The geranium flower, which is also called the crane, is a genus of plants belonging to the Geranium family. The category includes more than 400 varieties of culture, which are represented by herbs and bush forms. Of these, about 40 took root well in Russia. In the wild, the plant is found almost all over the world.
The name "geranium" is of Greek origin and in translation means "crane". This name was not given by chance - the fruit of the flower has a great resemblance to the beak of the crane. Geranium is successfully grown both in flowerbeds and at home. Pelargonium propagation is carried out in three ways: by cuttings, leaves and seeds. The flower retains its decorative properties for 4-5 years, with proper care, this period increases to 10 years. A characteristic feature of geraniums is the presence of dark green leaves with a fluffy surface. The article will discuss what constitutes geranium care at home, flowering, wintering.
Potted geranium
Home Care
Many beginner gardeners are interested in the question of how to care for geraniums. This is a very unpretentious culture, with the exception of some particularly decorative varieties. Even an amateur who does not have much experience in this matter can easily cope with the task.
On a note. Cases when geranium does not take root in the house are very rare, so the probability of failure is practically absent.
Nevertheless, for the successful cultivation of a flower, certain rules and recommendations must be observed. Pelargonium care at home should meet the following requirements.
Temperature
In winter, the optimal performance is an average of 14 degrees. Therefore, it is best to place the pot on the windowsill or put in another cool place. In summer, indoor geranium develops well at a temperature of about 27 degrees. Like most home plants, the flower does not tolerate cold drafts. Geranium perceives ordinary ventilation normally.
Lighting
Geranium does not like shadow. In order for the flowers to be bright and the color of the leaves saturated, the bush should be on a well-lit window sill. In this case, the pot needs to be periodically rotated so that the bush does not stretch and it turns out to be as even and accurate as possible. In winter, geraniums need additional lighting. A special phytolamp will help to achieve such conditions.
Important! Geraniums require at least 12 hours of daylight. Otherwise, the stems begin to stretch, the leaves become smaller. In addition, flowering will be sparse and short-lived.
Since the flower belongs to the photophilous plants, a short direct sunlight is allowed on it.
Royal geranium on the windowsill
Watering
Geranium is a moisture-loving crop, so you need to water it in spring and summer often and plentifully. In this case, the water in the sump must not be allowed to stagnate. Humidification is performed as the soil dries. To prevent cracks on the surface of the earth, it is recommended to pour water into a special pan. The fluid should be at room temperature (very cold water can cause root decay).
Attention! Geranium should not be watered with hard water, because whitish spots form on the soil surface because of it. This is a sign of calcareous deposits. Such water should be cleaned with a filter.
Instead of filtered water, melt or rain water can be used, which is cleaner and softer than sewage.
Before watering the geraniums, it is necessary to provide the flower with good drainage: so that the liquid does not accumulate in the pot, the bottom of the container should have a special hole.
Watering pelargonium
Spraying
Geranium does not require special hydration, however, in winter, when heating appliances are working, it is recommended to spray the flower with purified water (ordinary water leaves white streaks on the leaves). Frequent spraying or rubbing the leaves is impractical and even harmful to geraniums - the leaves darken and dry out.
On a note. Pelargonium absorbs and accumulates moisture well, so it easily tolerates arid conditions.
Humidity
The flower does not require high humidity.
Priming
Planting geraniums is carried out in a simple universal soil, which can always be purchased in the department for gardeners. If there is no desire to buy soil, preparing it yourself will not be difficult. To do this, you will need:
- Turf;
- Sheet earth;
- Sand;
- Humus.
The components are taken in the following proportions: 1: 1: 0.5: 1.5.
A drainage layer is charmingly laid at the bottom of the container.
Top dressing
Geranium does not need intensive feeding - in the summer it is enough to apply fertilizer once every 2-3 weeks, in winter - once every 2-3 months. The most effective will be universal fertilizers or top dressing for flowering plants. These include potassium mixtures.
Important! For geraniums, fresh organic fertilizers cannot be used.
Feeding Geranium with Iodine
In winter
Prepare the plant for the dormant phase begin in the fall. The container with the flower is transferred to a cool, sufficiently lit place (without direct sunlight). Air temperature should vary from 10 to 12 degrees. The frequency of watering is reduced, dried and yellowed leaves are torn off. In winter, flower pots are placed on the northern windowsills or on the insulated balcony. So that daylight hours are at least 12 hours, it is artificially extended with a phytolamp. You can hold flowers on specially prepared shelves with backlight. The use of phytolamps allows to achieve positive results in the form of:
- Preservation of the decorative properties of the bush;
- The formation of bright and large leaves;
- Intensive and prolonged flowering in the next season;
- Uniform shoot growth.
Recommendation. In order not to expose the plant to cold drafts, during winter airing, geraniums should be removed from the windowsill and put away from the window.
During dormancy, the flower should not develop. The growth of geraniums is suspended due to cool conditions, reduced watering and cancellation of fertilizing.
In winter, in no case should stagnation of moisture be allowed, otherwise geranium can get sick with black rot. This pathology is not treated, so the flower can only be destroyed.
Wintering geraniums
When and how it blooms
High-quality care for geraniums provides a bright and long flowering.
Description of flowers
Geranium flowers are quite large and vary in color: depending on the type and variety, they can be purple, blue, white or purple (it is interesting that the scarlet shade does not occur at all). Collected in racemose inflorescences of 1-3 pieces, but more often lonely growing flowers are also found. Each of them has 5-8 petals of rounded shape, which are located on a flat 5-leafed cup.
Flowering period
The usual term is approximately 40 days. Flowering begins in May and ends in July. During the summer season, geranium often blooms for the second time. With proper care and fairly warm weather, flowering can begin in the first days of April.
The timing and duration of this period is determined by several factors:
- Climatic and weather conditions;
- The natural rhythm of the development of geraniums;
- The use of various procedures: this is pruning, watering, fertilizer.
Important to remember! These factors can both stimulate flowering and ruin the whole process. The result will depend on the person.
Lush flowering geranium
Flowering Care
It often happens that geranium does not bloom or blooms during the entire summer season, but it is very scarce. To prevent this problem, special agrotechnics of trimming the bush will help:
- In October, as soon as the geranium completely fades, the plant needs to be planted in fertile soil, and the shoots cut, leaving 1/3 of their height.
- After the flower gives roots, 2 weeks should pass. Then pelargonium is transferred to a room where the air temperature is about 5 degrees. In such conditions, the culture should be about a month.
- The frequency of irrigation is significantly reduced. Excessive moisture at low temperatures will lead to the development of a fungal disease.
- In the spring, when the geranium starts growing, you will need to make one corrective pinch.
Another way to achieve lush flowering is to grow pelargonium in tight pots. An important condition is the presence of soil rich in nutrients. To do this, you should regularly feed the culture during its active growth (that is, from March to the end of August). The frequency of feeding is 1 time in 10-14 days. In spring, during the growth of shoots, the plant should be fertilized with mineral mixtures with a high nitrogen content. As soon as the buds appear, you can increase the dosage of potassium.
Feeding options for lush flowering, as well as to improve foliage:
- To nitrogen is absorbed better, iodine is used. Also, thanks to this microelement, foliage acquires a saturated color, becomes more resistant to diseases such as late blight and powdery mildew. To prepare the nutrient mixture you will need:
- iodine;
- warm water.
The ratio of ingredients is 1 drop of a pharmacy product per 1 liter of water. For one adult plant, 50 ml of solution is enough.
On a note. When applying top dressing, the liquid should not fall on the stems and foliage.
- Fertilizer made from wood ash. This component contains phosphorus and potassium, which are easily absorbed by plants. To make feeding, you need 1 tablespoon of ash per 1 liter of water. For one adult instance, 100 ml of the mixture.
- Spraying the bush with a solution of magnesium sulfate in a concentration of 1/4 teaspoon per 1 liter of water. This ingredient can be purchased at the pharmacy. Fertilize the flower 1 time in 3 weeks. Magnesium sulfate is useful in helping to produce chlorophyll. Due to this, the foliage acquires a saturated color. This type of fertilizer is not suitable for varieties with variegated greens.
Closer to autumn, when the inflorescences stop forming, the top of the geranium should be shortened to form a bush. If the procedure is ignored, the plant will lose its decorative effect, including the quality of flowering. Before wintering, it is also necessary to remove dry leaves and inflorescences.
One of the most unpretentious cultures is pelargonium care for it is not difficult even for beginner growers. The plant does not need to be transplanted often; it easily tolerates an arid climate and lack of moisture, as well as direct sunlight. The main thing to remember is that the flower reacts very poorly to excessive moisture and exposure to cold drafts. In order for a culture to please its beauty and aroma for a long time, it is necessary to observe the basic requirements for caring for it and try to protect it from negative factors.
