Pelargonium: care, breeding, pruning

The homeland of pelargonium is India and South Africa.

This brightly flowering plant with juicy green leaves is known not only for its beauty and aroma, but also for its medicinal properties, and esotericists believe that pelargonium in the house regulates the psychological climate in the family.

Types of Pelargonium

Pelargonium - plant of the geranium family. Botanists have about 280 species, varieties and hybrids of these flowers. The most common and favorite types of geranium gardeners consider in more detail.

Zone Pelargonium. These are flowers with two-, three-colored or dotted pattern petals. Sometimes an imprint in the form of an egg is visible on the petals, it is much darker than the main color. The most famous varieties of geranium zone: Alice, Angelica, Bolero, Flamenco, Diana-Louise, Connie, Tuscany and Fantasia. These flowers are dwarf (up to 10 cm tall) and tall (up to a meter in height).

Royal Pelargoniums.These ladies, respectively, the name demanding and capricious. In winter, when the plant is at rest, it is necessary to maintain the air temperature not lower than 10 ° C. Royal pelargoniums are distinguished by large flowers with wavy petals on the edge. Successful varieties: Princess of Wales, Turkish.

The angels. The inflorescences of these pelargoniums resemble pansies. This plant grows up to 30 cm in height and blooms throughout the summer season with a lush, falling inflorescence. The most favorite varieties of gardeners: Black Night, Angelys Bicolor and Madame Layal.

Ivy Geranium. The plant has dark green leaves in the form of ivy, brush-like terry and semi-double blossoms. The color of the petals is represented by a palette from milky to ink color. Common varieties among flower growers: Crock-o-day, Ice rose. Antique and Bernardo.

Pink pelargonium. There are about 170 species of Pelargonium pink. The height of the plant can be more than a meter, the trunk is fleshy, with a coarse lower part.

The leaves are large, dense, as if divided into several parts. Flowers form an umbrella-like inflorescence, sometimes up to 12 flowers.

Scented Pelargonium. This plant with terry flowers, when touched, produces a very lasting fragrance. Interested breeders brought out pelargonium with aromas: needles, coconut, strawberries, roses, nutmeg and many others. Particularly distinguished varieties of pelargonium: Brilliant (pineapple aroma), Citronella, Chocolate mint and Ginger (aroma of ginger).

Pelargonium Care Tips

When buying plants do not rush to determine his place near the existing pot. Before carefully examine pelargonium: whether there are any pests on it (you can infect other flowers) or diseases. If the plant is all right, determine its place, and how to care for pelargonium, consider in more detail below.

Optimum temperature and lighting

The main requirements for the temperature regime for maximum comfort of flowers: in the period of growth - + 20 ... +25 ° C, in the winter period of rest - + 12 ... +15 ° C. The plant loves warmth and a lot of light, it would be good to provide fresh air and moderate humidity in the place where Pelargonium is kept.

Although pelargonium loves light, in the summer it must be cleaned in the shade of direct sunlightto avoid burns. In the winter - to give an artificial highlight. From a large lack of light, the plant fades, dries, and instead of flowering, it spends strength on growth.

Watering and feeding

At different periods, different irrigation regimes of pelargonium are required. In the summer season, in the period of growth and flowering, need frequent watering: every day or every other day. However, monitor the condition of the soil - excessive moisture will ruin the root system.

In winter, pelargonium is not active, so you need to water it two or three times a month. Spraying flowers and leaves is undesirable.

From spring to autumn, the plant is fed twice a month. In the soil for pelargonium is better to make a liquid composition, before feeding the soil should be moistened.

Fertilizers with a large amount of nitrogen are more suitable for the growth of greenery; flowering stimulates fertilizing with an increased content of phosphorus and potassium.

The percentage of the content of the necessary elements can be found on the packaging of the drug.

Geranium Breeding

Pelargonium can be propagated by two methods: seed and grafting. Consider, seeds propagate only plants belonging to the zonal species, the remaining geranium propagate by cutting.

Seed propagation

For breeding seed method, take the box for seedlings. It is best to use the universal soil available in stores: it contains all the necessary nutrients.

Seeds are sown at a depth of half a centimeter, at a distance from each other. Then watered and put in a well-lit warm place (+20 - +25 ˚C).

While waiting for seedlings, moisten the soil regularly. The first seedlings of pelargonium will spawn in a week or two, depending on the species. When the leaves appear on the sprouts, transplant the shoots into separate pots. In a few months the plant will bloom.

Cuttings

Let's figure out how to propagate geranium at home by cutting. For these purposes, choose a healthy "donor". The best option - a plant that did not have time to bloom and does not have a large branching.

In March, cuttings that have several nodal joints are cut off. They are cut at a right angle and dried for 10 hours. Planted seedlings are planted in a universal moist soil, covered with a trimmed plastic bottle.

To avoid cuttings of rot, you need to maintain about +23 C. After 3 weeks, rooted plants are planted in separate pots 14-17 cm in diameter. In the same year you can admire the flowers of pelargonium.

Trimming and transplanting a flower

For beautiful and lush flowering, to rejuvenate and form a beautiful bush, prune pelargonium. The procedure is carried out before the shoots are stretched.

Sharply sharpened, disinfected with a knife cut off the escape above the knot with an oblique cut. The correct development of the branches should be observed throughout the active period of pelargonium. Shoots should not interfere with each other, growing inward. By pruning such branches, you set the direction of growth of the branches to the side.

If you are interested in breeding pelargonium at home, you need to know when to replant pelargonium, and what rules to follow. Every two years, young plants need a transplant: growing, the root system fills the entire pot, the plant closely, and it does not bloom well. Perform this procedure in early spring.

Prepare everything you need: a new pot, soil, watering can and drainage. For drainage, you can use small river pebbles. To make the plant easier and without damage to pull out of the pot, pour it and tap on the bottom of the container. Be sure to check if the plant is healthy.

Geranium is placed in a pot for drainage, and we fill the soil moistened in advance in the free spaces between the walls of the tank and the flower. Soil lightly tamp, then pour and put in a dark place for a week. After a week, transfer the pelargonium to a permanent place. You can start feeding in no earlier than 2 months.

A few rules of planting geraniums in open ground

For registration of the dacha blooming geranium need to consider a few nuances.

First of all, it is open sunny places, a small shadow does not hurt, especially in hot climates.

When planting in open soil should take into account its composition. Fertile soil with a light structure and good drainage characteristics is the best environment for the growth and flowering of geraniums.

In the fall, when loosening the soil, add mineral fertilizers or organic matter. Do not allow the soil to dry out, organize a constant watering, but in moderation. Do not risk to leave for the winter on the open ground, it is better to dig up pelargonium and leave for wintering at home.

Medical applications

Geranium, due to its rich composition, has many useful properties for medicine and cosmetology. It contains many vitamins, pectin and organic acids, carbohydrates, tannins, phytoncides, calcium, tannins and essential oils. Useful elements found in the branches, leaves, roots and flowers of geranium.

The extract of geranium, obtained from the stems and oils, can be seen in the form of tablets. Widely used decoctions, infusions and lotions for medicinal purposes. The healing properties have a wide spectrum of action: they help with infertility, reduce pressure, normalize blood circulation and digestion, stop bleeding, relieve inflammation.

Geranium extracts are used in the preparation of serum against snake venom.Useful properties help fight insomnia and all sorts of pain.

Geranium can treat wounds, burns, bedsores. In case of catarrhal diseases: otitis, rhinitis, pharyngitis, extracts of leaves are used. When skin diseases make lotions from the decoction of geranium leaves.

The plant helps to overcome depression and stress. In addition to medicine, pelargonium is used in cosmetology. To rejuvenate the skin and strengthen hair - decoctions and tinctures, essential oils. Women will appreciate the beneficial effects of the plant upon the appearance of cellulite.

A few words about geraniums in everyday life. If you have pets, softened pelargonium leaves will help to rid them of ticks. The aroma of geranium will expel bloodsucking insects and flies from the house, clean the air of harmful impurities.