Royal pelargonium is the most beautiful plant, which attracts attention with its charming flowers and insanely beautiful flowering. In the people, this geranium is also called royal, English large-flowered, domestic and noble. This type of pelargonium is unpretentious in care, but it requires attention and special growing conditions, which are important to observe if you want to grow truly magnificent beauty on your windowsill.
flower description
Pelargonium grandiflora is bush about 60 cm high, which is distinguished by herbaceous erect stems, rich green leaves and large inflorescences up to 25 cm in diameter. 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 terry buds have smooth or wavy edges. Their color can be monochromatic or bicolor, when there are contrasting inclusions inside the flower.
At good care for royal geraniums, you can achieve its 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 notches.
Royal Geranium Care
A flowering plant loves light, so the best place for him there will be a stand equipped near the south window. You can put a flower pot directly on the windowsill, but only on the east or west windows. Direct Sun rays Geraniums will not hurt, but on too hot days, burns can form on the leaves.
On the northern windowsills and in the shade of the royal pelargonium will not be missed Sveta. With 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 put on outdoor balcony or to the garden.
Among the geraniums there are quite unpretentious plants, which are not demanding on growing conditions and do not create problems even for a novice grower 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 unique in its beauty buds.
The whole point is that royal pelargonium- a native of the hot and humid climate of South America. She feels great in the conditions high humidity air and in the absence of direct sunlight. Of particular importance is the regular and quantitative characteristics of irrigation. 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 1 time per day. At the same time, no more than 50 ml of water per 1 mature plant. The earth ball should be soaked, but not wet. Otherwise, root rot, and bacterial infections join, which prevent abundant flowering and development of the stem part.
Photo of royal geranium and description
On the proposed photos, the 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 the original color of the petals are constantly appearing. Terry royal pelargoniums are more common. They have a rich color of the petals and a wide spherical shaped cluster of peduncles.
In the photo of the royal pelargonium, you can see the Pink Mikado variety. It is distinguished by a compact bush size, rich dark green leaves and a slight pubescence of the stem. The color of the petals ranges from pastel pink to deep salmon. In the center of each petal there is a dark oval speck that gives out the royal pelargonium.
The following photo shows Aristo Schoko - a variety of royal geraniums, which has a rich red color of the petals. In the center of the cervical part of each petal is a bright spot of an oval shape and dark red color.
If you want an exotic look, then look at the photo of the royal Barkarole geranium. This is a bright motley color with a real riot of colors. The edging of each petal, which has a silvery sheen, gives refinement and exoticism to the variety. The edging of the buds, combined with bright yellow, orange, white and pink petals, gives the royal geranium flower an attractive appearance. Widely used to form harmonious interior designs in apartments, country houses and offices.
For lovers classic options interior design is the Imperial grade. In the photo you can see compact plants with delicate beige petals that adorn rich pink spots in the center.
For the first time, royal pelargonium was 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 the 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 at the apical points of growth. With a height of 1 meter decorative properties indoor flower are completely lost. However, in a garden, you can also grow a one and a half meter bush as an experiment. But it is better to use it as a background for undersized 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 groups are applied during the preparation for flowering, the larger diameter inflorescence and shorter peduncle.
A distinctive characteristic is the presence of a dark, saturated color of an oval spot in the center of each petal. According to their structure, royal pelargonium flowers can be either simple or double. The shape of the petals can be with a slight wavy structure or flat concave. There are forms of corrugated flowers of royal geranium. 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.
The shades of the buds can include dazzling whites, reds, pinks, purples, yellows, oranges. The flowering period is not long and is a maximum of 6 months. The indoor flower of the royal geranium begins to bloom in early March.
Royal Geranium Care
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 house this plant. Need to choose right appropriate place for landing. Royal geranium does not bring drafts, dry air and direct sunlight. Also, the plant does not like the high air temperature and insufficient watering. However, waterlogging of an earthen coma will not do anything good.
As you understand, the optimal place for growing is the north or east window, under which the battery is not located. central heating and which is not used to ventilate the premises during the cold season. In spring, summer and autumn periods royal geranium feels great in a glazed loggia. However, when the threat of the first frost appears, the plant should be removed to the room.
In the spring and summer, ambient temperatures up to 25 degrees Celsius are suitable for the growth of geraniums. In autumn and winter, you should not allow the temperature to rise above 20 degrees Celsius.
To organize the proper care of royal geraniums at home, planting is important. For growing, choose ceramic pots. They save optimum temperature earthen clod and ensure uniform air distribution. There must be a drain hole to eliminate excess moisture. Pour expanded clay or any other drains at the bottom of the pot. Next, fill the container with soddy soil with a high organic content. You can immediately apply 1 tablespoon of nitrogen fertilizers to ensure sufficient plant nutrition during the period of green mass gain. After planting, keep the royal pelargonium for 2 weeks in a shady place and water 2 times a day.
Royal geraniums should be transplanted no more than 1 time in 3 years. And it is best to refrain from this event. This indoor flower tolerates a transplant extremely painfully and may even die.
Also, caring for royal geraniums includes the timely application of top dressing. In spring and summer, it is necessary to apply mineral fertilizers once a week. Potassium and phosphorus should predominate. In autumn and winter, apply 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 pinching is needed at the moment when side shoots reach a length of 5 cm. Cut off all their tops by 1 cm. After that, you will get a spherical shape of a bush, which, with proper care of the royal geranium, will give abundant flowering for 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 ruled out. In this case, sowing is carried out in the first half of February in structured loose soil to a depth of 0.5 cm. Floors as needed. Picking in the phase when the seedlings have 2 true leaves.
Reproduction by cuttings of royal pelargonium is available to every grower if there is an adult plant. In the spring or autumn, cuttings up to 10 cm long are cut. For this, it is better to use a sharp knife. Cut at a 45 degree angle. Immediately after cutting, 2 leaves are removed from the bottom, and the cuttings are placed in water. room temperature for 7 - 10 days until roots appear.
After that, the cuttings are rooted in light structured soil in containers of small diameter. Transfer to permanent place performed after 2 months. To improve the rooting process, it is important to prepare the soil mixture. Add the same amount of building or river sand to any soil. After mixing, pour all the soil with boiling water. A strong solution of manganese is also suitable for disinfection. But after watering them, plants can be planted after 48 hours. 
When rooting has passed, the growth of the top begins. Be sure to cut it back by 1 cm. This will stimulate the growth of side shoots.
Why doesn't the royal geranium bloom?
Many beginner flower growers are wondering why the royal geranium does not bloom. This may be a consequence improper care, frequent transfers and the presence of bacterial and fungal infections. First of all, carefully inspect the plant for the presence dark spots on the leaves, down on the stems and rot in the basal part. If signs of the disease are found, then the entire root system should be cleaned from the ground, rinsed under running water and put for 2 - 3 days in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Clean up or remove all affected parts of the plant.
Prepare fresh soil. The pot, if the same one will be used, is disinfected with a solution of bleach. The soil before transplanting is also disinfected with boiling water. Replant the plant and carefully observe the appearance of new signs of disease.
Also, royal geraniums do not bloom if improper care and growth conditions are provided. For example, excessive dryness of the air leads to the systematic fall of buds and peduncles. Their laying occurs only if the soil contains sufficient amounts of phosphorus, potassium and manganese. When nitrogen is applied in excess, speed dial green mass and no flowering.
Another option why royal geranium pelargonium does not bloom is too large a container in which the plant grows. Tall, but not wide pots are more suitable for this indoor flower. This ensures long-term abundant flowering. A large pot leads to the growth of green mass and the absence of budding.
Popularly known among the people, royal geranium, and in the scientific literature as pelargonium, 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, delicious aromas of plants, but also some special positive energy that they bring to the house.
Pelargonium royal: a brief description
The name of the flower is 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 flower stalks are placed on the same level with shoots. The plant is characterized by large flowers, up to 15 cm in diameter. For more large petals, which are located on top, dark green spots are usually observed. A geranium bush during flowering 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 efforts to develop new varieties of this plant. They differ in flower color, size and shape. The shades of royal geranium today are a mass of various tones: from white to inky purple. For example, pelargonium of white-pink color (Imperial), pale red with small brown spots (Aristo Shoko) and others is of particular interest to 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), serrated and rough leaves. Against their background, dark spots often stand out and sometimes even contrasting stripes run along the veins.
The shape of the flowers of the plant in most cases is not simple: their petals are terry, and in some varieties they are corrugated or wavy. They are collected in several pieces and are thick umbrellas.
The main features of the plant
The royal geranium is really an aristocrat among other types of pelargoniums. She is whimsical and light-loving.
This plant blooms for a short time: about a few months a year. Yes, and this happens only if during the winter she was provided with all the necessary conditions. Royal geranium loves if additional lighting is organized for her 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 an abundance of fresh air.
Conditions for growing royal geranium
In order for the 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 window sill, as direct hot sunlight can cause burns on the plant.
- Compliance with the temperature regime of the royal pelargonium. She does not tolerate high temperatures, special heat, this explains why the royal geranium does not bloom. Not higher than 15 degrees Celsius - the most favorable temperature for the plant. If this condition is not observed, then whitefly or aphids may appear on the leaves of the culture.
- Features of preserving flowering for a long time are provided by two basic rules: additional lighting in winter and rare watering.
Royal geranium: reproduction
Reproduction of royal pelargonium can be carried out 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 flower growers. Plant seeds can be purchased at almost any specialized store. They are quite large. 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 must be transplanted into pots. In order not to damage the roots, they must be taken with a small clod of earth.
Stem cuttings of royal geranium are recommended to be planted in August-September. They are taken in a certain length, which is from 5 to 7 cm, with 2 or 3 leaves. Before planting, it is very good to dry the plant a little and sprinkle with crushed charcoal. Pots for cuttings should not be too large, as this contributes to the fact that they will grow weak, including, over time, the royal geranium flower itself. The reproduction of this crop and its excellent growth is provided 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. In pots, it is desirable to make drainage from small pebbles. When watering them, avoid getting water on the stems and leaves, as they quickly rot.
It is important to know:
- It is not advisable to put cuttings of royal pelargonium for germination in water. In most cases, they still do not take root or simply rot.
- During the first 12 months of growth, royal geranium kicks out runs and builds up its roots, and pleases the eye with flowers only for the next year.
It is recommended to transplant royal geraniums when the root system develops to such an extent that it already begins to penetrate through the drainage hole. New peas are taken only about one and a half centimeters larger in diameter than the old one. Cramped dishes provide better growth and flowering of the culture.
Problems with growing royal pelargonium
Royal geranium is a very capricious plant. When growing as a result of non-compliance with the basic rules of care, the following problems can be observed:
- stretching of the internodes, which leads to a 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;
- rust damage to the leaves, the formation of aphids or whiteflies on them;
- rotting of the plant under frequent watering.
The absence of flowers in the royal geranium. Causes. Ways to solve the problem
Pelargonium is a rather capricious plant that requires careful attention. Therefore, very often many flower growers have the same question about why the royal geranium does not bloom. This may be due to the following reasons:
- improper plant care;
- the use of frequent transplants;
- the presence of bacterial and fungal infections.
The second question that worries many lovers of this plant is: "What if the royal geranium does not bloom?" The first action is a thorough examination of the royal geranium to detect the following problems: the presence of fluff on the stems, dark spots on the leaves or rot, especially in the root part. Secondly, if, nevertheless, the above signs of the disease are obvious, the entire root system of the royal pelargonium should be well cleaned from the ground. 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 carefully clean all the affected parts of the plant. It is recommended to remove them.
It is not advisable to use an old pot, and the earth is strictly prohibited. It is necessary to prepare a new soil, which is very well steamed 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 room is too dry. This leads to the fall of peduncles and buds.
The soil used for planting royal pelargonium cuttings 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 have a quick set of greenery, but in this case there will be no flowering.
Royal geraniums do not grow well and bloom in large containers, as this does not contribute to budding, but leads to the growth of greenery. Wide pots do not fit 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. How to care for royal geraniums correctly, the following rules will tell you:
- replant the plant once every two years or three (depending on the variety);
- provide an optimal temperature range: from 8 to 15 degrees Celsius;
- adhere to moderate watering and air humidity;
- organize additional lighting when necessary;
- placing a pot with royal pelargonium in a hot place is contraindicated;
- 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, the so-called rejuvenation should be carried out: cutting 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 really a luxurious and capricious flower, downright regal among pelargoniums or simply geraniums. Caring for royal pelargonium has its own characteristics, and it is not always easy to achieve its flowering, you need to know some of the nuances. The plant is photophilous. In winter, its shoots are strongly stretched due to insufficient lighting and it is necessary to form a plant every spring by pruning. At the same time upper layer soil in a pot is replaced with fresh, 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 plentiful enough. In winter, they water less often, only a couple of times a month. Water should be settled, room temperature. Watering is carried out through the pallet. This prevents the compaction of the earth, which the royal pelargonium cannot stand. And the roots will get enough moisture through the pan. Care for royal pelargonium should include a dormant period in the winter months with poor watering and an air temperature of 13-15 degrees. In this plant, the laying of buds occurs only at low temperatures.
Another little secret concerning pelargonium. All geraniums, and royal pelargonium among them, bloom better in cramped dishes, so they are transplanted only when the root system is so developed that it will penetrate through the drainage hole. But even then, the new pot needs to be chosen only slightly larger than the old one, 1.5 centimeters in diameter. For top dressing, buy special fertilizers for pelargoniums and apply them during the growing season twice a month.
Growing royal pelargonium
The main whim of this beautiful aristocrat is that, compared with other types of pelargoniums, she does not indulge us with a very long flowering.
Royal Pelargonium blooms very little - just a few months a year. And even then she pleases with flowers only on the condition that in winter she was provided with the correct content: a cool temperature (not higher than +15 degrees) and additional lighting.
However, those flower growers who once saw the enchanting flowering of this beauty and unconditionally fell in love, agree to all her whims. Ensuring the nuances of caring for the noble pelargonium begins to seem like a trifle to them compared to the long-awaited holiday of its flowering!
So, in order for the royal pelargonium to successfully take root in the house and please regular flowering, you must follow a few important rules:
1. Accommodation. Royal pelargoniums love to bask under 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 pelargoniums that live safely in the warm season in the garden, the royal pelargonium is afraid of rain and wind. Therefore, it is better to leave it at home or place it in a cozy corner. glazed terrace, verandas or balconies with an abundance of fresh air.
2. Temperature regime. The aristocratic pelargonium does not tolerate heat. Giving all the strength to exist in the conditions high temperature, royal pelargonium then does not grow for a long time and, moreover, does not bloom.
It is desirable that the winter and night temperature of its content 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).
Under unfavorable conditions, especially in the heat, pests (aphids, whiteflies) appear on the leaves of the royal pelargonium.
3. Flowering. Given the relatively short flowering period of the noble pelargonium, I want to observe this beauty for a longer time!
As emphasized above, for a longer and more lush flowering, you need to winter time ensure the right temperature conditions and additional lighting rare watering. Then a lot of flower buds will form on the bush.
Royal pelargonium will grow better and bloom more magnificently if you regularly pinch the tops of the plant's shoots in advance. But this procedure should be stopped long before the start of flowering, so that the buds have time to form on the bush.
Prolongation of flowering of noble pelargonium is facilitated by plant fertilizer during the period active growth, In spring and summer. Ideal use liquid fertilizer for flowering plants high content potassium and trace elements.
From March to August, noble pelargonium requires abundant watering, but without stagnant 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 cuttings from the tops of the shoots. Best time for this procedure - the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, August-September.
The ends of the chopped apical cuttings of noble pelargonium with 2-3 internodes should be sprinkled with coal powder with the addition of Kornevin, and then dried a little (a couple of hours).
After that, I place the cuttings prepared for planting in moistened sand or a mixture of sand and peat (in equal proportions).
In no case should you cover the rooting cuttings of the royal pelargonium!
The classic way that vegetatively zonal pelargoniums are usually propagated - rooting cuttings in water - is not suitable for noble pelargonium. Because cuttings of royal pelargonium placed in water inevitably rot. Yes, and an adult plant does not tolerate excessive watering: its roots rot, gray mold appears on the shoots. For this reason, rooting cuttings of royal pelargonium should be watered very carefully: only as the substrate dries out, and only along the edge of the pot.
Rooted young plants are transplanted into pots with drainage holes and a layer of drainage, filled with a light nutrient substrate.
Well-groomed royal pelargoniums build up the root system well, develop successfully, form beautiful bush and bloom the following year.
royal geranium self-care requires careful and attentive, as the plant is rather capricious. In low light, it blooms poorly or does not bloom at all. In addition to intensive lighting, it also requires sufficient coolness (10-15 degrees). Therefore, it is recommended to keep it on in the summer outdoors. This delicate plant has a brittle stem that has beautiful flowers. To enhance flowering, the plant should be fed once a week during the budding period with a standard fertilizer for flowering plants. Removing dry flowers and leaves also encourages flowering.
Royal geranium grows well. After the end of the flowering season, it is necessary to form a crown, i.e. cut branches and pinch buds. In the spring, this cannot be done, because the plant enters the flowering phase. In summer, the plant should 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 covered veranda(loggia).
Geraniums do not need to be transplanted often, because they need loose, light, nutritious soil that drains well. The soil is best used from a mixture of sand and soddy soil in a ratio of 1: 1 or a mixture of equal parts of sand, perlite and high-moor peat, previously disinfected. With aging, the plant loses its attractiveness - the stems grow, fall apart, so there is a need for pruning, that is, rejuvenation, which consists in cutting the apical cuttings of the flower.
Many types of geranium root easily at any time of the year, but not the royal geranium, it requires special conditions.
Since propagation by cuttings occurs at the beginning of spring and the end of summer, the air temperature range 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 phase of active growth.
Cut with a sharp knife and dried cuttings are planted in the ground. Rooting lasts about 3 weeks, while they are not watered, but only sprayed. After rooting, young plants pinch the central stem 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 remarkably.
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 hardworking variety), Peter's Choice, Roussilion, Vampires Kiss, Bold Candy and PAC varieties, but this is my observation regarding these varieties, they did not stretch much and bloomed profusely.
This year, we have the most comfortable wintering conditions for pelargoniums. Now they hibernate at a temperature of +15 degrees (too much, it needs to be cooler). On a sunny winter day, the daytime temperature reaches +30 degrees. Therefore, you constantly have to ventilate, for which vents in the roof were specially equipped. Last winter, pelargoniums wintered 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 colors become more intense. Moreover, together with the royal ones, both zonal and ivy-leaved wintered there. Everyone felt great in such conditions. About pruning, I can say that I am a supporter of coordinated measures. Sometimes I cut it 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 and bloom somewhere on top. After a while (you will have to wait a while), these stumps begin to grow 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 a lignified stem. And another important point. After pruning, you need to be careful with watering, as there is little leaf mass, as a result of which evaporation and photosynthesis are slowed down. From excessive moisture, there is a possibility of acidification of the soil and, as a result, rotting of the root system. I prune in late September - early October and immediately transplant into new land. I make my own soil mix. The main part is pine needles, since pine forests grow around the city. I also add the purchased earth Terra Vita, coarse white sand (namely coarse) and a little humus (just a little bit, because if you sort it out, the earth will turn out to be heavy, it will turn 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 earth mixture turns out to be airy and very crumbly, and sand plays the main role in this. I transplant my "Queens" annually - there are enough nutrients in such a land for full growth and flowering for a year. Previously, nothing and never fertilized. Pelargoniums bloomed, so to speak, from their own potential and received all the nutrients from the earth, which was already moderately fertilized with humus. Now I am conducting a small experiment: I water one part with Kemira Lux fertilizer (I read a lot about miraculous properties), and the other part with plain tap water, as I did before. I want to see who will bloom faster and more magnificently, and in general what will be the differences. I will write about the results of my experiment.
And most importantly, what our mistake is, 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, it turned out to be leaves, and then again leaves. And the result is a plant that looks like a "giraffe" with flowers on top. But you don’t need to do this, otherwise it will be more expensive for yourself and there will be much more fuss. So I did it with the Marchioness of Bute variety (well, I really wanted to see how it blooms). It grew into a meter-long stick in two years and did not bloom - alas. Yesterday I was angry with him and made him a “sikir head”. Maybe he will get scared and decide to please me someday with flowering. I do not make such mistakes again and I do not advise you.
Oh, sorry, a whole poem turned out.
Http://pelargonium-club.ru/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t781.html
The flowering of royal geranium is shorter than that of zonal pelargonium not more than four months. To bookmark buds, geranium needs special conditions content.
Royal geranium needs proper care
If the plant does not bloom, then the owner made a mistake:
- violated the watering regime, the earth 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, becomes unattractive and stops blooming;
- planted the plant in a too spacious or cramped pot.
In addition, in order for the plant to please with flowers, it must be comfortable throughout the year. Royal geranium loves top dressing. During the spring-summer season, the plant is fed with complex mineral fertilizers every 14 days.
In winter, at home, caring for royal geraniums is somewhat different. For full development, the flower needs additional lighting. It is better to use special phytolamps and extend daylight hours to 14 hours. This will keep the shape of the bush without radical pruning.
When growing geraniums, set 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 for laying buds.
Water the plant with warm settled water. In spring and summer, royal geraniums are watered more often, and watering is gradually reduced in autumn. In winter, pelargonium is watered very rarely, but they do not allow dryness of the earthy coma.
Reproduction of royal geranium and care for it during this period
Propagating geraniums at home is difficult. 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, which remained after cropping. The lower cut of the cutting is treated with a powder to stimulate root formation and immediately planted in a light substrate. Cuttings do not root in water.
In order for the cuttings to take root, the temperature is maintained at 23 degrees. You can judge the success of the operation in a month, when young leaves begin to grow.
Young geranium seedlings need pinching to help form a compact bush. The first pinching is carried out when the second pair of leaves is formed. After that, the bush branches more actively. Similarly, pinch each branch. This procedure helps the plant to lay as many buds as possible.
Adult geraniums are pruned at the end of summer and continue pruning 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 properly organize the maintenance of the flower, then it is quite possible.
