Description of the flower geranium. The most beautiful types of room geranium

Pelargonium - description

Pelargonium (lat.Pelargonium)- a plant of the geranium family. In nature, there are up to 350 species of plants, which are usually herbaceous perennials, but there are also succulent plants and shrubs.

Homemade pelargonium surprises in that it can act on people in a diametrically opposite way: one of the aroma of Pelargonium becomes bad, while others it calms and relaxes. Only a few species of Pelargonium have been cultivated, but this does not mean that there is nothing to choose from.

In addition to their decorative qualities, Pelargoniums stand out and are useful - they are used in medicine and perfumery. Pelargonium essential oil is used not only as a fragrance for soaps or perfumes, but also is an excellent tool for purifying the air from harmful impurities and microorganisms.

Planting and caring for pelargonium

• Bloom: from May to October.
• Lighting: bright sunlight.
• Temperature: in spring and summer - 25-30 ºC, in winter - no higher than 14 ºC.
• Watering: in spring and summer - 3-4 days after the top layer of soil in the pot has dried. In winter - when the earthen lump dries up to a third of the depth.
• Air humidity: common for living quarters.
• Top dressing: in spring and summer - once every two weeks with mineral fertilizer for flowering plants. After the end of flowering, feeding is stopped.
• Rest period: from November to March.
• Cropping: annually during the period until early March.
• Transfer: young plants - annually, and adults - when the roots are completely entwined with an earthen lump.
• Substrate: humus, leaf, turf soil and sand in equal parts.
• Reproduction: seeds and cuttings.
• Pests: whiteflies and aphids.
• Diseases: root rot, gray rot, loss of attractiveness by leaves due to improper keeping conditions.
• Properties: some types of pelargonium are poisonous!

Read more about the cultivation of pelargonium below.

Pelargonium - photo

Pelargonium - video

Home care for pelargonium

Lighting

Indoor pelargonium is just one of the plants that not only tolerate direct sunlight well, but also need them. Conclusion - windows on the south side are most suitable for pelargonium. But, despite this, the plant grows well even on the north side, the main thing is that the daylight hours are long, otherwise the shoots will stretch out. In the summer, pelargonium is taken out onto the street or balcony, if possible. The room with pelargonium needs to be ventilated, because she needs fresh air for normal development.

Temperature

In summer, the temperature should be between 25 and 30 ° C, i.e. room temperature in summer. In winter, the temperature should be quite low, which is necessary for the normal flowering of pelargonium. So it is advisable not to rise above 14 ° C throughout the winter.

Watering pelargonium

A pelargonium plant at home must be watered three to four days after the topsoil has dried. You can check by digging your finger 1-2 cm into the substrate. It's summer. In winter, watering is carried out in such a way that the soil simply does not dry out. At low air temperatures and high soil humidity, the roots of pelargonium can rot, which, in turn, can lead to disease of the entire plant and its death.

Spraying pelargonium

The indoor flower pelargonium does not suffer from dry air, so it is not necessary to spray pelargonium. If in summer the temperature is very high, then it will not be superfluous to spray the leaves a little.

Feeding pelargonium

Feeding pelargonium is carried out once or twice with an interval of two weeks, a couple of months after transplantation. They are fed to improve flowering, for which they use phosphorus fertilizers. Feeding with organic fertilizers is undesirable - the plant absorbs them poorly.

Pelargonium pruning

Pelargoniums are pruned annually in indoor conditions, leaving shoots with only 2-4 nodes. This is done in order to obtain a lush flowering shrub. For pelargonium, it is necessary to remove leaves that have turned yellow or dried out. To do this, use a very sharp knife, and in no case tear off the leaves, since the torn edges can begin to rot. To prevent this from happening, the place of the cut is sprinkled with crushed charcoal. You need to trim the leaves so that the base of the petiole remains on the plant.

Pelargonium transplant

Young pelargoniums need an annual transplant, and older ones - when the roots completely entwine the pot with roots. On the bottom of the pot, as usual, drainage is poured, and on top is a soil mixture: humus, sod and leafy soil, peat and sand - all in equal parts.

Pelargonium from seeds

Pelargoniums, when propagated by seeds, can lose varietal characteristics, which must be taken into account when planting. For sowing, a soil mixture is made from equal parts of peat, sand and sod land, poured into a low container. For quick emergence, the temperature should be around 22 ° C, then the seeds will germinate within two weeks. Pelargonium seedlings dive into individual small pots, and when the pot becomes small, they are transferred into pots 9 cm in diameter. The first flowering with proper care is observed after a little over a year.

Propagation of pelargonium by cuttings

Homemade pelargonium is best propagated by apical cuttings. Cut the cuttings and root them either at the end of winter or at the end of summer. The apical stalk is cut off, and the cut is made at an angle just below the node. There should be at least three leaves on the handle. Best of all - three to five sheets. The cuttings are left to dry for several hours, and before planting, the cut sites are treated with a root formation stimulator and crushed charcoal. A substrate is poured into the container from equal parts of sod land, sand and peat, and the cuttings are planted around the perimeter. You can pinch the stalk to make the pelargonium flower lush. The container with cuttings is put in place with bright diffused light and the soil is regularly sprayed. After 15-20 days, the cuttings should take root. When the seedlings get stronger, they are planted in individual pots. It should be borne in mind that the abundance of flowering depends on the size of the pot: the larger the pot, the poorer the pelargonium blooms. Pelargonium will bloom 5-7 months after rooting.

Toxicity of pelargonium

Not all pelargoniums are poisonous, but it is better to wash your hands after handling the flower if it is not known if this species is poisonous.

Diseases and pests of pelargonium

Pelargonium does not bloom. If the plant is not sick and is not affected by pests, then this could be caused by wintering at high air temperatures and bright lighting.

The edges of the lower leaves of pelargonium dry out, which turn yellow. Pelargonium lacks moisture in the soil - it is necessary to increase the frequency of watering.

The lower leaves of pelargonium wither, turn yellow and rot. Watering too often, the soil does not have time to dry out between waterings. Leaves need to be cut off, and sprinkle with crushed coal powder.

The base of the pelargonium stem turns black. This is root rot. She is the "Black Leg". Read in the section "Diseases" how to deal with it.

Swelling on the leaves of pelargonium. Excess moisture in the soil. Pelargonium should be watered a couple of days after the topsoil has dried.

Gray rot on pelargonium. Pelargonium does not tolerate stagnant water in the substrate. Improper watering - gray rot is right there!

Pelargonium pests. Whiteflies and aphids most often feed on pelargonium.

Types of pelargonium

Aromatic Pelargonium / Pelargonium graveolens

Evergreen, strongly branching shrub, pubescent, grows up to 1 m in height. The leaves are pubescent, divided into 5-7 lobes, green. They smell good. Inflorescences are umbellate, numerous flowers are pink. The flowering period is throughout the summer.

Pelargonium capitatum / Pelargonium capitatum

The species is represented by evergreen dwarf shrubs growing up to 0.5 m in height. Shoots and leaves are pubescent. Shoots are straight. The leaves seem to be crumpled, divided into 3-5 parts, green. The inflorescence is umbellate. Flowers are sessile, grow in large numbers, pinkish (with shades of purple). The flowering period is mid to late summer. The leaves smell.

Fragrant Pelargonium / Pelargonium odoratissimum

Shrub, leaves are not shed, shoots are short. Leaves up to 5 cm wide, heart-shaped-rounded, with slightly ragged edges, covered with very short and soft hairs, smell very nice. Inflorescences are umbellate. Flowers are collected in 8-10 pieces, pink-white in color.

Pelargonium zonale

Evergreen meter-long semi-shrubs with pubescent and fleshy shoots. Leaves are usually whole and only sometimes slightly lobed, green in color with a brown border along the edge. Sessile red flowers are collected in multi-flowered inflorescences. Blooms from late spring to early autumn.

Pelargonium nodule / Pelargonium cucullatum

An evergreen pubescent shrub native to South Africa. Leaves on long stalks, green. The inflorescence is umbellate. The flowers are red-violet, numerous. The flowering period occurs in late summer - early autumn. There are varieties with double leaves.

Pelargonium grandiflorum / Pelargonium grandiflorum

One meter long evergreen shrub with many branches. Leaves are either lobed or dissected, reniform-rounded, or slightly pubescent or hairless. Up to 3 white flowers with red veins grow on the peduncle; flowers grow up to 3-4 cm in diameter. Flowering falls in mid-spring - early summer.

Curly Pelargonium / Pelargonium crispum

Evergreen shrubs with a large number of branches, grow to 0.5 m. The leaves grow in two rows, the shape is approximately heart-shaped, dense, the edges are ragged-wavy, jagged. Blooms in mid to late summer. Flowers grow on low pedicels in two or three pieces. The leaves smell good.

Pelargonium Staining / Pelargonium inquinans

One and a half meter evergreen shrub with fleshy shoots. The leaves are rounded, reniform, dark green. Inflorescences are umbellate. Pedicels are short. The flowers are red. Depending on the care, it can bloom in late spring, summer, autumn and winter.

Pelargonium fluffy / Pelargonium crithmifolium

They are succulent deciduous plants with thick creeping shoots. The leaves are divided into lobes of a feathery shape and a bluish color, they reach 8 cm in length, they can be covered with hairs, or they can be non-pubescent. Inflorescences are umbellate. Pedicels are 1.5-2 cm long, flowers grow in 5-6 pieces, white; pharynx with red spots.

Pelargonium pink / Pelargonium radens

Evergreen one and a half meter shrubs with a large number of pubescent shoots. The leaves are pubescent on both sides: soft below, and hard hairs above; the edges of the leaves are bent; the leaves are very deeply divided. They smell very nice. The peduncle is umbellate, pubescent. The flowers are pink with dark veins, growing in several pieces on the peduncle.

Pelargonium angular / Pelargonium angulosum

Evergreen pelargonium growing up to 1 m in height. The leaves are a bit like an oak leaf, but the leaf lobes are wavy rather than straight. They grow on a short petiole. The inflorescence is umbellate. There are many flowers, most often bright red. With proper care, flowering falls in late summer - mid-autumn.

Pelargonium tetragonum

This species is a deciduous shrub that grows up to 60-70 cm in height. Stems are straight, tetrahedral, light green or tinged with gray. Leaves are heart-shaped, petiolar, covered with sparse hairs, grow up to 5 cm wide; the edge of the leaf is reddish brown. The flowers usually consist of 5 white petals (with a cream or pink tint) - 3 large petals at the top, and 2 smaller ones at the bottom.

Pelargonium peltatum / Pelargonium peltatum

Ampelous evergreen shrub. Shoots are pubescent or naked. Leaves are fleshy, thyroid, shiny, green, also pubescent or bare, divided into five lobes, smooth edges. The flowers are white, pink, red, collected in several pieces in umbellate inflorescences. Blooms from mid-spring to late summer.

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After this article, they usually read

There are about 300 species. Homeland - South Africa. Indoor geranium unites all plants of the species grown at home. These include African geranium, called Pelargonium.

Geranium room: description

All room geraniums can be divided into two groups:

• Blooming with beautiful flowers.
• Fragrant, with inconspicuous flowers and fragrant leaves.

Geranium root is often branched, in some species it is pivotal. The stem can be erect or creeping (in ampelous plants). The leaves are dissected or in the form of a lobe, less often pinnate, covered with fine fine hairs. The colors can be monochromatic, zonal, colors - green of different intensities, with a grayish, red or blue tint. They all have long petioles.

Flowers are collected in cluster inflorescences, each of them consists of 5 or more rounded petals of red, pink, purple, white. In some varieties, they are marked with bright contrasting spots.

Geranium blooms almost all year round.

To do this, she needs to provide a sufficient amount of light and nutrients. Fruit-boxes are formed from the flowers. To many, they resemble the beak of a crane. The plant owes this similarity to several popular names that have taken root in different countries: "crane", "stork's nose". There are rather large seeds inside the fruit.

The most popular and beautiful types of room geranium:

• The most common is Zonal Geranium (edged, kalachik). It has 70 thousand varieties. The leaves are solid, with dark concentric circles of varying intensity. The stem is erect; if formed incorrectly, it grows up to 1 m in height. The flowers are bright, pink or white, simple in shape, semi-double or double.
• Ivy differs from the zonal shape of the stem. Long whips, decorated with smooth leaves, hang down. The flower is placed in hanging flowerpots.
• grows to half a meter. Leaves are solid or with stripes, dark spots. The flowers are large, simple or double in shape, monochromatic, of various colors, with colored spots, veins, edges. Another name is English large-flowered.
• may have odors of lemon, pine needles, lemon balm, ginger, pineapple and other plants. Variety Strong-smelling has a rose aroma, Fragrant - apple. Some scents are not very pleasant. The flowers are inconspicuous, pink or purple. The bush needs to be pinched regularly so that it has a beautiful shape. It is used to make aromatic oils.
• Geranium Angel with flowers similar to. Ampelous bush, lashes are shorter than those of ivy, covered with inflorescences with a large number of flowers.

Unicum hybrids have strongly dissected, very fragrant leaves. The flowers are large and beautiful, but smaller than those of the Royal. Miniature and dwarf ones do not require pruning. Bloom profusely.

According to the shape of the flower, several groups of zonal geraniums can be distinguished:

• Rosaceae with flowers resembling roses.
• Cactaceous with cone-shaped petals.
• Stellate with pointed petals.
• A group of carnations with serrated petals stands out.
• Succulents are a special kind of geraniums. The stems of the plants are bizarrely curved. Some varieties have thorns.

Reproduction

Indoor geraniums are propagated:

• Seeds, but this method does not always guarantee the repetition of the maternal properties of the hybrids.
• Cuttings.

Seeds are sown in soil prepared from equal parts of peat, sand and a double portion of sod land. The main part of the soil mixture is placed in a bowl, at the bottom of which there is a drainage layer. Seeds are scattered over the surface at a distance of 2 cm from each other, then the remaining soil is covered with a thin layer. Moisten with a spray bottle.

Cover the dishes with glass or foil, set in a warm place (temperature about 20 ° C). Every day they ventilate by removing the glass and shaking off the drops from it. When the first seeds germinate, remove the shelter, lower the temperature (you can set it on the windowsill, where it is lower than in the rest of the room).

The next 2 months, the seedlings are watered, waiting until it has 2 real leaves. Plants are planted in separate pots of small diameter. To get a beautifully shaped plant, pinch the top after 6 leaves. When sowing seeds collected with their own hands, they are first scarified. To do this, you can grind them with sandpaper.

Take a stalk, keep it in the air for several hours in order to plant it. Planted in a bowl with loose earth or coarse sand. Do not hide. When the cutting is rooted, it can be transplanted into another pot.

Cuttings are often rooted in another way. The lower leaves are cut off, the cutting is placed in a glass of water and the roots are formed. Then they are planted in a pot.

Landing

The soil for growing room geraniums is not very fertile. Otherwise, the plant will have many leaves, but few flowers. The geranium pot should have enough holes to drain excess moisture. A layer of drainage is laid on the bottom of the dishes: expanded clay, pebbles, foam.

Water as the soil dries up. In winter, in a cool room, they spend a couple of times a month. If the plant is in a warm room, moisturize more often. Plants that were planted in open ground are hidden in the house at the beginning of autumn. They do not tolerate transplanting well. unable to hold a large amount of soil, so the roots are exposed.

To make geranium easier to transfer, the branches are cut, limiting their height.

The cut off tops can be used for breeding. For the winter, a stem is left on which no more than 7 leaves grow. Shoots growing from leaf sinuses are removed. Leave those that grow from the root. Break off the shoots after every 5 leaves. Do not prune geraniums in December and early January. Rejuvenating pruning is carried out, leaving 5 buds on the shoot.

Growing conditions

- unpretentious plant. But often she dies due to mistakes in care. Usually this:

• The temperature is too low. Optimal from 15 to 20 degrees. If it is below 10 ° C, the plant disappears.
• Excessive moisture and poor drainage in the pot. This is manifested by yellowing and wilting of the leaves. The root system rots and the plant dies.
• The lack of moisture is manifested by the fact that the leaves turn yellow and dry out at the edges.
• With insufficient light, the leaves grow small, with long petioles, some of them fall off. The plant stretches upward, has a pale appearance. It is better to install the flower on the southern windows. Cover from the sun only on particularly hot days.
• Geranium needs constant bush formation. In order for it to be branched, the shoots are pinched. If you do not plan to collect geranium seeds, the brushes are removed after flowering. This will improve the appearance of the plant and allow other buds to develop faster.
• The size of the pot matters. If the dishes are too wide, the plant will not bloom well.
• Geranium is transplanted when the roots of the plant begin to break through from the drainage holes. If not transplanted on time, the leaves will begin to turn yellow and fall off.

Houseplant care

Tips for caring for your hero:

• The main thing for caring for geraniums is not to flood it with water. It tolerates excess moisture much worse than drought. Room geranium leaves are not sprayed with water. Drops of moisture can remain between the villi, creating conditions for the development of fungal diseases.
• Geranium easily tolerates high temperatures.
• Sometimes, when there is insufficient lighting in the room, geraniums are illuminated with garden fluorescent lamps. This leads to active bud formation.
• Fertilizers are applied throughout the growing season. A good result is given by the use of liquid top dressing. Geranium reacts positively to iodine. A drop of iodine is dissolved in a liter of water. Mix thoroughly and water the plant. This must be done so that the solution does not get on the roots. Therefore, it is poured over the walls of the dishes. The plant after such feeding will actively bloom. You can use any with phosphorus. Organic is not added.
• The dried soil is periodically loosened to provide air access to the roots. Use an old fork or wooden stick for this.
• Geranium care includes pest control. and mites are destroyed by treating the lower part of the leaves with tobacco infusion with laundry soap. After a few hours, wash off with clean water. Fighting whitefly is more difficult. It is more expedient to immediately start using insecticides of the Confidor type.
• If brown spots form on geranium leaves, this is a sign of a fungal disease - rust. To combat it, they spray it with Fitosporin. High soil moisture causes damage to root rot, water droplets during irrigation - gray rot.

used for landscaping an apartment. But in the spring, when the threat of return frosts has passed, it is better to plant it in a flower bed. All summer she will delight with lush flowering.

Geranium leaves are used in salads or baked goods. Used as a seasoning. This largely depends on the geranium variety and the personal preference of the owner. Geranium leaves are used to flavor clothes in wardrobes.

Application in medicine:

• Phytoncides secreted by leaves are capable of killing microorganisms that lead to various diseases. Therefore, an infusion of leaves and a decoction of roots are used to treat purulent wounds, diseases of the throat, gastrointestinal tract. Some types of geraniums have additional healing properties.
• The smell of geranium has a tonic and calming effect on the human nervous system. It helps relieve stress after a working day, improves sleep. Therefore, oils with various aromas are made from the leaves.
• Geranium is especially useful for patients with cardiovascular diseases. Its aroma improves the condition of patients with sinus arrhythmia, ischemic disease, normalizes blood circulation in the vessels.

More information can be found in the video:

There are a huge number of varieties in pelargonium and the classification of some species is still uncertain. Let's move on to the most famous plants that can be found in every person in the house.

Orange pelargonium grows up to 35 cm in height. Extraordinary look with a peach cap on each bud and a greenish tint around the edge. With good care for 4 seasons, it changes 240 inflorescences. Provides a pleasant view of the balcony. Does not require increased attention to itself. Prefers semi-shaded areas. Watering should be abundant, a little less in winter. In summer, it is best to take it out into the fresh air. You can plant seeds in any weather.

Ivy-leaved pelargonium is white. The foliage is medium in size, dark green in color. Compact plant. It does not grow quickly, but the buds of this variety are worth it. The flowers grow in large sizes up to 6 cm, the shape is folded in the form of a rose. If you hold the plant in the sun for a bit, you can achieve a slight lilac hue. Pelargonium Anita has the same beautiful inflorescences in the form of a rose. It is easy to grow and grows well. Read about it.

It differs from all the others, because even the origin of this plant is still unclear. The species is not included in any classification, which is why it is named unique. Its foliage belongs to dissected leaves. The aroma is spicy, without too much harshness. The small flowers are similar to the feather of a bird. Plants can have both monochromatic and bi-colored foliage. The variety is tall. The peak of popularity of the unique took place at the end of the 19th century.

Refers to zonal pelargonium. Their flowers are whitish with a pinkish tint in the middle. Small foliage. In a pot it looks impressive and without unnecessary flaws. It takes on a brighter tone in the sun. And in winter it requires special care and feeding. Pelargonium Silk also belongs to the zonal species. She is a true decoration of the home. You will learn about the varieties of this variety.

Miniature golden-leaved pelargonium. Belongs to the zonal group. Despite their small size, the flowers are large, white-pink in color, on which there is a pleasant golden tint. The leaves are semi-double with a light green tint. Each leaf has a bright brown area. Blooms at an accelerated rate. Unpretentious. In a small pot, the flower looks compact and fluffy.

Zonal pelargonium. The petals are wavy with serrated edges in the shape of a carnation. Light shading. A spectacular bush, unpretentious in bloom. Has a pastel orange tone. In order for a flower to sprout, it needs pruning. It bushes well, looks large and grows. Leaves are compact. Inflorescences grow up to 5 cm. Quite a well-known variety. Mostly good flowering occurs in the summer. This plant needs feeding.

Small semi-double species pelargonium. The first flowers give a size of 4 cm. Grows in large caps. The bush is graceful, compact, but rather moody. Not very tall. After pruning, the sprouts do not give immediately, most often only replaces. Reacts to temperature changes. The variety is gentle. It has a peach color with a pale white edging of petals. The trunk is almost always non-leafy. Formation does not occur immediately. In hot weather, it can throw foliage. The plant is noteworthy for its dissimilarity.

Small zoned pelargonium with salmon color. The lining of the petals is light, and the leaves themselves have a dark zone. A neat fluffy bush. The heat makes the cap turn white and thick, which gives a pleasant contrast. Shoots form quickly. Bright and pleasant to look at. Many buds are almost always present. The plant itself is small, which is why it will look perfect on the windowsill. Spraying is helpful. Take out to the balcony only in hot weather. Dwarf variety.

Dense double flower in the form of an unopened rosebud. The petals of this plant are deep red. Each rose is 1 cm. In hot weather, the red color becomes a little paler, and in winter, on the contrary, it acquires a bright shade. The inflorescence is dense. Peduncles of medium height. Green sheets with a cream-colored mosaic pattern. Treat the type of zonal. It blooms in the shape of a cap. Grows to medium size over time.

Pelargonium Albina grows rather quickly. After the emerging cutting, the peduncle rises for 3 days. However, the first bloom is not particularly abundant. 4 flowers grow on 1 peduncle. Large plant. Treat zonal, in terms of growth is considered a dwarf. Leaves are intensely green. The flowers themselves are double, white with a small red stamen, collected tightly. Due to the density of this species, the plant looks collected and neat. He loves feeding, therefore, thanks to courtship, the flowers become larger. Suitable for beginners who are afraid to take responsibility.

Zonal variety of dwarf speckled pelargonium. Florists are attracted by bright, golden-green leaves with creamy double flowers and red veins. The flower is decorated with light bright crimson specks. Long lasting. With a neat shape, it blooms profusely. The bush is plump and strong. Does not throw leaves, bush itself.

A neat decorative border and a barely noticeable pink color, which echoes with white, distinguish this plant variety from other terry types. The inflorescences are dense and delicate, compared to the dwarf type, voluminous. In the sun, the blossoming of the dovepoint turns from white to pink. Peduncles are short.

Mary belongs to the terry zonal pelargoniums. The inflorescences are tight, reminiscent of a rose. They grow up to 10 cm. The flowers themselves are white with a slight green in the center. When blooming, it can acquire a slight pinkish tint. The bush is fluffy. It blooms profusely in spring and summer. It should be replanted annually. Loves the sun and warmth. Tries to bloom even in low light. Prefers a complex top dressing. The name of this variety goes well with the name.

The wavy petals of pelargonium varnish are colored orange, and towards the edge of the flower they become completely white. The distinctly colored color can only be seen in the sun. In the shade, the brilliance fades. The plant belongs to the usual zonal variety, but in addition it requires careful formation. The leaves are elegant, thanks to the contrasting border of a brownish-green hue.

There is a light butterfly-shaped shade in the center of the leaf., which, basking in the sun, can give a bronze tint. The flower itself is large with a peach color and needle-like shape. The variety is not tall, the peduncles are short. Requires shaping. It bushes and blooms for a long time. He is not afraid of rain and heat. Looks great on the balcony in summer. The size can be easily adjusted with a small flowerpot. Unpretentious, fast-growing. It is the unusual leaves that make this species special.

Plant of terry zonal pelargonium. Flowers in the form of a red rose tint. The flower itself is bright and velvety. It blooms profusely, looks compact. The hat is round. The leaves are green, shimmer with a slight brown tint. Live has a very bright colorful color.

In summer, you can see this type of plant in gardens, flower beds and balconies. Differs in lush flowering and grace. Demanding enough to care. Blooms for a short time, about 5 months. But if you see this plant at least once, you will immediately want to bring it to your windowsill. Tsar Pelargonium grows up to 60 cm in height.

It differs from its colleagues in folded multicolored leaves, dense platinum sheet and jagged edges.

On a note. Not everyone succeeds in making such a beauty bloom. This particular person prefers warmth and sunlight for continuous profuse flowering.

It can put up with a small shadow, but it will bloom a little less luxuriantly. The soil prefers nutritious. You can add a little clay mixture to the soil. In cold weather, the temperature should be at least 12 ° C.

Tamara is many-sided and unique. The flowers are like dense pink and white marshmallows. The color is changeable with pink veins and a border of the same color. The plant is gentle and airy. A compact bush with small leaves. It blooms from infancy and does not cease to delight with the process. The petals are neat, with pointed tips.

Sunny side required. The soil should be moist at all times, but in moderation. It is recommended to spray. Red pelargonium grows up to 30 cm in length. It should be placed on the balcony immediately after the frost has passed.

Possesses a bright shade and universal resistance to all weather conditions. The variety branches well. There are huge inflorescences. The color of this type of pelargonium is similar to wine red. The leaves are ivy. Growing fast. Landing 30 × 30.

The plant is 30 cm tall with good branching. The color is white-pink. The inflorescences are large. The leaves are green with a slight dark tinge. Drought-resistant. Preference is given to sunny places with fertile soil. You can start planting from the end of January. The seed depth is 0.5 cm. If the temperature is kept to 20 ° C, then the seedlings can be seen within a week.

Pelargonium belongs to non-double, ivy. Large caps and beautifully colored color in various shades. Blooms profusely, completely covered with inflorescences. Currently, there are two popular types of Tuscany. Read about Pelargonium Tuscany and Edwards Elegance.

Bernd

Bright flowers, wide opening, deep red color. Each leaf is dark green in color with a bright brown ring. Refers to semi-double. The bush is harmonious, it never stretches. The lower part of the flower must be tamped tightly.

Hero

Large crimson-red flowers with white dots on the leaves. The bush is fluffy. It grows slowly, but branches very well. The leaves are medium-sized, painted in dark green. The bush is not tall, the average height is up to 25 cm. The color is very rich. Does not require growth regulators.

A herbaceous plant with a fragrant aroma. The height of the bush is 25 cm. The leaves are round, green with a small red edging. The flowers are pink in color with a slight pallor in the form of a spherical inflorescence. The plant prefers light. For feeding, choose a sod mixture, and prefer moderate moisture. If you treat a flower with love, then flowering will continue all summer. In the fall, a transplant and a bright place in the room are needed. For seed germination, the temperature must reach 20 ° C.

The difference between black velvet is in unusual chocolate sheets, which create an excellent combination with bright red inflorescences. If the bush is formed recently, then you can notice that at the initial stage there is a bronze dusting on the sheets. The height of black velvet reaches about 40 cm. The shoots are strong. Loves light, but the sun's rays should not touch the petals.

Pelargonium is unpretentious, but this does not mean that she does not need care. You need to check the soil periodically and water it on time. Prefers mineral fertilizers. Sowing 1 cm. It is not recommended to allow the soil to dry out.

The hybrid variety grows well at home. It looks like a large shrub up to 75 cm in height. Rounded green leaves. Umbrella-shaped flowers up to 3 cm, come in multi-colored shades, namely: white, red, purple, etc. Flowering lasts six months.

The most popular Pelargonium hybrids are two.

Ardens

A rare hybrid plant. A flower with the color of wine red, with a black stripe in the middle. This hybrid plant is easy to care for, but demanding on light. Moderate watering is required. An adult plant reaches a height of 20 cm.

Miss Stapleton

The plant never sleeps. This heart-shaped hybrid looks like a bouquet of pink roses. Stems are firm with stipules in the form of thorns.

Rosaceous pelargonium. Flowers are dense, double. The petals are of two colors. The inside looks like red wine and the inside is silvery. The inflorescences are dense. Leaves are greenish, folded.

Madame Pelargonium has several varieties. Let's consider the main ones.

Bovary

Type of terry zonal pelargonium. Fluffy bush. Blooms profusely. The flowers are like dark red wine, there are bright and large inflorescences. Keep the soil moist and spray as often as possible.

Seleron

Graceful pelargonium with variegated leaves. Leaves with long stalks, gray-green with a wide creamy edging. Has thin cuttings. Belongs to the dwarf group (read about caring for dwarf pelargonium at home). It blooms in a bright pinkish color. The variety almost does not bloom, but captivates with its beauty. The bush is compact, pleasant to look at.

Large flowers resembling a rose. The plant is white, with a rich white-pink border. Tight hats. The bush needs shaping. The leaves are green and have a dark area. Requires special care.

Terry ivy pelargonium. The flowers are similar to a blue-lilac shade. Compact bush. Needs a sunny area. Requires daily care. The plant needs additional minerals.

For the first time, miniature pelargoniums appeared in England. The height of small pelargonium starts at 8 cm and ends at 15 cm. Ideal for home use, can also be placed on balcony boxes. Leaves come in multi-colored green hues. Pelargoniums are light and airy, but this is not their only advantage. They are compact. They can bloom in any decade of the year.

Stanley Stringer is among the most worthy breeders. He was born in a small village called Okkold. He started breeding at the age of 50. The most popular cultivated cultivar remains Alde, which can be seen on the shelves today.

Deacons are also stringer dwarf varieties. Among them, the best are: tangerine and moonlight. The flowers in the mandarin are orange-red, and in the moonlight they are white and purple. The most impressive thing is that such a miniature plant has very large flowers.

One of his most recent cultivations is the golden goblet, which had a creamy hue, and the petals were strewn with red dots. Stringer left behind about 160 varieties of pelargonium.

Paradise Bitwell began life as a postman. Therefore, it has a number of geographical variety names. Bitwell became famous for the fact that he managed to bring out a new kind of variety with polka dots. And they were covered with red, pink and purple specks.

Among the varieties with small spots, the most popular are Milden, Semer and Elmsett. Milden has green-yellow leaves with bright white flowers covered with pale pinkish specks. Semer is a dwarf species of pink flowers with red dots. Elmsett is a zoned look of pale pink flowers with red dots. The latter species was named after Bidwell. The variety is decorated in a wine color with green-red foliage.

And last but not least, the famous breeder Brian West. West is known for developing a variety with leaves that resemble stars, which is why the variety is called. The varieties have spread all over the world. Even despite the unusual shape and the fact that they do not quite resemble pelargoniums, you can take care of them in the same way as for ordinary varieties.

There is also another interesting and unusual variety of pelargonium -. This is a plant with very unusual and beautiful flowers. Instead of the usual flowers, inflorescences appear in the form of tulip buds. We talked about such a plant of the Patricia Andrea variety in, and you will learn about the tulip-shaped pelargonium Red Pandora.

In recent years, Vesta has given birth to miniature plants up to 8 cm. The varieties were named anni popham.

Care rules

All plants require special care, and pelargonium is no exception. Usually the flower is in the room, and begins to bloom profusely in the summer. In winter, it is necessary to maintain a temperature of at least 15 ° C and avoid waterlogging of the soil. The plant is best left on the sunny side, but only where there are no drafts.

Pruning is carried out after flowering - in the fall. But if the roots have grown well, they make an exception. For pruning, you need to leave shoots about 10 cm.Do not forget about feeding for each flower. The transplant is recommended in February.

Plants can lose their compactness if not properly cared for.

On a note. It is best to get new specimens from cuttings that have not yet faded. Each stem should have about 5 leaves.

After cutting, the cuttings should remain for 2 hours in a dry room with fresh air. After pruning, cover them with plastic bags to help them take root. For the growth of pelargonium, a temperature of at least 20 ° C is needed.

Besides beauty, Pelargoniums also have medicinal properties for humans. After all, they contain an extract that heals respiratory tract infections. In addition, the oil of this plant has a soothing effect. But the main thing is that the flower goes well with any design in the house and allows every housewife to feel like a woman.

Pelargonium or geranium? The plant that many of us grow on windowsills is mistakenly called geranium. The confusion with the names - pelargonium or geranium - occurred because when in the 18th century the Dutch botanist Johannes Burman wanted to isolate these two plants into different genera, it turned out that the famous scientist of that time Karl Linnaeus had already compiled his own classification and mistakenly combined them into a general group. Blooming pelargonium, popular at that time, was actively used in Victorian gardens. And both plants began to be called "geraniums".

For a long time, pelargonium was considered an aristocratic plant. It was bred in the greenhouses of wealthy owners of mansions and villas. In the USA and Western Europe, this plant has been popular for more than one hundred years.

Unfortunately, in our country there was a period not only of the flourishing of the popularity of this flower, but also of incomprehensible oblivion. Probably, many remember the years when pelargonium received the terrible nickname "bourgeois flower", and for some time became unfashionable.

Fortunately, flower growers remembered these luxurious flowers, and clubs of lovers of pelargoniums began to appear in our country.

Pelargoniums are irreplaceable in garden design and in indoor floriculture. As a result of the work of breeders, many varieties and varieties of pelargoniums have appeared, which are gaining more and more popularity in ornamental gardening.

Pelargonium and geranium - similarities and differences

Both plants belong to the same Geranium family. The family includes 5 genera and 800 species of other plants. Geranium is the most numerous genus, and pelargonium is the most popular. One of the signs by which Karl Linnaeus united them was the similarity of the fruit pod. After fertilization, the elongated pistil slightly resembles the beak of a crane, which explains the name of the plant. Translated from Greek "Pelargos" means stork, and "Geranium" - crane.

Both pelargonium and geranium have erect stems with alternately growing leaves. The next similarity is that in both plants the leaves have a slight pubescence (covered with small hairs). Also, many geraniums have a special aroma.

Both pelargonium and geranium reproduce easily and are considered unpretentious plants.

Differences are visible, perhaps, only to specialists. Geranium and Pelargonium cannot be crossed. You just won't get the seeds. This is due to differences in genetic characteristics.

Homeland of pelargonium considered South Africa. The homeland of geraniums is the Northern Hemisphere. That is why southern pelargonium can winter only in indoor conditions, while geranium is more cold-hardy and can bloom even at 12 degrees Celsius.

In summer, pelargonium often decorates flower beds, verandas and balconies. But with the onset of winter, it must be removed to a warm room.

Geranium, on the other hand, feels comfortable in gardens, and even tolerates wintering, with the exception of the northernmost regions. Therefore, it is customary to consider geranium as a garden plant, and pelargonium as an indoor plant.

Is there some more outward signs, by which you can distinguish geranium and pelargonium.

• Geranium flowers consist of 5 or 8 petals. Usually, these are single flowers that occasionally gather in inflorescences. In domestic pelargonium, the corolla of the flower has an irregular shape, namely, the two upper petals are slightly larger, the lower three are smaller. Pelargonium flowers are combined into large inflorescences that resemble umbrellas.
• Geranium, among the huge variety of its shades, does not have scarlet. Pelargonium does not have blue flowers.

Growing and care

In general, pelargonium can be described as an unpretentious plant that grows quickly and multiplies easily. With good care, pelargonium can bloom all year round. There are various ways that even the most capricious specimens can. The leaves exude a pleasant spicy aroma, from which geranium essential oil is extracted under industrial conditions.

Growing pelargonium is not difficult. By following simple rules and creating favorable conditions, you will achieve lush and vibrant flowering. One plant can have up to 20 or even more inflorescences per season. These can be buds that have fully opened inflorescences and are already losing their decorative effect. Fading inflorescences should be removed immediately so that the plant does not lose strength and continues to bloom.

If pelargonium grows in the garden, then under favorable weather conditions, its flowering can continue until late autumn. This sets it apart from other ornamental crops.

By the way, it was noticed that there are no aphids on flowers growing next to pelargonium.

Lighting

Pelargonium is a light-loving plant that can also tolerate direct sun. Few of them are considered fussy and prefer places (such as terraces or balconies) protected from direct sunlight, wind and rain. On a windowsill in bright sun, pelargonium can overheat. Therefore, she needs good ventilation and protection from the hot midday sun rays.

With a lack of light, the leaves begin to turn yellow, the lower leaves die off and expose the stem. Flowering weakens or may stop altogether.

Soil and fertilizing

Pelargonium loves fertile and well-drained loose soil. The soil mixture can either be purchased or prepared by yourself by mixing in equal proportions garden soil, peat, medium-grained sand and a little humus.

Since pelargonium does not like stagnant water and requires good aeration, a good drainage layer should be laid on the bottom of the pot.

In order for the plant to delight you with lush and long flowering, care should include regular feeding (once every 2 weeks). Some growers do this: in the hot season, when watering is done every day, the weekly feeding rate is divided into 7 parts and fertilizing is introduced with each watering. If the clod of earth is dry, you must first spill it with water.

Any liquid universal formulations for flowering indoor plants are suitable for fertilization.

In winter, when the plant is resting, feeding should be canceled. With the onset of spring (in March-April), they begin to feed pelargonium with fertilizer with a high potassium content.

Fertilizers should be refrained from after transplanting the plant and given time to acclimatize - about a month.

Watering

Pelargonium is considered a drought tolerant plant. It is recommended to water the flower only when the top layer of soil in the pot dries up. However, the earthen coma should not be allowed to dry out strongly.

Excessive watering causes leaves and stems to rot, and can lead to plant death. Watering should be moderate. One of the signs that the earthy ball has begun to dry out is that if you touch the ground, it will not remain on your fingers. This means it's time to water. Watering frequency may depend on individual conditions and air temperature - on average, 1-2 days. In winter, watering should be reduced.

It is not necessary to spray pelargonium. Excessive dampness and poor ventilation can provoke.

By the way, these plants prefer dry air in our winter apartments more than high humidity. For this reason, pelargonium can be considered that rare flower that prefers a room to a greenhouse. Therefore, it should not be placed next to plants that require a humidifier.

Temperature

Comfortable temperature for pelargonium is 20-25 degrees. If the plant is on a balcony or terrace, it is better to protect it from gusts of wind and drafts.

In winter, if possible, special conditions can be created for this southern beauty - place it in a glazed frost-free greenhouse or loggia, where the night temperature does not drop below +6 degrees, and the daytime temperature reaches + 12-15 degrees. On especially sunny days, in order to avoid overheating, the greenhouse must be ventilated. However, there are varieties of pelargonium that are best kept at higher temperatures.

Good air circulation is one of the main conditions for a safe wintering. Therefore, it is not necessary to put too closely pelargonium. These flowers do not like to hide in the shadow of their neighbors, but prefer to show off. Plants with very dense crowns can be thinned slightly. Otherwise, with thickening and poor aeration, there is a risk of fungal diseases.

Pruning and pinching

Correct and regular pruning contributes to:

• Formation of a neat compact plant crown
• The appearance of lateral shoots and buds of inflorescences
• More lush bloom
• Obtaining high-quality planting material

Since among indoor pelargoniums there are a wide variety of varieties - with erect and lodging stems, dwarf, ampelous and tall species, you should approach pruning in each case individually.

Depending on the variety, the formation of the crown of the flower may vary. However, there is a general rule - pruning should be regular. It is not necessary to run the appearance of the plant.

Pelargonium pruning technique

Cutting is best done at a sharp angle with a razor blade, a sharp clerical knife, or a thin kitchen knife. Scissors are not recommended for this purpose, as they pinch the shoot at the cut. The cut is made over the leaf node facing outward. Then new shoots will not interfere with each other and thicken the crown.

In order to protect the flower from decay and pest damage, the cut must be sprinkled with crushed charcoal.

If you want to remove a young shoot, you can just pinch it gently, being careful not to damage the main stem.

In addition, “seasonal” pruning should be done.

Autumn pruning is carried out after flowering with two purposes - to form a beautiful crown and plant health. For this, all dried leaves, stems and flowers are removed. And also weak bare and elongated stems are shortened. Autumn pruning helps the plant to better endure the winter cold and maintain strength until spring. At the same time, almost the entire ground part is cut off (approximately at the level of 5-6 cm), leaving 2-3 eyes, with the exception of royal pelargonium.

You should not be afraid of large pruning, since over the winter, with the proper content of pelargonium, the plant will catch up and give young shoots.

Autumn pruning and pinching can be done until the onset of winter. And only with the onset of December, the flower should be left alone. Some growers insist on an earlier dormant period. The difference in approach is explained by the different conditions of the plant. It's one thing if you have the opportunity to arrange a real winter apartment with a cool temperature for your flower. It's another matter if your pelargonium is in a warm living room.

However, the general rule is the following: the plant should rest (in a cool room until January). Then pelargonium is brought into the heat and waited for it to grow. As soon as the flower begins to grow, it is pinched again for splendor.

Spring pruning of pelargonium carried out in cases where the bush has grown strongly over the winter or develops asymmetrically. This is best done with the approach of spring (late February - early March).

When pruning in spring, the flower can be fed with a nitrogen-containing fertilizer to accelerate the formation of shoots and green mass.

Reproduction

Pelargonium is propagated by cuttings or planting seeds.

Cuttings

Pelargonium reproduces well using cuttings. This method preserves all the varietal characteristics of the plant.

Cuttings can be harvested from early spring to autumn. Flowering time occurs in 16-20 weeks, depending on the variety. It is not recommended to take cuttings from dormant plants (until the end of January).

For reproduction, shoots 6-7 cm long with three leaves are harvested and the cut is dried in air for several hours. For dwarf varieties, cuttings 2.5-3 cm long are suitable.To do this, make a small cut at an acute angle, and remove the lower leaves. In order for the pelargonium to take root well, you can use root-stimulating preparations, with which you need to lightly powder the cut and plant it in prepared pots.

You do not need to cover the cuttings. At a temperature of 20-22 degrees and regular watering, young pelargoniums will soon grow. Usually, the rooting process takes from two weeks to a month, depending on the variety. When watering, you need to try to prevent water from getting on the leaves and stem, in order to avoid diseases. As soon as the cuttings have grown, they will need to be transplanted into separate pots with a special soil mixture recommended for pelargonium.

Seed propagation

The recommended time for sowing seeds is the end of January - February. Some gardeners have planted before. But in this case, additional lighting is required, since the natural daylight hours are still too short, and the seedlings can stretch out a lot.

The seeds are sown in a container with moistened soil and sprinkled with a thin layer (approximately 2-3mm) of the soil mixture. The optimum temperature for seedlings is 20-22 degrees.

Pelargonium seeds can be sown in individual plastic or peat cups, 1-2 pcs. In this case, picking is not required. The container with seeds should be placed in a warm, bright place. Seedlings appear in 5-10 days.

All this time, you need to monitor the moisture content of the soil and prevent it from drying out and forming a crust. It is better to moisten the soil by spraying. As soon as the seedlings appear, water gently, taking care not to get moisture on the leaves. After emergence, the temperature can be slightly reduced to 18-20 degrees.

In order to prevent the seedlings from stretching, it is better to provide additional lighting. Phytolamps have proven themselves very well, thanks to which a strong strong seedling is obtained. Pinching over the fifth leaf is done in order to get a compact and lush pelargonium bush. For the same reason, it is recommended to pinch the flower every 2-3 months. If the seeds were sown in a common container, the pick is made after the appearance of the real first leaf.

When propagated by seeds, the flowering period occurs after about six months.

Pelargonium photo

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