Growing and caring for pelargonium at home for beginners
Pelargonium flower from the geranium family is suitable for growing in an apartment. To prevent plants from withering and maintain a beautiful appearance, basic care for pelargonium at home is necessary.
Description and characteristics
Growing a flower will not cause difficulties even for beginners, since curly pelargonium does not need specific content. In the open nature, the flower grows in the southern zone, and at home the plant is kept at room temperature. Plant characteristics include:
- pronounced aroma, which depends on the specific type of flower;
- vigorous growth with proper lighting;
- the possibility of reproduction by cuttings, dividing the bush and seeds.
What is the difference with geranium
Pelargonium and geranium belong to the same family, but have a number of differences from each other. From the common appearance in plants, only pods. The main difference between pelargonium and geranium is the large umbrellas with red, pink or white flowers.
Popular varieties
When choosing a variety for planting at home, you should familiarize yourself with the most popular varieties. Each species has individual characteristics.
Fragrant
Fragrant pelargonium flowers have a lower visual component than other varieties, as they become small and pale. The main feature is a pronounced and pleasant aroma.
Royal
The royal species is characterized by a more lush and somewhat fanciful flowering in relation to the surrounding conditions. The height of the plant varies from 30 to 60 cm, the flowers are large and double, the leaves are folded and are distinguished by a rough surface and jagged edges.
angel
The Angel variety descends from the royal variety series and is distinguished by smaller flowers. Plants form buds with a diameter of 1-2 cm. The variety is characterized by growing in wide bushes, and not vertically.
Ampelnaya
The variety is distinguished by the ability to form graceful, cascading shoots up to 1 m long, characterized by dense five-fingered leaf plates of light green or variegated color.
Zonal
The category of zoned plants includes many varieties that are classified according to different characteristics. When choosing a variety to plant, you need to decide on these factors.
by terry
Terry affects the appearance of plants and forms the overall visual presentation.The plants may have no terry at all, and they are also medium and strong doubles.
Simple
There is no terry on the simple pelargonium, which makes the plants less refined compared to other varieties. This option is suitable for complementing flower arrangements without the need for an expressive accent. The single plant category includes popular varieties such as Santa Maria and Moulin Rouge.
Semi-double
Semi-double pelargonium is more lush than single and forms up to eight petals. Common varieties in this category include:
- Peppermint Twist - Crimson white flowers with a red stripe
- Georgia Peach - plants of a yellow tint with rounded petals;
- Calais - flowers of pale pink color with a central coral petal.
Terri
This category is distinguished by numerous openwork petals, which look fluffy on the outside due to the lightened underside. The flowers form round, dense caps.
The following varieties are the most popular in the category:
- Pebbles is a miniature cultivar with crimson petals whose center remains white;
- Shelk Moirac - densely double plants of a pale coral shade, with rich green foliage;
- Brookside Fantasy - plants with two-color petals, on which a lilac background is diluted with a darker stripe.
By the shape of the bud
The appearance of the plants also depends on the shape of the bud. This factor is worth considering if you want to keep the plant for decorative purposes.
Tulip
Pelargonium tulip flowers, as the name suggests, resemble a closed tulip. Undoubled petals are collected in buds, which form bouquets of lush inflorescences. Popular varieties include Red Pandora, Patricia Andrea, Linea Andrea.
Cactus
Large flowers with needle-like petals grow on the cactus pelargonium. Common varieties:
- Fascination - petals of a carmine shade, oblong, nail-shaped, with folded edges;
- Noel - twisted white petals with bright pink anthers rising above the stamen.
Star shaped
Outwardly, star pelargonium looks like carnations due to its fluffy, sculpted petals. Flowers have a wide variety of colors - from pastel to bright, rich colors. There are also two-tone versions of the star-shaped pelargonium. Varieties suitable for housekeeping include Pat Hannam, Freshwater, and Graffiti Violet.
rosebuds
Spectacular double rosebuds form flowers that resemble half-open miniature rosebuds. The similarity to bush roses is also seen in the leaves of the plants.
By the color of the petals
The shade of the petals is an important criterion when choosing a plant variety. The color of pelargonium is especially important when the flower is part of the composition and should be in harmony with it.
Two-tone
On two-tone varieties, the distribution of shades may be regular, or one of the colors becomes predominant. Often there are varieties with a central part of a different shade.
Tricolor
The combination of three shades on the flowers makes their appearance unusual and attractive. These plants become a home decoration and attract others' attention.
Spotted
On the petals of the speckled pelargonium, inclusions of different sizes are formed, which make their appearance more refined. The spots also differ in shade depending on the variety grown.
bird egg color
The name of the color is due to the fact that outwardly the petals resemble quail eggs.Vague spots appear on the surface of the petals, mostly darker in color than the main background.
To the size
Pelargonium can form flowers and leaves of various sizes. The varieties also differ in the maximum achievable height.
Depending on your own preferences, it is worth choosing a variety with suitable dimensions.
microminiature
The most compact varieties of pelargonium are tiny bushes with small leaves. In this case, the size of the flowers can be comparable to larger varieties. Typically, plants are about 10cm tall.
Miniature
This variety is slightly larger than the microminiature. Externally, the bushes spread out slightly.
Dwarf
Keeping dwarf pelargonium does not require a lot of space, since their height does not exceed 15 cm. Bright inflorescences form a lush cap, which contrasts with rich foliage and attracts attention, despite its compact size.
Normal
Plants about 30-40 cm tall are popular among indoor floriculture enthusiasts. Varieties that fall into the normal category form medium-sized shrubs with a spreading top.
Irene
The height of irins under favorable environmental conditions reaches 80 cm. The size of flowers and leaves also surpasses other varieties.
ivy leaves
Ivy Pelargonium got its name from the shape of the leaves, which resemble those of ivy - five-lobed, leathery and with a smooth surface. Outdoors, ivy flower shoots scatter over rocky slopes, and at home, long stems form decorative cascades and fall from the windowsill.
Succulent
Pelargonium, which belongs to the category of succulents, is an exotic plant with a hard stem.Like other varieties, succulents require good lighting and like to be relatively cool. An active period of development is observed with the onset of winter. The rules of daily care and maintenance are standard.
Angular
Plants belonging to the angular category can reach a height of 100 cm. The shape of the foliage of the flowers is similar to oak leaves, but the difference is the wavy lobes. Inflorescences take the form of an umbrella and consist of many flowers. With proper and constant care, the plant blooms from late summer to mid-autumn.
Fleshy
The undersized and fleshy variety of succulents is distinguished by thickened and cracked shoots with swollen nodes. The foliage of the perennial is pubescent, dense, with noticeable venation. The small flowers are mostly white or pale beige. Reddish streaks form on the upper petals.
humpback
Humpback pelargonium has nodding stems with thickened leaf nodes. The height of the plant reaches 40-60 cm. The shoots reach 3 m in length. Oval-shaped leaves are placed on short petioles and differ in sharply dissected lobes. On the peduncles 14-16 flowers are formed with a pleasant aroma.
Another one
This category is characterized by thick, woody stems of a light brown hue. The leaves are pale green, small in size, rounded, with irregular edges and light pubescence.
The foliage is arranged in clusters at the ends of the shoots, which gives the plants an exotic appearance.
Corusoliferous
A feature of the cortusoliform variety are the branching stems that grow upright and have close internodes.The small leaves are slightly wrinkled and pubescent.
thick stem
Compact plants with thickened stems are up to 20 cm long. The foliage is long petiolate, wide, with silver pubescence. 5-8 umbrellas are formed in each inflorescence. On a large number of varieties of pelargonium with a thick stem, a bright marking of the petals is observed.
Fluffy
Perennials in the category of downy succulents are characterized by creeping stems and leaves of a bluish color. Flowers of white color with a red core are collected in umbrellas of 5-6 pieces.
Unique
A number of varieties of unknown origin and many distinguishing characteristics are attributed to a separate group of unique varieties. Plants in this category form mostly erect shrubs with lignified stems and deeply dissected leaf blades. The flowers have a pronounced pungent aroma. As a rule, unicums are tall and form long shoots.
large-flowered
A feature of this variety, as the name suggests, are large flowers. Plants become a real decoration of the house due to their decorative properties.
Care and cultivation
In order for the flowers to develop actively and not wither, you need to provide them with care. Most varieties are unpretentious in terms of content, so cultivation will not cause special difficulties.
Content temperature
The most suitable temperature for plants varies between 25 and 27 degrees. With a significant deviation from these indicators, growth slows down.
Lighting
Pelargonium is considered a light-loving plant. Lack of light leads to the production of essential oils and a decrease in flower size.
Humidity
The air humidity for plant growth should be within the normal range.Pelargonium easily tolerates insignificant drought or excess moisture. In the warm season, the flower is recommended to be taken out to the balcony or terrace for fresh air.
watering
The plant needs moderate watering. The soil in the pots should be moistened as it dries, avoiding excessive water application to prevent root rot.
Floor
The best option is fertile, light soil with good drainage. In the case of self-preparation of the soil mixture, it is worth adding peat and sand to the soil.
Jar
When choosing a pot size you need to consider the variety being grown. Depending on the size of the plant, a container of the appropriate size is needed.
Top dressing and fertilization
Any variety of pelargonium reacts negatively to organic feeding, so it is better to stop at complex mineral fertilizers containing phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium. Do not use a solution that is too concentrated, as this can disrupt the development process.
Rejuvenating transplant
As the flowers grow, it becomes necessary to transfer them to larger pots. Planting also rejuvenates the plant by replenishing the soil.
Size and shaping of the crown
The old, yellowed leaves of the plant continue to absorb nutrients, so pruning is necessary.
As a rule, the procedure is carried out in the fall, while forming a crown in parallel to give a decorative look.
How to care in winter
Leaving with the onset of winter does not differ from the basic one. The only thing you can do to protect plants is to remove them from uninsulated places.
pest control
To combat pests, it is enough to spray with insecticidal preparations. Large pests can be removed manually.
the reproduction
You can increase the number of flowers through breeding. The procedure is carried out in several ways.
Cuttings
Reproduction in this way consists in cutting healthy cuttings of plants. Excess foliage is removed from them, leaving only the upper pair, and then left to dry. Dried cuttings are buried in small containers and given standard care.
Seeds
After collecting growing pelargonium seeds, you can sow them in new pots. After planting, the land with seeds is watered and fertilized for active germination.
Divide the bush
For reproduction by division, a bush is dug into the ground and divided into several equal parts. Then each part is planted in separate containers.
Winter maintenance
With the onset of winter, it is worth removing the pots to a warm place.When exposed to cold, the foliage and flowers darken, and then begin to wither.
Diseases
Adverse environmental conditions and violation of the rules of care provoke the development of diseases. It is possible to determine the type of disease by the characteristic visual signs.
black leg
Fungal diseases often affect immature seedlings. The disease is manifested by blackening of the collar, the appearance of rotting areas and the deposit of seedlings.
Gray mold
In case of damage by gray mold, dry spots form on the stems. In the absence of combat, the disease spreads to foliage and flowers.
leaf rust
A characteristic symptom of leaf rust is the formation of orange or brownish growths. Over time, the growths crack and the spores of the fungus come out.
Powdery mildew
The main sign of powdery mildew infection is the formation of white mycelium. Plaque forms on petioles, young shoots and the surface of leaf plates.
edema, edema
Edema appears as small bumpy growths. When the disease spreads, the entire side of the leaf plate is covered with growths.
Verticillary wilt
The fungus responsible for verticillary wilt is found in the soil and can kill the plant. The leaves of affected flowers begin to curl and bow to the ground.
gray rot
Gray rot is manifested by the appearance of spots on the shoots and leaves. The spots enlarge rapidly and become covered with a bloom consisting of spores and mycelium.
Stem and root rot
The reasons for the development of rot are excessive watering and feeding. The consequence of the disease is the colonization of the roots by soil-destroying fungi.
stem and root blight
Signs of mildew are brown spots surrounded by mold or covered in bloom. The affected areas die, which causes the death of the plant.
Other problems
In addition to disease, there may be other difficulties in growing pelargonium. It is worth familiarizing yourself with possible problems in order to try to avoid them.
Leaves turn yellow and dry
Yellowing and drying of the leaves are associated with a lack of fertilization. It is recommended to use complex fertilizers to saturate plants with nutrients in the right amount.
Wet and loose leaves
Leaf structure deteriorates due to waterlogging or pest attacks. Outwardly, the foliage looks shriveled and withered.
red leaves
Foliage redness is often associated with root rot.If you notice red spots, you need to avoid waterlogging the soil.
Pink tan on the leaves
This problem can occur due to leaf exhaustion. It is important to ensure that the sun's rays do not burn the green part of the flowers.
Falling foliage
Pelargonium leaves crumble due to drafts or temperature extremes. In winter, partial subsidence is a natural process.
The pot is too big
In the wrong container, the plant will not grow properly. For small pelargoniums, you have to choose the right pot.
Excess nitrogen fertilizer
Excessive application of nitrogen leads to disruption of the vegetation process. Fertilizers should be applied in portions and in small amounts.
Medical properties
The use of pelargonium is common in folk medicine. Tincture of flower leaves on alcohol has an antimicrobial effect and is suitable for the treatment of wounds and tumors.
Tips & Tricks
For the active growth of the flower, it is enough to provide basic care. It is recommended to apply the top dressing during the flowering period, to provide abundant humidity and to control the ambient temperature.
Application in landscaping
The decorative properties of pelargonium make it possible to use it in landscape design. The flower successfully complements the finished compositions or serves as a separate object for decorating the area.