Geranium (Geranium) - one of the most beloved and famous indoor plants. At the same time, under the name "geranium" flower growers most often mean pelargonium, although in fact these are two different genera of the same Geraniev family. The homeland of pelargonium is South Africa. These perennials can be both impressive meter-long and miniature bushes about 12 cm in size.
The fast growth rate even in indoor conditions allows the flower to grow up to 30 cm in height per year. Because of this, it must be pruned periodically. Despite the status of a perennial, once every 2 or 3 years, the bushes will need rejuvenation. The decorativeness of geranium flowers is multiplied by the duration of its flowering. It usually begins in spring and lasts almost until winter. The slightly pubescent foliage of the plant exudes a pleasant scent.
Geranium features
Growing geranium is not at all difficult, besides, for many people it is closely associated with fond memories of childhood and is associated with family comfort. Until a few decades ago, geraniums were very popular. Pelargonium could be found both in the collections of aristocrats and on the windowsills of ordinary people. However, over time, mankind has lost interest in this wonderful plant.
Today we can safely say that geranium is regaining its former success and is in demand. This is not surprising, because this flower is capable of boasting a lot of advantages. Geranium can be viewed in two variations: as a houseplant and as a garden flower. A large number of varieties and varieties of plants can satisfy the needs of any sophisticated grower. In any flower arrangement, geranium successfully takes its rightful place.
Pelargonium has great potential in medicine and has healing properties. Note that this plant terrifies many indoor pests. If you put geraniums on the windowsill to other flowers, then you are guaranteed protection against aphids.
Even an inexperienced and novice florist can take care of geraniums, since this flower is completely unpretentious and does not require a special attitude towards itself. The likelihood that geranium will not take root at home is extremely low, almost zero.
Brief rules for growing geraniums
The table shows brief rules for caring for geraniums at home.
| Lighting level | The plant needs sufficient light: preferably a southern window, but with shelter from the direct sun. |
| Content temperature | The temperature of the content depends on the season and ranges between +13 and +25 degrees. Too sharp changes and hot weather have a bad effect on the bush. It should also be protected from drafts. |
| Watering mode | The watering regime depends on the season. In the summer they water it after the topsoil dries out, about three times a week. In winter - about once every 14 days. |
| Air humidity | Humidity may be low. Spraying geraniums is recommended only when the air is excessively dry. |
| The soil | Not a very fertile universal blend. |
| Top dressing | During the growing season, twice a month with liquid solutions containing phosphorus and potassium. |
| Transfer | Transplants are carried out as soon as the roots begin to show through the drainage holes. |
| Pruning | Geranium needs regular pruning and removal of the drying bottom leaves. |
| Reproduction | Cuttings, seeds. |
| Pests | Mealybug, spider mite or cyclamen mite, whitefly. |
| Diseases | Due to improper care, it can also be affected by various types of rot. |
Home care for geraniums
Geranium is not one of the capricious and demanding houseplants, but in order for its bush to show itself in all its glory, it still needs certain conditions.
Lighting
It is recommended to grow geraniums on southern windowsills. As a last resort, Western and Eastern are suitable for her. The optimal daylight hours for a flower should be very long (about 16 hours), therefore, in darker rooms, the bushes begin to stretch out and take on an untidy appearance. In the shade, their stems are bare from below, the foliage becomes smaller, and the flowering weakens. In winter, you can compensate for the lack of sun with additional lighting. Only some plant varieties may need protection from direct sun. For a more even development, geranium bushes are recommended to periodically turn to the light with different sides.
Temperature
The homeland of geranium is sultry Africa, so the flower is very fond of warmth. The exact temperature of its content depends on the species, but in general, temperatures up to +25 degrees during the day and up to +16 degrees at night are suitable for pelargoniums.
There are features in the maintenance of the flower in the winter. At this time, it is better to keep it in a slightly cooler room, where it is kept no higher than +20 degrees. It is recommended to place the pot away from batteries and not expose it to cold drafts. They, like sudden changes in temperature, can harm the plant. At the same time, the flower will appreciate the usual ventilation of the room. The movement of air will protect it from the development of certain diseases. For this reason, planting geraniums should not be placed too closely on the window.
Watering mode
In the summer, geraniums are watered about 3 times a week. In winter, watering is significantly reduced, moistening the soil in the pot only twice a month. Overflows are harmful for the plant, but it is also not recommended to overdry the soil lump - the optimal time for watering is the moment when only the upper part of the soil in the pot has dried up.
Air humidity
Geranium does not require constant spraying, the only exception is the royal one. It can be humidified in this way only on very dry and hot days of summer or the heating season. The other species are not afraid of dry air. In addition, frequent spraying for no reason, along with the lack of ventilation in the room, can lead to the development of fungal diseases. If the foliage of the pelargonium is dusty, it can be cleaned and wiped gently.
The soil
For planting geraniums, you can use specialized or universal soil with a slightly alkaline reaction. At the same time, there should not be too much humus in the composition of the soil - on such land, pelargonium begins to intensively develop a green mass and blooms much worse.
You can prepare the land for planting yourself. To do this, mix turf with peat, humus and half of the sand, or take a mixture of peat with garden soil, also adding sand to them.
Top dressing
During growth, the bush needs nutritious feeding. They are carried out every 2 or 3 weeks. Since geranium blooms in the spring and summer period, at this time, compositions with a high content of potassium and phosphorus are best suited for it. Nitrogen can be present in them only in minimal doses. You can use a fertilizer solution for irrigation or apply it by foliar method.
Some gardeners prefer to fertilize the soil with every watering.To do this, the usual rate is divided into parts, each time fertilizing the bush with micro doses. In winter, as well as for some time after transplants, you should not feed the flower.
It is very important to know that geranium does not tolerate fresh organic fertilizers!
Transfer
At home, geraniums practically do not need transplants. An exception may be some cases, if, for example, the roots of the plant have grown, and there is not enough space in the pot, or the plant has been flooded with water through negligence.
Young bushes need an annual change in capacity only for the first three years. Then the number of transplants is reduced. Clay containers with drainage holes are well suited for planting geraniums. At the same time, the size of the pot should not be too large - this has a bad effect on the abundance of flowering, because the plant begins to grow its root mass. You can understand whether you need to transplant an adult geranium by looking at its roots. If they began to be seen from the drainage hole, then the pot is small for the plant.
When moving a bush to a new container, a drainage layer must be laid on its bottom. If adult bushes have not been transplanted for several years and the size of the pot does not bother them, it is necessary to periodically renew the soil layer in them.
Pruning
To form a beautiful bush, pelargonium must be cut off periodically. Otherwise, its stems can stretch out, become bare, and flowering becomes less abundant. The best time for such pruning is spring. Most of the branches must be removed from the bush. This will shift the flowering time, but will rejuvenate the plant, make it look more compact and add splendor to the flowering. Due to the fact that among the pelargoniums there are species of different sizes, as well as the ampel type, the pruning method for each of them will be different. Usually, the procedure is carried out with a sharp knife, sprinkling the cut with crushed coal. The branches should be cut so that the base of the petiole, over which the cut was carried out, remains on the bush.
In addition to pruning, geraniums are also pinched (this method is suitable for removing young shoots) and regularly cleaned of drying leaves or shoots. Fading inflorescence umbrellas should also be removed. Before winter rest, it is recommended to cut off all weak branches from the plant. In some species, with the exception of the royal geranium, all shoots are completely cut off at this time, leaving only stumps about 6 cm in height. These actions should be carried out before December. Spring pruning in this case is carried out only if the bush has grown too over the winter months or has begun to form asymmetrically.
Bloom
The flowers of representatives of the genus Pelargonium have a distinctive feature: their upper petals are somewhat larger than the lower ones. The palette of their colors can be quite large. Flowers can be white, pink, red or burgundy. The size of the inflorescence usually depends on the variety. There are large-flowered and terry varieties, as well as geraniums with modest and rather nondescript flowers.
Geranium breeding methods
For propagation of indoor geranium, seeds are usually used (you can buy them in stores) or apical (stem) cuttings taken from adult plants.
Cuttings
Cuttings of geraniums can be carried out at any time of the year, but most often it is done in spring or autumn. This multiplication process is considered to be quite easy, in addition, it allows you to preserve all the characteristics of the variety. Usually, for this, a cutting is taken from the top of the plant. Its optimal length is 6 to 15 cm. For dwarf species, 3 cm cuttings will be sufficient. The cut is made at an angle. Flowers and lower foliage are removed from the twig, the cut site is dried, and then they are placed in water and removed in a fairly bright place. Instead of water, you can immediately plant a twig in light soil. Such a stalk quickly forms roots - as a rule, after a couple of weeks it can already be transplanted into its own pot. Such plants do not need shelter. For greater splendor of the future bush, it will be possible to pinch them over the 5th leaf.
Growing from seeds
Geraniums start seed propagation only in the spring.Before sowing, the seeds can undergo a special preparation - soaking. Although this procedure is not always considered mandatory, it is not uncommon for producers to process seeds even before packaging.
The seeds are placed in the ground, sprinkled with a thin (about 2 mm) layer of soil, watered and covered with glass or transparent film. In a warm place, seedlings appear within two weeks. As soon as the sprouts form full-fledged leaves, they can be cut down. This method of reproduction allows you to get a flowering plant in about six months.
Diseases and pests
Quite often, geranium leaves turn yellow. Many novice flower growers confuse this with a disease, taking this fact with horror. But don't worry - this is a common occurrence for geraniums. Thus, the flower discards unnecessary old leaves. Almost always, the leaves turn yellow and die off if the geranium is moved from the street to the room. It's another matter if the plant is affected by rust. Here it is already worth panicking and immediately start treating the flower.
Among the main diseases of geranium:
- The blackening of the stem is a consequence of the "black leg" fungus.
- The foliage and stems are covered with gray fluff - gray mold, fungal disease.
- The foliage is covered with white circles - rust, fungal disease.
- Stem decay is a consequence of overflow.
- Exposed stem - the plant needs pruning.
- Lack of flowering - a lack of light, an excess of nitrogen fertilizers, or a consequence of not pruning.
- Dry tips of leaf plates - excessive dryness of the air.
- Yellowing or reddening of old foliage - caused by low temperature or insufficient humidity.
- Redness of foliage or stem - it is too cold in a room with geraniums.
- The foliage turns yellow at the edges - too dark or a natural aging process.
- Yellow spots on foliage - burns from too bright light.
- Brown spots on leaf blades - dry soil.
In addition, harmful insects can settle on geraniums. Among them are mealybugs, spider mites or cyclamen mites, whiteflies.
The benefits of geranium
The healing properties of this flower have been known since ancient times. The main active ingredient in its composition is geraniol.
The foliage and roots of pelargonium are still used to treat many diseases, including sciatica, osteochondrosis, and migraines. Geranium also helps with stress, neurosis and insomnia, improving the general psycho-emotional background and increasing efficiency. In addition, it promotes the regeneration of the skin and is able to treat a number of infections, including fungal infections.
Types and varieties of geraniums with photos
The genus Pelargonium includes 2.5 hundred different species. Some types and varieties of geraniums are intended only for growing at home, and some can also be grown outdoors, in flowerpots or flower beds.
Ivy geranium (Pelargonium peltatum)
The homeland of this species is southeastern African countries. Due to drooping stems, such geranium can be used as an ampelous one. Foliage sometimes has slight pubescence, but more often it is smooth to the touch. The width of the leaf plates reaches 10 cm.
Flowering lasts from spring to autumn days. One umbrella contains about 8 flowers of white, red or pink color.
Royal geranium (Pelargonium grandiflorum)
This species is intended exclusively for indoor cultivation. Forms bushes up to half a meter in height. It has a large amount of foliage with a smooth or slightly pubescent surface. At the same time, the leaves have almost no characteristic odor.
The species is distinguished by larger flowers, their diameter can reach 7 cm.The color can include all tones of white, red, burgundy, crimson and purple shades. Flowering lasts from spring to autumn.
Geranium zonale (Pelargonium zonale)
A tall species of pelargonium, whose shoots can grow up to 1.5 meters. The foliage is rounded, with a distinct brown stripe at the top of the leaf. It is smooth to the touch, but may have a little fluff. The flowers are usually red in color. Flowering lasts from March to September-October. Can be grown in the garden, but usually does not hibernate in the ground and requires digging.
Fragrant geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
A low shrub, reaching only 22 cm in height. Small (no more than 2.5 cm) foliage has soft pubescence and a pleasant sweetish aroma. This species blooms in summer. About a dozen white or pink flowers are included in one umbrella.
I transplanted geraniums from the street to the room, the leaves dried up
Same problem
In the spring I plant it on the balcony, in the fall I take it to the apartment. Everything is fine. I love small plants very much, I always transplant and follow the cuttings. I do not like it when sticks on geraniums are like in trees.
Leaves turn yellow for some reason
SVETA MALO İLİ Vİ EİO ZALİLİ, U MENİA 2 GERANİ ROZOVAİA İ KRASNAİA, ABAJAİU EİO ZAPAH, ONİ U MENİA V 10 LİTROVİH, GORWKAH, A LİTROVİH, GORWKAH, A LİTROVİH, GORWKAH, A SAMİMNE PO PLECİO.MOİ RİCİNİ POLİVAİU, HOTELAB POKAZATİ VAM İH, NO NETTUT CPOSOBA ZAGRUZKİ FOTO
my geranium at home and completely died, and in the garden where I took the cutting, there is a juicy green one, and already less than +10 +5 = (
It is better to transplant and cut geraniums in late July, early August, when it is still warm. It is possible in cool weather, but then be sure to bring the pots with transplanted plants to the greenhouse first. Let them grow and adapt there.
and our neighbor just gave us a sprout of geranium, we stuck it in the ground (it had no roots) and it sprouted. All summer and autumn stood outside the window, even in the cold. with the first snow they brought it into the room and then it began to bloom) is blooming already fast for 2 months)
Hello!
Please comment on the problem with yellow leaves!
The same problem, I took a shoot, planted it, grew a little bit and began to bloom, but for some reason the leaves turn yellow, I would very much like to know this reason ...
In autumn and winter, geranium is sleeping, so the leaves turn yellow, fall off. Bring it to a cool room, from t-14. Rarely watered.
Good day!
Tell me why geranium leaves wrap, and how to deal with it.
Leaves curl up as there is little light. Place where there is more sun.
Good day!
Please tell me why the flowers of the geranium are falling, the red geranium blooms magnificently and the flowers do not crumble, but from the rose petals fall every day.
The same problem! Leaves turn yellow, the earth is wet (I follow it), stands on the western windowsill, threw out the peduncle, and the leaves began to turn yellow. What's wrong?
The reason for the yellowing of geranium leaves is unknown to science
Oleg, good afternoon! Yellow leaves - from frequent watering. 100 poods.
In order not to turn yellow, you need to water it once a week. When the processes turn yellow, they can be carefully torn off and they will grow again. I found out about this in the greenhouse where they bought Geranium.
I have geraniums at home, the sun at home is above the roof, I water it regularly, there are a lot of leaves, I transplanted it a couple of times, but it just doesn't bloom at all and I don't know what to do.
Geranium must be stressed. Put it in a cold place for a couple of days (+2). And then bring it back into the warmth.
Is there a pot problem? Geranium does not like large pots, it begins to fatten and build up the root mass, why should it bloom, it is busy with others)) Transplant into a smaller pot, cut it to the height you need, it will bloom like a pretty one!))
I went to the flower room and told about the problem with flowering, I was advised to have a "stimulus" against plant stress, after 3 days, buds formed on 9 out of 12 pots, now everything is in bloom. Beauty.
Natalia, what kind of "incentive"?
she split off a branch of geranium, put it in the water, after 3 days, the roots have already appeared, when can you plant it in the ground, please tell me?
Surprisingly, young leaves of WHITE (not light green), namely white, grow on geraniums !!! Tell me, is this normal?
And yet - is it true that geraniums can be watered with iodine solution (1 drop per 1 liter of water) for frequent flowering?
The same thing, completely white. I just deleted them.
You can plant as soon as the roots appeared! The main thing is to remove the foliage leaving the 2 smallest leaflets! White leaves are not iron grip, spray with ferovite!
And my hostess in a rented apartment vtv threw a 3-liter jar of water with 3 nails and insisted for 3 days and then watered flowers with them, with a lack of iron. The leaves are juicy and green.
Dear indoor plant lovers. Geranium is the most grateful plant. Plant the cutting in a pot, place the pot in a sunny place. When watering, do not wet the leaves, remember - any houseplant with pubescent leaves cannot be sprayed - the leaves rot, the plant begins to ache. Geranium takes root quickly, and most importantly, it will bloom profusely only if the pot is not too bulky, because in a large pot, the root system begins to develop more intensively, respectively, the plant does not have the strength to bloom. That's the whole secret of growing geraniums. I wish you all success. if you have any questions, write with pleasure I will answer you. Sergey.
how to prepare a plant for wintering? all summer there was a lush plant with a massive green mass, brought it into the apartment, the leaves began to curl up and turn yellow from below, I understand that there is little light, although the windows are all to the south ... can you cut it down? does it still sleep in winter?
Thank you for the warmth of your words about the plants. I was presented with a pot of amazing geraniums, but it seems to me that the earth in it is too light. Your opinion is whether it is necessary to transplant into another pot, or add garden soil to it? Thank you in advance.
Hello Sergey! Please tell me how often to water the already flowering pelargoniums ... which watering is preferable - in a tray or directly in a pot, how do you feel about fertilizers with "sticks" (Kemira evergren, etc.) - stuck it in the ground and that's it, nothing needs to be planted?
A friend gives a bunch of cuttings, she wanted to buy a box for seedlings and plant them all side by side. What do you think is it worth planting like this or is it all the same separately?
Tell me please, they gave me a geranium, grew on the street, planted a flower that blooms profusely, the leaves began to turn yellow, I cut them off, how to take care of them further, do I need to completely cut them for the winter? I have a north side, there is practically no sun, and is it possible to feed geraniums now?
Geranium does not like stagnant moisture, it tolerates drought more easily than the bay. Geranium also responds very well to iodine watering. 1 bar of iodine per liter of water. such watering is done along the edge of the pot, on average 50 ml per small pot. Such watering is done the next day after the main watering…. You will notice in 3 days how she has opened and increased the leaves! just don't overdo it with iodine!
geraniums need to be transplanted or debugged in the first half of February, now is the time. After all, geranium stretches out over the winter and creates an unsightly impression. Break off the top. A young shoot with 5-7 slices, tear off the lower ones to 4-5 leaves, if the lower stalk turned out to be with leaves and put in settled water.After a few days, small roots will appear, this is enough to plant the plant in the ground, do not forget to place a sufficient amount of drainage on the bottom of the pot. The pot should be small so that the plant enmeshes a clod of earth with roots in a short period, then flowering will begin. It is important: constantly pinch the growth point, only then the plant will be undersized and fluffy. What to do with the rest of the plant after cutting it out by cuttings? To shorten it to the height you need, the subcommittee with the "Stimulus" preparation \ the plants are stressed after the strain, then the plant will give lateral shoots, pinch them in time and they are grateful to take care of the lush flowering. Love this plant, take care of it without laziness and it will thank you for the absence of tili flies and, oddly enough, headache, if she understands you. Good luck!
thank
Tell me please! My geranium leaves disappear, as if someone bites them off. What to do?
Katya, look for aphids on the underside of the leaves. Perhaps this is the reason?
geranium leaves often turn yellow from overflow. geranium needs abundant watering noooo in no case should it be poured. it simply dies if the root does not breathe, so if you let the earth dry, the geranium will not disappear, and sometimes, after two or three weeks of drought, after a long and frequent watering, it simply transforms and you think why I watered it. at the same time, with such a long break without water, it does not weaken at all. although frequent experiments with skipping watering can lead to lethargy, but still, although they write about the need for abundant watering, from experience I will say that I think geranium is very hardy in relation to watering. I water it not more often than once every 4 days, and if I left it without watering for a second week, then I don’t even worry that something will happen to her.
In the summer they gave me a geranium and it bloomed with wonderful red petals. And today I noticed white grains on the leaves. How to deal with pests without harming the flower?
Today I transplanted geraniums in the winter - at home - in the spring - on the street. This fall I planted cuttings for the winter, the leaves began to stretch out, pale, did not bloom. Therefore, I transplanted. And I saw that many cuttings rotted and gave side shoots. I separated the shoots and I planted again. and the roots that are good ,,, also planted. I'll see what happens. I love, I adore geraniums, I just love them very much. Thanks for the advice and stories about your flowers.
And for the summer I plant it on the street right in the ground, and somewhere at the end of August I cut it in pots, as much as I need, I distribute the rest to whomever needs it or leave it in the garden.
And I have geranium ugh, ugh, it blooms very well. Now they have bloomed, bloomed for at least a month 🙂 I water well, 1-2 times a week. The leaves are normal. Tomorrow I'll put a new one in the pot. I propagate simply - I cut off the process, put it in a small container (for example, a glass, glass) and pour a small amount of water so that the water does not reach the leaves. And change the water every 3-4 days. After a while, it will give a root, you will need to plant it in a pot, preferably in a small one. Cover with a jar or glass for 3-5 days. Droplets will appear on the container. Opening this "mini-greenhouse" is NOT IN ANY CASE !!! Then water at first for the first time in small doses every 2-3 days. The main thing is not to flood. And then geranium will delight you with its flowers)) by the way, if you want, if you wish, you can spray it (not necessary).
I noticed that on some flowers some kind of green ‘stick’ grows from the center, who knows what it is?
This is a pollinated flower
Hello! A friend bought herself a geranium and ended up not grooming at all. Moreover, she did not even water the poor plant.Was at her house in mid-January and watered the flower, and unfortunately this was the last watering. It is now the end of April and now I went to visit again and saw that the flower still shows signs of life. I decided to take the flower and save it. What tips can you give to get out of it? Thank you in advance.
Hello, can I cut off the yellowed leaves? Or will they fall by themselves?
Good day. In no case should yellow leaves be cut off, the article says that you should not panic if the leaves are desired, the plant wants to shed old leaves. More info. You can find out in looking
Hello!
Please tell me what to do with faded inflorescences? Cut off? Or leave it that way?
Cut off, if you leave, the plant will not have enough strength to grow and this will only hurt.
MY BEAUTY HAS BEEN PLEASING FOR A LONG TIME.
FROM NEW - FROM THE MIDDLE OF 3 FLOWERS ARROWS GREATED.
WHAT IS IT - SEEDS WHAT?
PLEASE TELL ME.
Hello my geraniums do not bloom what to do and why.
How long does it take for the cutting to bloom?
Hello, my geraniums began to turn yellow and dry the leaves along the edges, and the leaf is green in the middle. Regular watering, standing on the sunny side of the windowsill. What to do?
Leaves burn from the sun, shade.
My flower grows without any problem
And all is well, thanks to nature for creating this kind of indoor flower!
What a cute message !!! 😀
I have a white geranium, but lately it is kind of pale pink. This is normal? ANSWER!
All of my geraniums get stiff, even those grown from cuttings, is this normal?
Geranium in balcony boxes. In September, cuttings of geranium. I throw geranium out of the boxes in November, tk. having eaten on a good earth-sun, she does not want to exist in meager conditions at home. I plant the cuttings closely in one box and so they winter with me. In the spring, in March, I do the seating in boxes, in May I take it out on the balcony. At temperatures below 10 in the house! There were yellow leaves-cut off. begins to bloom at the end of June.