties are pruned when they grow strongly.

Yellowed leaves and flowers must be removed constantly, regardless of the variety, but trimming the stem is individual for each variety. For small flowers, pruning is not so important, but for larger plants it is of great importance.

Propagation of geraniums in winter

The easiest and simplest way to propagate geraniums is propagation by cuttings. To do this, you need to cut off the top of a strong plant with two or three leaves, roll the cut in activated carbon powder, then plant it in the ground (Figure 7).

Note: Before planting, the soil must first be spilled with boiling water, then with a dark pink solution of potassium permanganate. This is done to neutralize the soil.

In addition, the cuttings can be placed in a container of water until roots appear. Then replant into the ground. You can also propagate a houseplant by dividing the bush during transplantation. To do this, remove the plant from the pot and divide it into parts. After this, each part must be planted in separate containers. It is important to ensure that all parts of the root system are intact. As a rule, propagation of geraniums by division is used if the plant has grown too large and does not fit in the pot, or the owner suspects that the root system of the crop is affected by bacteria or fungus.

Figure 7. Stages of plant propagation at home

The most labor-intensive process is the propagation of a plant by seeds. According to experienced flower growers, geranium grown from seeds is better and blooms more beautiful than propagated by cuttings. Sowing of seeds is carried out in January-February. To do this, place the seeds in small cups with moist, disinfected soil and sprinkle with soil. The cups are covered with film or glass on top. Water by drip so as not to drown the seeds.

The first shoots can be seen after 1.5-2 weeks, the temperature should be 20-24 degrees. When young seedlings appear, the shelter can be removed. When two leaves appear, the seedlings are picked and left to grow. After 7-8 weeks, the plants are transplanted into pots.

Proper handling of geraniums during their dormant period will make it possible to obtain beautiful flowering in the summer. And even novice flower growers can follow these rules of care. If you need more detailed information about caring for geraniums in winter, we recommend that you watch the video, which shows in detail the features of this process.

Geranium is a wonderful indoor plant that has a lot of advantages and has not only luxurious and colorful flowers, but also a lot of healing properties and qualities.

It can be either a garden plant or indoor flower decorating the windowsill and home interior.

Geranium has a lot of varieties and a sufficient number of varieties so that any gardener, or even just a lover and connoisseur of beauty, can create the right one for himself. flower arrangement.

Geranium will find a worthy place for itself on the windowsill among other flowers and will protect them from the possible invasion of indoor flower pests - which literally cannot stand this plant and are afraid of it.

Features of growing geraniums

Geranium is unpretentious and does not require its owner to have any special conditions for growing and caring for it. But still, there are some features and rules for breeding and maintaining this plant.

For good flowering of geraniums, proper watering, acceptable lighting and warmth are necessary. In winter, geraniums can be kept indoors, and closer to summer they can be planted in open ground in a garden or vegetable garden.

This flower can be grown both from seeds and by cuttings. The plant easily perceives the bright rays of the sun, so in hot weather it can only be darkened a little.

The key to successful cultivation of geraniums is proper soil drainage, as well as the selection of medium-moist and slightly acidic saturated soil.

It is also necessary to feed and fertilize geraniums, especially if they grow in pots.

Geraniums need to be watered, but moderately, and during the growth period, weed the soil of the plant to remove weeds.

Geraniums need to be pruned on time and correctly, otherwise they may die, especially in winter.

Geranium: home care - propagation

Geranium propagation can be carried out in two ways - cuttings and reproduction of seed planting material.

Cuttings- the most popular and uncomplicated method of propagating geraniums, which has been used by flower growers since ancient times. There are practically no failures here.

1st method of cuttings.

Cuttings are cut from the mother plant at the end of the summer season, or at the beginning of autumn. The cutting is removed from the very top of the plant, leaving at least 4 leaves on the cutting. After this procedure, the cutting can be placed in a container with water and wait for the roots to form. After the root system has appeared, the plant must be planted in a pot with soil prepared in advance for this purpose.

2nd method of cuttings.

The cuttings, as described above, are cut from the plant and then placed in the shade until they wither. Then the cutting is dipped in a stimulant called “Kornevin” or juice taken from aloe, then in charcoal powder, and at the end of the whole process it is planted in a prepared pot.

At the same time, it is important for cuttings to properly prepare the soil - garden soil or greenhouse soil mixed with sand in a 1/1 ratio.

Therefore, in both cases you need to show a little care and attention and your pet will delight you with luxurious, abundant flowering and radiant health.

Seed propagation method- This is not such a popular method of reproducing planting material as, for example, geranium cuttings. But for breeding new varieties of geranium, this method is the most acceptable method, especially if a gardener or just an amateur wants to experiment and from a certain variety of seeds obtain seedlings that are different from the source material - in color, shape and size.

In general, in order to avoid any failures associated with growing geranium from seed planting material, it is necessary to start planting geranium seeds and experimenting with inexpensive varieties of this plant.

The soil for planting geranium seeds should be well loosened and, in addition to the main soil, consist of sand and humus. At first spring period you can start sowing.

Before you start planting seeds, the soil under the geranium must be thoroughly watered with a solution of manganese (to protect the plant from diseases such as blackleg). Afterwards, the seeds need to be poured into the ground in some container and lightly sprinkled with a layer of soil, but so that they are not visually visible on the surface.

Then, for the planted seeds, it is advisable to create some kind of greenhouse in the form of a film, with which they will be covered, and then remove the planted material to an insulated place.

Geranium: home care - soil, lighting, conditions for flowering

The soil

The soil for geraniums should be rich and nutritious, but not light. It is advisable to add a little clay base and sand to the soil.

To mix the components yourself, you need to take part of the humus (leaf or turf), the same amount of peat, sand and the same amount of clay soil from the river bank.

Such soil retains moisture quite well, and therefore the soil does not lend itself to acidification. In addition, it is recommended to regularly loosen the soil under the geranium for better health of the flower.

Lighting

In the summer, when the daylight hours are long and saturated with rays of the sun, geraniums located on the windowsill feel great on any side of the room.

However, the best location for geranium is still considered to be the south side, near a window, on some kind of flower stand, because this particular plant is most directly related to light-loving flower specimens, to which, even on hot days, direct rays of the sun cannot bring any benefits. or harm.

But, despite all of the above, on hot days you need to protect geraniums from sunlight using papyrus paper to avoid the appearance of burn spots on the plant.

The room where geranium grows needs to be ventilated, but without creating drafts. And in order for geranium to grow strong, smell fragrant and delight the eye with its luxurious and bright flowers, it must be protected from being kept in the shade and taken out into the fresh air as often as possible. sunlight.

Conditions for flowering

In order for geranium to delight its household with the beauty of its flowers all year round, it is necessary to create favorable conditions and proper care.

The abundance of flowers in the summer will directly depend on how the plant spent its winter.

Geraniums simply need to spend the winter somewhere in cool places as far as possible from fireplaces and heaters, while temperature conditions no higher than 13 degrees. At this time, the plant absolutely does not need fertilizing and abundant watering.

If you follow all the wintering rules, not only will the plant not get sick with any diseases, but from spring until late autumn it will delight everyone with the abundance of its flowers and their beauty.

You also need to remember and know the fact that geranium really needs to break off faded inflorescences. And if everything is done correctly, this plant will extend the flowering period from May until October.

Trimming

For this process, you must use a knife with a sharp and long blade. They need to cut off the wilted and yellowed leaves so that the petiole remains on the geranium. You need to start pruning geraniums, leaving shoots with several nodes in the fall. All cut areas must be lubricated with pre-ground activated carbon.

But when pruning geraniums, you need to take into account the fact that after such a painful operation for the plant, it will not bloom soon. So you need to be patient and continue caring for your favorite plant.

Geranium: home care - feeding and watering

Watering

The main requirement that must be observed when caring for geraniums is regular watering. You don’t have to take special care about air humidity or spraying the plant; this geranium doesn’t need it. It will even be better if spraying is carried out only on neighboring flowers and plants; in this case, you can easily avoid such a nuisance as water getting on the geranium leaves.

But there is also no need to overwater the geranium, as this can cause mold to appear and lead to rotting of the root system, especially in winter.

It is necessary to realize that with a constant lack of water, the flowering of the plant will be weak, and the flowers will be crushed.

So, a prerequisite for proper care of geraniums is drainage at the bottom of the flower pot and moderately moist soil.

Top dressing

Geranium will feel great and bloom constantly if you apply fertilizing in the form of fertilizer once every 30 days in autumn and winter and twice a month in summer and spring.

Phosphorus feeding promotes abundant and long flowering of geraniums. Before you start fertilizing the flower, you need to water it thoroughly so that the fertilizing does not burn the root system of the geranium.

It is also useful to apply fertilizers that have nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus components in equal proportions.

And also the composition of these fertilizers must necessarily include various microelements necessary for the good functioning of the flower.

Geranium: care at home - why does it die?

Proper care for geranium guarantees her life without diseases and life problems. However, troubles in the form of diseases of leaves, flowers and root systems may still arise, and you need to be prepared for such a turn of events.

The main reasons for the death of geraniums are lack of sunlight, excessive air humidity, excessive watering and, as a result, the appearance of fungal diseases, such as:

Gray rot – formed on the leaves of a plant in the form of a cobweb or coating, appearing as a dark substrate on the stem.

Leaf rust– appearing in the form of damage to the leaf plate with yellow spots of small dimensions.

Powdery mildew– enveloping the stems and leaves of geranium with a powdery coating.

Another dangerous phenomenon that can destroy the root system of geraniums is nematode damage, which manifests itself in the form of nodes on the roots of the plant.

Geranium can also be attacked by such pests, leading to possible death of the plant, such as:

Aphids, due to which geranium leaves wither and small spots appear on them. From below, on the leaf plate, gray-green insects appear, which quickly multiply and draw out all the juices from the geranium leaves.

The whitefly is also very dangerous pest, which feeds on the juices of the plant and gradually, if no action is taken, leads to the death of the plant.

These and other pests can be destroyed by spraying the plant by special means, harmless to the geranium itself.

Indoor geranium flowers and care for them. Caring for geraniums at home for beginners, types and photos

Homemade (indoor) geranium or pelargonium - care at home

What is the difference between pelargonium and geranium

The most favorite varieties of pelargonium

Content temperature

Lighting

Air humidity

Watering

The soil

Pot

Feeding and fertilizers for pelargonium

Transplanting pelargoniums

Pruning home geraniums

Reproduction of indoor pelargonium

Cuttings

Propagation by seeds

Dividing the bush

Diseases

Blackleg

Gray mold

Leaf rust

Powdery mildew

Other problems with home geraniums

Pests

Introduction

Kinds

Ampelnaya

Royal

Fragrant

Beneficial features

Contraindications

Features of reproduction

Seeds

Cuttings

Propagation by roots

Care

Features of care in autumn and winter

Transfer

Trimming

History and interesting facts

Types and varieties

Norrland

Lemon

Martha

Terry

Ashy

Roberta

Bolotnaya

Grandiflora

Himalayan

Lake

Peony-shaped

Gorgeous

Large rhizomatous

Lesnaya

Lugovaya

Blood red

How to care for geraniums at home?

Watering and humidity

Lighting and air temperature

Care for geraniums in winter

Soil mixture

Fertilizer and feeding

Pruning and forming a bush of indoor geraniums in the fall

Pruning, pinching and crown formation in spring

Basics of proper crown formation

Why and how to pinch geraniums

Mistakes when pruning geraniums at home

Diseases and pests

Medicinal properties and contraindications of geranium

Transplantation and propagation

Propagation by seeds

How to plant geraniums to get good plants?

Propagation by cuttings

How to propagate geraniums from cuttings at home?

Transplanting home geraniums

How to plant geraniums?

Possible difficulties

Why does geranium turn yellow?

Why doesn't geranium bloom - how to make it bloom at home?