Pelargonium zonal

The plant Pelargonium zonale (Pelargonium zonale), or edged - a common house flower from the Geranium family. People often call it geranium. Unlike real wild geraniums, zonal pelargonium is more thermophilic, although some of its varieties can be grown outdoors as annuals. The homeland of the flower is the south of the African continent.

Features of pelargonium zonal

The name of this type of pelargonium is associated with the color of its leaves. Slightly pubescent circular leaf plates with grooves are green in color and a darker ring pattern. The aerial part of the bush contains essential oils, which give the plant a characteristic aroma.

Bushes of zonal pelargonium reach 90 cm in height. To keep the flower compact and attractive, it is systematically cut. Due to its high growth rates (up to 30 cm per season), pelargonium quickly recovers. Once every few years, the bushes rejuvenate. They bloom in the summer season. During this period, simple or double umbrella-shaped inflorescences, consisting of white, pink, crimson or red flowers, appear on the plants. There are both monochromatic varieties and inflorescences with a more complex color.

Zonal pelargonium is unpretentious and, subject to simple rules of care, will delight with its flowers for a long time.

Brief rules for growing zonal pelargonium

The table shows brief rules for caring for zonal pelargonium at home.

Care for pelargonium zonal at home

Due to its unpretentiousness, zonal pelargonium rarely gives owners a lot of trouble, but for the health of the flower, its basic requirements should be observed. This is good lighting, a moderately tight capacity, adherence to the seasonal schedule of watering and fertilizing, coolness during the dormant period, as well as systematic pruning.

Lighting

Regardless of the variety, pelargoniums are photophilous. In a darker room, they stretch out, expose the lower part of the stems, and their foliage begins to acquire a lighter color and smaller sizes. Pelargonium can bloom most magnificently on the south side of the house. In this case, at noon, the bushes will need to be shaded a little so that the scorching sun does not leave burns on their leaves.

For full development, the bushes require about 16 hours of light per day. The east or west direction will not be able to provide especially large flower caps, and the flowering will end a little earlier. In addition, in shady corners, contrasting circular patterns on the leaves may disappear until the plant is returned to brighter light.

Temperature

Like all domestic representatives of the Geraniev family, zonal pelargonium prefers warmth. During the growing season, which occurs in spring and summer, the temperature in the room with it should be about 20-25 degrees. In winter, the flower is kept on a cool windowsill (about 13-15 degrees). Critical indicators for home pelargonium are 8 degrees. It is important to protect the flower from sudden changes in conditions, as well as from cold draft. In winter, the foliage of the plant should not come into contact with the window glass.

Watering

The health of zonal pelargonium largely depends on the correct watering schedule. The soil lump in the pot should not be either overdried or overmoistened. During periods of drought, the leaves of pelargonium begin to turn yellow, and excess moisture can lead to decay of the roots.

Pelargonium should be watered when the soil dries out by about 2 cm. In summer, watering is carried out about every other day, in winter - about once a week or even in a decade. The excess water is drained from the pan.

Humidity level

The foliage of zonal pelargonium does not need to be constantly sprayed; you can only do this periodically, during especially hot weather. In winter, you need to make sure that the flower is not in the immediate vicinity of the batteries and the dry air coming from them. At this time, next to the pot, you can place containers with water or put it on a pallet with wet pebbles.

The soil

For the cultivation of zonal pelargonium, moderately fertile soil is suitable. Excessive amounts of nutrients will lead to overgrowth of shoots and foliage to the detriment of flowering. You can use ready-made universal substrates or compose the soil for planting yourself. To do this, mix the turf with peat and humus, and then add a little coarse sand. Another additive, charcoal, will protect against rot development. The resulting substrate should have a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction. A drainage layer must be laid at the bottom of the container.

Top dressing

In order for zonal pelargonium to bloom regularly and abundantly, it needs to be fed with compounds rich in potassium and phosphorus. Nitrogen supplements will contribute to the development of the green part of the bush, so their volume should be minimal. You can use specialized formulations for pelargoniums or alternate mineral supplements with the addition of chicken manure infusion. Top dressing is carried out approximately once every 2-3 weeks, from April to the end of summer. Starting in the fall, they stop fertilizing the bushes.

Nutrient formulations are applied both in the usual and foliar way. After transplanting, the bushes should not be fed for about 1.5 months. During this period, they will have enough substances from fresh soil.

Transfer

Zonal pelargonium can be transplanted throughout the entire growth period, but it is still advisable to do this in the spring. The pot must match the size of the root system of the bush. Only in a slightly cramped container will the plant bloom better. Transplants into a more spacious pot are carried out when the roots of pelargonium completely fill the existing volume and begin to look through the drainage holes.

The most mature bushes can not be transplanted, but simply replace the upper part of the soil.

Pruning

In many ways, the decorativeness of zonal pelargonium depends precisely on the correct formation of its crown. This procedure is carried out twice a year. Otherwise, the plant will stretch significantly and begin to bare the branches, and its flowering will become more scarce.

The first stage of pruning is carried out in the spring. At this time, the tops of the shoots are cut off from the pelargonium. The plant will begin to bush, which will contribute to the abundance of its flowering. At the same time, about 2-5 buds should remain on each branch.

Further formation is carried out in the fall. At this time, the buds at the tops of the branches should be pinched, and the weakest branches should also be removed. For trimming, use only a sharp and pre-sterilized tool. This will help avoid infections.

Bloom

The flowering period of zonal pelargonium falls on the summer months. The buds begin to appear at the end of spring, and the flowering wave ends only in the fall. In order for it to last as long as possible, wilted inflorescences should be removed.

The color palette of pelargonium flowers is very diverse. It includes various shades of white, red and pink. Often, flowers can combine several tones at once in the form of color transitions or contrasting spots on the petals. Thanks to the work of breeders who are constantly working on obtaining new varieties with an unusual color or shape of flowers, you can find pelargonium, whose appearance is very far from the usual.

Breeding methods for pelargonium zonal

You can propagate zonal pelargonium by cuttings and seeds. The vegetative method is considered to be faster and allows you to preserve all the characteristics of the variety.

Cuttings

Pelargonium cuttings can be cut from the very beginning of the growth period of the bush until its completion in September, although the majority of flower growers are trying to complete all procedures by mid-summer. The size of the cuttings should be from 7 to 15 cm. The cut is made, stepping back from the node down by about 0.5 cm. The lowest leaf is removed at the same time. Excessively large leaf blades can be shortened to reduce moisture evaporation. The existing peduncles are also subject to removal - they will take away the strength from the cutting and interfere with the formation of roots. If the cut was taken from a weakened plant, you can treat the cut with a rooting stimulator.

As a rule, cuttings of pelargonium take root very well. If the room keeps at least 20 degrees, the roots will appear in about a couple of weeks. You can plant cuttings in the ground immediately or pre-hold them in water. It is important to make sure that the planting material is not on a cold window - this can provoke the development of a "black leg".

Growing from seeds

Seeds can also be used for reproduction. They are acquired or collected independently by artificial pollination. Sowing is carried out in early spring. For the seeds to germinate better, the hard shell of each seed can be lightly rubbed with fine-grained sandpaper. Then the seed is wrapped in a thin cloth and soaked in water for several hours.

Seeds prepared in this way are sown in a container with moist peat soil with the addition of perlite (1:10). They are spread over the surface of the soil, and then lightly sprinkled and covered with a film or glass. Crops should be kept warm (at least 20 degrees), and the level of soil moisture should be monitored. The germination period takes about a couple of weeks.After the emergence of seedlings, the shelter is removed and they try to provide the seedlings with diffused lighting. When 2-3 true leaves are formed on them, the plants dive.

Diseases and pests

The causes of zonal pelargonium diseases are usually the use of contaminated soil that has not been previously disinfected before planting, or non-compliance with the recommended agricultural practices. The most common problems include:

• Lack of flowering - excess nitrogen supplements, lack of light, lack of cool wintering.
• The foliage of the bush turns red - excessively dry or cold indoor air.
• The lower leaves turn yellow and become covered with brown spots - overdrying of the soil.
• The stem at ground level begins to rot - excessive watering.
• Yellow spots on foliage - burns from the bright sun.
• The edges of the leaf plates turn yellow - the bush was standing in a draft, near a battery, or was subjected to a sharp change in temperature.
• The tips of the leaves dry up - the humidity in the room is too low.
• The fall of the lower foliage is most often not a sign of a disease, but a natural process of pelargonium growth.
• Stem blackening is a sign of "black leg", a fungal disease that occurs due to untreated soil or excessive moisture.
• Light circles on foliage are a symptom of rust. Usually, the reason for the development of such a disease is excess heat and moisture.
• The stems and the underside of the foliage are covered with a gray fluff - mold caused by excessive watering.

Pelargonium pests include aphids, spider mites, whiteflies and mealybugs.

Zonal pelargonium varieties with photos and names

Pelargonium was domesticated back in the 18th century. During this impressive period, breeders were able to get more than one thousand spectacular varieties of this flower. The main work was aimed at reducing the size of the bush, as well as creating more unusual and lush inflorescences.

Due to the huge number of varieties, flower growers have many internal classifications. For example, among the varieties of zonal pelargonium, several groups can be conditionally distinguished according to the shape of flowers.

• Rosaceae - double flowers of these varieties resemble miniature roses. This group of varieties is drought-resistant and, like all others, is light-requiring.
• Tulip - the shape of the flowers of this group, bred in the middle of the 20th century, resembles mini-tulips. The flowering of these varieties is very lush.
• Carnation - thanks to the split edges of the petals, the large flowers of these pelargoniums look like carnations.
• Star-shaped - foliage and flowers of such varieties have a more elongated shape and a slight sharpening at the edges, giving them an unusual and interesting look. This group of pelargoniums also appeared in the 20th century.
• Cactus - rather long and twisted petals of these flowers make them look a bit like cactus dahlias. Such an original "shaggy" gives the varieties a special charm.
• "Deacons" - hybrids obtained on the basis of zonal and ivy-leaved pelargonium, form small bushes, but bloom very luxuriantly. The flowers can be pink, red or orange in color.

Among the most common varieties of zonal pelargonium:

Yu-Jiga

Highly decorative standard grade. Elegant and compact bushes have a straight stem. The inflorescences have a bright coral color and consist of flowers with many petals.

Lake

This variety is distinguished by its unpretentiousness, as well as its miniature size. The foliage of these bushes has a bright green color with a brown central circle. Another feature of Lake is its very lush bloom. A lot of peduncles are formed on the bush, on which spherical inflorescences are located. They consist of double salmon-colored flowers.

Rafaella F1

One of the modern varieties with both compactness and decorativeness. In height, such plants reach only 30 cm. During flowering, a large number of inflorescences-balls are formed on the bushes.They are made up of double flowers, the petals of which fit tightly to each other. The color of pelargoniums of this series can be different: from white to peach, orange, scarlet or deep purple.

Bold Gold

This variety is suitable for both potting and outdoor cultivation. The bushes have strong and branched shoots. The foliage is light green and complemented by a large brownish ring in the center. Globular inflorescences consist of densely double flowers. The petals can be colored in shades of peach, orange and pink.

Minx

A variety that is distinguished by its miniature size and a particularly spectacular appearance. Its beauty lies in the combination of emerald leaves with large carmine inflorescences, including double flowers. Another remarkable feature of this variety is the absence of the need to form a bush. Such plants by themselves branch well and do not stretch, while maintaining compactness.

Ainsdale Duke

This variety is one of the standard ones. Ainsdale Duke boasts an especially abundant bloom. The bushes have erect, branchy shoots; periodic pinching will be enough to form the crown. The bright red flowers are large and form spherical inflorescences.

Colorama

An unpretentious plant, suitable for both home and garden. Bushes with strong branchy shoots have bright green foliage with a brownish ring pattern. The flowers have a semi-double structure and form spherical inflorescences. The densely packed flowers include shades of white, pink, purple, red and peach.

Quantum light pink

This variety has a very original look. Such pelargonium reaches a height of about 30 cm and has finger-shaped foliage. Its flowers are especially unusual. They resemble stars due to elongated petals with a pointed tip. The color of the inflorescences is light pink, fading towards the center of the flower.

Grand Canyon

The diameter of dense inflorescences of this variety reaches 12 cm.The bushes themselves have a very compact size, and their height does not exceed 35 cm.The flowers are painted in a delicate pinkish-salmon shade, they have several rows of petals and look very magnificent and elegant on the bushes.

Mix

The leaves of this cultivar group have an unusual color for pelargonium. Rounded leaf blades in the center are colored in a chocolate shade, as it approaches the edge, this color turns into light green. The colors of the inflorescences include light tones, due to which the flowers contrast with the dark background of the foliage.

Mrs Pollock

Variegated form of pelargonium. Bushes Mrs. Pollock looks incredibly impressive even after flowering. The foliage has a light green center surrounded by a dark burgundy ring, and towards the edges the leaf blade acquires a pale beige color. Carmine flowers have a simple structure, but they form fairly large inflorescences.

Mirka

The main difference between this variety is large, up to 15 cm in diameter, ball-shaped inflorescences. They consist of simple scarlet flowers and are held on fairly high peduncles. The bushes are compact in shape, their height reaches 35 cm. The foliage is painted in an emerald hue and has a brown ring pattern in the center.

Cabaret

Unpretentious plants with very large (from 12 to 15 cm) and dense inflorescences. The flowers included in them can be either simple or semi-double. Their color can be milky, coral, peach or ruby. The size of the bushes reaches 30 cm.

Quantum salmon

A profusely flowering variety with an unusual flower shape. The palmate leaf blades of such pelargonium are colored deep emerald green and are complemented by a brownish ring. Each of the inflorescences includes many star-shaped flowers. They are painted in a peach-pink shade that lightens as they approach the edges.

Useful properties of zonal pelargonium

Pelargonium essential oils help in the treatment of many diseases. Inhaling the scent of the leaves of the plant will help get rid of insomnia, cure neurosis, and also cope with hypertension and diseases of the heart and blood vessels. The flower is also used industrially - its essential oil can be found in many cosmetics. The phytoncides secreted by pelargonium help cleanse the air in the room from germs and bacteria.