Home (indoor) geranium or pelargonium - care at home. Geranium is a familiar stranger: varieties, planting, cultivation, care and reproduction

These flowers live on our window sills for more than one century. Out of habit, we call them geraniums, although in reality it is pelargonium. A relative of field geraniums, together with her she is included in one family - Gerania. Pelargonium care at home is simple, and a huge variety of varieties will allow everyone to choose a plant to your taste.

Appearance

Pelargonium is a perennial herbaceous plant, some varieties of which are presented in the form of semi-shrubs. Plant height is from 30 to 80 cm. Stems - upright, slightly branched. The shape of the leaves is not the same; each variety of pelargonium possesses different leaves (simple, palmar-dissected, palmate and others).

Flowers in a wild plant are much smaller in size than flowers in ornamental geranium species. They can be different colors. Inflorescences are small-flowered or many-flowered, mostly umbrella-shaped. Flowers of the plant can be simple or terry, as well as monochromatic or bicolor.

Pelargonium care at home

Plant care does not make you spend a lot of time. Performing all the prescriptions of you, healthy flowering pelargonium will constantly please. Lighting flower prefers in sufficient quantities. Then he does not lose the decorative look. From direct sunlight it is better to shade, and in the winter, with a lack of lighting, it is better to add additional light sources.
  The temperature regime for pelargonium should correspond to 20-25 degrees in summer and about 15 degrees in winter.

Do I need to replant pelargonium after purchase

Since shops usually sell flowers in disposable containers and with improper soil, it makes sense to transplant the plant, but only if the pelargonium does not bloom. For planting should use a mixture of sand, turf and leaf soil, humus (1: 2: 2: 2).

If the desire to mess with the preparation of the soil is not, you can use the usual nutritional mixture for flowers, which is sold in stores. Subsequently, pelargonium should be transplanted once a year in autumn or spring. If the pot becomes small, then it is changed. But it is important to know that the pelargonium from the larger pot goes into the green and does not release the flowers.

Lighting

Pelargonium is a light-loving plant that can tolerate direct sun. Only some of them are considered to be picky, and prefer places (for example, terraces or balconies), protected from direct sunlight, wind and rain. On the windowsill in bright sunshine, pelargonium can overheat. Therefore, it requires good ventilation and protection from hot noon sunlight.

With a lack of light, the leaves begin to turn yellow, the lower leaves die off and expose the stem. Flowering weakens or may stop altogether.

Soil and fertilizing

Pelargonium loves fertile and well-drained loose soil. Soil mixture can either be purchased or prepared by yourself, mixing in equal proportions garden soil, peat, medium-grained sand and a little humus.

Since pelargonium does not like stagnant water and requires good aeration, a good drainage layer should be placed on the bottom of the pot.

In order for the plant to please you with lush and long flowering, care should include regular feeding (1 time in 2 weeks). Some flower growers do this: in the hot season, when watering is done every day, the weekly feed rate is divided into 7 parts and feed is administered with each watering. If a lump of earth is dry, you must first shed it with water

For fertilizer fit any liquid universal formulations for flowering houseplants.

In winter, when the plant is resting, feeding should be canceled. With the onset of spring (March-April), pelargonium begins to feed fertilizer with a high content of potassium.

It is necessary to refrain from fertilizers after plant transplantation and give him time for acclimatization - about a month.

Watering

Pelargonium is considered a drought-resistant plant. It is recommended to water a flower only when the top layer of earth in a pot dries. However, it should not be allowed to dry strongly.

Excessive watering causes the leaves and stem to rot, and can kill the plant. Watering should be moderate. One of the signs that the earth com has started to dry up - if you touch the ground, it will not remain on your fingers. This means it's time to water. The frequency of watering may depend on individual conditions and air temperature - on average 1-2 days. In winter, watering should be reduced.

Pelargonium spray is not necessary. Excessive damp and poor ventilation can trigger fungal diseases.

By the way, these plants prefer dry air in our winter apartments more than high humidity. For this reason, pelargonium can be considered the rare flower that prefers a room to a greenhouse. Therefore, it should not be placed next to plants that require a humidifier.

Temperature

Comfortable temperature for pelargonium - 20-25 degrees. If the plant is standing on a balcony or terrace, it is better to protect it from gusts of wind and drafts.

In winter, if there is a possibility, special conditions can be created for this southern beauty - put it in a glazed, non-freezing greenhouse or loggia, where the night temperature does not fall below +6 degrees and the daytime temperature reaches + 12-15 degrees. In especially sunny days, in order to avoid overheating, the greenhouse needs to be aired. However, there are varieties of pelargonium, which are best kept at higher temperatures.

Good air circulation is one of the main conditions for a safe winter. Therefore, it is not necessary to put pelargonium too closely. These flowers do not like to hide in the shadows of their neighbors, but prefer to show off. Plants with very dense crowns can be a little thin. Otherwise, with thickening and poor aeration, there is a risk of fungal diseases.

Pruning

Pruning should be carried out once a year, with the stems with 2-4 nodes remaining. As a result, the bush will be more lush, and flowering - abundant. It is necessary to remove yellowed or dried leaves in time. You can not tear off the sheets, as in this case the torn edges may rot. To remove these leaves it is recommended to use a very sharp knife, and the cut must be processed with crushed charcoal. After pruning the leaflet, the petiole must remain on the branch.

Transplant features

Young seedlings are transplanted 1 time per year, and adults as needed, for example, when the roots no longer fit into the pot. At the bottom of the tank do not forget to make a good drainage layer. For the preparation of a suitable earth mixture with your own hands, you will need sod, humus and leaf earth, sand and peat, which should be taken in equal shares.

Possible problems in the care

Breeding methods

It is possible to propagate such a plant by cuttings and seeds.

When growing from seeds, plants often lose their varietal characteristics, and this should be remembered when choosing a breeding method. A low container should be filled with a soil mixture made from sand, peat and sod land, which should be taken in equal parts. It sows seeds. In order for the seedlings to appear as soon as possible, the container is placed in a place where the temperature is constantly kept at 22 degrees. In such favorable conditions, seedlings appear half a month after sowing. Seedlings transplanted into separate small pots. And after the seedlings grow from them, they are transplanted into pots with a diameter of 9 centimeters. The first time the plant should bloom after a year or so after sowing, but this is only with proper care.

Apical cuttings are excellent for reproduction. They are pruned and rooted in the last winter or summer weeks. The cut should be made at an angle slightly below the knot, while the handle should have at least 3 leaves, and it is better if there are 3-5 pieces. Leave the cutting for several hours in the open air to dry. Before it is planted, it is necessary to treat the cut areas, using shredded charcoal and a root growth stimulator for this. In the container filled with earth mixture (sand, turfy ground and peat in equal parts), prepared cuttings should be planted along the perimeter.

It is recommended to pinch to increase the pomp of the bush. The container is placed in a well-lit place, but the light must be diffused. It is necessary to systematically moisten the earth from the sprayer. Full rooting will occur 15–20 days after planting. Strengthened seedlings are seated in separate containers. The pot for planting is chosen small, because otherwise the flowering will be poor. The plant will bloom after 5-7 months after full rooting.

Winter care

Optimal wintering conditions  can be created on a glazed and non-freezing, well-lit loggia or in a greenhouse. It is necessary to maintain the minimum temperature at night not lower than +6 o C, in the daytime - about + 12 + 15 o C. In case of overheating on sunny days - open the greenhouse doors for ventilation. Angels, bicolor and tricolor varieties are best kept at higher temperatures, placing them in warmer places greenhouses or loggias.

Mandatory good air circulation around the plants, you can not put them too closely, if necessary, thick roots need a little thin. This will help prevent the occurrence of fungal diseases. Watering this time is quite scanty, experienced flower growers spend it from pallets, clearly measuring the amount of water and determining the time of the next watering by the weight of the pots, while the top of the soil is always left dry.

There are other wintering methods. One of them is to preserve plants in the form of rooted cuttings, the mother plant is thrown out. The method is used for summer cultivation of pelargonium in the open air.

The second method is also used for outdoor cultivation: on the eve of frosts, the plant is dug out, excess soil is shaken from the roots, the plant is cut and wrapped in paper, then suspended in a cool basement. The room should be with good ventilation and high humidity so that the plant does not dry out. In the spring it is planted in a pot, with the onset of heat planted in open ground. You can combine the first and second methods: first take the cuttings, and then send the mother plant to winter in the basement.

Wintering falls on the darkest time of the year and lasts approximately 2.5-3 months (from November to February). Already in late January - early February, with increasing daylight, pelargoniums gradually begin to wake up.

Diseases and pests

• Great damage pelargonium causes gray rot. Manifested in the form of gray bloom on the leaves and other parts of the plant. Its occurrence provokes coolness, dampness, waterlogging, poor air ventilation. Especially often the disease occurs during the winter holidays, which is why it is so important to provide the plants with good ventilation, not to put them closely together, to remove sick and unnecessary leaves in time.
• Often on pelargonium occurs rust. Manifested in the form of concentric yellowish top and brown bottom spots on the leaves.
• Over-wetting can be observed stalk rottingwhich manifests itself as dark depressed spots at the base of the stem. This is the true death of the plant, but you can try to take the apical stalk.
• Verticillary wilting  caused by a fungus affecting the plant's conductive system. The disease is manifested in the gradual yellowing and fading of the plant and is not treatable.
• Other pathogenic fungi, which cause various types of spot on the leaves, petioles and other parts of plants, can also be affected.

It is important to carry out preventive treatment of plants against fungal diseases in a timely manner, especially on the eve of winter holidays. Plants are plentifully sprayed with preparations or immersed with a crown in a container with a fungicide. It is advisable to use systemic fungicides of broad-spectrum, such as Scor, Topaz, Profit Gold, Topsin, etc. When a mushroom disease is detected, the diseased parts of the plant are removed and treated with the same preparations.

• Pelargonium is often affected whitefly. When purchasing a plant, carefully inspect the lower part of the leaf for the presence of small white butterflies or white capsule formations, their larvae. If you find at least a few individuals should abandon the purchase.
• Upon detection mealybug  also better not to buy a plant. In the axils of the leaves, on the stems you can see clusters that look like pieces of white cotton.
• Pelargoniums may also be affected. thrips aphids, mites.

Types of Pelargonium

To all the benefits of pelargonium, you can still add a variety of species, which in nature more than 250 pieces. The whole genus of pelargonium is divided into 7 groups.

The largest group in the number of varieties. Includes thousands of varieties. The leaves have a small soft down and wavy edges of the plate, densely distributed over the entire base of the stem. If you rub a piece of pelargonium zone, then there will be a peculiar smell. Stems from the flower straight.

Flowers, collected in large and bright brushes, depending on the variety may be:

• simple (Blanca variety with white flowers, Yitka variety with delicate salmon-pink color of flowers) - up to 5 petals
• semi-double (A.M. Mayne cultivar with beetroot-fuchsian flowers) - up to 8 pastes
• terry (Ada Suterby variety with pink flowers) - more than 8 petals

The shape of the bud may also differ:

• tulip (Carmen Andrea variety - bright red, almost burgundy, slightly wavy edges, Emma fran Bengtsbo variety - noble elongated buds with milky-white petals) - the buds look like a tulip, are not fully revealed.
• cactus - petals twisted.
• star-shaped (Borthwood Stellar variety with intense pink flowers, Aunty Pam-Stellar variety - neon-pink petals) - inflorescences resemble stars.
• rosebuds (Apple Blossom Rosebud variety - the most chic variety of zonal geraniums with white buds and pink edging) - inflorescences like roses.

According to the color of the petals, zonal pelargoniums can be:

• two-tone
• tricolor
• speckled (variety Confetti Red - bright orange petals with specks and red strokes)
• color "bird's egg"

In size, zonal pelargoniums are different:

• microminiature - 10cm
• miniature - 10-13cm
• dwarf (grade Pac Jana-2 - dark pink flower with a white spot, grade Frou Frou with bright pink flowers) - 13-20cm
• normal - 25-60cm
• airyrins - up to 80cm

Today, science knows about 280 species, but the most common are the following:

Angular - Pelargonium angulosum
  Edged - Pelargonium zonale
  Pink - Pelargonium radens
  Capitatum - Pelargonium capitatum
  Fuzzy Leaf - Pelargonium crithmifolium
  Klobuchkovaya - Pelargonium cucullatum
  Prickly - Pelargonium echinatum Curtis
  Meaty - Pelargonium carnosum
  Stalkers - Pelargonium crassicaule
  Krupnotsvetkovaya - Pelargonium grandiflorum
  Curly - Pelargonium crispum
  Ivy - Pelargonium peltatum
  Tongan - Pelargonium tongaense
  Fragrant - Pelargonium graveolens
  Soiling - Pelargonium inquinans
  Paniculite - Pelargonium odoratissimum
  Grape - Pelargonium vitifolium
  Prickly - Pelargonium spinosum
  Xerophytic - Pelargonium xerophyton

Geranium is quite a popular plant, grown both in the garden and in the rooms. But few know that indoor geranium is actually pelargonium, but garden is actually geranium.

Types and varieties

Potted geraniums can be divided into fragrant   - touching their leaves, you feel different smells (lemon, coconut, ginger and others), which depend on the variety. Flowers of such plants are usually small, pink or purple in color.

Angels   - The flowers of these geraniums resemble pansies. Their inflorescences form caps and hang down. The very same bush is small - up to 30 cm.

Unicums   - These varieties are obtained by crossing a brilliant geranium with a royal geranium. These plants have very dissected foliage, and the flowers resemble those of the royal geranium.

Succulent   - this group is not numerous, there are only 10 species in it, which are distinguished by the curvature of the shoots. Succulent geraniums are popular flowers for bonsai.

Separately, remember the royal geranium and ivy.

Royal (English) Geranium   is the parent material for a huge number of flower varieties. With her derived variegated varieties and terry. Bush height is about 50 cm.

Ivy geranium (thyroid)   This species is valuable for its long stems, due to which it is grown as an ampelous plant. It has beautiful flowers that are simple and terry.

Types of garden geraniums are also quite diverse:

Forms tall bushes just over a meter. Flowers lilac coloring.

Balkan   different massive roots. Very much grows, although the height of the bush is only 30 cm. The flowers are purple in color.

Marshland   medium height view (60 cm) with straight shoots that branch well. Inflorescences are purple.

Growing rapidly, reaches half a meter tall. Young flowers have a purple color, which with aging gain a brown tint. This geranium does not propagate in the seed way.

A species that is easily grown, as it lives in nature in rather difficult conditions. May not change even longer than other geraniums. The color of the flowers is purple.

View with a high decorative effect. It has an unusual bluish foliage and dark purple flowers. The bottom of the shoot and the lower leaves begin to turn red in autumn.

Geranium care at home

Geranium is quite easy to grow at home, it is enough to know some of the features of this plant and everything will be fine.

Gerani likes strong lighting, she likes to be under direct rays. If you give the plant enough light and fertilizer, it will be able to bloom throughout the year.

The soil for geranium need to choose a fertile, you can use a universal earth mixture.

Water a flower should be moderate, because any excess moisture adversely affect it. Geranium does not need spraying.

The best temperature for growing is 18-20 ° C. In winter, the temperature is better to reduce, but it is impossible for the thermometer column to fall below 10 ° C.

Fertilizer for geraniums

You need to feed the flower once for 15 days, starting at the end of March and ending in November. Use with better liquid feeding. You can buy special fertilizers for geraniums, or you can use an iodine solution.

To prepare it, dilute a drop of iodine per liter of water. Bring in 50 ml at a time. Try not to increase the dose, so as not to burn the rhizome. You can also fertilize the crushed eggshell.

Do not use organic fertilizer for fertilizer - geranium does not like them.

Geranium transplant at home

Also, this plant practically does not need transplants, besides it does not tolerate them well. Perform this procedure only in the case of filling the roots of the pot.

It is necessary to conduct transplantation in early spring, before the period of green mass growth. Do not take too big a pot, because as a result you will get a lot of greenery, but the lack of flowering.

Geranium pruning for lush flowering

With the arrival of autumn geranium need to be cut. All stems that grow not from the root, but are removed from the shoot. Also cut the foliage, leaving 7 leaves. When a large amount of foliage appears in winter, pruning is also performed in the spring.

Geranium seed at home

It is quite simple to propagate geranium seeds, the condition is the use of the purchased material, since the seeds collected from home geranium, if I go up, will most likely lose their varietal characteristics.

Sow seeds need in a mixture of peat, sand and sod land (1: 1: 2). From above pour a couple of centimeters of sand. Also, the soil is slightly moisturized. Before planting, do not forget to treat the soil with a solution of manganese, in order to avoid the appearance of a “black leg”.

Next, the planted seeds are covered with glass and from time to time they moisten the soil. Keep planted better at a temperature of about 20 ° C. With the advent of a pair of real sheets (this will happen in about a month and a half or two months), it will be possible to perform a transplant into a permanent pot. With the formation of five sheets, make a pinch so that your flower is better bred.

Reproduction of geranium cuttings at home

Geranium can be propagated by cuttings at any time of the year, but spring is best suited for this. You need to prepare seven centimeter cuttings with a pair of leaves.

After cutting, they are left to wither for a day, then the powder is cut with coal and planted in the sand for rooting. When watering the cutting, try to get only moisture on the substrate. Root need to perform at 20 ° C. With the appearance of the roots, you can safely deposit the cuttings in separate pots.

There is no point in trying to propagate a geranium with a leaf - it will not grow, even if roots appear. The stalk must have part of the stem.

Garden geranium perennial planting and care

Planting and caring for perennial garden geraniums (this is actually geranium, not pelargonium) also does not require special skills, you just need to know a couple of features of this plant.

It is better to buy rhizomes for planting in specialized stores at the end of winter. Choose a hard material with many side roots on it. Growth point must be solid.

Bought root put in a little wet peat, and then in the fridge. Every 15 days moisten the peat a little, until it is time to plant the root.

When buying a flower with the beginning of the growing season, plant it in a container, the dimensions of which will be the same as the roots of the flower. Also, the container must have holes for drainage. The plant is kept in a lit place before landing in the ground.

You can also buy the actual plant, which is immediately planted in the garden or stored until planting in a shaded place, not forgetting to water. Proper planting is one of the most important steps in geranium care.

Choose a site that will be well lit. Next you need to dig a deep hole, which will be 20 cm deeper than the root. There is a need to keep a distance of about 30 cm between individuals. Do not put uncured manure in the pit - it is harmful to geranium.

Geranium quickly grows and displaces weeds, so you will not have to weed it, and by mulching the soil you will save yourself from loosening it.

Pruning geraniums for the winter

In the autumn, after flowering, some geraniums require pruning, but keep in mind that most of these flowers overwinter with green leaves, so pruning is not necessary.

This plant tolerates winter cold and does not need shelter for the winter.

Geranium seed

Seed breeding geraniums is quite complicated and varietal characteristics are lost with it. Collecting seeds is also hard - the fruit is cracking and the seeds are lost.

If you want to try, you can sow the seeds immediately after harvest. Maybe next year they will bloom.

Geranium breeding by dividing the bush

The best method of breeding garden geraniums is dividing the bush, which is produced in spring. Compost and peat dressing are introduced into the soil and a part of the rhizome is planted.

The first time plentifully watered. Fertilizer can be started 30 days after planting.

Diseases and pests

Improper care with geraniums can cause a number of problems.

• If your pelargonium grows in a dark container, drafts blow through it or it is over-humidified in winter, then its leaves begin to turn yellow. Also causes of yellowing can be the lack of drainage, dryness and excess nitrogen in the soil.
• If the plant does not bloom, then the reason for this may be too large a pot, because of which the flower will put all its strength into growing the roots.
• Also, delays in flowering are due to pinching. Royal geranium need to pinch less often than others, since it can not bloom at all.
• Warm wintering and excess nitrogen fertilizers also cause this effect.
• If the geranium leaves turn yellow and dry, then the culprit is a spider mite, which can be recognized by its thin webs on the foliage.
• White bloom on the leaves indicates powdery mildew.
• The foliage of geranium twists with a lack of nitrogen, light, moisture. It may also be caused by spider mites or viral diseases. The latter, in addition to the twisting of the sheet, appear in curved colors.
• If your geranium is not growing, then perhaps it does not have enough light, or the room is too hot and dry. Another reason is poor ground or its depletion.
• Small leaves appear in the absence of pruning. They may also indicate plant aging.
• Sluggish stems and leaves indicate an excess of moisture, which causes rotting of the roots, which often leads to the death of the flower; or about its lack.
• With a small amount of light from the geranium leaves begin to fall.
• Blackening of the stems and leaves is due to various rot or “black leg”.

Geranium was very popular among flower growers in different countries. But over time, the popularity of the plant decreased. Now geranium again began to win the hearts of millions of flower growers. Geranium - culture unpretentious in the care. To cope with the cultivation of this plant can even beginner florist.

Caring for geraniums is simple and does not require special knowledge. The number of varieties and varieties can satisfy the desires and demands of even the most sophisticated flower lovers. And also geranium can be grown in apartment conditions, on a balcony, a veranda and even in a garden plot.

Geranium or Pelargonium?

Geranium is differently called pelargonium. Indeed, cultures are similar in appearance. And both plants belong to the same family - Geranium. However, an experienced specialist will confidently say that these plants have differences. In addition, the two cultures can not be crossed, because genetically they have nothing in common.

Pelargonium and geranium can be distinguished according to the following description:

• Temperature.  Geranium is a plant native to the North. This is noticeable in its cold resistance. Geranium is easily grown in outdoor conditions.  and does not need to be transported in cold times a year in a house or greenhouse. Pelargonium, on the contrary, needs warm climatic conditions, since it is a native of the South, its homeland is South Africa. This is important to pay for the care.
• Colors.  Geranium flowers are painted in a variety of colors. The only exception is the scarlet color. Pelargonium, on the other hand, can have flowers of all colors, except blue and blue.
• The difference in the device flower.  A geranium flower has up to 8 petals, pelargonium has a whole crown of flowers. All flowers differ in shape: the first flowers are larger in size, and the rest are smaller.

Geranium can be grown both at home and in the garden, depending on which variety you choose.

Summer residents often use this culture for growing along the alleys, in flowerbeds, to decorate the verandas. Pelargonium is beautiful on the windowsills or closed balconies. Both types are easy to maintain and maintain.

Types and varieties

The plant is characterized by a huge variety of species and varieties. The collection of geranium varieties includes up to 400 species. As a rule, allocate two groups: cluster and ampelous.

Earlier, it was pleasant to consider geranium a “grandmother’s flower,” but now, thanks to the work of breeders, various species have appeared that differ greatly from one another in the colors and shapes of flowers and leaves. Below is a description of popular varieties.

Ampelnaya

This effective type of culture will decorate any room, veranda, staircase. Grown in floor pots and hanging baskets. The branches are drooping and curly, their length can reach one meter. Flowers are located on the ends of the stems. Inflorescence in shape resemble a brush.

Among ampelous geraniums, they are ivy-shaped or ivy-shaped. This species is called climbing because of the structure of the shoots.

Features of ampel geranium:

Angel is a type of amber geranium. However, unlike the ileum, the geranium angel whips are not so long. The flowers are very similar in shape to the flowers of the viola, which is popularly known as pansies. Most varieties are stunted. Coloring Angel flowers: white, pink and purple with numerous veins and strokes.

Fragrant

This variety of geranium, as the name implies, differs especially strong aroma. And in all varieties of this plant odors are diverse. This variety is called fragrant, fragrant. Especially strong aroma is felt, if to touch a plant.

but visually fragrant geranium is not as spectacular, like most other species. The flowers have standard colors, not so luxuriantly and densely bloom, and the leaves are very large and uneven.

A variety of fragrant geranium - lemon - has oblong, lush leaves of bright green color. Cut leaves give it a very unusual look. Lemon geranium can reach 1.5 meters in height and above. As the name implies, the plant has a fresh and delicate lemon scent. Lemon geranium is also called non-flowering due to rather rare flowering.

Zonal

This species is also called bordered. So called geranium for border brown color on dark green leaves. Therefore, zonal geranium can be found immediately. This is the most popular variety, varieties of zonal geranium are derived so much that they can not be counted.

There is a huge variety of colors flowers. In addition, there are simple, semi-double and double flowers. Even the color of the leaves of the varieties may be different - some border visible clearly, others it is almost invisible.

This species is found   dwarf varieties, whose height does not exceed 25 cm. For example, the variety mixture “Nano” is a vivid example of a dwarf zone geranium.

Rosebud is a variety of zonal geranium, and has another name - rose-shaped. Based on the name, we can conclude that the flowers of this geranium resemble roses. Gustomahrovye, with a huge number of petals - it's all about the flowers of this culture. Gentle and lush roses sit inflorescences on the ends of the shoots. The colors of rose geranium are numerous: from pale pink to deep red.

Royal

This terry kind of culture looks very impressive. Differs in large inflorescences, the diameter of which can reach 7 cm. During flowering it is plentiful covered with bright hats inflorescences. Flower color is very different, in addition, there are flowers of two-tone color - with numerous strokes and veins.

In the West, a variety of this plant is referred to as “Martha Washington's geranium” - in honor of the wife of the first president of the United States of America.

In the people, culture received other names, for example, “royal”, “noble”, “English” or “home”.

Care for this species is complex:

• Does not tolerate trim;
• Can only grow at home;
• Does not tolerate low temperatures.

Tulip

This species has significant differences from other geranium species:

• The flowers of this culture in their external structure are similar to tulips at the stage of blooming. The flower itself is small - diameter does not exceed 1 cm.
• Inflorescences look magnificent, because the inflorescences consist of a large number of flowers - up to 50!
• The height of this species reach 70 cm.
• The color of the flowers of tulip geranium is also very different: the flowers may have a soft pink color or rich maroon.

Succulent

This geranium is unlike others. It is almost impossible to meet this variety on the windowsills of amateur flower growers and flower shops.

Differs plant thick, curved stems, small leaves and inconspicuous flowers.

Some types of succulent geraniums can boast larger flower sizes. For example, angular succulent geranium differs in large, up to 7 cm in diameter flowers of lilac color.

Garden geraniums

As the name implies, such geraniums are grown in garden plots. This is possible thanks to their endurance to different weather conditions.

Among the most popular varieties emit:

• Blood red. Closer to the beginning of the autumn period, the leaves become saturated red. Color: pale pink, carmine, purple or bright red.
• Gorgeous  - It is a compact bush with a height of no more than half a meter. The flowers are simple, have purple or bluish color. This is the most popular variety of garden geraniums.
• Large rooted  - perennial culture with erect stems no more than 40 cm high. Simple flowers have various colors: purple with a pinkish tint, bright red or pinkish.

Blood red

Large rooted

Gorgeous

A striking difference from garden geraniums from room is the structure of the leaf, as well as endurance and the ability to winter in outdoor conditions. Indoor species do not tolerate frost.

How to grow more crops?

It is pleasant to any gardener and summer resident to receive a big crop with large fruits. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to get the desired result.

Often plants lack nutrition and minerals.

It has the following properties:

• Allows increase yield by 50%  in just a few weeks of use.
• Can get good harvest even on low fertile soils  and in adverse climatic conditions
• Absolutely safe

Home care

Caring for geraniums does not require special skills. Even novice can cope with the cultivation of this culture.  However, you must follow certain rules of care so that the plant will delight with its lush and abundant flowering.

Temperature conditions

The plant itself feels great when in room temperature. In the summer, it is recommended to maintain the temperature at 25 ° C heat, and in the winter time it is not necessary to lower the temperature below 15 ° C. When caring for royal geraniums, it should be remembered that it does not tolerate lowering temperatures below 20 ° C. Protect geranium from drafts.

Lighting

The more light, the better for culture - one of the main rules for care. Geranium is not afraid of hitting the direct rays of the sun.  The lack of lighting can lead to the fact that the leaves begin to fade, and flowering will be less abundant.

In winter, it is also important to maintain a light mode using illuminating devices.  The lack of light in winter will lead to blanching of the foliage.

Air humidity

The plant does not need high humidity.

Spray culture can not, because it can greatly harm the plant.

Thus, when spraying, be careful not to let water fall on the geranium.

Watering

When leaving, do not forget about watering. Geranium is good for regular watering. It is recommended to water the plant daily in summerHowever, it is important to ensure that there is no stagnant moisture. This is fraught with root decay.

Pot and soil

It is not recommended to choose a too spacious pot., because geranium does not like space. At the bottom of the pot it is desirable to make a good drainage layer. As a drainage, you can use ordinary sand or small pebbles.

Priming  for geranium required moderately fertile.  The intensity of flowering depends on the nutritional value of the soil. Can be purchased   universal soil mix  in a specialty store. Experienced growers prefer to prepare the soil on their own.

To prepare the soil will need:

• Turf ground;
• Deciduous land;
• Humus;
• Sand.

All components are taken in the ratio of 1: 1: 1.5: 0.5.

Top dressing and fertilizers

In the spring and summer, you need to make feeding. Usually as feedings are used. complex mineral fertilizerswhich contain   potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen.  Closer to the flowering of nitrogen is required to reduce, since its excess may adversely affect flowering.

Geranium responds well to fertilizing with iodine.   Iodine perfectly stimulates flowering. Among the purchased, you can choose granulated, chopsticks, liquid dressings.

Among them are most often used:

1. "Zircon";
2. Kemira Lux;
3. "Master";
4. "Plantofol".

Zircon

Kemira Lux

Master

Plantafol

Trimming and Pinching

Care includes pruning, which is mandatory for the formation of the crown of the bush and stimulate flowering. In the autumn it is time to prune the plant.. Usually pruned shoots growing from the leaf sinuses, leaving the stems with 7 leaves. In the case of the growth of geraniums in the winter, in early spring you can cut the plant againleaving a few buds.

If you care for royal geraniums, then remember that it can not be cut.

How to cut geraniums correctly:

1. Trim the stem above the leaf node;
2. Shoots are cut above the leaf;
3. Shoots growing in the center of the bush, to be removed;
4. Shoots growing from the root need pinching;
5. It is recommended to treat the cut areas with crushed charcoal;
6. After pruning, it is recommended to fertilize the culture with mineral fertilizer.

Video: How to shape and pinch geranium (pelargonium)

Features care throughout the year

Terms of care in different seasons:

• In the autumn  it is necessary to prune the geraniums, and then it is necessary to prepare the culture for the upcoming wintering. To do this, gradually reduce irrigation and fertilization.
• In winter time  the plant is practically not watered and not fed at all. The temperature in the room should not be below 15 ° C. It is better to keep the geranium away from radiators and heaters.
• In the spring  it is necessary to resume watering and start fertilizing, including nitrogen, since nitrogen contributes to the growth of green mass. Closer to the beginning of flowering, the amount of nitrogen fertilizers is reduced and the introduction of potassium-phosphorus supplements increases.
• Summer  Geranium must be watered frequently and regularly. The temperature should be kept at 25 ° C. Geranium should receive maximum sunlight.

Why does not room geranium bloom and what to do?

Geranium begins to bloom towards the end of spring and ends by mid-autumn. In some flower growers, the culture pleases with its flowers in winter, however, it is not necessary to force it to bloom in winter.

What to do to geranium bloomed more often?

• First of all, you want to choose not too spacious capacity for planting. When the root system feels too spacious, the plant grows more green mass, which negatively affects flowering. A good option would be if you plant several bushes in one pot.
• SecondlyIt is necessary to provide the plant with more sunlight. Closer to flowering it is required to feed geranium with potassium-phosphate fertilizers, and reduce the amount of nitrogen fertilizers to a minimum. Iodine affects flowering very well.

The same applies to the autumn pruning shoots. The exception is royal geranium. If geranium does not bloom for a long time, then it is recommended to transplant it to the garden plot.. In winter, the plant is recommended to ensure peace - reduce temperatures, reduce watering and eliminate fertilization.

Reasons for non-flowering:

1. Lack of sunlight;
2. Improper care throughout the year;
3. Wrong wintering;
4. Too spacious pot;
5. Incorrectly selected soil;
6. Waterlogging;
7. Rare application of dressings.

Stories of our readers!
"I am a summer resident with many years of experience, and I started using this fertilizer only last year. I tested it on the most demanding vegetable in my vegetable garden — on tomatoes. The bushes grew and bloomed together, yielded more than usual yield. And they did not hurt the blight, this is the main thing.

Fertilizer really gives a more intensive growth of garden plants, and they bear fruit much better. Now you cannot grow a normal crop without fertilizer, and this dressing increases the amount of vegetables, so I am very pleased with the result. "

Transfer

Geranium does not like transplants. therefore replant the plant is necessary only in the following situations:

1. The root system has become cramped in a pot;
2. The plant begins to wither due to an overabundance;
3. Geranium almost does not grow;
4. Deposition of the roots.

Transplanting like planting spend in early spring. But this can be done in the middle of winter, only the culture will take root much more slowly.

In no case can not transplant the plant during the flowering stage.

How to transplant geraniums:

1. Lay a drainage layer on the bottom of the new container. Fit small pebbles, expanded clay, broken brick.
2. Moisten the ground and gently reach the plant, trying not to damage the roots.
3. If there are diseased or damaged roots, they must be trimmed.
4. Set the plant in a new container and sprinkle with soil.
5. For several days, put the geranium in a place protected from sunlight.
6. You can feed in only two weeks after transplantation.

Breeding

It is possible to propagate room geranium in the following ways: cuttings, seeds or dividing a bush. By dividing the bush, the plant can be propagated during transplantation.  It is enough to divide the root system into parts, trying not to damage the roots.

Reproduction by cuttings

It is best to propagate geranium cuttings in the spring. Freshly cut is used for breeding. a stalk no longer than 7 cm  with a pair of leaves.

How to propagate geranium by cutting:

In order for the cutting to take root, it is necessary create a temperature of about 21 ° C.

Seed propagation

For reproduction by seeds it is necessary:

1. Sow the seeds in a moist, loose substrate.
2. Sprinkle with the same substrate or sand. The thickness of the upper layer is not more than 2.5 cm.
3. To moisten crops with the help of spraying from a spray.
4. Capacities with crops should be covered with glass or plastic film, which must be periodically removed for humidification and ventilation.
5. After the emergence of seedlings, the glass should be removed, and the crops should be placed in a bright place.
6. When a pair of leaves appears, seedlings should be planted in separate containers.

Diseases and pests

Causes of the disease: improper care, adverse conditions and so on.

Geranium is subject to the following diseases:

• Gray rot  occurs as a result of soil over-wetting. It is necessary to fight it with the help of fungicides. It is recommended to transplant the diseased plant in a new pot, removing the damaged parts.
• Root rot  also develops due to excess moisture. It is impossible to fight with her.
• Blackleg  - The most common disease of geraniums. This disease cannot be cured, and sick specimens must be destroyed.
• Mealy dew  manifests itself in the form of plaque on the upper side of the sheet plate. Fighting it requires the use of fungicides and colloidal sulfur.

The following pests are common:

• Whitefly.

Insecticidal drugs, soap solution will help in the fight against pests.

Table: reasons for changing the appearance of the flower

Changes in appearance	The reason and what to do?
Yellow leaves	Cause: Cramped pot, improper care in autumn and winter What to do: Replant in a more spacious pot, adjust the care as described above.
Dry leaves	Cause: Lack of moisture What to do: Make watering more frequent and regular
Curled, wrapped leaves	Cause: Lack of light, improper watering What to do: Improve light mode and ensure regular watering.
Withering leaves	Cause: Leaf spot What to do: Fight with fungicidal agents
Leaves shrink	Cause: Lack of light What to do: Move the geranium to a more illuminated place.
Brighten the leaves	Cause: Excessive direct sunlight What to do: Pritenyat a plant from the midday sun
Spots on the leaves	Cause: Mealy dew or aphid What to do: Fight with fungicides or insecticides
Redden leaves turn white	Cause: Plant suffers from cold

Useful properties and contraindications

In addition to the beautiful appearance, the flower is known for its healing qualities.

Geranium has the following healing properties:

• Antiseptic;
• Diuretic;
• Pain reliever;
• Antiedematous;
• Bactericidal;
• Hemostatic;
• Antidiabetic.

Geranium is indicated for the treatment of diseases:

• The liver and organs of the gastrointestinal tract;
• Coryza;
• Catarrhal diseases;
• Stomach, gastritis.

Previously it was believed that culture has magical properties, driving out evil spirits from the house.

The plant has contraindications that should be considered in order not to harm yourself.

• Small children;
• Pregnant women;
• The elderly;
• Suffering from a stomach ulcer.

Frequently asked questions for novice florists

1. From the center grows a green "wand" - what is it? The so-called green “wand” that grows from the center of the flower is a pollinated flower.
2. Why do geraniums have flowers?  Geraniums fall off rarely. More often this happens with royal geraniums. One of the reasons is waterlogging. When you care, remember that excess moisture is dangerous.
3. Why do young leaves grow white?Probably the plant is too hot. Provide proper care.

Conclusion

Geranium is a popular indoor and garden culture. She is unpretentious in care and does not require special skills of floriculture. There is a huge variety of varieties and types of this culture with a mass of shades of simple and densely double flowers.

Garden geranium is a truly unique plant. Long-term and frost-resistant, practically maintenance-free after planting, shade-loving and tolerating drought, this crop can grow in one place for up to 15 years. Surprisingly, not only flowers, but also geranium leaves are beautiful. Not a single gardener will not leave indifferent the universality of this perennial: with a long flowering period and varietal diversity, it can be used in any flower beds and natural areas of the garden.

Pelargonium is a widespread indoor plant. Extremely beautiful decorative culture is not only able to replenish the aesthetic perception of others, but also give a good mood, relieve a headache, and deal with nervous and gastrointestinal disorders. Such a bunch of useful properties can not get around any florist. And given the simplicity of care and a long abundant period of flowering pelargonium, this plant can rightly be called "a real home holiday."

Many people think that geranium and pelargonium are one and the same plant, but in fact they belong to different genera of the same family and have a number of differences. In this article we will try to understand what is the difference between these plants, what features of planting and care, both garden geranium and room pelargonium. For any grower, it is fundamentally important to understand the differences between related representatives, so as not to get confused when choosing a particular cultivar and grow exactly the plant that was originally intended in your plot or flower pot. After reviewing the material presented below, everyone can easily decide on the choice of a favorite plant, providing him with the right care and the necessary agricultural techniques.

The difference between geranium and pelargonium

Due to frequent confusion, it is important to immediately note the difference between geranium and pelargonium, which in everyday life is also often, but incorrectly, called “geranium”.

So, the geranium or the crane (the genus Geranium) is a perennial and frost-resistant plant, and pelargonium (the genus Pelargonium ) - everyone's favorite thermophilic indoor flower. Both representatives belong to different genera of the same family - geranium. That is why, indoor potted plant - pelargonium - used in everyday life also called geraniums.

Garden geraniums grow in gardens and flowerbeds, it tolerates winters well and delights gardeners with abundant flowering for more than one season. Pelargonium can also be planted in open ground, but, given its thermophilic properties, only in the warm season. Before the onset of cold weather, it is dug out and transplanted again in indoor flower pots.

Let us consider in more detail the features of the cultivation and care of geraniums, its varietal diversity and the use in human life.

Geranium, description

There are about 400 species of herbs and dwarf shrubs of the genus Geranium, growing throughout the world. Geraniums were grown in Europe in the 17th century, and it only came to Russia in the 18th century. Homeland of most new varieties of garden geraniums is England. The name of the plant “geranion” is translated from Greek as “crane”. Such an unusual comparison is explained by the fact that the fruits of geraniums resemble the crane's beak, therefore the plant is often called the "Crane".

The leaves of the geranium are on the petioles, soft-haired, dissected in different ways: palchiform, palmatolopolopastno or pinworm, with 3-5 leaves.

The flowers are large and beautiful, consist of 5 petals of the corolla, a round shape, and 5 sepals. On one shoot, as a rule, from 1 to 3 flowers are placed. The color of geranium flowers is quite diverse, depending on the variety: white, pink, blue, purple, etc.

The fruit is a box that opens out unusually: from the bottom up.

Geranium is a stable, undemanding, decoratively stable plant. And the culture is valued not so much for beautiful flowering, as for its attractive habit - it forms compact dense bushes with spectacular openwork leaves that retain their decorativeness until the winter itself, can grow thick carpet and have different sizes and colors of flowers and leaves.

Types and varieties of geraniums

Geranium species amaze the imagination of any keen grower. Recently, various varieties of geraniums, distinguished by special botanical features and the form of buds, have been developed. And representatives of the geranium family are valued not only for the beauty of the flowers, but also for the leaves.

Each type of geranium has its own varieties. They differ from each other in appearance and other characteristics.

Conventionally, for ease of use, geraniums are divided into two groups: high (50 cm and above) and low (10-50 cm).

Consider the most common and cultivated geranium species:

High geraniums

• Geranium marsh

Perennial herb with a powerful rhizome and large basal, seven-fanged leaves on long, up to 20 cm, hairy petioles. The stem is erect or ascending, hairy, reaches a height of 70 cm. Stem leaves are five-segmented, slightly toothed. The flowers are large, up to 3 cm in diameter, the petals are purple.

Geranium grows in humid places on the plains, among hills and in swamps. It blooms in June-July, and by the end of August even the leaves die off, the seeds are rapidly falling off, giving abundant self-seeding in spring. Our ancestors used geranium marsh for stomach disorders, enterocolitis, colic in the side, uterine bleeding after childbirth, hemoptysis, for washing purulent ulcers and wounds, and for treating sore throats.

• Geranium magnificent

This type of garden geranium corresponds to its name - bright and huge flowers of rich lilac color effectively stand out against the background of not less beautiful pubescent leaves. Geranium blooms early: from late May to early June. It prefers sunny or slightly shaded places with fertile and treated soil. Under such favorable conditions, the geranium bush grows quickly and reaches a height of about 50 cm.

• Georgian geranium

One of the most beautiful and desirable garden perennials, growing in one place, without division and transplantation, up to 10 -12 years. Shrub is a powerful, branched, growing to 60-80 cm in height. The leaves are dense, greenish-gray from the pubescence, very attractive. In the autumn they blush and die off for the winter. Flowers up to 4.5 cm in diameter, purple with purple veins, collected in umbellate inflorescence. Petals are wedge-shaped, notched. Flowering begins in mid-June and lasts about 40 days. Blossoming is plentiful, during this period the Georgian geranium bush is amazing: the whole is covered with violet open and bright flowers. The species is distinguished by longevity, resistance to diseases, and not demanding in culture.

• Geranium red-brown

It is a fairly tall bush - up to 1m, in the shape of a hemisphere, with beautiful leaves. The flowers are small, dark shades: from dark purple to dark burgundy. Flowering is long, 40-45 days, in July-August numerous seeds ripen. Seedlings bloom in the second year. Perennial prefers shade / penumbra, moderate moisture, loose, fertile, well-drained soil. This type of geranium is often referred to as "dark brown." Rare dark color of flowers, delicacy of inflorescence, beautiful bush - all this makes geranium very promising for decoration of flower beds in the shade.

• Blood red geranium

It has a dense, spherical shape, a beautiful shrub, about 60 cm high. Wintering leaves, round, deeply dissected (in the form of asterisks), become brightly colored in autumn. The flowers are lilac-pink, 3-4 cm in diameter, covered with the whole bush. It blooms for a long time: from mid-June to August. It prefers a sunny location or partial shade, moderately fertile calcareous soils, but it develops well on any garden soil. In general, an unpretentious and enduring decorative look, growing in one place up to 15 years. Great honey plant.

In recent years, breeders have brought out about a dozen varieties of this geranium, the Compactum is especially good, it blooms all summer long, a low variety (up to 15 cm tall) with pink flowers. The following varieties of blood-red geranium are also popular: Album (has white flowers), Ankum's Pride (blooms with bright pink flowers), Glenluce (it is distinguished by lilac-pink inflorescences, with dark veins), Nana (low-growing variety with bright pink flowers), Prostratum (low bush with dark pink flowers), Striatum (has light pink flowers with a dark eye, low-growing variety).

• Forest geranium

Plant of cold and temperate zones of Eurasia. In nature, prefers forest shading zones or thickets, moist and rich soils. Stem - up to 80 cm, upright, branched at the top, covered with hairs. The flowers are large, collected two in a loose inflorescence, from mauve and blue to white shades. Blossoms in June - July. Gray-blue dye, which was used in ancient Europe, for dyeing military cloaks was made from the flowers of forest geranium. Also, the view is a good honey plant and medicinal plant. The most popular varieties are: Amy Doncaster (has blue flowers with a white center), Mayflower (blooms with purple-blue buds with a white center), Meran (differs in purple inflorescences with a white center), Wannerii (has pale pink small flowers). Most varieties tolerate lower temperatures to -29 ° C.

• Meadow geranium

High (up to 1.2 m) beautiful geranium with strongly dissected leaves and large flowers of blue or lilac color. Shade-tolerant, blooms from June to July. It has several dozen garden forms; its terry hybrid variety “Summer Skies” is especially good. And the variety “Patricia” is a bright and catchy plant that covers an area of ​​about one square meter.

• Small Geranium (Armenian)

This species is also called - "Black-eyed geranium" because of the bright crimson flowers with a black eye. It blooms from mid-June for one and a half months. Large bushes of this geranium up to 60-100 cm high can grow without transplanting up to 15 years and decorate sunny places from spring to autumn. It grows well on rich, deep soils with sufficient moisture.

• Geranium Flathead

Perennial shrub, 60–100 cm tall, rounded. The plant is fragrant, densely pubescent. The leaves are gray-green, rounded, on long petioles, dying off at the onset of frost. Flowering begins in June and lasts about 2 months, the seeds ripen in August. Petals are flat, saturated blue-violet color. The species is stable in culture, widely used in flower beds. It prefers sunny habitats, fertile soil, moderate moisture.

Low geraniums

• Large-flowered geranium (Himalayan)

Attractive bush appearance, compact form, no more than 30 cm high. It has rounded leaves. The flowers are large (4-5 cm in diameter), located two in two on the peduncle, of the original blue-violet color with reddish veins. Himalayan geranium blooms in late May and blooms all summer. Low growth, beautifully shaped dense bush, long flowering make this species suitable for landscaping, especially in sunny places with well-drained soils. Interesting variety with double flowers - Plenum. Most often, Europe grows a low-growing variety with blue flowers - Fohnson’s Blue, characterized by long, abundant flowering.

• Dalmatian geranium

The graceful geranium, due to creeping thin rhizomes, forms a low (10-15 cm height) ground cover. Such a cover becomes especially effective at the end of June, when geraniums are blooming. It is covered with small (up to 3 cm in diameter) light pink buds and blooms until frost. After the first frost leaves get a beautiful pinkish-red hue, and then die. Especially often grown variety with white flowers: Dalmatian geranium Album.

• Ash geranium

Compact low-growing shrub, 10-15 cm tall. Leaves are rounded, with a bluish, ashy shade. The flowers are white, pink, purple, often with a dark spot in the throat or with a darker pattern along the veins, 3-4 cm in diameter. It blooms profusely in July-August. Perfect plant for rockeries. Needs a sunny location, moderately fertile and well-drained soil. Popular varieties of ash geraniums are: Ballerina (flowers are pale pink, with dark purple veins and center), Carol (flowers are magenta-pink, with dark center), Apple Blossom (flowers are pale pink with pink touches).

• Geranium krupnokorischnaya

Low perennial geranium with a thick rhizome and an active manner of growth. It grows well on poor soils, it is extremely drought-resistant, loves the sun or partial shade. It forms a dense closed thickets, 30-45 cm high. The leaves are round, divided into 5-7 lobes, slightly pubescent, and when rubbed, they emit a characteristic smell of geranium. In the fall they get a beautiful reddish tint. The flowers are purple-pink, 2.5 cm in diameter, gathered in few-flowered umbellate inflorescences. It blooms in June. Popular geranium varieties: Spessart (white flowers with pink veins), Ingwersen’s variety (light pink flowers), Ynsversen (purple-pink flowers), Spessart (wintering leaves and white-pink flowers), Variegata (striped leaves).

The above types can grow in one place without division and transplant from 8 to 15 years. The primary signs of aging (dying off of the middle of the bush) begin to appear only at 6 - 7 years.

Geranium Propagation

Geranium multiplies seed and vegetative way.

Breeding using seeds  - a very time-consuming method, not always preserving the varietal characteristics of the plant. Some varieties of geranium do not form seeds at all, and some - multiply by self-sowing without any human participation. Harvesting garden geranium seeds is also not easy. Drying ripe fruits instantly open, and immature seeds may not give the desired seedlings. Therefore, in advance, the tops of the peduncles with the fruits are hidden in small canvas bags and tied underneath so that the seeds remain inside.

So, you can use the purchased seed or collected independently. Seeds are planted in open ground in winter or spring (approximately, in April). Plants will only bloom next year.

Due to the troublesome process and unguaranteed germination, the seeds for breeding perennial garden geraniums are used infrequently. It is much more efficient and easier to get a new plant by dividing an adult bush.

Most often, geranium is propagated vegetative way. This method is not laborious and allows you to avoid overlapping varieties.

For this, a spade needs to separate part of the bush along with the rhizome and transplant it to a new place. They do it mainly in early spring or early autumn, after fertilizing the prepared land in advance.

Some species are difficult to separate, so it is enough to separate only the shoot, remove most of the leaves from it and identify it in the greenhouse. Within a month, the plant will take root and be ready for transplanting to a permanent place on the site.

Also, for reproduction is suitable method of cutting root cuttings of geraniums, which are treated with drugs for root growth. After that, they are determined in the greenhouse until the leaves appear.

As noted above, garden geranium does not like transplants and is able to grow in one place for up to 10-15 years. With the rejuvenation and reproduction of the bush, young roots with well-developed buds are selected, and all old roots are removed. As a rule, young bushes quickly and easily take root in a new place.

Most types of florist pleases more than one year, you only need to create the minimum conditions necessary for their successful growth, and in the future they will take care of themselves.

Geranium, landing and care

Geranium is an absolutely unpretentious plant, and even a beginning florist can grow a beautiful bush under the force.

Choosing landing spot  geraniums, it is necessary to take into account, first of all, the peculiarities of a particular type: some of them prefer sunny places or marshland, others prefer moderate moisture or shade.

However, for most geranium varieties, an open or slightly shaded area is preferred. The soil is better fertile, loose and well breathable.

Considering that geranium usually has a long rhizome, landing pit  they are not wide, but deep - 20 cm deeper than the longest spine. A little earth is poured into the pit with a cone, on top of which the roots are laid out. Then, the pit is completely filled with fertile soil, compacted and watered. In preparing the soil for planting, fertilizers are used in the form of rotted manure or compost.

Between the bushes leave at least 30-40 cm, so that the roots of the plant grow in breadth and do not interfere with each other. And, considering that geranium grows for a long time in one place, without needing a transplant, it is necessary to allocate in advance enough space for its subsequent growth.

The geranium garden practically does not need leaving. Transplantation and rejuvenation of geraniums will not take many years. Moreover, the plant is actively growing and does not allow the emergence of weeds on the site.

If, immediately after planting, to mulch the soil - loosening the soil becomes unnecessary.

Many varieties of garden geraniums - overwinter with leaves and do not need pruning. In addition, possessing frost-resistant qualities, geranium does not need shelter for the winter.

The only rules for the care of garden geraniums are:

• timely watering;

Watering is especially important during the first time after planting and during a prolonged drought.

• soil fertilizer;

Most varieties need to be fed in early spring with nitrogen fertilizer, and in a month - with any complex fertilizer. Organic fertilizers can also be used.

• wrestling with pests and diseases;

The sharp aroma of the leaves (due to the saturation of essential oils) repels insect pests from geraniums, and the plant is almost never affected by diseases. Diseases can occur only in cold and wet conditions:

- in case of powdery mildew, the diseased parts of the plant are removed, and the rest are treated with Bordeaux mixture;

- gray rot indicates overwetting of the soil - the affected plant is rarely saved;

- brown spot is eliminated by treatment with a fungicide.

In dry and hot conditions, a spider mite can live on geraniums: it is removed by insecticide or soapy water.

In addition, garden geranium, highlighting around it a specific spicy aroma, saturated with essential oils and phytoncides, protects its neighbors in the flower bed from diseases and pests.

Using geraniums

• in garden design

Due to the varietal variety, unpretentiousness in the care and spectacular appearance, garden geranium has found its active use in landscape design and decorative gardening.

Low-growing varieties of geraniums are often used as ground cover perennials. Some species of garden geraniums can cover a fairly large area in a relatively short time.

Often, in the design of the garden, geraniums are able to play the role of background plants - they close the voids in the flower beds. These perennials go well with bells, anemones, carnations, spring flowering phloxes and ferns.

The clear, geometrically rounded shape of the bushes, the dense leaf surface, the abundance of flowers make it possible to use these plants in the foreground in group plantings and for broad borders.

A valuable combination of many types of geraniums: shade tolerance and drought resistance, allows you to grow them in the most difficult parts of the garden or park area.

Thanks to its strong and tenacious rhizomes, geraniums are great for landscaping sloping areas.

Dwarf geranium species are used to create compositions of alpine hills or as flower borders, mixborders and rabatok.

Tall types of garden geraniums are used in mixed mixborders with other perennials to create wild landscape-style plots.

• in medicine

Long since, geranium was used in traditional medicine as a medicine for many diseases.

Even its scent has a positive effect on a person and his well-being, due to the presence of volatile production, which kill many types of bacteria and viruses. However, having a particularly harsh aroma, in some people it can cause allergies.

Possessing antimicrobial, hemostatic properties, it helps with some forms of diabetes and bleeding. It is also used as a painkiller.

From the flowers of white geranium prepare a soothing broth, useful for nervous excitability, neurosis and stress.

In any case, for any diseases, before using the geranium, as a medicine, you should always consult with your doctor.

So, geranium is unpretentious during planting and care, with a long flowering period and high vitality, perennial garden plant, which is increasingly becoming the best choice for any gardener-grower.

Geranium, photo

Video: "Garden Geranium"

Pelargonium, description

Pelargonium is a perennial herbaceous plant, some varieties of which are represented as semi-shrubs. Plant height is from 30 to 80 cm.

The stem can be straight, branchy and creeping.

The leaves are simple palmate or palmate-dissected. The leaves exude a pleasant spicy aroma, characteristic of the whole family of geranium. Geranium essential oil is widely used in perfumery and aromatherapy.

Pelargonium blossoms brightly, impressing with a variety of colors of umbellate inflorescences. Flowers can be double or single, monochrome or with several shades.

The fruit, as well as geranium, is represented by a box that opens from the bottom to the top.

In its wild form, pelargonium grows in South Africa, and as a houseplant it is known all over the world.

This plant is light and thermophilic, capable of easily tolerating the lack of moisture. In culture, pelargonium is hardy and unpretentious, grows quite quickly. Abundant spectacular flowering can please florist almost all year round. In the open field does not winter.

All types of pelargoniums grown at home are grouped under the common name "room geranium". The genus Pelargonium contains more than 250 species.

Varieties and types of pelargonium

Thanks to the development of breeding science, many varieties of pelargonium have been derived. There are so many varieties and types of pelargoniums that even scientists cannot build a clear classification. Each species has a peculiar aroma (nutmeg, chocolate, citrus, etc.), characteristic growing conditions and appearance features. Consider the most common types and varieties of pelargonium:

• Pelargonium fragrant

Pelargonium fragrant has pinotus-cut into 5-7 parts of the leaves, which makes them seem to be terry. The leaves contain fragrant essential oil, so even with a light touch they emit a strong odor. At present, fragrant pelargonium with the smell of lemon, peppermint, rose, orange, pepper, lemon balm, ginger, strawberry, etc. are bred. The flowers are small, most often pinkish or purple. This type of pelargonium is used to produce geranium essential oil. The most common variety is Graveolens (a bush high and branched, needs support). Variegated variety Lady Plymouth (has large leaves with white or cream border).

• Royal Pelargonium

One of the most spectacular and exquisite flowering pelargonium, but at the same time demanding of growing conditions. They are luxurious and more capricious than many other species: they bloom only in the second year after the rooting of the cuttings, they need special conditions for wintering, their flowering is limited to 3-4 months. It is a powerful bushy plant, reaching a height of 50 cm. The flowers are large, up to 4-7 cm in diameter. The edges of the petals are often corrugated, fringed. Their color is never monotonous due to the obligatory presence of dark spots or stripes along the veins. In many varieties of royal geraniums, the upper petals are darker than the lower ones. The predominant colors are white, burgundy, dark pink, purple. The leaves of the royal geranium are toothed and wide.

• Pelargonium zonal

Pelargonium zone - the most common, numerous and beloved by all - it has thousands of varieties. The varieties of this group are very hardy and floriferous. The plant is a upright, densely leafy shrub, the leaves are slightly wavy, with a red-brown rim around the circumference, pubescent with small hairs, have a peculiar smell. Zonal these pelargoniums were named because of the peculiar color of the leaves, with visible zones colored in a darker or lighter tone. The zones on the leaves have a different shape, quite often these are rings or a spot highlighted in the middle of the sheet.

Pelargonium tulip - representative of the zonal species of the plant. The flowers of pelargonium resemble unopened buds of tulips with 6-9 petals. The subgroup is characterized by dense flowering in the form of a bunch.

• Thyroid pelargonium

A peculiarity of the species is the falling stems (up to 2 m long), although there are also compact varieties. In connection with this feature, the plant is used for planting in hanging vases. Its second name - Ivy Pelargonium - this species received for the similarity of the shape of the leaves with the leaves of ivy. The flowers of these plants - simple, terry and gustomahrovye. The color is red, pink, bluish-purple, purple or white. There are flowers with a pattern (spots, stripes) on the upper petals, and two-colored, with a peephole or border.

• Angel Pelargonium

This type of pelargonium is bred by breeding, when crossing royal and curly pelargonium. Angels differ from royal pelargoniums in a more compact size of flowers and leaves. Flowers resemble pansies. The look is suitable for cultivation in pots in the open sun, differ in long flowering and decorative effect. Popular varieties: Burgundy Red, Blueberry, Randy.

• Pelargonium"Unicum"

The result of the selection of royal pelargonium with brilliant pelargonium, “Unicum” is a neat, unpretentious growing plant with fragrant and dissected leaves. The few but truly unique varieties, some of which have been preserved since the mid-19th century. The inflorescences of the few beautiful flowers resemble large-flowered pelargoniums. The bush needs a trimming pruning.

Pelargonium breeding

Pelargonium breed seeds and cuttings.

Easier and faster to propagate pelargonium cuttingsof which, with proper care, you can quickly form a beautiful bush.

Cuttings can be harvested throughout the year, but it is better to do this in the spring, cutting off the side or apical shoots so that the cut off part is not less than 5-7 cm and has 2-3 leaves. Cut the cuttings on an adult and healthy plant, then remove all the leaves, leaving only a few of the top. Sections on the uterine plant and cuttings, it is better to process a fungicide, for example, charcoal. After that, the cuttings are best left to dry in the air for several hours.

Then, "rested" cuttings are planted in small separate containers (for example, disposable plastic cups) with soil, watered solution of potassium permanganate. The soil is better to choose loose, based on peat. The cups are exposed to a bright place (without direct sunlight) and provide watering as needed (through the drain pan and drainage holes at the bottom of the cup).

Rooting cuttings occurs at a temperature not lower than +15 ° C. There is no need to construct special mini-greenhouses: moisture in the soil and the resulting condensate will lead to plant rot. For the same reason, cuttings of pelargoniums are not recommended to be rooted in water (the bottom of the shoot often rots before it has developed roots).

Rooting cuttings occur approximately 3-4 weeks after planting, depending on the time of year and varieties of pelargonium.

The best time for vegetative propagation is March-April or August-September.

Seed  reproduction of geraniums is used much less frequently. Sowing is carried out, as a rule, in the period from mid-November to mid-April. Take, as a rule, purchased seeds, scarified and fully prepared for sowing. Sow them in a special soil mixture (preferably peat).

The use of own seeds ripening in August-September is possible only when cultivating varietal geraniums in favorable conditions with artificial pollination or pollination by insects. Hybrid geraniums with such a reproduction lose the characteristics of the mother plant. To accelerate the germination of the seeds themselves grown, they are scarified, that is, they are ground with fine-grained emery paper, in order to violate the integrity of the hard coating.

Seeds are buried in the soil shallowly, lightly sprinkled with earth and moistened with water from a spray bottle. The distance between the seeds is at least 5 cm.

It is better to first cover the container (pot) with seeds with a film by erecting a mini-greenhouse. The optimum temperature for the growth of pelargonium seeds will be about 20 ° C. About a week and a half later, the first shoots appear. When the seedlings grow up, and there will be about 4 leaves, you can dive them, planting in separate pots.

Pelargonium planting and care

Transplantation of pelargonium sprouts is a quick and easy process. Carefully separating the sprouts, they are planted with a small lump of earth in separate pots (with a diameter of not more than 10 cm).

Watering planted pelargonium better with a watering can with a narrow spout.

On cloudy days it is better to add lighting so that its deficiency does not lead to yellowing of the leaves and their falling off.

Room pelargonium, with the onset of heat, can be planted in open ground. To preserve moisture, the soil under the plant is recommended to mulch. Further care will not be difficult. Watering is carried out about once a week, wilted flowers and yellowed leaves are regularly removed, periodically fertilize. Without waiting for the onset of frosts, the plant is again transplanted into indoor flower pots.

The uniqueness of pelargonium is in almost continuous flowering throughout the year. But in order to achieve this, it is necessary to ensure her proper care:

• Lighting

Pelargonium is a light-loving plant that rarely negatively reacts to long-term exposure to direct and sultry sunlight. Their excess may lead to the fading of the leaves and flowers of the plant, with their subsequent fall. The flower feels great on the sunny windowsills on the south side, and when planted in the summer garden - on a sunny and windless place. Pelargonium and light penumbra calmly endure, but in the shade - the leaves will fall heavily. Summing up, we point out that the lack of lighting for pelargonium is destructive.

• Watering

Watering is best done not frequent, but plentiful, with the very first signs of drying out of the soil. So that the water in the pot does not stagnate and the plant does not rot, it is important to ensure good drainage (for example, place the claydite on the bottom of the pot). Excessive watering contributes to the decay and subsequent disease of the plant. In the case of blackening of the stem, pelargonium can no longer be saved. It can be said that pelargonium is more prone to drought than to excess moisture. Pelargonium spray is also not worth it, as it prefers fresh dry air.

• Temperature conditions

Pelargonium, a thermophilic plant, and loves warmth, but not intense heat. At temperatures below + 12 ° C, it stops blooming, and at lower temperatures it can die. If in the winter at the pelargonium, standing on the window sill, the edges of the leaves suddenly turned red, then it is necessary to move it away from the frosty window.

• The soil

The soil should be light, moderately fertile and loose. Pelargonium responds well to the addition of sand, peat and fertilizer to a universal land mixture. It is important to provide a good drainage layer of large expanded clay in a pot with a plant.

• Top dressing

There are special dressings for pelargoniums that take into account all its needs. You can use universal fertilizers. The frequency of feeding - 1-2 times per month.

• Pruning and pinching

To ensure the continuation of flowering of pelargonium, you need to regularly remove the flowering inflorescences. In the autumn, it is time to prune pelargonium shoots. Leave you need a stem with 6-7 leaves. It is necessary to remove shoots that grow not from the root, but from the leaf sinuses. If during the winter the plant has grown again, in spring (early March) it can be cut again, leaving only a few buds on the stem. Cut branches can be used as cuttings for reproduction. In the future, in order to improve flowering and make a bush of pelargonium thicker, shoots pinch after 4-5 leaves. A plant looks much more beautiful if there are low and lush bushes in pots than long, bare stems with leaves and flowers at the ends. To enhance the branching stems, you can also pinch the young shoots. You can do this at any time of the year if necessary.

• Home Pelargonium Transplant

Pelargonium does not like transplants, and does not really need them. Only when the roots begin to emerge from the drain hole of the pot, you need to transplant it into a larger (a few centimeters) pot. Planting or transplanting geraniums is carried out in early spring, when the plant begins a growing season. If you take too big a pot - pelargonium will grow, but will not bloom.

• Pest and disease control

The plant is rarely sick and, if it happens, then, as a rule, the cause is improper care.

Out of disease can develop root rotand   root collar rot  (in case of excessive waterlogging). This is for Pelargonium, unfortunately, deadly. Affected plants destroy, the soil is also better to replace.

WITH gray mold  on the leaves (gray rot) you can fight: stop watering, remove the affected leaves, spray with antifungal medication, put in the sun.
  The main pests of pelargonium are whitefly and aphidwhich is easy to fight. It is enough to spray the leaves with an insecticidal preparation (“Bison”, “Konfidor”, “Aktellik”, “Fufanon”).

Frequently asked questions about room pelargonium care.

Why do leaves of pelargonium turn yellow?

There can be several reasons:

- if only the edges of the leaves turn yellow and dry - the plant lacks moisture;

- if the yellowness of the leaves is accompanied by lethargy, then the reason is in excess of moisture;

- if the plant turns yellow and loses the lower leaves - not enough lighting or the pot has become cramped;

- if the stems are bare and the leaves fall (sometimes not even yellowing) - too little light;

- possible defeat whitefly, for this you need to inspect the lower part of the sheet;

- Sometimes the cause of yellowing and leaf fall may be adaptation when changing places or after plant transplantation.

Why does not pelargonium bloom?

The reasons may be the following:

- too low temperature or lack of lighting;

- too fertile soil;

- the air in the room is too hot;

- Too spacious pot, stimulating the growth of the root system, but inhibits flowering;

- delayed pruning;

- irregular feeding of the plant.

P why does pelargonium dry?

The reasons may be the following:

- if the leaves dry only the tips - the plant lacks moisture;

- if the leaves are first covered with red-brown spots, then begin to dry and fall off - perhaps a fungal disease "rust". Pelargonium should be sprayed with a 5% solution of Bordeaux mixture or treated twice with phytosporin at an interval of 7-10 days.

Application of pelargonium

Naturally, the main purpose of room Pelargonium for humans is to give beauty, aesthetic pleasure and delight with its magnificence. The harmony of natural paints of Pelargonium, in combination with a pleasant spicy aroma creates a truly true home comfort and a special mood.

In the summer, pelargonium is widely used in the design of flower beds and rabatok, and spectacular pots decorate gazebos and walls of houses.

Due to the huge variety of simple, semi-double and terry inflorescences of a wide palette of pelargonium flowers, it combines well with almost all plants and is used in a variety of compositions. To imitate the natural landscape, grains and hosts are placed next to the bushes of pelargonium. If you want to form a motley flower bed, the flower should be placed next to the gravity, catnip and carnation.

In addition to decorative qualities, geranium is also famous for its healing properties. Decoction of its leaves is widely used in folk medicine for the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, with headaches and as an antidepressant for nervous disorders. Pelargonium leaves, as well as geraniums, get fragrant geranium essential oil. And the extract of the roots of some species of pelargonium is used in medicine in the treatment of ENT organs. Along with the plantain leaves Pelargonium able to stop the blood, heal wounds and remove pus. Pelargonium perfectly cleans the air, and this, again, plays in favor of our health.

Pelargonium, photo

Unpretentiousness to the growing conditions, ease of reproduction and high decorative qualities make this homemade flower universal, as it is possible to grow pelargonium not only in room culture, but also in the garden during the warm season. When creating favorable conditions and proper care, the plant can bloom on the windowsill throughout the season.

Video: "Care and reproduction of pelargonium"

Thus, having plunged into the beautiful and inimitable world of the geranium family, we got acquainted closer with representatives of two genera: Geranium and Pelargonium .   As it turned out, each culture is unique and distinctive in its own way.

The article clearly identifies the differences between these plants, presents the most popular species and varieties of the geranium family, and offers a detailed description of crop farming. It remains only to make a choice: to grow garden geraniums or to get room pelargonium? There is no doubt - you need to dissolve both cultures! Believe me, the results will surpass all expectations!

Be sure to provide quality drainage!   If the holes in the pot are too small and the layer (for example, expanded clay) is insufficient, then the likelihood of water stagnation grows many times.

Geranium Propagation

If you want to constantly have a beautiful geranium, then simply can not do without reproduction. After a couple of years of life, the plant begins to grow up and lose its attractiveness, or it can reach such a size that it will be cramped on the windowsill, and the flowers will become less and less. So there is a need for rejuvenation, and this is reproduction. Geranium can be propagated in two ways: by seeds and cuttings. But the first method is used much less frequently: in nurseries, where thousands and tens of thousands of specimens are counted (cuttings cannot be saved), if you cannot get a cutting (which seems unlikely) and if you get seeds of a rare geranium (here the lottery, everything depends on the quality seed). It is believed that the geranium grown in this way is more decorative, more compact and blooming more abundant. But believe me, with good care, you can grow a flower from a stalk just as well. Here grow amateur flower growers (and I think, about 90 percent of them) geraniums from cuttings. This procedure is very simple.

You can take cuttings from the mother bush of geranium both in spring and at the end of summer - beginning of autumn, when it is convenient for you. The stalk must be taken young, not lignified, but sufficiently developed. From the top of the shoot. The stalk must have 4..5 leaves (such as in the photo below). If for you the reproduction of geraniums is a new thing, then for safety, take a few cuttings from a propagated plant, for safety. Next put them in a glass of water and wait for the roots to appear. When they grow up to about a centimeter length, they can be planted in a pot.

By the way. In this way, many indoor plants multiply and take root. For example - ... Yes, and do not list everything.

20 days have passed ...

It is possible and pass the stage of growing roots, plant immediately in the ground. After cutting, the cutting of the geranium must first be planted in a shaded place, then it is highly desirable to dip the cut in the juice and tart it with charcoal powder (it can also be activated). If there is no aloe, but there is any stimulator of root formation, then you can use it.

Land for this method of growing geraniums from cuttings is needed somewhat easier than for an adult flower.

One piece of greenhouse land

One piece of sand or perlite

If there is no greenhouse land, then it can be replaced with garden.

Room geranium on the street

I have already mentioned above that traditional indoor geranium can grow remarkably in the summer in open ground. There she feels much more comfortable than at home. Any suitable place for landing (except for thick shadow, of course). But try not to plant it in the lowland, where moisture accumulates. Otherwise, the same thing can happen as when pouring geraniums in a pot. Under these conditions, Black Leg disease can develop. It should also be noted that the shoots and especially the flower stalks of geraniums are very fragile, the wind and rain can damage them. Try to find the most protected place from them. But in any case, take care of the support for the geranium. Even if the flower is not large, over the summer it can grow up thoroughly and lie on the ground. Planted room geranium on the site can be already with the onset of sustainable heat, let it be and not too warm, the main thing is that there would be no frost. Care now garden geranium is no different from caring for her at home. The same watering, feeding, added except that weed control. In the autumn, when it becomes cool, you can dig it up and carry it into the house. I know many amateur growers who grow geraniums as a perennial annual. In the spring, when there is still a plant in the house, a cutting is taken from it, a young plant is grown from it and planted on a plot, just like an adult. Over the summer, young geranium grows and becomes stronger, and it is she who becomes room geranium in the fall. As a result, every year you can have a beautiful young plant in the house and on the site.

Problems that can occur when growing geraniums

Absolutely trouble-free plants do not exist. And geranium is no exception. Despite the ease of caring for her and good endurance, no, no, and there will be trouble.

The beginning gardener is most often covered with horror and covers panic when the geranium leaves suddenly begin to turn yellow, and even crumble. And there is no reason to panic at all. In most cases, this is a normal phenomenon, the most common age-related death. The same thing happens when going from a garden to a room state. This is the most natural phenomenon and is unlikely to be avoided. By the way, the same can happen after the purchase of geraniums. The usual reaction to the change of conditions, adaptation. At the same time, this behavior of the leaves is also a signal that it is time to transplant the geranium.

If suddenly you poured your room geranium, then the leaves will become sluggish, signs of rotting will appear. An urgent transplant is needed here.

The most frequent, or rather the probable disease that can occur in geraniums, is rust. Its signs are easily recognizable by the "rusty" spots on the leaves. If you notice this attack on your geranium, then immediately remove the affected leaves, and treat the plant with Bordeaux mixture or similar preparation.

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