Surely everyone is well aware of the red geranium in a pot - the favorite of our grandmothers. It must be said that this generally recognized attribute of bourgeois comfort still decorates the window sills of not only residents of our country, but also Europeans. But the correct name of this flower is pelargonium, and anyone can envy the variety of its modern varieties and their colors. In addition, it is now customary to grow it not on the windowsill, but in the garden or on the balcony.
Geranium and pelargonium belong to the Geranium family. But geranium is a resident of the middle zone, and most varieties of pelargonium come from the savannahs of South Africa. Therefore, this flower loves the sun and easily tolerates lack of moisture.
Both the names “geranium” and “pelargonium” come from the Greek language. The first of them is translated as “stork”, and the second as “crane”, since the shape of the fruits of these plants resembles the beak of a stork.
In its current “cultivated” form, this flower first appeared in Holland in the 16th century. In Europe, pelargoniums appeared at the end of the 17th - beginning of the 18th centuries. But if then it was just an African exotic, then in the 18th and 19th centuries pelargonium became one of the most popular flowers, with about a thousand varieties. She gained particular popularity in Great Britain, becoming a symbol of the Victorian style of “good old England”.
In England, France, the USA, and Australia, societies of pelargonium lovers are organized, which annually organize exhibitions where the best varieties are exhibited. In 1960, the Geranium Garden was created in Orleans.
In the last century, a lot of breeding work was carried out to develop numerous hybrids and varieties. Variegated plants were obtained, dwarf forms, varieties with white and two-color, as well as double flowers were bred.
IN Russia Pelargonium became widespread in the 19th century. It is known that in the greenhouse of the Alexander Garden, the most significant in Moscow, 20 species of South African geraniums were grown in 1858. IN Crimea Pelargonium was planted in flower beds in the palace park of Count Vorontsov, in the Nikitsky Botanical Garden.
At the end of the 19th century, other flower crops began to come into fashion, and pelargonium received the offensive nickname “bourgeois flower” and fell out of sight of flower growers for a while.
Now geraniums have returned to their former glory and can often be seen on window sills in modern apartments. Maybe you also have a pot of this plant on your window.
Geranium has been known as a medicine since ancient times.
Traditionally, it was planted near the house to protect against evil spirits.
The geranium plant was very loved and revered by working people, especially artisans, because of its ability to purify the poisonous air of tinkering and shoe workshops, and to absorb fumes and dampness. Modern research has confirmed that geranium actually absorbs toxic substances and radionuclides from the air, and also copes well with viruses and bacteria.
If you put pelargonium leaves in jars of jam, it will not become moldy.
According to ancient beliefs, geranium with pink flowers attracts love, it is used in love magic, but white geranium increases fertility.
Pelargonium oil (most commonly Pelargonium graveolens) is widely used in aromatherapy. Geranium oil was first obtained in 1819 by the French chemist Recluse. Here is this type of geranium:
Article date: 06/25/2007
Family: Geraniums (Geraniaceae).
Common name: Geranium.
Homeland: mainly in South Africa.
Bloom: depending on the species from spring to autumn.
Height: fast.
Light: bright. The plant tolerates direct sunlight.
Temperature: in summer - indoor. In winter, pelargoniums are kept as cool as possible, at a temperature of 8-12?.
Watering: moderate, since pelargoniums do not like waterlogging. In winter, plants are watered very sparingly.
Air humidity: does not play a significant role. On hot days you can spray.
Feeding: 2-3 months after transplantation, pelargonium is fed with superphosphate, which stimulates flowering. Plants do not tolerate fresh organic fertilizers well.
Trimming: yellowed and drying leaves must be cut off, leaving the lower part of the petiole on the stem.
Rest period: from November to February. The plant is kept in a cool (8-12°C) place, watered extremely carefully.
Transfer: young ones are replanted annually, adults - as needed.
Reproduction: seeds, cuttings.
Pelargonium ( Pelargonium L'Her) is one of the most common and beloved indoor and balcony plants, often incorrectly called geranium. Natural species of pelargonium, and there are from 280 to 350 plants of the geranium family, are distributed mainly in South Africa.
These are herbaceous plants and subshrubs, less often shrubs, sometimes succulents, with leaves of various shapes - whole, lobed or deeply dissected. The flowers are collected in umbrella-shaped inflorescences.
Unlike true geranium (genus Geranium ),
in which the flowers are absolutely regular (i.e. with several planes of symmetry), pelargonium flowers are bilaterally symmetrical (have one plane of symmetry).
The fruit, a long narrow capsule that becomes thinner towards the top, resembles the shape of a stork’s beak, which is where the name of the genus comes from (from the Greek pelargos – stork).
Many species are widespread ornamental plants and are represented in the collections of botanical gardens; some are valuable raw materials for extracting essential oils used in the perfume and soap industries. A number of species are suitable for growing indoors.
Some people (precisely some - a number of people suffer from the smell of pelargonium, it all depends on the characteristics of the body) who inhale the smell of the plant calm down and their insomnia goes away. Pelargonium helps with hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. It also has a beneficial effect on metabolic processes, the secretory function of the gastrointestinal tract, the endocrine system and sexual potency. In folk medicine, a decoction of pelargonium leaves is used to treat headaches. Pelargonium preparations relieve headaches and normalize sleep. An infusion of the herb is drunk for dysentery, acute and chronic enterocolitis, and water decoctions are used for pulmonary hemorrhages, tonsillitis, they wash festering wounds, and relieve aching joints.
Pelargonium essential oil, obtained by steam distillation, contains substances that have a detrimental effect on some pathogens (therefore it is used to treat infectious diseases). Essential oil refreshes the air and cleanses it of harmful impurities.
Compresses with crushed pelargonium leaves are made for patients with radiculitis or osteochondrosis.
During the hot summer months, pelargoniums repel flies.
Plants that shed leaves during dormancy:
Pelargonium fluffy-leaved (Pelargonium crithmifolium Sm.)- photo. The plant is native to South and South-West Africa. Succulents, fork-branched, shrubs, with creeping shoots up to 1.5 cm thick. The leaves are pinnately lobed, 5-8 cm long, slightly pubescent or smooth, bluish. Flowers of 4-6 are collected in umbels, white, with red spots on the throat; pedicels 1-2.5 cm long. Grows well in moderately warm rooms. Propagated by cuttings and seeds.
Pelargonium quadrangular (Pelargonium tetragonum(L. f.) L'Her.). Homeland - South Africa.a Bushy plant 30-70 cm high, with stems branched at the base, erect or lodging, consisting of three-tetrahedral segments 6-8 mm wide of various colors - from light green to green-gray. The leaves are alternate, on long petioles, slightly pubescent, 2-5 cm wide, and usually dry out and fall off in winter. The leaf blade is heart-shaped with a red-brown edge. In spring or summer, flowers appear on the plant, resembling a butterfly in shape, with a color ranging from white-cream to pale pink, with 3 large upper petals and 2 small lower ones. Grows well in a lighted and ventilated room with a temperature of at least 10°C. Watering in the spring-summer period is plentiful, in the autumn-winter period - limited. The soil is nutritious with good drainage. Propagated in spring and summer, by cuttings from the central part of the stems, rooted in a sandy, almost dry substrate.
Evergreen shrubs and subshrubs:
Pelargonium angularis (Pelargonium angulosum Mill.). It is found in the southwestern part of the Cape Province (South Africa). Plants up to 1 m tall. The leaves are oval, 3–5-angled, lobed, broadly wedge-shaped, pointed at the base. The petiole is short. The inflorescence is a multi-flowered umbrella. The flowers are bright red. Blooms in August-October. As part of parental pairs, it was used in work on breeding garden pelargoniums (as a result of crossings with P. grandiflorum).
Pelargonium capitata (Pelargonium capitatum(L.) L'Her.)- photo. Inhabits wet soils on coastal dunes in the Cape Province (South Africa). Evergreens, subshrubs 0.5–0.6 m tall, densely pubescent; shoots are straight, widely spread. Leaves 3–5 obtuse, serrated; stipules broadly heart-shaped, dense. The inflorescence is a multi-flowered umbrella. The flowers are sessile, purple-pink - photo. Blooms in July-August. Leaves with a pleasant aroma; An essential oil is extracted from them, which smells like rose oil. It is an indoor plant.
Pelargonium curly (Pelargonium crispum(P. J. Bergius) L'Her.). It grows in the southwestern part of the Cape Province (South Africa). Evergreen plants, shrubs 0.3–0.6 m tall, highly branched. The leaves are arranged in two rows, small, almost heart-shaped, 3-lobed, curly at the edges, unevenly toothed, hard, with a pleasant lemon aroma. Flowers are collected in groups of 2–3, on short stalks - photo. Blooms in July–August. It is an indoor plant.
Pelargonium capulata (Pelargonium cucullatum(L.) L'Her.)- photo. The plant's homeland is the Cape Province (South Africa). Strongly branched shrubs, shoots densely pubescent. The leaves are kidney-shaped, densely pubescent. Umbrellas multi-flowered. The flowers are purple-red. Blooms in August–September. Form Flora pleno has double flowers. As part of parental pairs, it was used in the breeding of garden varieties of pelargonium.
Pelargonium grandiflora (Pelargonium grandiflorum(Andrews) Willd.). The plant's homeland is South-West Africa, Cape Province (South Africa). Evergreens, branched subshrubs up to 90 cm tall. Leaves are kidney-shaped, rounded, more or less 5-7 lobed or dissected, glabrous or slightly silky-hairy, coarsely toothed at the edges; stipules free, ovate. Peduncle with 2–3 flowers. The flowers are 2.5–3.5 cm in diameter, white, with reddish veins. Blooms in April–June. As part of parental pairs, it was used in work on breeding large-flowered garden pelargoniums.
Pelargonium fragrant (Pelargonium graveolens L'Her.). Grows in the southern and southwestern parts of the Cape Province (South Africa). The shrubs are highly branched, up to 1 m tall, with short glandular hairs. Leaves are 5–7 lobed; the lobes are deeply notched (almost pinnately notched), pubescent on both sides, with a pleasant strong aroma. Flowers collected in multi-flowered umbels, pink, dark pink. Blooms profusely in summer.
Pelargonium staining (Pelargonium inquinans(L.) L'Her.)- photo. The homeland of the plant is Natal (South Africa). Shrubs up to 1.5 m tall; young shoots are more or less fleshy and pubescent. The leaves are rounded-reniform (sometimes finely lobed), glandular-pubescent; stipules broadly heart-shaped. The flowers are collected in umbels, on short stalks, scarlet-red. It blooms from May to autumn, sometimes in winter. It is one of the parent forms of garden zonal pelargoniums.
Pelargonium fragrant (Pelargonium odoratissimum(L.) L'Her.)- photo. The plant's homeland is the Cape Province (South Africa). Shrubs with a short, 15–22 cm tall, branched trunk; branches are short, herbaceous; crown is rounded. The leaves are heart-shaped, rounded, 2.5–5 cm wide, bluntly toothed at the edges, softly silky pubescent, with a strong pleasant aroma; stipules triangular, small. Flowers of 5–10 are collected in umbels, white to pink. Blooms in summer. Widely distributed in culture, suitable for growing indoors.
Pelargonium corymbose (Pelargonium peltatum(L.) L'Her.). Homeland - Southeast Africa. Shrubs; branches are branched, drooping, bare or covered with small hairs, slightly ribbed. The leaves are thyroid-shaped, 7–10 cm wide, 5-lobed, entire, glossy green, glabrous, sometimes finely pubescent, fleshy. Flowers of 5–8 are collected in umbels, pink-red, white. Blooms from spring to autumn. There are many forms. As part of parental pairs, it was used in the breeding of garden pelargoniums. Often used as an hanging plant, it grows well in rooms.
Pelargonium pink (Pelargonium radens H. E. Moore ( P. radula(Cavend.) L'Her.))- photo. It grows on mountain slopes, along river banks on sandy soils in the southern and southwestern parts of the Cape Province (South Africa). Branched shrubs, up to 1.5 m tall, with hard short hairs. The leaves are deeply divided; the lobes are linear, densely covered with hairs above and softer hairs below, with curved edges, with a strong pleasant aroma. Inflorescence of 4–5 small flowers. The peduncle is densely pubescent. The flowers are pale purple, with dark veins - photo. Blooms in summer.
Pelargonium zonal (Pelargonium zonale(L.) L'Her.). Synonym: Geranium zonal (Geranium zonale L.). It is found in shrubby semi-savanna in the south-eastern and southern parts of the Cape Province (South Africa). Evergreen subshrubs 0.8–1 (1.5) m tall; shoots are fleshy, pubescent. The leaves are heart-shaped-rounded, entire or weakly lobed, glabrous or (only a few) softly hairy, with a brown or dark brown stripe on top - a girdle. Stipules are wide, oblong-heart-shaped. The inflorescence is multi-flowered. The flowers are sessile, carmine-red. It blooms for a long time - from May to September (October). It is one of the main parent forms of garden hybrid zonal pelargoniums, propagated vegetatively.
Pelargoniums, widespread in indoor floriculture:
Hybrids and varieties have become widespread in culture Pelargonium grandiflorum hybridum hort., Pelargonium peltatum hybridum hort., Pelargonium zonale hybridum hort. They have found application as potted plants and are also used ( P. zonale hybridura hort.) in floral design.
Pelargonium grandiflora hybrid, or P. english (Pelargonium grandifiorum hybridum hort. ( Pelargonium domesticam Bailey P. grandiflorum hort.)). Shrubs and subshrubs with rapidly woody shoots, mostly single-shoot. Leaves without a brown girdle on the upper surface, not dissected or only slightly lobed, serrated at the edges, with a faint aroma when torn. The flowers are collected in umbels on long peduncles, simple, large, 5 cm in diameter, red, pink or white, with dark spots on the petals.
Some of the varieties:
Enzette Anna Melle- flowers are bright red;
Enzette Perle- flowers are light carmine pink;
Autumn Haze- orange and salmon flowers;
Destiny- white flowers;
Geranimo- flowers are bright red;
Mont Blanc- flowers are white, with dark purple spots;
Perle von Clemstal- flowers are white, with a pinkish tint, with red spots;
Symphonic– the flowers are pink, with a lilac tint and with black spots.
Pelargonium zonal garden (Pelargonium zonale hort.). Plants with thick shoots that become woody with age, especially at the bottom. The leaves are rounded to kidney-shaped, slightly lobed at the edges, pubescent, with a more or less prominent reddish or fawn rim. The flowers are collected in umbels, red, pink, white, sometimes lilac, simple, semi-double and double.
In ornamental horticulture, the species is represented by numerous hybrids and varieties. It is the main industrial crop and is used in floral decoration in all countries.
From varieties P. zonale hort. The following have become widespread:
Dresdener Rubin- scarlet flowers, semi-double; used for
casings and as potting;
Enzett Richards Schrader- salmon-pink, double flowers; early-blooming variety;
Westfalenstar- flowers are ruby-red, semi-double.
Radio- scarlet flowers, semi-double;
Salmon Irene- salmon flowers, large, slightly double;
Erfolg- salmon flowers, double, densely leafy; used for lining, as potting and for decorating balconies;
Meteor- flowers scarlet-red, double, etc.
In culture there are hybrids between - Pelargonium zonale
And Pelargonium peltatum
.
Varieties Pelargonium zonale hort. valued for their variegated foliage, abundant and long flowering throughout the growing season in open ground; They are widely used for planting on borders, edges and flower beds; they are also grown as potted plants for rooms.
Pelargonium thyroid garden ( Pelargonium peltatum hort.). Shoots hanging or creeping. The leaves are thick, smooth, glossy, sometimes finely pubescent, almost round, 5-lobed or 5-angled, entire, more or less ciliated, green, sometimes with a brown zone. The flowers are simple, semi-double and double, red, lilac, pink, white.
Widely used for decorating balconies and as a potted plant.
Common varieties:
Amethyst- lilac flowers;
Lachskonigin- salmon pink flowers;
Ville de Paris- salmon pink flowers;
Holstein- pink flowers;
Galilee- salmon-pink flowers; and etc.
Plant care:
The plants are photophilous and tolerate direct sunlight; it is best to keep them on a south-facing window close to the glass. Plants tolerate both northern and eastern windows, but with a lack of light in winter they stretch out. In winter, pelargonium can be illuminated with fluorescent lamps. The room with pelargonium must be ventilated.
In summer, plants are recommended to be placed outdoors. When taking plants outdoors, they should not be knocked out of their pots in order to dig them into the ground, but rather buried in the soil in the area with the pot so that they do not grow too wildly to the detriment of flowering. In September - October, when frost approaches, the plants are moved indoors.
The temperature in summer is room temperature. In winter, pelargoniums are kept as cool as possible, at a temperature of 8-12?. The winter period and the period until April are decisive for subsequent flowering, since the formation of flower buds occurs at a relatively low temperature (11 - 13?) for 2.5–3 months. This period is characterized by short days, which is also significant, since pelargoniums are short-day plants.
Watering is moderate, since pelargoniums do not like waterlogging. Watering should be done two to three days after the top layer of the substrate has dried. In winter, plants are watered very moderately to restrain growth during the winter lack of light and prevent them from stretching. In addition, overwatering of plants in winter when kept cool often leads to wilting of leaves and rotting of the root collar and roots.
Pelargonium does not require constant spraying; the plant tolerates dry air well. On hot summer days, periodic spraying of the plant will be beneficial.
2-3 months after transplantation, pelargonium is fed with superphosphate, which stimulates flowering. Plants do not tolerate fresh organic fertilizers well.
Yellowed and drying leaves must be cut off, leaving the lower part of the petiole on the stem. If they are torn off, rotting may begin on the exposed tissues. The rotten parts are immediately cut off to living tissue, and the sections are sprinkled with charcoal powder.
Every year in March, young plants are transplanted into fresh soil mixture. At the same time, they are heavily pruned, leaving 2-5 buds on each shoot, in order to subsequently obtain low, lush, abundantly flowering specimens. Overgrown pelargoniums are replanted only if necessary (when the pot becomes cramped). The substrate selected is neutral or slightly acidic (pH about 6), lightweight, and highly permeable to air and water. It may consist of equal parts of turf, leaf soil, peat, humus and sand with a small addition of charcoal. Good drainage is a must.
Pelargoniums can be propagated by seeds. When propagated by seeds, the parental characteristics are split, so sowing with seeds is used for breeding purposes.
Seeds are sown in spring in boxes or bowls in a substrate composed of turf, peat soil and sand in equal volumes. At a temperature of 20–22? Shoots appear after 12 days. Seedlings dive into 5-centimeter pots, and after weaving a clod of earth, they are transferred to 9-centimeter ones. Seedlings bloom within a year, but more often after 14 months.
Pelargonium is most often propagated by apical cuttings with 3-5 leaves, in spring (February–March) and summer (July–August). Cuttings are cut from apical and lateral shoots with 3-4 nodes, making an oblique cut under the bud. The cut cuttings are slightly withered for several hours, the sections are dipped in charcoal powder (one crushed heteroauxin tablet is mixed per 100-150 g of powder), and then several are planted in a pot or bowl, placing them along the edge of the dish.
To form a lush bush, the apical bud is pinched. The planted cuttings are placed in a well-lit place (without direct sunlight) and at first (before rooting) they are moistened carefully, only by spraying. Cuttings take root in 2-3 weeks.
Rooted cuttings are planted in pots one at a time, without pruning, so that they bloom faster. The smaller the pot, the more abundant the flowering will be. Plants grown from cuttings taken in August bloom already in April, and with spring cuttings, flowering occurs only in mid-summer.
Some hobbyists take cuttings of zonal pelargonium in September. Cuttings with 2-3 nodes are cut from shoots that do not have buds, so as not to reduce the decorativeness of the plant, wither, and then all large leaves are removed. The lower cut of the cuttings is sprinkled with charcoal powder. The cuttings are planted in a box filled with a mixture of peat (or greenhouse) soil (1 part) and sand (2 parts). During the rooting period, the cuttings are watered moderately, and the room is regularly ventilated.
After the formation of 4-5 normal leaves, the cuttings are transplanted into 7-centimeter pots or paper cups. The earth mixture is made up of turf soil (8 parts), humus (2 parts), sand (one part) and a little flower mixture with microfertilizers is added. The seedlings are watered with warm water.
In early February, the plants are pinched, after which young shoots quickly grow and buds appear. By the end of April - beginning of May, the plants begin to bloom.
Pelargonium thyroid cuttings, cut with 1-2 leaves, take root well in coarse sand in good light. In the first 2-3 days they are not watered, and then watered moderately. Plants cannot be sprayed.
They take root in 2-3 weeks. Rooted cuttings are planted one or two at a time in 7-centimeter pots, then transferred to 11-centimeter ones. The nutrient mixture is prepared in the same way as for cuttings of zonal pelargonium.
Plants of zonal and shield pelargonium, grown from spring cuttings, bloom in July - August. Two- and three-year-old plants bloom well. Pelargonium grandiflora blooms in the second or third year. Without pruning it blooms more profusely than when pruned. Plants grown from cuttings rooted in August bloom earlier in the rooms. Rooted cuttings are left unplanted for the winter. In the spring, they are planted in separate small pots and, so that they bloom faster, do not pinch.
Precautionary measures:
all parts of plants of some types of pelargonium are slightly poisonous: they can cause contact dermatitis.
Possible difficulties:
Due to a lack of light, the lower leaves may fall off, the stem becomes stretched and exposed; the plant blooms poorly.
Lack of flowering in pelargonium.
May be caused by a warm winter, provided the plant is healthy.
The lower leaves turn yellow and their edges dry out.
The reason is lack of moisture.
Due to lack of moisture, the edges of the lower leaves turn yellow and dry out.
The lower leaves turn yellow, and they wither or rot.
The reason is excess moisture in the soil. Remove rotting leaves and sprinkle them with crushed charcoal. Watering should be done two to three days after the top layer of the substrate has dried.
Blackening of the stem at the base indicates the “blackleg” disease, which destroys the plant. Cut off the healthy part and root it. In the future, follow the watering schedule. If the plant is severely damaged by the disease, then the plant can no longer be saved and the soil is thrown away. The pot after a diseased plant should be thoroughly disinfected.
Due to waterlogging of the soil, small swellings on the leaves may occur - watery soft pads (edema). Follow the watering schedule.
Due to waterlogging of the soil, gray rot may occur on the plant.
Materials used in the article:
Saakov S.G. Greenhouse and indoor plants and their care. - L.: Nauka, 1985. - 621 p.
Indoor floriculture / R. Milevskaya, Y. Vies. - Mn.: Book House, 2005. - 608 p., ill.
Cacti and other succulents: Directory / D. Beffa; Per. from Italian I.V. Artyushina; Phot. K. Dani. - M.: AST Publishing House LLC: Astrel Publishing House LLC, 2003. -335, p.: ill.
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We know geranium as an unpretentious indoor plant that delights with its numerous bright flowers from spring until the snow. Not everyone knows that there is another type of geranium that grows quietly in open ground. The frost-resistant “sister” can be found in the garden, forest or swamp. Botanists divided them into two varieties, one of which is called “geranium”, and the other was given the name “pelargonium”. It was she who became the pet of almost everyone who breeds flowers. Both genera belong to the same Geranium family and have the same origin.
The geranium plant is native to South Africa. In different parts of the Republic of South Africa there are several types of climate: Mediterranean, tropical, subtropical and temperate. As a result, the flora turned out to be very diverse and variegated. Unusual representatives of the plant world have been transported from here since the 16th century. Trade ships from the Old World began to land on the shores of Africa.
Sailors often stopped at the Cape of Good Hope during long journeys. At that time, Europeans were interested not only in the culture of the local population and trade with them, but also in the flora and fauna of the mainland. Naturalists immediately noticed the bright and varied flowers growing freely under their feet, and took their specimens home for further breeding. Among the plants was geranium. Breeders became interested in the unusual and beautiful flower and began to actively adapt it to new living conditions. Gradually it spread throughout the world, perfectly adapting to the climate in which it found itself. That is why today it is so unusual for us to hear that the birthplace of the geranium plant was a hot country.
The first mentions of geranium appeared in Europe around the 17th century. It appeared in Russia at the beginning of the 18th century, and in the 19th century. became a house plant in every aristocratic home. Certain types of geranium remained “wild”, grew in forests, meadows, and swamps, calmly tolerating harsh climatic conditions. Others “turned” into indoor heat-loving beauties. This is how a type of domestic geranium emerged, which was called pelargonium. Over time, he became completely different from his meadow “sister”. Today, these two flowers are very different from each other, despite their shared ancestry.
Breeders have developed many varieties of geranium. They differ in color and flower shape. There are about 400 species of this plant on earth. In nature, it can be found in New Zealand, Turkey, Madagascar, other species grow in Russia.
Currently, many varieties of geranium can be seen in the plant’s homeland, Africa. There it looks like our usual indoor pelargonium.
We will tell you about it in more detail. Homemade pelargonium is divided into two main types:
bush (these are lush, low plants);
ampelous (ivy-leaved pelargonium with long shoots creeping like a grapevine).
Among bush pelargoniums there are flowering varieties with bright lush inflorescences and fragrant ones, which are valued for their fragrant leaves.
The most popular among gardeners are bush geraniums:
zonal (with a border around the edge of the flower);
royal (with large flowers).
Geranium care
The geranium plant is native to South Africa. Many indoor crops, such as chlorophytums, clivias, sansevierias and others, originated from there. Being thermophilic and light-loving, finding themselves in Europe and then in Russia, they could only survive at home.
Over several centuries, geranium has adapted well to our changeable climate, but just like its southern relatives, it loves the sun and warmth. Therefore, if you decide to grow this flower, find the brightest place for it in the apartment. Windows should face south or southwest.
In the summer, you can decorate your balcony or veranda with pelargonium. This plant loves direct sunlight and will delight you with a large number of flowers. In extreme heat, it is advisable to cover it a little.
Temperature
Indoor geranium grows well at 20 - 25°, but in winter it is better to place it in a cooler place. She will feel great at 10 - 15°.
Watering
Pelargonium loves moisture, although it should not be flooded. The optimal frequency of watering is once every two days. For favorable growth, the flower requires drainage from expanded clay or pebbles. It will absorb excess moisture, which means that the roots of the plant will not rot or become sick.
In winter, geranium is almost not watered; at this time it “sleeps” until spring.
Do I need to replant geraniums?
This plant does not like to be disturbed unnecessarily, so replanting can be done only when roots emerge from the drainage hole. Regular garden soil can be used for planting. Do not let geraniums grow high, as this will reduce the number of flowers. It needs to be pruned periodically, then the bushes will be lush, and many inflorescences will appear on them.
If all these conditions are met, your geranium will bloom from spring until late autumn. Propagating the plant at home is very simple: just cut off a small branch with a few leaves from the top in the spring and place it in a glass of water. When roots appear, it can be planted in a small pot.
Benefits of geranium
Centuries ago, people discovered that geranium has medicinal properties. Using a compress from its leaves, abscesses were removed and wounds healed. It turned out that it has an anti-inflammatory and regenerating effect.
It was for the treatment of patients that geranium was used in its homeland. She disinfected wounds and protected against infection. It was often used as a folk remedy for runny nose and headaches.
It has been noted that fragrant geranium can calm the nervous system and improve a person’s mood. It’s not for nothing that this flower was grown in almost every home. There was an opinion that this plant brings peace and well-being to the family. Pelargonium was cherished not only as a home decoration, but also as a talisman.
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Geranium is a hardy plant to grow indoors. The bush blooms with beautiful bright flowers from early spring until the coldest weather. In addition to the indoor plant, geranium can be of another type that grows in open soil. Since the plant is highly resistant to frost, it can grow in swamps, forests or garden plots. This type has become the favorite among flower growers, as it does not take much time to care for.
Homeland of origin of geranium
The country of origin of geranium is South Africa, in this country the climate is varied, as a result of which the plant has an unusual variegated color. Many unusual plants were transported from this country on various arriving ships.
During a long voyage, ships moored at the Cape of Good Hope, and sailors who noticed bright geranium flowers took them home. Gradually, the plant adapted to the conditions in other countries, and thus spread throughout the world.
You could first hear about geranium in European countries in the 17th century, and in Russia it became popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. This plant was grown in every aristocratic home. Some species of this plant have remained in the wild, growing in meadows, forests or swamps, they are not afraid of the harsh climate. And some types of geranium remain heat-loving, so they are grown indoors, for example, pelargonium. Despite the same species, wild and indoor geraniums have a strong difference.
With the help of breeders, a large number of varieties of geranium have been produced, which differ in color and flower shape. In nature, there are about 400 species of this plant, which are distributed throughout all countries. Today, many types of geranium are found in its homeland, that is, in Africa, it looks like an ordinary indoor pelargonium.
The home species is divided into two varieties, the bush form has lush and low bushes. The hanging plant has long shoots that spread like vines.
The bush species blooms brightly and has a pleasant aroma; their leaves are valued for this. There are geraniums with large flowers, as well as with a pronounced border along the edge of the petals.
Proper care
Since the plant’s homeland is South Africa, it loves warmth and light, so the flower is grown indoors. After many centuries, the plant has become accustomed to our climate, but it needs to be provided with good lighting and warmth. When growing geraniums, they are placed in the brightest places, it is better if these are windows on the south side.
In summer, the flower can be taken out into the air, placed on the balcony, veranda or in the garden. The bush loves bright sun and blooms actively, but if the heat is too strong, then it is shaded a little.
It is very important to maintain the correct temperature; the room should be between 20 and 25 degrees. And in winter, it is better to move the plant to a room with cool air from 10 to 15 degrees Celsius.
Water the bush once every two days, without flooding the plant. To create favorable conditions for the development of the bush, a drainage expanded clay layer is laid at the bottom of the container. This is done to prevent moisture from stagnating, which can cause the roots of the plant to rot. In winter, the plant almost does not need watering; the procedure is carried out extremely rarely.
It is prohibited to apply fresh organic matter as fertilizer. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium agents are used for feeding. To ensure active flowering, potassium is usually added. For fertilizer, you can purchase ready-made mixtures in special flower shops. Usually the compositions “For geraniums” or “for flowering plants” are used. In extreme heat, it is better to avoid adding bait to avoid stressing the plant. Before performing the procedure, the plant is moved to a shady place. If the soil is dry, then liquid fertilizer is not used. In order not to burn the root system, first water the bush, and then begin to introduce fertilizer. These actions are performed about twice a month in spring and summer.
Soil for geraniums
The question arises, what kind of soil should I use to grow such a plant? Typically, geranium is not picky about the soil composition, but some conditions must be observed. The soil should be loose, with drainage, this is the basic rule.
The composition can be purchased ready-made in special flower stores; any mixture for flowering plants is suitable for this. Professional gardeners take regular universal soil and add vermiculite or perlite to it. When using such a substrate, it is necessary to carefully inspect it for the presence of mold, and various bugs, if they are absent, you can begin planting. In order for the plant to actively develop, peat must be present in the soil.
If it is not possible to purchase a special composition in the store, then you can prepare the soil with your own hands, for this you take two parts of humus, one part of sand, and eight parts of turf soil.
The plant should not be replanted just like that; the procedure is performed when its roots peek out from the drainage holes at the bottom of the container. You can use the most ordinary soil, from the garden.
Geraniums should not grow tall, otherwise there will be few flowers on it, so they are periodically pruned. After this action, the bush becomes lush, and there are a lot of flowers on it.
If these conditions are met, the plant will delight the eye with bright colors from the beginning of spring until the very late autumn.
It is not difficult to propagate bushes indoors; a small branch is cut from the top, on which a few leaves remain, and placed in a container with water. After the roots appear, the plant is planted in a container with soil.
What benefits does geranium bring?
It has long been noted that geranium has medicinal benefits. The plant is able to heal wounds and remove abscesses; for this purpose, compresses are made from the leaves. That is, the plant has anti-inflammatory properties.
In its homeland, this plant was used as a disinfectant for wounds and protection against infectious bacteria. The plant is also used for runny nose and headaches. The smell of this plant acts as a sedative and improves not only the mood, but also the well-being of a person. According to signs, the plant brought prosperity and good luck to the house, which is why it was so important to grow the flower at home.
If all conditions for caring for the plant are met, it will delight you with abundant beautiful flowering. It must be remembered that the bush loves the sun and warmth, so its origin is from the warm country of Africa.
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