Royal pelargonium is the most beautiful plant, which attracts attention with its charming flowers and incredibly beautiful blooms. People also call this geranium royal, English grandiflora, domestic and noble. This type of pelargonium is unpretentious in care, but requires attention and special growing conditions, which are important to observe if you want to grow truly lush beauty on your windowsill.
Description of the flower
Pelargonium grandiflora is bush about 60 cm high, which is distinguished by herbaceous erect stems, rich green leaves and large inflorescences with a diameter of up to 25 cm. Royal pelargonium flowers can reach 7 cm in diameter. They consist of petals, which, depending on the variety, have a variety of colors and shapes. Simple or double buds have smooth or wavy edges. Their color can be monochromatic or bicolor, when there are contrasting inclusions inside the flower.
At good care With royal geranium, you can achieve continuous flowering for three to four months. Blooming flowers of the plant have many shades– from white to dark purple. Depending on the variety, the leaves can be large or small, but they all have the same shape. Each rough leaf has small serrations.
Caring for royal geraniums
A flowering plant loves light, so best place there will be a stand for it near the south window. You can place a flower pot directly on the windowsill, but only on east or west windows. Direct Sun rays geraniums will not harm, but on too hot days, burns may form on the leaves.
On northern window sills and in the shade, royal pelargonium will not be enough Sveta. In case of insufficient lighting, the leaves on the bush become small, and the buds may not appear at all, which, in fact, will be the answer to the question of why the royal geranium does not bloom.
The room where the flower grows must be regularly ventilated, but so that there are no drafts. In the warm season, a pot with a bush can be placed on open balcony or to the garden.
Among the geraniums there are absolutely unpretentious plants, which are not demanding on growing conditions and do not create problems even for a novice gardener in the process of growing them. Royal geranium is clearly not from this “opera”. This indoor flower requires constant attention and specific care. In the absence of these conditions, it stubbornly does not bloom and does not please your eye with lush and uniquely beautiful buds.
The whole point is that royal pelargonium- native to the hot and humid climate of South America. She feels great in conditions high humidity air and in the absence of direct sunlight. Of particular importance is the regular and quantitative characteristics of watering. It should be moderate but constant. In summer, the plant should be watered early in the morning (before 10 o'clock) and late in the evening (after sunset). In winter, watering is limited to once a day. In this case, no more than 50 ml of water per 1 day is used for single watering. mature plant. The earthen ball should be wet, but not wet. Otherwise there is root rot, and bacterial infections occur, which prevent abundant flowering and development of the stem part.
Photo of royal geranium and description
In the proposed photos, royal geranium is presented in various variations of varieties and selections. This plant is a favorite among flower growers from all over the world. Therefore, new varieties with original petal colors are constantly appearing. Terry royal pelargoniums are more common. They have richly colored petals and a wide spherical cluster of peduncles.
In the photo of royal pelargonium you can see the Pink Mikado variety. It is distinguished by its compact bush size, rich dark green leaves and slightly pubescent stems. The color of the petals ranges from pastel pink to rich salmon. In the center of each petal there is a dark oval spot, which indicates royal pelargonium.
The next photo shows Aristo Schoko - a variety of royal geranium that has a rich red color of the petals. In the center of the cervical part of each petal there is a bright oval-shaped spot of dark red color.
If you want an exotic look, then look at the photo of the royal geranium variety Barkarole. This is a bright variegated color with a real riot of colors. The edge of each petal, which has a silvery tint, gives the variety sophistication and exoticism. The edging of the buds in combination with bright yellow, orange, white and pink petals gives the royal geranium flower an attractive appearance. Widely used to create harmonious interior designs in apartments, country houses and offices.
For lovers classic options room decoration is of the Imperial variety. In the photo you can see compact plants with delicate beige petals, which are decorated with rich pink spots in the center.
Royal pelargonium was first brought to Europe at the end of the eighteenth century. Since then, selection work has been going on endlessly, as a result of which more and more new hybrid forms of this plant appear. Therefore, the varieties of royal geranium listed above are far from full list. These are simply the most popular and sought after varieties.
A general description of royal geranium pelargonium includes information about the average height of an adult plant. In most cases, at home, royal pelargonium reaches a height of 60 - 80 cm. It is not advisable to grow a taller plant, since the buds are located only on the apical growth points. At a height of 1 meter decorative properties indoor flower are completely lost. However, in a garden, you can grow a one and a half meter bush as an experiment. But it is better to use it as a background for short people flowering plants.
The special chic of royal pelargonium, judging by the description and cultivation practice, is the inflorescence of buds. They can reach a width of up to 25 cm. But this is with proper care at home. On average, these are standard inflorescences with a diameter of up to 15 cm. The length of the peduncle can reach up to 10 cm. The more mineral fertilizers of the potassium and phosphorus group are applied during the preparation for flowering, the larger diameter inflorescence and shorter peduncle.
A distinctive characteristic is the presence of a dark, richly colored oval spot in the center of each petal. In terms of their structure, royal pelargonium flowers can be either simple or double. The shape of the petals can be with a slight wave-like structure or flat concave. There are forms of corrugated flowers of royal geranium. The leaves are serrated, oval or rounded. The leaf has a rough surface with slight pubescence. The color of the foliage depends on the condition of the plant. A healthy indoor flower has rich emerald foliage that tightly covers the central trunk and all shoots.
Shades of buds can include dazzling white, red, pink, purple, yellow, and orange. The flowering period is not long and lasts a maximum of 6 months. The indoor flower royal geranium begins to bloom in early March.
Caring for royal geraniums
Timely and proper care of royal geraniums allows you to form a regular and strong bush during the first year of life, which in the second year of its life will give you lush, bright buds.
Caring for royal pelargonium begins from the moment you decide to keep this plant in your home. You need to choose the right one appropriate place for landing. Royal geranium does not bring drafts, dry air or direct sunlight. Also, the plant does not like high air temperatures and insufficient watering. However, overmoistening the earthen clod will not do anything good.
As you understand, the optimal place for growing is a north or east window, under which there is no battery central heating and which is not used to ventilate the room during the cold season. In spring, summer and autumn periods Royal geranium feels great in a glassed-in loggia. However, if there is a threat of the first frost, you should remove the plant to the room.
In the spring-summer period, an ambient temperature of up to 25 degrees Celsius is suitable for the growth of geranium. In autumn and winter, you should not allow temperatures to rise above 20 degrees Celsius.
To organize proper care of royal geraniums at home, planting is important. For growing, choose ceramic pots. They save optimal temperature earthen coma and ensure uniform air distribution. There must be a drain hole to eliminate excess moisture. Pour expanded clay or any other drainage into the bottom of the pot. Next, fill the container with turf soil with a high organic content. You can apply 1 tablespoon of nitrogen fertilizers at once to ensure sufficient nutrition for the plant during the period of green mass growth. After planting, keep the royal pelargonium for 2 weeks in a shaded place and water it 2 times a day.
Royal geraniums should be replanted no more than once every 3 years. It is best to refrain from this event. This indoor flower is extremely painful to transplant and may even die.
Also, caring for royal geraniums includes timely application of fertilizing. In spring and summer, it is necessary to apply mineral fertilizers once a week. Potassium and phosphorus should predominate. In autumn and winter, add nitrogen and organic fertilizers 1 time per month.
Be sure to shape the plant by pinching. The first pruning is carried out at the moment when the plant reaches a stem height of 15 cm. All tops are cut off by 2 cm. The second pinch is needed at the moment when side shoots will reach a length of 5 cm. Cut off all their tops by 1 cm. After this, you will get a spherical shape of the bush, which, with proper care for royal geraniums, will give abundant flowering in the second year.
Propagation by cuttings of royal geranium
At home, it is advisable to propagate royal geraniums by cuttings. Although propagation by seeds is not excluded. In this case, sowing is carried out in the first half of February in structured loose soil to a depth of 0.5 cm. Flooring as necessary. Picking in the phase when seedlings have 2 true leaves.
Propagation by cuttings of royal pelargonium is available to every gardener if there is an adult plant. In spring or autumn, cuttings up to 10 cm long are cut. For this, it is better to use a sharp knife. Cutting should be done at an angle of 45 degrees. Immediately after cutting, 2 leaves are removed from below and the cuttings are placed in water room temperature for 7 - 10 days until the roots appear.
After this, the cuttings are rooted in light structured soil in small diameter containers. Transfer to permanent place occurs after 2 months. To improve the rooting process, it is important to prepare the soil mixture. Add the same amount of construction or river sand to any soil. After mixing, pour boiling water over the entire soil. A strong solution of manganese is also suitable for disinfection. But after watering, plants can be planted in 48 hours. 
When rooting has passed, growth of the top begins. Be sure to trim it to 1 cm. This will stimulate the growth of side shoots.
Why doesn't the royal geranium bloom?
Many novice gardeners wonder why royal geraniums do not bloom. This may be a consequence improper care, frequent transfers and the presence of bacterial and fungal lesions. First of all, carefully inspect the plant for the presence dark spots on leaves, fuzz on stems and rot in the root part. If signs of disease are detected, the entire root system should be cleared of soil, rinsed under running water and place for 2 - 3 days in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Clean or remove all affected parts of the plant.
Prepare fresh soil. If the same pot is to be used, disinfect it with a bleach solution. Before replanting, also disinfect the soil with boiling water. Replant the plant and carefully monitor the appearance of new signs of disease.
Also, royal geranium does not bloom if improper care and growth conditions are provided. For example, excessive dry air leads to the systematic falling off of buds and flower stalks. Their formation occurs only if the soil contains sufficient quantities of phosphorus, potassium and manganese. When nitrogen is added in excess, speed dial green mass and no flowering.
Another option why royal geranium pelargonium does not bloom is that the container in which the plant grows is too large. For this indoor flower, tall, but not wide, pots are more suitable. This ensures long-lasting abundant flowering. A large pot leads to the growth of green mass and lack of budding.
Popularly known as royal geranium, and in scientific literature as pelargonium, it has long been used to create landscape design: for landscaping window sills and balconies, decorating gardens and roofs of houses. Such widespread use is explained not only by the beautiful appearance, the delicious aromas of plants, but also some special positive energy that they bring into the house.
Pelargonium royal: a brief description
The name of the flower was not chosen by chance. This is truly a royal plant. It is presented in the form of an evergreen shrub. This culture is different maximum dimensions at 50 cm.
Royal geranium grows in a wide bush, and the peduncles are placed at the same level as the shoots. The plant is characterized by large flowers, up to 15 cm in diameter. More large petals, which are located on top, dark green spots are usually observed. During flowering, a geranium bush has densely dotted open buds, sometimes resembling a lush bright ball.
Pelargonium royal: decorative properties
It should be noted that for many years, breeders have been making a lot of effort to develop new varieties of this plant. They differ in the color of the flowers, their size and shape. The shades of royal geranium today are a mass of different tones: from white to inky purple. For example, white-pink pelargonium (Imperial), pale red with small brown spots (Aristo Shoko) and others are especially interesting for lovers of the flowers of this plant.
Also, the leaves of royal geranium have their own characteristics. These are rather large or small (in new species), jagged and rough leaves. Dark spots often stand out against their background and sometimes even contrasting stripes run along the veins.
The shape of the plant’s flowers is in most cases complex: their petals are double, and in some varieties they are corrugated or wavy. They are collected in several pieces and look like thick umbrellas.
Main features of the plant
Royal geranium is truly an aristocrat among other types of pelargonium. She is whimsical and light-loving.
This plant does not bloom for long: about a few months a year. Yes, and this only happens if throughout the winter she was provided with everything the necessary conditions. Royal geranium loves it if it receives additional lighting at this time.
It should be noted that this culture is afraid of wind and rain. Due to this the best option its placement will be a cozy corner of the veranda, balcony or terrace with plenty of fresh air.
Growing conditions for royal geranium
In order for royal pelargonium to successfully take root on the windowsill of the house and delight the eye with wonderful flowers for a long time, it is very important to provide it with the necessary conditions:
- Correct placement. Flowers love the sun, but in hot weather they need to be removed from the windowsill, since direct hot rays of the sun can cause burns on the plant.
- Maintaining the temperature regime of royal pelargonium. It does not tolerate high temperatures, especially heat, this explains why royal geranium does not bloom. No higher than 15 degrees Celsius is the most favorable temperature for the plant. If this condition is not observed, then whiteflies or aphids may appear on the leaves of the crop.
- The peculiarities of preserving flowering for a long time are ensured by two basic rules: additional lighting in winter and rare watering.
Royal geranium: propagation
Royal pelargonium can be propagated in two ways:
- stem cuttings (throughout the year);
- seeds (the best time for planting is spring).
It should be noted that royal geranium is very popular among gardeners. Plant seeds can be purchased at almost any specialty store. They are quite large. The seeds are planted in a peat mixture in the spring, and within a week the first green shoots appear. As soon as the leaves appear, they need to be transplanted into pots. To avoid damaging the roots, they should be taken with a small lump of earth.
Stem cuttings of royal geranium are recommended to be planted in August-September. They are taken at a certain length, which ranges from 5 to 7 cm, with 2 or 3 leaves. Before planting, it is very good to wilt the plant a little and sprinkle it with crushed wood charcoal. Pots for cuttings should not be too large, as this will cause them to grow weak, including the royal geranium flower itself over time. The propagation of this crop and its excellent growth are ensured by well-prepared soil:
- peat mixture with the addition of a small amount of compost;
- garden soil, where it is recommended to add a little sand.
Wet soil is not at all suitable for planting cuttings. It should only be wet. It is advisable to make drainage in pots from small pebbles. When watering them, you should avoid getting water on the stems and leaves, as they quickly rot.
It is important to know:
- It is not advisable to germinate cuttings of royal pelargonium in water. In most cases, they still do not take root or simply rot.
- During the first 12 months of growth, the royal geranium drives out runs and grows its roots, and pleases the eye with flowers only the next year.
It is recommended to replant royal geranium when the root system has developed to such an extent that it begins to penetrate outward through the drainage hole. New peas are taken only about one and a half centimeters larger in diameter than the old ones. Tight containers ensure better growth and flowering of the crop.
Problems with growing royal pelargonium
Royal geranium is a very capricious plant. When growing as a result of non-compliance with basic care rules, the following problems may occur:
- stretching of internodes, which leads to weakening of the plant, it becomes weak and does not grow;
- waterlogging of the soil or its drying out, and as a result, yellowing of the leaves;
- damage to leaves by rust, the formation of aphids or whiteflies on them;
- rotting of the plant under frequent watering.
Lack of flowers in royal geranium. Causes. Ways to solve the problem
Pelargonium is a rather capricious plant that requires careful attention. Therefore, very often many gardeners have the same question about why royal geraniums do not bloom. This may be due to the following reasons:
- improper care of the plant;
- the use of frequent transplants;
- the presence of bacterial and fungal infections.
The second question that concerns many lovers of this plant: “What to do if the royal geranium does not bloom?” The first step is to carefully examine the royal geranium to detect the following problems: the presence of fuzz on the stems, dark spots on the leaves or rot, especially in the root part. Secondly, if the above signs of the disease are obvious, you should thoroughly clean the entire root system of royal pelargonium from the soil. Then it is placed for up to three days in a solution of potassium permanganate (it should be weak). After this, it is necessary to thoroughly clean all affected parts of the plant. It is recommended to remove them.
It is not advisable to use an old pot, and soil is strictly prohibited. New soil should be prepared, which should be steamed very well with boiling water. old pot needs to be disinfected. To do this, use a solution of bleach.
Also, the plant does not bloom if the air in the room is too dry. This leads to the falling off of flower stalks and buds.
The soil used for planting cuttings of royal pelargonium must contain a sufficient amount of useful elements (phosphorus, manganese and potassium). But if there is too much nitrogen in the ground, then the plant will quickly gain greenery, but in this case there will be no flowering.
Royal geraniums do not grow and bloom well in large containers, since this does not promote budding, but leads to the growth of greenery. Wide pots are not suitable at all.
Royal geranium: care
Having such a whimsical queen on your windowsill, the first thing you need to do is provide her with normal living conditions. The following rules will tell you how to care for royal geraniums correctly:
- replant the plant every two or three years (depending on the variety);
- provide an optimal temperature range: from 8 to 15 degrees Celsius;
- adhere to moderate watering and air humidity;
- arrange additional lighting when necessary;
- It is contraindicated to place a pot of royal pelargonium in a hot place;
- in pots (it is recommended to use ceramic containers), it is necessary to make a drainage hole;
- protect the plant from wind and rain;
- timely application of fertilizers with useful minerals.
Also, to ensure normal growth and active flowering of royal geranium, so-called rejuvenation should be carried out: cutting off the tops (up to 2 cm). Only a systematic approach to caring for royal pelargonium contributes to the normal development of the flower.
The name royal pelargonium fully justifies itself. This is a truly luxurious and capricious flower, truly a royal person among pelargoniums or simply geraniums. Caring for royal pelargonium has its own characteristics, and getting it to bloom is not always easy; you need to know some nuances. The plant is light-loving. In winter, its shoots become very elongated due to insufficient lighting, and the plant needs to be shaped by pruning every spring. At the same time upper layer The soil in the pot is replaced with fresh soil without replanting the plant.
Royal pelargonium does not tolerate waterlogging; it can even make it sick. But the soil should be constantly moist in summer, and watering should be sufficiently abundant. In winter, water less frequently, only a couple of times a month. The water should be settled and at room temperature. Watering is carried out through a tray. This prevents soil compaction, which royal pelargonium cannot tolerate. And the roots will receive a sufficient amount of moisture through the pan. Caring for royal pelargonium should include a dormant period in the winter months with scanty watering and an air temperature of 13-15 degrees. In this plant, bud formation occurs only at low temperatures.
Another little secret concerning pelargonium. All geraniums, including royal pelargonium, bloom better in cramped containers, so they are transplanted only when the root system is so developed that it penetrates out through the drainage hole. But even then, you need to choose a new pot only slightly larger than the old one, 1.5 centimeters in diameter. To fertilize, buy special fertilizers for pelargoniums and apply them twice a month during the growing season.
Growing royal pelargonium
The main whim of this aristocratic beauty is that, compared to other types of pelargonium, it does not indulge us in very long flowering.
Royal pelargonium blooms very little - only a few months a year. And even then it pleases with flowers only on the condition that in winter it was provided with the correct maintenance: a cool temperature (not higher than +15 degrees) and additional lighting.
However, those flower growers who once saw the enchanting bloom of this beauty and fell unconditionally in love agree to all her whims. Providing the nuances of caring for noble pelargonium begins to seem like a small thing to them compared to the long-awaited celebration of its flowering!
So, for royal pelargonium to successfully take root in the house and delight regular flowering, you must follow several important rules:
1. Accommodation. Royal pelargoniums love to bask in the gentle rays. But in extreme heat, you need to additionally protect this plant from the hot sun, because otherwise it can easily get burned.
Unlike other types of pelargonium, which live happily in the garden during the warm season, royal pelargonium is afraid of rain and wind. Therefore, it is better to leave it at home or place it in a cozy corner glass terrace, veranda or balcony with plenty of fresh air.
2. Temperature conditions. Aristocratic pelargonium does not tolerate heat. Having given all my strength to exist in conditions high temperature, royal pelargonium then does not grow for a long time and, moreover, does not bloom.
It is advisable that the winter and night temperature of keeping it in a bright, cool place does not exceed 15 degrees (which is easy to arrange in winter garden, but not always possible in a living room).
In unfavorable conditions, especially in the heat, pests (aphids, whiteflies) appear on the leaves of royal pelargonium.
3. Flowering. Considering the relatively short period of flowering of noble pelargonium, I want to observe this beauty longer!
As emphasized above, for longer and more luxuriant flowering you need to winter time provide the correct temperature conditions and additional lighting and rare watering. Then many flower buds will form on the bush.
Royal pelargonium will bush better and bloom more luxuriantly if you regularly pinch the tops of the plant's shoots in advance. But this procedure should be stopped long before flowering begins, so that the buds have time to form on the bush.
Fertilizing the plant during the period helps prolong the flowering of noble pelargonium. active growth, In spring and summer. Ideal use liquid fertilizers for flowering plants with high content potassium and microelements.
From March to August, noble pelargonium requires abundant watering, but without stagnation of moisture!
And, of course, to prolong the flowering of the pelargonium bush and maintain a neat appearance, you need to remove fading flowers.
Reproduction of royal pelargonium
Royal pelargonium is propagated vegetatively, by cutting the tips of the shoots. Best time for this procedure - late summer and early autumn, August-September.
The ends of the cut apical cuttings of noble pelargonium with 2-3 internodes should be sprinkled with charcoal powder with the addition of “Kornevin”, and then dry them a little (a couple of hours).
After this, I place the cuttings prepared for planting in moistened sand or a mixture of sand and peat (in equal parts).
Under no circumstances should you cover rooting cuttings of royal pelargonium!
The classic method by which vegetatively zonal pelargoniums are usually propagated - rooting cuttings in water - is not suitable for noble pelargonium. Because royal pelargonium cuttings placed in water inevitably rot. And an adult plant cannot tolerate excessive watering: its roots rot, and gray mold appears on the shoots. For this reason, rooting cuttings of royal pelargonium need to be watered very carefully: only as the substrate dries, and only along the edge of the pot.
I transplant rooted young plants into pots with drainage holes and a drainage layer, filled with a light nutrient substrate.
Well-groomed royal pelargoniums grow their root system well, develop successfully, and form beautiful bush and bloom the next year.
Orolevo geranium requires careful and attentive care, as the plant is quite capricious. In insufficient light it blooms poorly or does not bloom at all. In addition to intense lighting, it also requires sufficient coolness (10-15 degrees). Therefore, it is recommended to keep it on outdoors. This delicate plant has a brittle stem and beautiful flowers. To enhance flowering, the plant must be fed once a week during the period when buds appear with standard fertilizer for flowering plants. Removing dried flowers and leaves will also encourage flowering.
Royal geranium grows well. After the end of the flowering season, it is necessary to form a crown, i.e. trim branches and pinch out buds. This cannot be done in the spring, because the plant is entering the flowering phase. In summer, the plant needs to be watered abundantly, and in winter – sparingly. The temperature in winter should be maintained around 10-15 degrees Celsius, for which it is moved closer to the glass or placed on closed veranda(loggias).
There is no need to replant geraniums often, because they need loose, light, nutritious soil that drains well. It is better to use soil from a mixture of sand and turf soil in a 1:1 ratio or a mixture of equal parts of sand, perlite and high peat, previously disinfected. As the plant ages, it loses its attractiveness - the stems grow and fall apart, so there is a need for pruning, that is, rejuvenation, which involves cutting off the apical cuttings of the flower.
Many types of geranium take root easily at any time of the year, but not royal geranium, it requires special conditions.
Since propagation by cuttings occurs at the beginning of spring and end of summer, the air temperature in spring should fluctuate in the range of 18–20 degrees, and in summer no more than 25 degrees. If the temperature regime is not observed, rooting becomes weak and not all cuttings take root. In cold summers, the entire period of active growth is suitable for reproduction. And in the spring, the plant from which cuttings are taken for propagation should enter the active growth phase.
Cuttings cut with a sharp knife and dried are planted in the ground. Rooting lasts about 3 weeks, and they are not watered, but only sprayed. After rooting, the central stem of young plants is pinched for branching.
I’m afraid to disappoint you, but I don’t have any special secrets in growing royal pelargoniums. Everything is like everyone else.
Previously, royal pelargoniums grew on my windowsills and bloomed wonderfully.
The varieties that performed best at home were Aztec, Dark Secret, Eileen Postle, Fareham, First Blush, Hazel Candy, Imperial, Lord Bute, Mont Blanc (this is generally a very hard-working variety), Peter's Choice, Roussilion, Vampires Kiss, Bold Candy and RAS varieties. But this is my observation regarding these varieties. They did not stretch much and bloomed profusely.
This year we have the most comfortable conditions for wintering pelargoniums. Now they winter at a temperature of +15 degrees (too much, they need it cooler). On a sunny winter day, the daytime temperature reaches +30 degrees. Therefore, it is necessary to constantly ventilate, for which vents in the roof were specially equipped. Last winter, the pelargoniums overwintered in a film greenhouse, where the temperature did not rise above +10 degrees, and in severe frosts it was +4 degrees. This is what they need. Plants from this temperature become very stocky, many buds are laid in the axils of the leaves. And the color of the flowers becomes more intense. Moreover, along with the royal ones, both zonal and ivy-leaved ones spent the winter there. Everyone felt great in such conditions. Regarding pruning, I can say that I am a supporter of coordinated measures. Sometimes I prune so that lignified stumps remain without a single leaf. The main thing is not to be afraid, otherwise it will be more expensive for yourself later. The plant will stretch out and bloom somewhere on the top of the head. After a while (you will have to wait a while), these stumps begin to overgrow and turn into fluffy bushes. And every time after pruning you wonder, will they really grow back? And they grow - small buds, begin to wake up along the woody stem. And another main point. After pruning, you need to be careful with watering, since there is little leaf mass, as a result of which evaporation and photosynthesis are slowed down. Due to excess moisture, there is a possibility of soil acidification and, as a result, rotting of the root system. I prune at the end of September - beginning of October and immediately transplant into new land. I make the soil mixture myself. The main part is pine needles, fortunately there are pine forests around the city. I also add purchased Terra Vita soil, coarse white sand (precisely coarse) and a little humus (just a little, because if you overdo it, the soil will turn out heavy, it will sour and quickly cake). Instead of sand, you can use perlite or vermiculite, but sand is cheaper, since my husband brings it to me from the Don River. The earthen mixture turns out airy and very crumbly, and sand plays the main role in this. I replant my “Queens” every year - there are enough nutrients in such soil for full growth and flowering for a year. I have never fertilized anything before. Pelargoniums bloomed, so to speak, from their own potential and received all their nutrients from the ground, which was already moderately fertilized with humus. Now I’m conducting a small experiment: I water one part with Kemira Lux fertilizer (I read a lot about the miraculous properties), and the other part with plain tap water, as I did before. I want to see who will bloom faster and more luxuriantly, and in general what the differences will be. I will definitely write about the results of my experiment.
And the main thing that is our mistake is that, having received a cutting of a new variety, we are looking forward to its flowering (well, now, it seems like the buds have already appeared). But there are no buds, they turned out to be leaves, and then again leaves. And the end result is a plant that looks like a “giraffe” with flowers on the top of its head. But you don’t need to do this, otherwise it will be more expensive for yourself and a lot more fuss. This is what happened to me with the Marchioness of Bute variety (well, I really wanted to see how it blooms). In two years it grew into a meter-long stick and did not bloom - alas. Yesterday I got angry with him and gave him a blow to the head. Maybe he’ll get scared and decide to please me with flowers someday. I don’t make such mistakes anymore and I don’t advise you to.
Oh, sorry, it turned out to be a whole poem.
Http://pelargonium-club.ru/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t781.html
Flowering of royal geranium is shorter than that of zonal pelargonium, no more than four months. To set buds, geranium needs special conditions content.
Royal geranium needs proper care
If the plant does not bloom, then the owner made a mistake:
- the watering regime has been violated, the soil in the pot is dry or too wet;
- picked up heavy soil. Geranium prefers light and loose substrates;
- did not provide sufficient lighting. Without good lighting pelargonium stretches out, becomes unattractive and stops blooming;
- I planted the plant in a pot that is too spacious or cramped.
In addition, for a plant to delight with flowers, it must be comfortable throughout the year. Royal geranium loves feeding. During the spring-summer season, the plant is fed with complex mineral fertilizers every 14 days.
In winter, caring for royal geraniums at home is somewhat different. For full development, the flower needs additional lighting. It is better to use special phytolamps and extend the daylight hours to 14 hours. This will allow you to maintain the shape of the bush without radical pruning.
When growing geraniums, install the correct temperature regime. During the active growing season, the plant is kept at a temperature of 22–25 degrees. In winter, 15 degrees is enough to start buds.
Water the plant with warm, settled water. In spring and summer, royal geraniums are watered more often, and in the fall, watering is gradually reduced. In winter, pelargonium is watered very rarely, but the earthen clod is not allowed to become dry.
Propagation of royal geranium and care for it during this period
It is difficult to propagate geraniums at home. Pelargonium seeds are very small and difficult to germinate. To preserve the varietal qualities of the plant, it is propagated by cuttings.
Used for rooting apical cuttings that remained after trimming. The lower cut of the cutting is treated with powder to stimulate root formation and immediately planted in a light substrate. Cuttings are not rooted in water.
In order for the cuttings to take root, the temperature is maintained at 23 degrees. The success of the operation can be judged in a month, when young leaves begin to grow.
Young geranium seedlings need pinching, which helps to form a compact bush. The first pinching is carried out when the second pair of leaves is formed. After which the bush branches more actively. Each branch is pinched in the same way. This procedure helps the plant produce as many buds as possible.
Mature geraniums are pruned in late summer and pruning continues in winter if conditions for growth and development are met. This allows you to get a compact flowering bush in the spring.
Growing geraniums is troublesome, but if you organize the maintenance of the flower correctly, it is quite possible.
