Pelargonium royal (Regal Pelargonium) - has large-sized flowers, it is also called large-flowered pelargonium. Seeing this flower, you can immediately fall in love with it, and by its external signs it is impossible to immediately determine that it is a geranium. After all, the plant is significantly different in many ways from other representatives of its kind. Pelargonium royal grows in South America. It was brought to Europe in the 18th century, and since then many new varieties have been bred by breeders.
Description of royal pelargonium
The plant is not at all like a regular geranium in shape. He has a wide bush, and the peduncles are located at the level of the shoots. The flowers reach up to 12-15 cm in diameter, outwardly they are somewhat similar to pansies. They have the same dark spots on their large petals.
When the plant blooms, it is completely covered with large open flower buds. The bush looks like a brightly colored ball. In this article, we will consider the basic rules for caring for this royal pelargonium.
Caring for royal pelargonium at home
Location and lighting
If, for example, you have acquired this beautiful plant in a flowering state and do not want to immediately transplant it into another container in order to admire the bright large flowers for as long as possible, you can not do this for now. Take a plant in a temporary flowerpot, and simply place it in a large, beautiful planter. This will complement the beauty of the flower. A suitable place for it would be a stand next to the window. Here pelargonium will be under diffused light, and it will be warm enough.
In spring, this flower can be planted even in open ground. If it is cool at night, it will only benefit the plant. It will bloom better. But the plant is afraid of wind and rain. It is important to remember his effeminacy. Therefore, it is best to put the flower on the terrace or balcony when it gets warm, where neither rain nor wind will be afraid of it.
Temperature
Unfortunately, these flowers do not bloom for very long. You can admire them from mid-spring to late summer. At the same time, sometimes it is not easy to ensure that this flower pleases with its flowering. Many amateur flower growers have problems with this. To achieve this, you need to know one secret. This plant should be kept cool for several months for successful flowering. During the dormant period, this plant requires a fairly cool temperature. In autumn and winter, it is advisable to keep this flower in a place where the temperature is maintained at about 10-15 degrees.
In the summer, when royal pelargonium does not bloom, it requires warmth. But the flower will also react badly to the heat. If the royal pelargonium is very hot during this period, the leaves will begin to dry out. In such conditions, the buds may not open.
Watering
Royal Pelargonium responds well to abundant watering during flowering. You can water the plant directly into the ground. In this case, it is important to ensure that the water does not stagnate. It is equally important that the soil in the pot does not dry out. This can lead to the fact that the leaves and flowers will immediately begin to wilt, and will soon fall off.
The abundance of moisture, which constantly stagnates, will lead to rotting of the root system. Therefore, it is recommended to water the royal pelargonium little by little, it is important to ensure that the soil does not dry out.
Top dressing and fertilizers
Like any other geranium, this flower needs timely feeding for good flowering. It is introduced only during the flowering period. You do not need to do this during the rest period. The best option would be liquid fertilizers for flowers, which are high in potassium and other important trace elements.
Transfer
When the royal pelargonium has completely faded, it will be possible to start transplanting it. To do this, you need to prepare the soil, which we usually use for all other types of geraniums. It is a land for flowering plants that is well-drained. It should be light and slightly acidic.
Topping
In order for the plant to bush, it is necessary to pinch its upper shoots in the spring.
Reproduction of royal pelargonium
Everyone who enjoys the beauty of royal pelargonium at home will want to reproduce it. For example, to give it to relatives or friends, or to put a few more pots in your apartment.
This is quite troublesome, but quite doable. For this flower, cuttings are the best option. The most favorable time is the beginning of autumn. It is necessary to take an apical stalk with several internodes. It should dry out within an hour, and then it is immediately planted in a mixture of sand and peat. According to experienced flower growers, putting a stalk in water is a useless exercise. It will simply disappear and never take root. The sprout needs only moderate watering. When it takes root, it can be planted in a pot, which is filled in the lower part with the drainage mixture, and in the upper part with the substrate. During the first year, the plant will grow intensively and develop its roots. The next year, the plant will please with its flowering.
Diseases and pests
During the cultivation of royal pelargonium, you can encounter pest infestation. Usually a whitefly or aphid appears on the leaves. Sunburn can cause stains on the leaves.
Types and varieties of royal pelargonium
Pelargonium royal species is an "aristocrat" among all other species. Its main difference from other types of geraniums grown indoors is the large size of the flowers. In addition, it does not have the pronounced characteristic odor that other varieties have. But the main distinguishing feature is that royal pelargonium requires special care, unlike its unpretentious relatives.
Over the past several decades, many varieties of this flower have been bred, which have various shapes and bloom in colorful flowers. Pelargonium Pink Mikado has petals of a pale pink hue. There are also varieties with variegated, pale red and white-pink petals.
Everyone will be able to choose a shade for themselves according to their own taste. The flowers are often terry, and the petals themselves are corrugated and sometimes wavy. The plant has large, rough, serrated leaves. But some newly bred varieties have small leaves and flowers. In this case, the leaves have the same shape.
