Pelargonium is a perennial plant of the Geranium family, which is characterized by large and colorful inflorescences. Geranium caught on and became incredibly popular among home flowers. Unpretentiousness in care, the ability to clean and moisturize the air, the abundance of species, tenderness and prettiness, pleasant smell - all these advantages turned the plant into the favorite of many housewives. Buying pelargonium in a pot is too expensive, it will be much more profitable to grow geraniums from seeds at home.

Pelargonium Description

Geranium is a low herbaceous plant or shrub with an extensive root system (except for the species that grow in the mountains - they have the root in the form of a rod). The structure and color of leaves in different species is also different from each other - they can be green, grayish, bluish or even red, whole, with small or pronounced incisions, and in many varieties the sheets are covered with hairs.

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Pelargonium flowers are quite large, have a blue, white, purple or purple hue, are collected in inflorescences, having the appearance of a brush. Fruits in which seeds ripen (this happens at the end of summer and early autumn) are box-shaped, with long leaves - after ripening, they twist, scattering seeds.

When to sow pelargonium

The cultivation of pelargonium from seeds can be started at any time. Some flower growers are advised to do this from November to April, others only in December, and still others only in spring. Everything is right, because geranium grows well in the street and in the room. But at home, seedlings may need additional lighting, which is inconvenient to carry out in apartment conditions. For this reason, the cultivation of pelargonium from seeds in central Russia does not begin until February and no later than March with a sufficiently long light day. This allows for the summer Growing pelargonium from seed to obtain flowering plants.

Preparation of soil and pelargonium seeds for planting

Pelargonium growing from seeds occurs in loose nutrient soil with low acidity. Geranium grows wonderfully in breathable, moist soil that does not trap excess water. It can be purchased at the store or make your own to avoid excessive mineralization. It can consist of turf land and peat with sand, a good mixture is peat with perlite.

Before planting geranium (its seeds), the earth must be disinfected. It’s enough to hold it in a preheated oven for 20 minutes or pour it with a hot solution of potassium permanganate. Some advise the use of fungicides. Plant preferably a day after the procedure.

How to grow pelargonium from seed

After filling the pots with soil, sprinkle the surface of the soil with warm water and leave for one day to warm the ground to the required temperature (21-22 ° C). Then, using a finger or a suitable tool, make small holes at a distance of two cm from each other. Sprinkle seeds with a layer of soil. It is necessary to moisten the soil a little again and cover the containers with a film in which small holes have been previously made to allow air to enter. When the first soft-green sprouts appear, remove the cover so as not to create conditions of high humidity for the plant. Now it is time to put the pelargonium pallets on the window sill to provide the plant with sunlight, otherwise flower cultivation will take two to three times longer.

After the appearance of two true leaves, pelargonium should dive and transplant the bush into a narrow and high container. Waiting for the fifth leaf to appear in pelargonium - the seedlings should be pinched.

Pelargonium care

It is important to understand that the rapid growth of geraniums at home is possible only with careful quality care. In order for the plants to grow strong and healthy, you need to water them in a timely manner, maintain the optimum air temperature in the room, fertilize them, and when they are strong enough, make a picking.

Pelargonium watering

The frequency of soil moistening depends on the season; in winter, pelargonium needs to be watered after about 7-10 days, in summer - every 3 days. It is good if drainage is installed at the bottom of the pot, the flower does not like an excess of moisture and tolerates drought more easily. You can find out when a plant needs watering due to dry soil, it should dry to a depth of 2 cm.

The flower does not require frequent watering according to a complex pattern or irrigation in a specially arranged way. But nevertheless, in order for geranium to please you with juicy, thick leaves and regular flowering, it is recommended to observe some simple rules regarding the supply of moisture to the pet.

Dressings pelargonium

Small plants will need to be first fed only two weeks after picking. For this you can use any fertilizer for flowering indoor plants, in liquid form. Feed strictly following the instructions.

Lighting for Pelargonium

Pelargonium grows well if there is enough light in the room. However, direct sunlight is better to avoid, it can lead to fading of the flower, leaf fall. It is optimal if the geranium is grown in bright diffused light for at least 16 hours a day. In the summer, it is good to take out the plants to the garden or to the balcony, the loggia, there is more not only light, but also air.

Temperature for pelargonium

Pelargonium does not like sudden changes in temperature, especially when sprouts are just about to hatch from seeds. It is best if the room temperature fluctuates between 20-25 degrees. For adult plants should not be allowed to cool below 7 degrees Celsius.

How can home geraniums be protected from disease

Unfortunately, in some cases, the plant can get sick. This happens for a number of reasons and not only for outdoor cultivation, but also at home. For example, various pests can cause flower disease. It can be ants, aphids or caterpillars. Geranium is very afraid of them.

Aspirin can be used to combat such pests. It is a universal tool that can be used with virtually any type of pest. To destroy pests with aspirin, you must take one pill and dilute it in one liter of water. This solution is necessary to spray the roots three times a week.

Another pest control tool is the Marathon, which relieves aphids or whiteflies. It is quite easy to use. Several granules of the preparation are poured into a flower pot and then the plant is watered with water.

To eliminate the caterpillars use the means of Monterey. The preparation is prepared according to the instructions, after which the affected geranium bushes are sprayed.

However, it is better to prevent any disease than to carry out the treatment, therefore experienced growers recommend prophylaxis with the help of the drug Messenger. He is able to improve the immunity of not only geraniums, but also of other plants, and therefore protect them from all sorts of pests and diseases.

Geranium does not like humid air. It blooms equally well in partial shade and in the sun. If you want to plant a geranium in open ground, you can do it already in the middle of May.

It was very common in poor districts of Paris, ennobled the atmosphere of a miserable dwelling and got the name: “the flower of the French poor”. Nowadays, the popularity of this amazing houseplant surpasses the entire European territory, and the stalk of geranium is no less than a sprig of orchids. Therefore, it makes sense to grow geranium independently from plant seeds, which is quite simple.

What to expect?

By purchasing seed of geranium, and sowing it on seedlings, you can expect the result of the most incredible, because the properties of the variety with such a reproduction of this plant are usually lost. But there are new options, the decorative qualities of which can both unexpectedly please and unpleasantly upset.

If you feel in yourself the spirit of a researcher-breeder, with a heartless aspiration striving to make small discoveries without fear of obscurity, then it is time to buy geranium seeds. A conservative who does not want to risk will be cut off from the mother plant, which are guaranteed to literally repeat its original characteristics.

Expensive hybrid seeds of pelargonium with magnificent pictures on the packages promise that the source material is consistent with the declared qualities, but you can check whether it is achieved. The color variety of modern hybrid varieties literally dazzled in the eyes, offering a two-tone color of the inflorescences, as well as lilac, purple, yellow, but the more familiar and dearer to the traditional pink geranium, white and red.

How to process seeds?

Inexpensive geranium seeds should preferably be further processed, violating the integrity of their shell, to help get out of the physiological dormancy. For this purpose, the seeds are immersed in hot water or actively rubbed with sand. Although it is not necessary to do this.

Growing geraniums from seeds is not very difficult. Germination of geranium seeds is not bad, they germinate together.

But to ask how to grow geraniums from seeds makes sense. After all, each plant has its own individual characteristics and needs that you need to know about.

Where to start?

In order for your plants to bloom earlier, plant geranium seeds can be started as early as February.

Someone prefers to initially sow the seeds in a common container, and someone will immediately select individual containers for each seed. The choice is yours. From the common container, the sprouts will then need to be smashed into separate pots, while the plants that are planted immediately, will require later transplantation only 1 time to a permanent place.

Under the planting process with a solution of potassium permanganate or for 5 minutes, hold in the microwave oven. This is necessary for soil disinfection. Then sow the seeds, cover the containers with a film or put in a mini-hothouse.

How to care for seedlings?

Approximately in a month, the first two true leaves are already formed on sprouts. At this time, if you planted all the seeds in one container, the sprouts must be planted.

By the sun plants must be taught gradually. It is necessary to take into account the fact that lowering the temperature and abundant watering can destroy sprouts. Geranium is prone to putrid black foot disease that can quickly kill plants.

Seedlings of geraniums bloom early enough, your seedling growing in a small cup may soon please with flowering.

For summer geraniums are best brought to a loggia or balcony, they love fresh air and good lighting. They do not require any special care: water them as the earthen coma dries, feed them with fertilizers for flowering plants.

What conditions to create?

I hope now, having learned how to grow geranium from seeds, you will decorate your own window sills, balconies and loggias with your own grown plants. Geranium is quite resistant and drought tolerant, relatively resistant to pests and diseases. The young plant grown from seeds acquires additional properties as a result of initial adaptation to the specific conditions already proposed.

Geranium can be used both in the conditions of room content, and for street gardening in flower beds and hanging containers. You can admire the lush flowering until frost.

It is not advisable to hit the bright midday sun in order not to remove the burnt leaves from the stems, but sufficient sunshine for abundant flowering is necessary.

It is possible to sow geranium seeds at any time of the year, but a short daylight day should be extended with fluorescent lamps on average up to 15 hours per day. Deprived of sufficient light, the stems will stretch, thinning, the plants will not form flower buds.

To protect the seedlings from the disease of the black leg, you need to periodically add a weak solution of potassium permanganate in the water. You can not spray geranium, watering, direct the stream of water strictly under the root, do not pour, but only slightly moisten the soil.

Do not rush the plant into pots with a large volume: as practice has shown, geranium blooms more actively when the roots are close enough, but within reason, of course. It is better to take the earth natural with the addition of sand and humus, which is better for geraniums than a peat mixture from a store with a slightly acidic reaction that is unpleasant for this plant.

For the formation of a lush bush geranium, using cut shoots as cuttings for reproduction. When transplanting seedlings grown from seeds, sprouts must be kept by the leaves in order not to damage the tender and weak stems of the sprouts.

In my apartment I grow dozens of a wide variety of potted crops. One of the key places on my window sill is geranium, despite the controversial opinion of this plant in floriculture. Loved this flower for the need for minimal care and prolonged flowering.

Every spring I plant new varieties, preferring the seed method of reproduction. In the article I want to talk about how to grow seeds with geraniums.

Geranium is a popular ornamental plant, which has been cultivated as a pot culture since the 15th century. Belongs to the family Geranium, the birthplace of the flower - South Africa. From a botanical point of view, it is an annual or perennial herb, the height of the stem can be up to 60 cm. The leaves are very soft, fleecy, have a palmate-lobed shape.

Each flower consists of 5 petals, they are collected in bulk inflorescences. Depending on the type of geranium flowers can be double, simple or smooth. The most popular varieties with white, red or blue color of the petals. Flowering can last up to several months.

Geranium has long been used as a medicinal plant, it releases substances that have disinfecting properties and help relieve pain. In medicine, used extract and oil of geranium. The leaves of the plant are widely used in cooking.

Types and varieties

About 400 varieties of geranium are known, all of them are distinguished by the characteristics of the bush, the color of the petals and the duration of flowering. The following types of plant are popular flower growers:

  • Ampelnaya. Used for planting in hanging pots; it has long formed shoots hanging down;
  • Fragrant. It has the most pronounced aroma, the shades of which may differ depending on the variety;
  • Zonal. Petals are colored in several colors that have a clear zoning;
  • Sadovaya. It is grown up in an open ground, unpretentious and frost-resistant plant for a garden.

The color of geranium flowers is striking in its diversity. Almost all colors are displayed, with the exception of yellow and blue. Work on the selection of new varieties and hybrids is underway to this day.

Site selection and conditions of detention

To achieve abundant flowering and harmonious growth of the plant, it is important to create the right conditions for its maintenance. Key points for growing geraniums:

  • the plant belongs to the light-loving crops, a pot of geraniums is better placed on the southern windowsill. Direct exposure to sunlight can cause burns on the leaves, so it is advisable to carry out a shelter during the day. With a lack of light, the leaves shallow, the flowers are formed small;
  • geranium feels comfortable in a wide range of temperatures from 12 to 25 o C, so in the summer the plant can be taken out to the loggia and balcony;
  • for planting any suitable soil suitable for ornamental plants. It should be well aerated light, able to pass water. If you create the soil yourself, you can mix garden soil, sand and peat in equal proportions;
  • the pot must correspond to the age of the plant and the volume of the root system. In large tanks, the development of vegetative parts slows down. At the bottom there should be a hole to drain excess water;
  • humidity does not affect the condition of the plant, the need for water is compensated by regular watering, it is not recommended to spray the leaves even during the heating season.

All parts of the geranium exude a specific aroma, so if you are sensitive to odors, it is not recommended to keep the plant pot in the bedroom or kitchen.

When to sow

Planting geranium seeds at home can be done at any time. Florists recommend working from November to April, but it is important to bear in mind that seedlings need a lot of light for development, so they need to be replenished in the winter. The optimal landing time is the second half of March or the beginning of April, when daylight hours increase. However, due to the simplicity of plants, geraniums can be planted at home at any time.

Preparing for landing

Before starting work, prepare the soil, seeds and capacity for planting. Geranium can be grown in an individual pot or a long and narrow container for group planting. Before sowing, the soil and container should be treated with a 1% solution of potassium permanganate to avoid the development of infections; this is especially important if you are preparing the substrate yourself.

If you have a varietal rather than a hybrid geranium at home, after the flowering is over, you can wait for the fruit to form and collect the seeds for planting. It is better to use purchased seed as it does not lead to the loss of varietal qualities. Before planting, the seeds should be lightly treated with abrasive material for scarification, and immediately on the day of sowing, soak them for 3 hours in a warm solution of growth stimulant (Appin, Zircon, Kornevin and others). To avoid root rot after processing, it is recommended to dry them with a paper towel or handkerchief.

Seed sowing process

Features planting geranium seeds in the house may vary depending on the selected capacity and microclimate in the room. The main stages of work:

  1. At the bottom of the pot put claydite or pebbles with a layer up to 3 cm as a drainage system.
  2. Fill the container with soil, spray the surface of the substrate with warm water and wait for the earth to warm up to 20-22 o C.
  3. On the surface of the substrate, make small holes with a finger at intervals of 3-5 cm. If you use an individual pot, make a hole exactly in the center.
  4. Seeds deepen the planting hole to a depth of 1 cm. Sprinkle with a layer of soil and pour plenty of warm water.
  5. Cover planting with film or glass to create harmonious conditions for the development of seedlings.
  6. Put the container with the seedlings in a warm and well-lit place with a day length of 12 hours.

During the entire period of sprout appearance, it is necessary to open a shelter to air the soil. In addition, the substrate should be monitored for moisture - it should not dry out or be too wet. The first shoots appear after 10-14 days from the moment of planting, for some varieties the time can be up to 30 days. At this point, you can remove the covering material, and then carefully loosen the soil.

If you use a common container for receiving seedlings, pickling into separate containers is carried out when 2 true leaves are formed on the plants. Regardless of the method of planting, after the formation of 5 sheets of seedlings need to pinch, thus avoiding the strong branching of the bush in the future.

Geranium care

The flower was loved by flower growers not only for the decorativeness of leaves and inflorescences, but also for the unique simplicity of the plant. To achieve abundant flowering and comfortable growth at home, follow the simple rules of care:

  • maintain constant lighting, do not place geranium in a dark place;
  • watering should be moderate, the regime depends on the stage of vegetation. In winter, water procedures should be limited; in summer, geraniums are watered 1-2 times a week, depending on temperature. It is not allowed to overmoisten the roots; spraying is not recommended;
  • geranium practically does not need additional feeding. To enhance growth during the active growing season, starting from the beginning of spring, you can use universal liquid fertilizers for flowering plants with a high content of humate. They are made 1 time in 3 weeks until the beginning of winter;
  • in the spring you need to check the compliance volume of the geranium and the pot. Transfer by transfer is carried out as the plant grows and develops.

To avoid the growth of the bush in the volume and development of diseases, the leaves should be regularly pinned. First of all, remove the weak and deformed parts. In the spring can be done and decorative trimming. For this purpose, pinch all the old and large leaf blades, shoots, leaving only the young leaves.

Geranium is one of the most unpretentious plants for growing in an apartment. The flower almost does not need care, it is easy to grow and propagate. There is a wide variety variety on sale, due to which almost any kind of geranium can be grown at home.

With the development of indoor floriculture, an increasing number of exotic plants appear on the market. Of course, it is interesting to grow a novelty yourself, but do not forget the usual flowers. One of them grew many generations of our ancestors. And now in almost every home you can find the most ordinary geranium.

Yes, today it will be about her. Someone casually waved his hand, they say, what is this in pelargonium? Have you seen the latest breeding news? On a bush with three leaves a huge hat of double flowers. Color from white to purple, all shades. And what foliage! Carved, motley, multi-color! These beautiful plants are a little like grandma's geranium. If only the specific smell of the leaves. With proper care, you can enjoy flowering almost all year round.

How to grow geraniums at home? Agrotechnics of any kind are very easy. A little effort, simple care and a secret in which pelargonium begins to bloom - that's the whole growing technology. But for those who are breeding this flower for the first time, we will describe everything in detail.

We grow geranium seeds

There is an opinion that geranium seeds do not germinate well. This statement applies only to self-collected seeds. If on occasion we managed to get a bag of industrial production, then their germination rate is almost 100%.

Sow geranium in small cups, one by one thing. Of course, if the case is put on stream, then it is better to sow them in a pile in one container. True, then you have to dive. But planted one by one it will be enough to slightly pile up.

The soil should be a classic composition. This is a fertile garden land, clean sand and peat. The proportions are 2 to 1 to 1. Large drainage is poured at the bottom of the landing tank. Of course, this is not two cobblestones. The size of the fraction is about 1 cm. They should not be neglected, since the geranium root system begins to rot with excess water.

After drainage, fill the container with soil to half. Moisturize it, put a seed, sprinkle with a layer of earth no more than 1.5 cm. Then you need to cover the glass with dense polyethylene or glass. Remove to a dark warm place (temperature around 22 ° C) and wait for germination.

If everything is done correctly, and the seeds are viable, then the first sprouts appear already in 9-11 days. After that, the shelter is removed, and the cup is transferred to light and the temperature is reduced to 18-20 ° C.

Care for young seedlings as well as for adults.

Suppose that someone of your friends has cut his bush of varietal geranium, and gave the cuttings to you. What to do with them? Here are two algorithms for your actions:

  1. Cut off the bottom two sheets, then put the cutting in the water. After a week should appear the beginnings of roots. And after 14-16 days it is already possible to plant the finished plant in a permanent place.
  2. We tear off a pair of lower leaflets. Dip a slice of the stem into any stimulator of root formation and immediately plant it in a permanent pot. About 20 days do not touch the flower, only occasionally moisten the soil. After this period, an independent plant is obtained, ready to please you.

Absolutely any soil for geranium, purchased or made independently, must be disinfected. It is pre-shed with a strong solution of potassium permanganate. After 12 hours, calcined in the oven at 110-115 ° C. You can pre-freeze the soil for 3 days, if it happens in winter.

These procedures will avoid the manifestation of many fungal and viral diseases.

About Geranium Diseases and Pests

Despite the fact that the leaves emit phytoncides that kill a large number of germs in the air, geranium itself is subject to certain diseases. As a rule, they arise from improper care. The main factors are insufficient lighting and excessive waterlogging. Often the sore begins with the root system, and then spreads to the leaves.

Most problems can be avoided simply by properly caring for the plant. But if the trouble still arose, then it is fashionable to try to save the flower. Here drugs will help systemic fungicides. They are used strictly following the instructions on the package.

Council If the plant cannot be saved, then try to save at least an unaffected sore stalk. From it you can grow a new flower.

Pests. They gladly settle on pelargonium. They are not confused by the scent or fluff on the leaves. This is usually aphid, spider mite or whitefly. The remaining enemies are indifferent to the flower.

The first two you can simply wash off with water with the addition of potash or laundry soap. But with the third scourge to be a long and hard struggle. To withdraw it is not easy, even using the strongest insecticides. Look online for articles on how to get rid of the whitefly, get a lot of interesting things.

Where to place geraniums

Homeland of this beauty - South America. Therefore, the flower loves a lot of light. At the same time he is not afraid of direct sunlight. So you can quite calmly place pelargonium on the windows facing south. Lighting should be at least 14 hours a day all year round. In winter, this will have to use additional lighting. Geranium has no rest periods.

The first sign of a lack of light is the appearance of a red border on the edges of the leaves. Of course, if it is not provided by the feature of the variety. At the same time lighting affects the duration of flowering, but only slightly. For this there is another secret, which will be described below.

The plant does not belong to the family of succulents, but is able to accumulate some moisture in the leaves. It does not tolerate overwetting at all, but it feels completely calm in case of forced drought for up to 5 days. Then he starts consuming the moisture reserves from the leaves and dumping them. He won't need them anymore.

To keep your bush from balding ahead of time, water the geranium according to the following scheme: the earthy earth has completely dried and plus 2 more days. In winter, it is about once every 15 days, in the summer more often.

Be sure to drain excess fluid from the pan completely. In order not to climb a finger into the pot each time, feeling the soil, get special beacons to measure the level of humidity. They will change color when the earth is dry enough. By the way, the water should be at room temperature.

Top dressing

Geranium loves to eat. From February to November, she needs a regular dose of mineral fertilizers with a high content of potassium. But nitrogen can be added quite a bit, otherwise you will get mighty foliage without a single bud. Organics are strictly forbidden to add, pelargonium does not tolerate it absolutely.

Feed the plant no more than once in 20 days, strictly on the second day after the main watering.

Geranium Shaping

Pelargonium grows in height with cosmic speed. If you miss a little time, it can blow out a hefty tree. It is a little attractive aesthetically. In addition, the buds appear only at the ends of the shoots. Therefore, the bush must be formed from an early age.

To do this, pinch the central shoot over 4 sheets. Waiting for the appearance of stepchildren, then tear off the tops and from them, just above the 4 leaf. So do with all the shoots. Thanks to such shaping, you will have a magnificent spherical bush with a large number of buds.

If during the winter the plant has stretched out, or missed the forming moment, then it is better to cut off the whole bush to 3 leaves in spring. So stepchildren will appear and geraniums can be shaped beautifully again.

By the way, do not throw away the trim. You can try rooting for later landing. Or dry in the shade and spread on fabric bags. Such blanks are well laid out in the cabinets, this specific aroma well repels the mole.

And now the promised valuable advice above. They created all the conditions, look after them, feed them, fill them up ... and geranium does not want to bloom. What to do? We open the main secret. Geranium begins to bloom only when there is practically no room for the roots in the pot. Sometimes the owners see that the roots twist the whole clod of earth and hurry to transplant the pelargonium into a more spacious pot. And she, ungrateful, instead of the buds begins to build up the root system again.

How to do the right thing? In the spring we do not transplant the bush. It becomes crowded, it begins to bloom. With good care makes it until the end of summer. When the last bud has blossomed, cut it off and only then transplant the plant. Moreover, the pot should be only 1-1.5 cm larger than the previous one. During the winter, the root system will again completely entwine the soil and the cycle repeats.

That's the whole trick.

  1. If the climate allows, then you can land pelargonium in the garden in the spring. At the same time, it is advisable not to take it out of the pot, but to drop it directly with it. Otherwise, in the fall, you will have to call an excavator to dig out the overgrown root system.
  2. Geranium absolutely calmly tolerates direct sunlight on the leaves. But at air temperatures above 35 ° C, it is better to apply a little. Still, this is excessively hot weather, burning leaves and crown of shoots.
  3. By the way, in winter geranium is enough content at + 16-18 ° C. From spring to autumn, it is desirable to adhere to at least + 21-22 ° C.
  4. The first sign that Pelargonium does not like something is the yellowing of the lower leaves. But what exactly does not suit the beauty, will have to determine on their own. Over-feeding with fertilizers, excessive watering, the beginning disease - any of these factors is reflected first of all in the color shade of the foliage.
  5. If there are difficulties with the choice of fertilizer for pelargonium, then pay attention to those funds on the packaging of which is marked “for balcony plants”. It will be difficult to make a mistake here.
  6. Since the age of 2 years, the size of the pot does not increase during transplantation. By the way, a flower can grow up to 10 years, or even more, if it is provided with suitable conditions.
  7. Old dried leaves and faded flower stalks are not recommended to be torn off by hands, because there is a high probability of damaging the stem of the plant. It is better to make it a sterile sharp knife.
  8. Seeds collected independently do not convey the decorative qualities of parents to children. But do not despair. Maybe you can bring your own unique geranium variety?
  9. There is an interesting observation: if a person likes the smell of geranium leaves, it means that he is not okay with the nervous system, and it would be advisable to check with the appropriate doctor. Those people who smell unpleasant, have a strong healthy nervous system.

How to grow geraniums at home? Quite simply and effortlessly. Do not treat Pelargonium with disdain and she will thank you for the clean air in the house and long bright flowering.

Video: how to grow indoor geranium

On home window sills you can often find a geranium flower, another name is pelargonium. There are terry, semi-double, as well as simple varieties. Planting geranium seeds is not difficult.

In addition to beauty, geranium has a number of useful properties:

  • treats hemorrhoids and relieves pain in the anus;
  • decoction, which is based on the leaves of pelargonium, treats many sexually transmitted diseases;
  • the smell of flowers will help in the fight against toxemia and stress;
  • geranium leaves will contribute to the overall healing of the skin covering;
  • this flower serves as an antiseptic.

All these qualities and amazing beauty during flowering, has to grow geranium at home or in the country.

Buying and preparing seeds

It is no secret that a grown plant at home will be stronger and more durable than that bought in greenhouses or garden stores. From seeds of geranium get more magnificent than from seedlings.

With the help of seed reproduction of pelargonium, you can make updates already old, which gradually begin to lose their qualities.

Not everyone can grow a plant in this way. There are certain reasons for this:

  • the purchase of old seeds or those that are already rotten;
  • violation of the seed preparation process;
  • non-compliance with the rules of cultivation.

To prevent such errors, geranium should be bought in a proven place, because if the rules of storage are violated, then this will lead to damage. There are many types of pelargonium. During the purchase you need not only to pay attention to the variety, but also to the appearance of the seeds.

Seeds that are purchased in specialized sheds are immediately ready for sowing, and those that are purchased from the feet must be subjected to additional processing.

It should be scarified, that is, cleaned with toilet paper, but not large. Suitable and abrasive nail file. This is necessary to remove the hardened layer on the shell. Before sowing, for three hours they should be placed in warm water. And after soaking process with zircon, epinoma or other similar means.

If you do not carry out such a procedure, even a young plant can get sick. Most often there is a "black leg", which will be the death of the seedlings.

Sowing time and mail preparation

If you ask the breeders with experience, when it is better to sow pelargonium, they will answer that there is no definite time, and the flower can grow in autumn and in winter, if it receives enough light.

But nevertheless, it is better to start cultivation from November to the middle of spring. Indeed, as the seedlings grow, the light day will gradually increase.

First, you need to prepare a special soil, there are three options for a suitable substrate:

  • turf, peat, sand proportion 2: 1: 1;
  • perlite and peat in a 1: 1 ratio;
  • sand and peat, also in the ratio of one to one.

This substrate is filled with boxes, you can take the containers. Grains should be planted at a distance of five centimeters from each other. Then sprinkle with soil, but not a thick layer, and sprinkle with settled water at room temperature.

It is worth remembering that the layer that is at the top should not be more than five millimeters. And also, it is necessary to provide the necessary humidity and be sure to cover the boxes with metal or a rag. Still it is possible to plant each seed separately in disposable containers for collecting analyzes.

The best room temperature is eighteen to twenty-five degrees. On the containers, the sun's rays should not fall on the line, but at the same time, the place should be sufficiently lit. These factors will contribute not only to the strong stalk of the future geranium, but also to strong roots. When creating such microclimatic conditions, in a couple of weeks you can see the first shoots.

It is important to protect sprouts from excessive moisture, as a result of which root rot can begin.

Care of seedlings and further transplantation

For small seedlings, be sure to take care of properly, it will allow to grow beautiful flowers of pelargonium in the future:

  • proper watering, you need to ensure moderate humidity;
  • you can use a syringe (without a needle) or a syringe to give the correct dose to each bore;
  • drip is only in the area of ​​the root, so as not to cause leaf disease;
  • if the first signs of a “black leg” have appeared, the young geranium should be immediately processed with urine and potassium permanganate, or special medicines should be purchased from garden stores (phytosporin is perfect);
  • the best place for sprouts is a window on the sunny side;
  • in winter, a plant should not be put on a window sill with hot batteries;
  • after the pelargonium sprouted, the temperature in the room must be reduced by a couple of degrees;
  • every two weeks you need to make supplements, for this instant fertilizer will be suitable;
  • if you apply a special type of micropreparations, then when creating a solution, they need to be put in half.

The appearance of a pair of leaflets on the geranium indicates that the time has come for the transplantation of shoots.

This stage is very important, it is impossible to delay it, because if you delay, the roots will intertwine and tear during transplantation. They need to dive into small pots. The best size is up to ten centimeters in diameter. After six or seven leaves appear on the pelargonium, you need to pinch. This will make the plant more lush. But if you need to grow a high geranium that will have a strong stalk, this procedure can be avoided.

For undersized varieties suitable capacity of twenty to thirty centimeters. Before planting, long-acting fertilizer is introduced into it. As soon as the probability of frost will not, geranium can be moved to the garden. The soil on the street is prepared on the same principle as for the seed. Geranium transplantation is carried out with the calculation of 5 pieces per meter.

After three or four months, after planting the seeds, the geranium will begin to bloom. The adaptation period is over, so it can be transplanted into a special outdoor flower garden, which is equipped with drainage or normal. But if Pelargonium was sown in summer, then it will begin to bloom in about ten months.

Geranium care

This plant, which was grown from manure, is kept in the cold at home on the windowsill, and in the summer it is carried out on the balcony, veranda or placed on special frames outside the windows. In areas where the temperature does not fall below two or three degrees, and most often in cold times less than 0 degrees, pelargonium can grow all year round. When cold weather comes, you can simply cover it with a film.

In regions with a more severe climate, non-terry varieties of geraniums are planted in flowerbeds, and moved to pots for winter so that they can be brought into the house. Such a flower is not very whimsical, but he will not like it either, but permanent replanting. Therefore, it is worth using only the transshipment method in order not to damage the root system. In case of violation of this process, the flower may stop blooming or become less lush.

Flower growers who have had experience of over one year have advised that it is better to keep the geranium in one bitter place in which to transport it from the summer terrace to the house for the winter. A transplant, only in the case of disease of the roots or when the flower has grown strongly in length.

Indoor geranium, in general, is not a very fastidious plant, but still, it is worth creating certain conditions:

  • the flower loves sunshine and is not afraid even to directly hit the laser beams, but you should not overdo it either, because the leaves will later turn pale and fall off;
  • should not be watered very often, but copiously. So only the top layer has become dry, you can run for the watering can. In cold weather, like any plant, pelargonium does not need water as much as in summer;
  • a geranium is a heat-loving plant, but it categorically does not tolerate a “sauna”. In the summer, the optimum temperature will be twenty-degree temperatures, and in winter it will suffice to be fifteen degrees;
  • at the bottom of the pot, be sure to be expanded clay - this will help avoid stagnant water, which leads to rotting of the roots.
  • fertilizing should be done every two months. Fertilizer sold in any garden stores, you just need to select a specific destination.
  • when flowers bloom, they should be removed, such a procedure will ensure further flowering of pelargonium.

Geraniums can come in poor condition:

  • if the plant freezes, then leaves with a red border appear on it;
  • with insufficient moisture - the leaves dry;

When waterlogging occurs, the following metamorphoses appear: they become dark or gray mold has formed on them.

While watching the video you will learn about the geranium.

So, planting geranium seeds is not such a difficult process. But still, you need to adhere to certain rules and advice. First of all, choose the right seeds and carry out the treatment, if needed. It is necessary to create the necessary microclimate, to provide sufficient moisture, but to avoid stagnation of the liquid in the pot or flowerbed.

Attention, super FLY!