At home, a variety of flowers are grown, including those belonging to exotic varieties that are not capable of independently supporting livelihoods in our latitudes. However, working with them is very difficult, not to mention the initial stage, which includes getting the first shoots. It is especially difficult to cope with germination. But pelargonium seed is grown quite easily and does not require much effort during subsequent care.

This plant belongs to the family of geraniums, which is firmly established on the windowsills and tables of our country - most often when it comes to pelargonium, we mean the zonal variety of the flower. There is also a pelargonium ileum and a special ampelous form of the plant, but the principles of working with them practically do not differ.

Seeds

To grow pelargonium quickly and without any problems, you first need to select the seeds that will be involved in the process. They should be rather large, with a dense leathery shell, having an oblong shape with small depressions on the sides. The color of the seeds should be brown, with a moderate shade and a slight matte sheen.

If you find seeds covered with multi-colored spots that differ from the normal tonality, as well as deformed, small, flattened, they must be immediately put aside because their cultivation will not be able to give the desired result.

Some types of pelargonium, especially ileum, can sprout approximately 2-3 months after planting, causing concern to a novice grower, or even disappointment, followed by discontinuation of care.

To minimize the time of germination, it is necessary to carry out the procedure of scarification, that is, the removal of part of the leathery shell and ensuring free access of nutrients to the inside. At home, this is best done with fine or medium sandpaper, which allows you to remove the top layer, but not create breaks, destructive for pelargonium.

If you want to quickly grow a flower, gently rub the seeds on the sandpaper, gradually turning them and substituting the other side. It will be enough 2-3 slow movements to significantly accelerate the process.

The soil

When finished with seeds, proceed to the formation of the substrate. It can be purchased at the store, but then there is a very high probability of a collision with oversaturation of the soil with minerals. Pelargonium tolerates such conditions rather poorly - the seeds sprout 2-3 times slower, and the resulting bushes become low, with thick stems and very rare flowering.

The composition of the self-made substrate should include:

  • two pieces of turf land;
  • one part of river sand;
  • one piece of high quality peat.

So that cultivation does not involve the treatment of various diseases, the effects of which are particularly susceptible to ampella pelargonium, the soil should be ignited in the oven for 2-3 minutes. Do not be afraid to destroy the nutrients and organic compounds found in the soil - the flower feels excellent in poor soil and does not require special conditions of maintenance, as well as the use of fertilizing.

An alternative to this treatment method may be the use of a quality fungicide. After its use, it is worth waiting for about 3-6 hours for the earth to be ready to receive the plant. In addition to all the above, the cultivation of pelargonium will require you to use shallow trays and compact pots for permanent use.

Landing process

At home, it is better to use trays with a depth of 3 centimeters, which can be purchased at a specialty store or made from scrap materials. Fill them with the substrate, slightly sprinkle the surface of the soil with warm water and put in a warm place for the day, so that the earth can warm up to the desired temperature (20-22 degrees). After that, at a distance of about 2 centimeters from each other, make small fossa, plunging a finger into the substrate. Put the pelargonium seeds inwards and sprinkle them with a layer of soil of about 1 centimeter.

To grow healthy shrubs, you need to once again slightly moisten the soil and cover it with a film, in which it is worth making holes for access of air. At home, the seeds should be kept in a warm place, corresponding to the above temperature regime, under normal illumination, but you should not put the trays on the window sills. As soon as you see the first shoots of the delicate green tint, immediately remove the film so as not to create excessive moisture for them.

Now pallets with seeds need to be put on the window sill, so that pelargonium gets maximum sunlight. If you ignore this requirement, the cultivation of an adult plant will take 2-3 times longer. The soil must be constantly loosened so that the root system of the flower is strengthened, and the stems become strong enough and capable of holding thick, heavy leaves.

When you manage to grow pelargonium, which already has 2 true leaves, it is worth picking and transplanting each received bush into a separate narrow and high pot. In this state, the cultivation lasts until the formation of the fifth leaf - above it, the seedlings are pinched to get the most branched shrub, and not the thin, tall stem.

Further care

Temperature

After you have sorted out the pelargonium seeds and obtained healthy large plants, you need to keep them in a similar state. To do this, maintain a constant temperature in the range of 20-24 degrees. A short-term decrease in the index to 17-18 degrees is allowed, however, with long-term maintenance in such conditions, the flower may begin to rot and lose leaves.

Lighting should be very good. The plant feels best on the southern windowsills, as well as in places where direct sunlight falls.

Moisturizing

The most difficult moment in the care of pelargonium - watering. It is worth remembering that this flower is in many ways similar to the succulents, to which cacti, aloe and other similar organisms belong.

The presence of a large amount of water for him will be disastrous - therefore it is better to provide a small shortage of it than an excess.

Pelargonium easily tolerates the absence of watering for 5-10 days due to the accumulation of liquid reserves in thick, soft stems and fleshy leaves. A sign that you have overdone it and let the plant lose a lot of moisture will be the thinning of the stems, as well as the appearance of small brown or yellowish spots on the leaves.

Lighting

In summer, pelargonium is better to be set aside from the window sill about a meter in order to prevent it from getting sunburn during strong heat. In addition, you can use a diffuse filter that is glued to the window glass. In winter, pelargonium goes into a state of active hibernation, which is characterized by the absence of flowering and an increase in domestic water reserves.

The plant can be placed in a room with a temperature of 15-17 degrees and reduce watering to once a week. Under any circumstances, droplets on the leaves should not be allowed, as they cause rotting - if this happens, you should use a soft cloth to remove excess moisture.

Seed collection for the next planting

If you want to grow pelargonium, having received seeds from your bushes, you should collect them immediately after ripening. The main sign of achievement of a similar life stage by a plant is the purchase of seed pods of brown color with a slight yellowness. Do not give the seeds to fall into the ground - they can begin to germinate, which will not allow you to store them.

Interestingly, hybrid pelargonium in the second or third generation gives the splitting of the varieties used for crossing - therefore, to preserve the resulting shade, it is better to use the transplant cuttings during reproduction.

After the onset of the warm season, on the streets of the city, in park areas, on the territory of household plots, on balconies, and loggias, one can observe a wide variety of decorative cultures. Among these plants, pelargonium ampelous ampelous stands out, attracting the gaze from the many falling shoots, which form magnificent bright inflorescences.

This representative of the family of geranium today is increasingly chosen by landscape designers, because it is considered one of the most popular plants used in gardening events.

Under natural conditions, Pelargonium Ileum (Pelargonium peltatum) grows in South African territory. Today, numerous varieties, hybrids of culture, bred by breeders, are in demand among gardeners in many countries on very different continents. Such plants, planted in hanging pots, used as a decor for balconies, loggias, window sills, look just great.

Well proved on personal plots. This representative of geranium crops feels fine if its lashes hang down along a vertical plane, or when they form a flowering, dense carpet, gently settling along a flat stretch.

Due to its five-lobed, leathery, smooth leaves, it has received its name. They resemble the leaves of another lash - ivy.

Pelargonium shoots are quite strong. They have the ability, as they grow, to cling to the ledges of rocky slopes and climb up, ensuring seed dispersion. Numerous varieties of ileum Pelargonium, suitable for growing at home, are characterized by the presence of stems, the length of which is up to 1 m.

The culture noted the presence of umbrella inflorescences, combining 6 - 15 flowers. Their formation occurs in the axillary recesses of the leaves, which have a green or variegated colors. Varietal forms of a plant can have simple flowers with a uniform color. Terry ivy loquist pelargoniums with petals, decorated with contrasting spots, stripes, and a clear border look very impressive.

Rules of landing, care

As practice shows, planting, caring for ileal pelargonium will not cause problems with proper implementation of the recommendations of specialists. Below are tips on growing crops, the study of which will certainly be useful for novice florists.

What conditions are considered optimal for the plant?

Pelargoniums like bright sunshine. It is able to grow rapidly, to develop in conditions of good illumination. At the same time, the bush tolerates drought without problems. Pelargonium, planted in a balcony box, a flowerpot, on a flowerbed near the house, shows magnificent flowering in the warm period of the year at temperatures of + 20 ... + 25 ° C.

The plant, which will be provided with sufficient watering in the heat, will not lose its beauty, will delight with magnificent flowering for a long time. A culture that has undergone a hardening procedure, quietly suffers short-term cooling. However, negative temperatures are contraindicated.

A plant grown in a flowerpot should be replanted every 2 years in the spring. In addition, such an event would be justified when the capacity becomes too tight for the bush.

Soil quality requirements

When choosing a soil for planting a crop, preference should be given to moisture-absorbing, loose, nutritious soil.

The landing of pelargonium in the soil with neutral, weak or average acidity values ​​has proved itself well. When planting plants in a pot, you must purchase a special substrate in advance in the flower shop.

When deciding how to root pelargonium, you can do the independent preparation of the soil mixture. In its composition should be present: peat, humus, sand, turf, leaf earth in equal shares.

Preparation of a flowerpot, drainage

It is necessary to refuse to provide the plant with an excessively large pot. It will be preferable to plant the crop in a container, the dimensions of which will exceed the size of the roots of pelargonium by an amount equal to the thickness of the finger (1 - 1.5 cm). Also, you can settle several bushes in one flowerpot, a balcony box. Thus, the plants will constantly form new buds, which will not slow down affect their pomp and beauty.

Since pelargonium is considered a mountain "inhabitant", it needs a drainage arrangement. For this purpose, pieces of expanded clay should be placed at the bottom of the pot.

Periodic feeding

Culture requires periodic supplementation. Shrubs begin to actively develop in March, and their flowering lasts until the beginning of autumn. Plants growing in flowerpots, you need to ensure weekly feeding with the use of mineral supplements. But organic fertilizer is not welcome.

Experienced growers warn about the inadmissibility of too frequent use of nutrient solutions with a nitrogen content. Soil oversaturation with this component causes rapid growth of stems, leaves, but negatively affects flowering. In a plant overfed with nitrogen, bud formation is inhibited altogether or occurs in much smaller amounts.

To stalks of pelargonium covered with lush inflorescences, it is necessary to give preference to potassium, phosphate fertilizers.  The use of magnesium sulfate has proven itself well. Florists with experience to stimulate flowering is often used a solution of iodine (1 drop) in water (1 l). Under one bush at a time about 50 ml of this tool.

Pelargonium in the summer outdoors

Constantly located in the room pelargonium zone ileus feels great. At the same time, plants exposed at the beginning of the warm period of the year outside the window, into the garden, are under stress. In order to acclimatize the culture as painlessly as possible, it must be gradually accustomed to growing in conditions with constant temperature, humidity and light conditions.

In May, after passing through the pores of frosts, the bushes are determined to permanent places where they will grow throughout the summer. In the fall, when temperatures drop to + 10 ... + 15 ° C, they should be taken back to the premises. It is noteworthy that the formation of pelargonium, its flowering will occur faster if there are a number of plants with petals of contrasting colors.

Organization wintering pelargonium

In order to make an ampelous pelargonium in the room in the best possible way, it will need to be determined in a bright, cool, dry place. The recommended temperature range is + 7 ... + 15 ° C. At this time, watering is reduced. The plant is sufficient soil moisture, which excludes the death of the root system. Do not irrigate the leaves, stems. It is advisable to complete the dressings in 30 days.

When studying information on how to cut pelargonium in the run-up to wintering, you need to take into account that experienced florists prefer to remove all the shoots and dig the plant from the pot together with a lump of soil and determine its transparent package from cellophane. A bush preserved in this way can be placed on a warmed balcony, a loggia.

Propagation of Pelargonium Ileum

To carry out the reproduction of ileum Pelargonium is not difficult. To this end, you can apply cuttings or seed method. The latter is more complex and painstaking. It is considered justified when it is necessary to obtain a large number of young plants.

Culture cutting method

According to the opinion of most florists, cuttings of ileum pelargonium should be postponed to the beginning of March.  It is worth resorting to this method if you have access to planting material.

It is necessary to prepare healthy, large cuttings of pelargonium - they are separated from the mother plant and left to dry for 2 days. To do this, use the apical sections of the vertical stems. The optimal choice will be shoots with a length of 7 - 10 cm, with 2 pairs of healthy leaves. Slices should be processed using coal powder.

Having taken care of the solution of the problem: when pelargonium is used for cutting, you should pay attention to the fact that it is possible to do harvesting planting material not only in spring, but also in August. It is very important to get a loose, disinfected soil in advance. Cuttings will be made into it at an interval of 2 cm, with a depth of 3–4 cm into the soil. It is desirable to arrange shelter over them not from a film, but from a nonwoven material. It passes moisture well, does not allow formation of condensate.

After a month rooting of ileum Pelargonium will occur, after which they can be planted in flowerpots. The flowering of young bushes should be counted after they winter.

Pelargonium seed propagation

As a rule, the planting of pelargonium by sowing seeds is carried out in the period: February - mid April. To stimulate the formation of a strong root system in seedlings, it will be necessary to fill the pre-cooked pots with light, loose soil or use large-sized peat tablets.

Sowing of seeds is carried out with a depth of 5 - 10 mm. Next, you need to moisten the soil well by spraying with a spray bottle. Capacity with seedlings covered with foil, put in a warm place with sufficient illumination. After a week, you can expect the appearance of the first shoots. After 3 to 4 weeks, the plants are determined in permanent pots.

Selection of planting material

Modern flower shops offer for sale a variety of terry Pelargonium varieties, plants with simple inflorescences, among which is to select the most suitable planting material. In order not to be mistaken, it is advisable to study in advance information about the species of interest. Below are descriptions of several varieties, culture hybrids, consistently receiving encouraging reviews from gardeners.

Pelargonium Crystal Queen f1

Wonderful Pelargonium Crystal Queen f1 is a powerful plant that can be easily grown from seeds. Shrubs of this hybrid in the amount of 1 - 2 pieces are allowed to land in a large hanging basket.

The unpretentious pelargonium ampelous Crystal Kvin f1 ed is characterized by the presence of hard leaves, strong, shoots up to 30 cm long. It withstands sludge and wind. On one plant can order hundreds of beautiful flowers at the same time. The culture is recommended for cultivation in hanging pots, balcony boxes, mixed containers.

Pelargonium Tornado f1

The magnificent Pelargonium Tornado f1 is bred by Dutch breeders. European gardeners speak positively about the plant. This pelargonium red with shoots of 30 cm in length looks great in hanging baskets, often used for landscaping. The flowering of crops that do not require the use of growth stimulants will surely be long and abundant.


Pelargonium tuscany

Popular Pelargonium Tuscany has many varietal forms. They all look extremely attractive. Particularly in demand is Toscana Eva ampella pelargonium, which delights florists with large white flowers that bloom on hanging shoots about 50 cm long. The flowering culture starts in May and lasts until frost.

Diseases of ampelous pelargonium

Since the plant spends a lot of time on the balcony or in the garden, it is exposed to negative environmental influences. High humidity, temperature fluctuations, errors in care often provoke pelargonium diseases, the signals of which are the appearance of rusty, dry spots on the leaves, light patches, yellow mosaic pattern.

The greatest harm to the culture is caused by fungal infections, chlorosis, and viral mosaic. Handling of bushes with the help of special tools, adjustment of watering schedules, additional fertilizing will help to cope with illnesses. Effective preventive measures are: disinfecting the soil, loosening the soil, removing yellowed, fallen leaves, cutting off faded inflorescences.

Thinning pruning of ileum pelargonium is necessary, which makes it possible to avoid excessive thickness of bushes, providing them with airing.

Beautiful cascades of delightful colors

Proper implementation of planting activities, will be the key to obtaining a healthy, abundantly flowering plant, pleasing during the season with beautiful cascades of delicious flowers. Not only households can admire them, but also neighbors, guests, passers-by.

Ampielnaya plants - a great way to decorate the balcony, loggia, gazebo and other structures near the house or in the apartment. Plants that flow from pots or pots to a bright flowering waterfall always attract attention, create a sense of celebration. Ivy geranium or pelargonium is a beautiful and bright plant, which is popular for unpretentiousness, violent and long-term flowering, the ability to grow quickly. Most often, geraniums are planted on open loggias or terraces in hanging pots or pots.

Ivy geranium (pelargonium) refers to ampelous species of plants that are able to produce fairly long shoots hanging down from the pot, or curl along the wall. In ordinary geranium shoots are short, the leaves are large and rather fragile. In ampelous species of geranium shoots are quite strong, flexible, able to withstand the weight of leaves and a large number of flowers. The leaves of the ampelous species of geranium are five-pointed, large, smooth, with a matte sheen, without a gun on the surface. In shape, they are very similar to ivy leaves, which loves to curl on vertical surfaces.

Ivy geranium flowers are always bright, large, mahristye. They are the most important decoration of the plant. Very often, the flowers are collected in large inflorescences on top of the shoot, which gives the flowering plant the appearance of a fluffy multicolored cloud. Some growers planted beside in one box or pots at once several varieties of ivy-like geranium with different colors of flowers. This allows you to create a real extravaganza of color and unusually decorate the loggia or balcony.

The most popular varieties of ampelous ileum geranium. Table

NameDescription

Ideal for cultivation on the balcony. Flowers are large, terry, collected in bright inflorescences. Shoots grow rapidly, forming a lush basket. The basic colors of the variety are bright crimson, purple, dark pink.

This variety is distinguished by the unusual color of the leaves: on the green field there are bright golden streaks. Semi-double flowers, painted in coral or purple color, collected in large inflorescences. During the growing season, the plant quickly forms a compact basket.

This variety resembles roses because of strongly terry large inflorescences. The petals of the flowers of this variety are white geraniums. The plant forms a compact bush, which is abundantly covered with beautiful white flowers.

Another variety that impresses with its abundant flowering. Flowers are white, double, with a large number of petals. Bushes are large due to the abundant branching of the shoots. The highlight of this variety is that in the open sunshine snow-white petals eventually acquire a pink or purple hue, which looks very unusual.

This variety amazes with its abundant flowering and beauty. Large terry flowers are always collected in large inflorescences. When flowering, the geranium bush looks like a lacy cloud, which can be pink or light lilac. Plants are unpretentious and are distinguished by the rapid branching of the shoots and the formation of a large basket.

Flowers in this variety have a bright and unusual color: white large petals are surrounded by a rich crimson border. This variety of geranium belongs to the compact, as the height of the bush does not exceed 25-30 cm. It is very abundant in bloom, unpretentious to watering.

The variety has a compact bush, which is densely dotted with bright purple flowers. The top petals of each flower are decorated with purple veins. The grade differs in violent flowering even in winter time, unpretentious.

This variety is distinguished by very large and dark flowers, the upper petals of which have more intense color than the lower ones. Most often flowers of this grade are painted in saturated and claret color. Differs abundant flowering, large bushes with wide glossy leaves and branchy shoots.

The flowers of this variety are colored geraniums in bright red, strongly furry, with large petals. The bush is quite compact, not too tall. Leaves are green, spotless, internodes on the shoots are short.

Petals of flowers of this variety have the richest color among all geranium species - dark maroon. The variety has a rich flowering bush forms a compact lush basket. The leaves are green with a glossy shine. without spotting.

It is important to know! Ivy geranium grows very fast. In just a few weeks, the plant grows several times, but the root system develops well and functions even in small pots. If the capacity is too small and the roots do not have enough space, the flowering plant can shed its inflorescences and slow down the growth.

Planting Ivy Geranium Seeds

Ivy geranium can be sown at any time of the year, if you want to dissolve this beauty on the window sills in the apartment. If you want to decorate with a plentiful and beautiful buds in a pot or a balcony or garden, then it is advisable to sow the seeds in the spring, so that by the beginning of summer to transplant the grown and grown plants to flower beds.

Seed preparation

The seeds of this plant species are quite large, with a strong and reliable shell. To increase the germination, should be prepared seed for several days before planting. The first thing to do is to slightly thin the thick seed coat. For these purposes any sharp or abrasive material is used. You can slightly cut the surface of the seeds with a regular nail file, fine sandpaper will also work. This should be done carefully, so as not to damage the seed inside the shell.

After scarification (the so-called thinning of the seed coat), the seed should be soaked in water. Ideally, it is best to use melt water, but if not, then boiled liquid will do.

Seeds in cooled to room temperature water soaked for a day. The last stage of seed preparation for planting is disinfection. You should put the seeds in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for half an hour. After this procedure, the seeds are removed from the disinfectant solution and placed on a clean cloth for drying.

While the seeds are soaking, prepare the containers with the soil. You can use ready-made soil, which is sold in specialized stores, peat pots, or make a soil mix yourself. The composition of the soil in equal quantities should include peat, sand and sod land. Homemade soil before planting seeds is desirable to disinfect with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

Planting seeds

Seed the seeds into the ground to a depth of no more than 5 mm. Before planting, the soil should be well moistened.

After the planting procedure, the seed containers are covered with cellophane and placed in a warm place where the air temperature does not fall below 22 degrees.

Watering seeds should be carried out in 5-6 days. In order not to erode the soil with the planted material, it is recommended to spray water with a spray bottle. It is also important to periodically ventilate the containers with seeds, opening the film for several hours.

Video - Planting Geranium Seeds (Pelargonium) Ivy in a Snail

Seedling care

Seedlings with geraniums germinate very quickly, literally within 10-14 days. After 3 weeks after the appearance of the first leaflets of the seedlings, plants can be transplanted into separate flowerpots. It is necessary to stop seedlings with extreme caution, the root system of flowers is quite fragile and can be damaged by rough handling, which will immediately affect the vegetation of plants. It is best to transplant plants with a lump of earth, it will save the roots.

Young plants two weeks after transplantation is recommended to feed. For normal growing season, nitrogen fertilizers are used, which should be applied under the root.

Seedling of ivy geranium needs a fairly long light day - at least 12 hours. Therefore, if the seeds germinated in February or March, the plants should be provided with additional lighting.

If plants are transplanted into pots or containers in which they will grow continuously, you should know that at least one liter of soil is required for one seedling. The distance between the plants should be at least 15-17 cm. With proper care, the geranium baskets will grow and fill all the free space in the pot or box. Also be sure to make a drainage at the bottom of the tank, through which all excess moisture will go. If the ivy geranium will later be transplanted into open ground, the volume of the temporary pot is not so important.

The seedlings that are intended for growing outdoors should be constantly hardened. For these purposes, pots of plants in warm weather in late April - early May should be carried out on the street, gradually increasing the interval of time spent in the fresh air.

Ivy Pelargonium - outdoor cultivation

Ivy Pelargonium - outdoor cultivation

Choosing a place

This geranium variety needs constant and intense light. The plant easily tolerates the sun and the lack of moisture, in abundant watering and shade badly affect the vegetation and budding of plants. It is best to plant the grown and hardened geranium seedlings to well-lit places so that the plants are provided with constant sunbathing.

The soil

Geranium grows well on light and lean soils. The green part of plants grows well on nutrient substrates, but the flowering becomes very moderate. You also need to pay attention to the acidity of the earth, for ivy geranium suitable soil with indicators of 6.0 - 6.5 pH. At lower or higher rates in plants, root nutrition is impaired, which affects the growth and budding of the culture. To ensure the desired acidity, you should periodically update the soil near the roots of plants. Soil with optimum acidity can be purchased in special stores.

Top dressing

During the period of growth and budding, Ivy geranium needs periodic supplements in 10-12 days. You can use ready-made fertilizers for flowering plants: “Biomaster”, “Kemira-lux”, “Pelargovit”. Feed should be diluted according to the instructions.

You can also feed the plants homemade fertilizers. For example, using onion peel. For a large number of flowers, the infusion is prepared as follows: in 5 liters of boiling water, you need to brew 2 large handfuls of onion peels. Infusion should be stretched over 2 days. Next, 1.5 liters of fertilizer bred in a bucket of clean water and watered with this mixture of existing bushes of plants.

Watering

Ivy geranium needs abundant watering, but overflow can have a detrimental effect on the vegetation of plants. Waterlogging can trigger a number of diseases that can be seen visually. These include edema, which is expressed in the appearance of thickenings and scars on the green leaves of geranium.

To get rid of this disease can only adjust the mode of watering and drying. The most important rule for watering is to saturate the plants with moisture only when the basal earthen room is completely dried. Therefore, before each irrigation should carefully check the soil.

Balcony plants placed on the sunny side can be additionally sprayed with water, but only in the evening, when direct sunlight will not be so intense.

Wintering Ivy Geranium or how to preserve perennials

Ivy geranium is a perennial plant that tolerates wintering well in southern latitudes at a temperature of 10-12 degrees. But what to do if the average winter temperature is very low and the soil freezes through completely.

Plants can try to preserve for the winter, in the spring to plant again in the ground. To do this, in the fall, completely cut off all the shoots from the geranium bush and carefully dig up the roots with a large lump of earth. The clod should be placed in a transparent plastic bag and additionally sprinkled with earth. Place the package should be in a lit place with air temperature not higher than 7-8 degrees. This may be a warmed balcony, a glazed loggia. Watering dug cuttings is not necessary.

In the spring, cuttings with roots are transplanted to the old place and after a while the geranium will give new shoots.

Plants that grow in pots, you can not cut. For the winter, it’s enough to move them to an apartment and place them on well-lit window-sills.

Those plants that winter in the apartment need pruning, so that by spring a beautiful and even basket of shoots will form. Trimming is carried out in the winter - in December-January or in the spring - in March.

With the help of the pruner, all strongly stretched shoots are cut so that a compact shrub is formed. Pruning will start the growth of lateral shoots and because of this after a while the plant will become thick.

Clipped shoots do not need to throw away - you can try to germinate in the ground.

Video - Spring pruning of Ivy Geranium and planting cuttings

Ivy Pelargonium: visual cues for help

  1. If the geranium leaves turn yellow at the edges, then the plant lacks moisture.
  2. If rot or yellow spots appear all over the leaf - an excess of moisture or pest infestation.
  3. With a lack of light in the geranium fall lower leaves.
  4. If flowers of white color are painted in a pink shade - too intensive sunshine, sometimes the plant should be pritenyat.
  5. If flowering has declined, it is recommended to tear off the old faded buds.

Grow ivy geranium on the balcony or in the garden is not too difficult. A riot of flowers and colors during the flowering period will immediately pay back all the hassle associated with growing this type of flower.

The ileum Pelargonium is a representative of a large family of Geraniahs. Unlike varieties with upright stems, ivy varieties form long flexible stems that hang down and form a green waterfall. Because of this feature, the flower is called curly or ampel geranium. If you follow the rules of planting and care, you can grow a lush bush with shoots up to 0.9 m long, completely covered with umbrella-shaped inflorescences. But before you start an ampelous pelargonium, it is useful to familiarize yourself with the conditions of detention, which are necessary for it for normal growth and abundant flowering.

    Show all

      Variety variety

    The variety of varieties bred in the selection process is amazing.   But all the plants of the ivy varieties have similarities:

    • their slender, long shoots hang spectacularly and form lush, drooping bushes;
    • there is no down on dense five-lobed leaves, which is characteristic of traditional geranium species;
    • the shape of the leaves is similar to ivy - this feature gave the name of ivy pelargonium.

    In home collections lovers of indoor plants can be found varieties:

    • Green Eyes - pink-purple flowers with green "eyes" in the center of the rosettes, compact bush, stems with short internodes.
    • PAC Pink Sybil - terry soft pink buds resemble miniature roses, flowering is very early and long.
    • PAC Sally is an abundantly and luxuriantly flowering variety with dark cherry double flowers forming huge dense “caps”.
    • Toscana Josina - bright terry inflorescences of pink-lilac color, small green foliage with a distinguished dark area.
    • Toscana Okka - large semi-double orange buds are formed into lush inflorescences, white stripes are present on the petals.
    • Toscana Malaika– purple-pink densely colored double flowers, early and abundant blooms.
    • Toscana Nixe is a semi-double variety with dark pink buds decorated with white strokes.

    In addition to pelargonium with long shoots, there are miniature varieties, the stems of which grow up to 30 cm.   For example, the Tornado series has several varieties with a neat lush bush shape and a variety of butterfly buds:

    • Tornado Lilac - soft purple inflorescences with burgundy drops on the upper petals.
    • Tornado Rose - bright pink flowers with dark cherry rays and drops.
    • Tornado Fuchsia - bright fuchsia petals with dark burgundy strokes and drops, corrugated dark green foliage with a bronze eye.
    • Tornado Red - rich red buds, abundantly covering a dense bush.

    Curly pelargonium is perfect for growing in hanging baskets (pots) or balcony drawers - only a few copies of the amber geranium can create an amazing hanging garden. You can place pots with plants in the apartment, on the balcony and even in the summer cottage.

      Growing conditions

    Unlike its unpretentious "relatives" ampelous pelargonium has a more capricious character.   In order for the plant to enjoy healthy foliage and abundant flowering, it needs to create certain conditions:

    • Like other plants from Africa, Ileum Pelargonium prefers well-lit places. The apartment is best suited for her south window. Alternatively, it can be located on the east, southeast or southwest side. When grown in fresh air, slight shading is permissible.
    • In the garden or on the open balcony it is worth protecting the plant from drafts and strong gusts of wind that can damage long shoots.
    • The optimum temperature range should be within + 20- + 25 ° С. In the summer you need to make sure that pelargonium does not overheat in a hot room, in winter the flower should be far away from the heating devices.
    • Pelargonium ileus is undemanding to irrigation. Conversely, excess or stagnant moisture can cause illness or death of a flower. Water the plant after the top layer of soil dries out by 1-2 cm. Excess moisture from the pan must be removed within 1 hour after watering. Watering leaves and inflorescences should be avoided during watering.
    • Feeding with phosphate-potassium fertilizers during the growth period from March to October is obligatory. At the same time, additional nutrition must be made 2-3 times a month. Top-dressings with a high nitrogen content are not suitable for ampel geranium, as they stimulate the growth of green mass to the detriment of flowering. You can add nitrogen only in early spring for better growth of young shoots and foliage.
    • Air humidity for ileum geranium does not play a special role. Specially spray the plant is not necessary. Such a procedure can even harm the flower - cause decay processes in cool weather or provoke burns on hot days. The plant tolerates drought well and does not like a humid climate.
    • For the treatment of fungal and viral infections (rust, blackleg, chlorosis, mosaic) use fungicidal drugs. To get rid of pests in the event of their appearance help insecticides.

    Curly pelargonium in winter is at rest.   At this time, caring for a flower is significantly different from the conditions he needs in spring and summer:

    • It is preferable to keep the plant at an air temperature of + 12- + 15 ° С, however, the thermometer should not fall below + 8- + 10 ° С. If the apartment is warm and it is not possible to lower the temperature of the content, the pelargonium will have to be additionally illuminated until the summer day.
    • Water less frequently and less abundantly, about 2-3 times a month.
    • Do not add fertilizing during dormancy so as not to stimulate the flower to grow prematurely.

    Compliance with these conditions ensures good "well-being" of ileum pelargonium and abundant prolonged flowering in the warm season.

    It is undesirable to use organic fertilizers as a top dressing for ampel geranium. The best option would be complex drugs, produced specifically for pelargonium and surfinium.

      Planting and transplanting

    The composition of the soil mixture for ampel geranium does not matter. The main condition is loose, light soil with good moisture and air permeability. Fans of indoor plants can use ready-made soil for geraniums. Suitable mixture for violets or even a universal substrate for indoor plants.

    If it is possible to compose the soil mixture independently, then it should be included in the same proportions of leafy ground, turf, coarse sand, peat and humus. The absence of any of the components will not play a special role. To improve the characteristics of the substrate, you can add vermiculite.

    Experienced gardeners say that for ampel geranium, the composition of the soil is not so important as a moderate, but regular watering. But the presence of a drainage layer of river pebbles or expanded clay is necessary, otherwise the roots will rot and the plant will die.

    When planting pelargonium ileum, it is important to determine the volume of the pot. When choosing a container, you can focus on the fact that a pot with a diameter of not more than 12-14 cm is suitable for one bush, but already 3 plants can be planted in a pot with a diameter of 22-25 cm.

    Ampel geranium belongs to the category of those flower crops for which a large pot is not needed. In bulk, it will increase the roots and green mass. Flowering occurs when the pot or container becomes cramped.

    On this basis, frequent plant transplants are undesirable. It all depends on the specific variety, parameters of the adult bush and personal preferences of the grower. So, some fans of indoor plants transplant climbing geranium annually, while others - in a year. In any case, it is better to do this in March, until pelargonium blossoms. When transplanting should take a pot, a little more than the previous one: the distance between the clod with the roots and the walls of the container should not exceed 1.5-2.0 cm.

      Pruning and shaping the bush

    It is impossible to grow a spectacular bush of ampelous pelargonium without formative pruning. The flowers are formed at the ends of the shoots, so the more new stems, the more buds bloom on the bush.   The rules for pruning are easy to remember even for beginner flower growers

    • The main pruning is carried out in the autumn, before the plant enters the rest period. On each shoot leave no more than 7 leaves.
    • Pruned shoots grown from the leaf sinuses. Radical shoots are left untouched.
    • Be sure to remove dried and "bald" stalks.
    • In the spring, they repeat the procedure only if, during the winter, with a warm content, the geranium has grown strongly.

    Throughout the growing season, yellowed and faded leaves and inflorescences are removed, shrubs are thinned out - this not only maintains an attractive appearance, but also prevents the development of fungal and viral diseases.

    The ileum pelargonium lives at home for an average of 4 years. Then it loses its decorativeness and needs rejuvenation - rooting of cuttings cut from the mother plant. With this method of growing geranium can exist indefinitely, delighting with colorful flowering.

      Reproduction by cuttings

    Grafting of ileum pelargonium allows you to save all the signs of the mother plant. Cutting cuttings for rooting can be from March to August, using the trimmed apical parts of the shoots. But it is better still not to disturb the plant in spring, otherwise you can not wait for a rich cascade of inflorescences.

    When propagated by cuttings, geraniums are planted directly into the ground, since the rooting processes in the water begin rotten processes and the plant disappears.   The procedure is carried out in the following sequence:

    • cut cuttings 7-12 cm long;
    • powdered cuts of planting material with crushed activated carbon;
    • dried cuttings in the open air for 6-12 hours;
    • a layer of expanded clay is placed in a prepared pot or box and a soil mixture is mixed, the composition of which is identical to that for adults;
    • buried cuttings in the ground to a depth of 3-4 cm;
    • generously moisten the substrate of the watering can or spray, then watered as needed;
    • kept in a warm and well-lit place;
    • after rooting, they are seated in separate pots of the appropriate size.

    Pelargonium seedlings do not need to be covered with anything - it will also rotate remarkably under normal room conditions at a temperature of +22 ... 25 ° С. After rooting the cuttings and the appearance of several young leaves on them, the tip of the shoot is pinched for better branching and shrub formation.

      Seed propagation

    Seed breeding method of ampelous pelargonium is quite laborious, requires experience and patience. But if there is no way to get the cuttings of curly geranium, and I want to grow an effective specimen at home, you should try to get a seed culture.

    When reproducing pelargonium with ileum seeds, one must be prepared for the fact that the resulting plant will not fully comply with the varietal description: the shape and color of the petals may be radically different. This is especially noticeable when growing hybrid varieties with double buds. In order not to be disappointed, the planting material must be purchased from companies that are professionally engaged in the cultivation of flower crops and have proven themselves in this field.

    For the germination of seeds, you can use the soil of the same composition as for planting adult plants by adding pieces of sphagnum moss:

    • soil generously moistened with a spray;
    • seeds bury by 0.5-1.0 cm;
    • cover with foil or glass;
    • ventilate daily, removing the glass for 10-15 minutes, and remove condensate;
    • set the seed box in a warm (+22 ... 25 ° С) and well-lit place; in the winter months, fit the lamps with phyto-lamps so that the total duration of the day should be at least 12 hours.

    Under favorable conditions, the first seedlings will appear within 10 days, and after a month, young seedlings can be swooped down and transplanted to a permanent place.

      Conclusion

    Ileum Pelargonium is perfect for indoor gardening and growing in the country. If you put it in a hanging pots, you can grow a spectacular specimen studded with bright buds. Variety of varieties allows you to choose a plant with almost any color buds. Success in breeding an ampel geranium is a sufficient amount of light, frequent dressing and moderate watering. Under these conditions, pelargonium will delight with bright flowers from spring to autumn, but in winter the plant needs a short rest period.

Pelargonium or geranium - refer to the form of geranium. It is a perennial plant. In this article we will examine in detail the topic: pelargonium from seeds at home. Most varieties were introduced to Europe from the Republic of South Africa in the 16th century. It was introduced to our country only in the 18th century, but it got accustomed and became one of the attributes of home comfort.

Flowers pelargonium description, photo

Know! Its essential oil is widely used in cosmetology, aromatherapy, in the creation of perfumery products, as well as in folk medicine. In the world there are about three hundred species of this plant. Consider the most popular of them:

  • zonal;
  • ilee;
  • royal;
  • ampelous

Geranium is relatively capricious. It does not require close attention and will not bring trouble to a novice gardener. However, this can not be said about the royal pelargonium.

P. zonal

P. Ileum leaf

P. Royal

P. ampelous

Varieties for growing seeds at home

In the house most often you can see the zone pelargonium. She is not whimsical and comes up well. Ivy can be found on the plots of private houses, it can also be grown in the apartment, knowing some subtleties.

The royal is quite capricious, but she is perfectly acclimatized on the southern windowsill. The main thing to protect it from drafts. But the ampel is very rare. Even experienced gardeners prefer to propagate it with cuttings.

Preparations for the cultivation of pelargonium seeds

Pelargonium is best grown by seed. Most often, flowers grown from seeds, bloom better and much more abundant than the geranium that was grown from cuttings. If seeds were taken from hybrid varieties, then during germination, a flower may appear completely different from the "parents". However, most gardeners prefer to propagate it by grafting.

The necessary conditions

Pelargonium relegated southern window sill, but without direct sunlight. The temperature of the content in the summer should be no higher than 24 degrees, in the winter not lower than 14. The ground should be loose, well drained. Watering should be moderate, but constant. Geranium does not like stagnant water. During the growing season, it is fed twice a month with liquid fertilizer.

Planting dates

Pelargonium sowing can be practiced all year round, but only if additional coverage is provided. If this is not possible, the best breeding season is spring, summer.

Seed preparation for sowing

Before sowing, they must be prepared. If they were obtained from home geraniums, then they must be cleaned of hard shell. This will serve the rapid development. Next, the refined grains are treated with a growth stimulating agent. Then soaked in warm water for three hours.

Soil (composition, characteristics)

Pelargonium is not demanding on the ground. It will suit the usual mixture purchased in the store. But if there is a desire, the soil can be prepared independently, then for this you need two parts of sod, one part of sand and one part of peat.

Seeding Tanks

For growing use boxes or pots. The pot in which the flower will be selected according to the size of the root system. Transplanting is done only when the plant becomes crowded. It is advisable to use clay pots. They are well breathable and absorb moisture.

Plastic pots can also be used, but they do not allow air to pass through and can lead to stagnation of excess water. This will cause rotting of the roots and death of the flower.

Seeding technology

Sowing occurs from the beginning of winter to the middle of spring. The earth should not be dense and have an acidity of 6 pH.

Seeds at an equal distance from each other, are located in a previously prepared grooves. After sprinkled with earth. Watered and covered with cling film. Crates with crops are placed in a warm room in which the temperature is kept around 22-24 degrees.

Watering is necessary as the soil dries. When the first shoots appear, they need to be provided with good lighting, and the film from the box can be removed and the temperature can be reduced to 20 degrees.

Sowing seeds in peat tablets

Medium-sized tablets will be needed. They are laid out in a deep container and soaked in warm water, so that they increase in size by about 6 times. Grain is placed in a special recess and slightly closed with peat from a tablet. After that, the container is closed with film or glass and placed in a warm place. The first shoots will appear after a week and a half.


Adopt a useful video material on the cultivation of pelargonium seeds in hot peat tablets.

Seedlings care

In winter, seedlings should not be in contact with very hot radiators. Feed sprouts every 14 days, fertilizer for flower culture. However, the size of the dosage should be reduced by half.

Seedling care

Arranged pots with seedlings on a sunny windowsill. But they should be protected from direct sunlight, so as not to burn the delicate leaves. After a couple of weeks, the first feeding is done. You can use liquid fertilizers with a lower concentration of nutrients.

Picks

Seedlings are transplanted only when four full leaves appear on them, without disturbing the earthy coma. Before picking use a long-acting fertilizer. If geranium was grown in peat tablets, then after hardening, it is sent to open ground.

Hardening

Occurs immediately before the very resettlement of geraniums in open ground. Seedlings at the beginning are placed on a cool window sill, but whatever the temperature is at least 18 degrees. After a short time you can open the window or window, while not creating drafts. When night frosts end, the seedlings can be transferred to a flower bed.

When to pinch seedlings

For pinching removed the top. This is done to increase the branching of the flower. The procedure takes place from February to March. Pincer cutting is carried out over 8-10 leaf, and when pelargonium was grown from seeds - 6-8. The process is carried out according to the following rules:

  1. To avoid infection, pinching is done only with clean hands and tools.
  2. After the procedure, the seedlings require a lot of sunlight to avoid stretching the shoots.
  3. It is necessary to remove the branches that grow to the center of the pot. This will avoid flower diseases. For processing slices can be used Zelenka, charcoal or alcohol.

Royal pelargonium seed

Unlike other varieties grown in South America. Very capricious and requires maximum attention. Loves humid air, the lack of direct sunlight and drafts.

Landing begin with the onset of the winter months. For royal lightweight primer is needed, which is constantly kept wet. The temperature of the room should not fall below 20 degrees.

The first shoots appear after 21 days. After this, the boxes with the seedlings are moved to a room with a temperature not lower than 15 degrees. With the appearance of three full-fledged leaves, sprouts swoop in different capacities.

Royal Pelargonium has several types: Ansbroke Beauty, Charmi Electo, Dearwood Angel Eyes, Fairy Queen, Type Top Duet, Dearwood New Day.

Features of growing from seeds of ampelous pelargonium

Native of South Africa. Enough capricious, but with careful care will give a luxurious color. It is popular in gardening and is used for hanging flowerbeds, open areas, and verandas. Her shoots reach almost one meter in length.

Ampelnoe fruits are placed in the soil, pre-moistened with water. After that, the box with future sprouts is covered with cling film and sent to a warm room.

Attention! This species is quite capricious at seed reproduction. Even experienced growers prefer grafting.

Zone Pelargonium seed

It also grows in the open spaces of South Africa. Very well propagated by seed. They need to be sown in a moist and loose soil and cover the box with a film and put in heat. Under these conditions, the first seedlings appear after a couple of weeks. Zonal is divided into many varieties. Here are some of them:

  • variegated gold;
  • dark-leaved, mottled;
  • stellate, clove;
  • tulip, rosacea, etc.

Pelargonium ileum seed cultivation

A feature of this variety is the flexibility of its stems, which allows it to curl. The shoots reach one meter in length and the casting has a smooth texture. Ideal for hanging gardens, balconies, verandas.

Propagation by seed occurs as follows:

  1. Grains are placed in a box with loose earth to a depth of half a centimeter.
  2. The tray is placed in a greenhouse or covered with foil and sent to a warm room.
  3. It should be kept at a temperature of 22-24 degrees Celsius, with good lighting.

Before the emergence of shoots it is necessary to monitor the humidity of the earth. After three weeks, the sprouts are seated in different pots. When they are strong enough, you can begin to feed mineral fertilizer.

Attention! It begins to be sown from the beginning of winter to the middle of spring. In winter, a mandatory requirement is the use of phytolamps.

When and how to plant seedlings in the ground

Seedlings are sent to the garden only after hardening. The main thing to make sure that at night there is no frost.

Important! Not all types of pelargonium are intended for cultivation in the garden. For example, the royal does not like drafts and is intended only for home content.

The soil should be loose, well drained, without clay. Geranium should avoid direct sunlight, so it is best to place a flower bed in the penumbra. Flowers are planted in a flower bed at a distance of 30 centimeters from each other. Watering should be moderate, but should not be allowed to dry. It is necessary to remove faded buds in a timely manner.

  The choice of a place for planting, soil

Place in the flower bed should be of medium fertility, loose and with good drainage. Pelargonium does not tolerate stagnant water, so clay soil is contraindicated for it.
  The area on which geranium will bloom should be chosen shaded to avoid burns from direct sunlight.

Plant care (watering, feeding, tying)

Geranium does not tolerate organic fertilizer. It is enough to feed her, during the period of active growth, a couple of times a month. Top dressing is completely canceled during rest, that is, in winter.

The flower is tied up with a standard growing form. When the trunk is high enough, for his garters use round, firmly stuck into the soil pegs. It has the property of glowing moisture, so it is resistant to drying. However, in summer, watering is required frequent. But a glut of water can lead to death, so you need to ensure its good drainage.

Attention! The plant does not like spraying. It can lead to fungal diseases.

On the excess of water indicate drooping leaves. This is a sign of illness. And when the soil dries out, pelargonium stops flowering, yellowness appears.

Possible problems with growing

During breeding, there may be difficulties with flowering, leaves, buds or growth. Fortunately, most troubles are easily solved.

Sheet problems

With improper care, the following symptoms may occur:

  • yellow edging of the lower leaves - insufficient amount of feed;
  • red-red color - indicates a lack of magnesium, or on cold nights;
  • deformation of the form - mites;
  • distorted foliage, yellow or white spots - the presence of aphids;
  • yellow weakened leaves - means the presence of whitefly, rotting root
  • systems, bacterial disease;
  • trunk rot, wilt, staining - stem rot, spotting;
  • white moldy plaque, blackening and dying off - the presence of powdery mildew.

The absence of flowers and buds is extremely rare. Most often this is due to excessive watering, hot weather or lack of sunlight.

Growth problems are usually accompanied by the following symptoms:

With inadequate care, beginning gardeners can meet with plant diseases that can lead to the death of a flower. Types of diseases and how to deal with them.

Gray rot. The lack of color, yellowing of leaves, the appearance of brown spots, located closest to the soil, means the presence of this disease. Causes:

  • high humidity;
  • lack of airing the room;
  • spraying;
  • increased nitrogen content in the soil.

In the fight against gray mold help systemic fungicides. At their use the dosage is strictly observed.

Alternaria The disease is characterized by the appearance of dark spots with a bright core. When high humidity is possible velvety plaque.

To prevent the disease is to provide the right care. Regular ventilation, moderate watering and loose soil is all that geranium loves. Treatment of Alternaria, occurs with the help of systemic fungicides with a long therapeutic effect.

Rhizoctonia rot. It is characterized by a depressed leaf or stem structure. In this case, the plant has a lack of color, yellowing and fading. Causes:

  • excessive moisture;
  • lack of light
  • lack of airing;
  • high room temperature (usually associated with the contact of heating devices);
  • excessive use of fertilizers.

In the fight against the disease, again, will help specifically tool designed to protect against rot.

Late blight. The disease is associated with high air temperature, excessive moisture, a high content of fertilizers, too thick plantings. Accompanied by the following symptoms:

  • cessation of flowering;
  • fade away. dries;
  • rotting appears;
  • dented spotting on the roots;
  • spots are gradually rising.

Attention! The pathogen is stored in the earth for many years. The number can reach 10-15 years.

Rust. Occurs at high humidity and excessive heat. Transmitted from plant to plant by air and water. Accompanied by the following features:

  • lack of flowering;
  • the appearance of yellow spots on the top of the sheet;
  • pustules form on the backside;
  • with a progressive disease, the leaves turn yellow, dry and fly around.

To combat the disease reduce the room temperature and humidity levels. Remove all affected areas and treat with a special tool.

Verticillary wilting. The disease leads to yellowing of the edges of the lower leaves. After a while they darken and fade. If you do not fight the disease, it is transferred to the healthy part. Verticillary wilting affects those plants that have long been grown in one place. The most common infection occurs in the summer.

To avoid the spread of the disease, it is necessary to water the flower in a timely manner and remove the remains of the plant that is sick. The cuttings must take root in the clean ground. For processing, fungicides with a long therapeutic effect are used. The same incorrect geranium content leads to the appearance of harmful insects.

Multi claw ticks. When it appears, the growth of leaves at the top of the shoots stops, and the back side is covered with a gray-brown scab. Excessive heat and high humidity provoke the occurrence of these insects. With a weak defeat, you can use soap or mineral oil. And you can also resort to the treatment of chemical means of protection.

Thrips. The leaves of the flower are deformed, the growth point is bent, growths are formed on the back side. Inflorescences are stained, petals appear gray-brown edging.

Fight thrips in several stages. Next to the young are sticky blue traps. Then the seedlings are treated with insecticides. Re-spraying spend about 5 days.

Aphid. Signs of appearance:

  • curliness;
  • yellowing;
  • with a strong lesion visible discharge aphids.

Small clusters of aphids are cut off along with the affected areas, or washed off with soap and water. In severe lesions use chemicals.

Caterpillars The leaves become gnawed, visible caterpillar waste. The method of struggle is very simple - for isolated cases, they are assembled by hand in the evening hours of the day. Or treated with special preparations.

Whitefly. Clusters of insects are visible. With a strong defeat of the plant, its leaves turn yellow. They fight with the help of yellow adhesive tapes, as well as drugs with potassium oil or insecticides from whitefly.

Spider mite They feed on cell sap, which leads to the appearance of small transparent holes, and then yellowing and wilting of the plant. Appear at elevated room temperatures and excessive dryness.

You can fight ticks by treating the plant with soap or mineral oil. But this method is suitable for mild pest injury. In other cases, insecticides are used.

Flower care during and after flowering

During flowering requires regular, but moderate watering. It is desirable to regularly loosen the earth around the flower, for good circulation of oxygen. For good flowering should be provided with constant sunlight. Feed must be twice a month.

After flowering, in winter, watering is reduced to a minimum, and fertilizer is delayed until spring. It is advisable to provide backlighting. The room should not be very hot, it is necessary to protect the geranium from contact with heating devices.

How to collect seeds

If geranium spent all summer outside, then we can expect the appearance of seeds. When the basket of seeds has ripened, it bursts, and in its place fruits form. It is advisable to collect them already from dry baskets, this indicates that they have matured.

Forum, flower growers reviews

After talking with experienced gardeners on the forums, you can learn how to grow geranium from seed, if the usual planting did not work. To do this, the seeds are soaked in a growth stimulator, then they are put into a cotton pad or a small piece of cotton and after planting it is planted in the ground.

In other forums, you can find information that soaking the seeds is not necessary at all, but it is worth covering the box with film, putting it on the sunniest window sill. And the film is removed only after germination.
  However, some growers do not recommend creating a greenhouse, as this is fraught with a black leg in seedlings.

That's all the recommendations that I wanted to give on the topic: pelargonium from seeds at home. This is a peculiar plant. Not demanding, but without certain rules of care is not enough. If all instructions are followed, the apartment or house will be decorated with beautiful and unique flowers.