How to care for geraniums in a pot at home. How to properly care for geranium so that it blooms all year round How to care for pelargonium at home

For beginning gardeners, geranium is a very convenient flower because it is extremely unpretentious. The rules for caring for it are quite simple and easy to follow.

Garden geraniums should grow in a small pot, since the plant begins to bloom only after its roots completely fill the entire volume of the pot. The soil should be crumbly, loose, enriched with mineral fertilizers. You can buy ready-made soil at the store or mix turf, humus, peat and sand yourself.

Most often, geranium is propagated by cuttings, but even if you sow the seeds, after six months the plant will grow and begin to bloom. Let's take a closer look at how to care for geraniums.

The plant is quite patient with lighting conditions and will grow well even on the north side, although it will still stretch out a little. A flower growing on a south window will be lush and spreading.

Watering the plant is also easy. There is no need to spray it regularly; you should even avoid it by spraying neighboring flowers, and you should water it only after the soil in the pot has dried. It is better to avoid excess moisture so that the roots do not rot, and geranium can cope with a lack of water, so if you leave it without watering for several days, nothing bad will happen, and if a couple of leaves turn yellow, you can remove them and continue growing.

The air temperature should be at least 20 o C, and even with temperature changes the plant will feel good and accelerate its growth. But whether the air is wet or dry is virtually indifferent for geraniums.

How to care for geraniums throughout the year

Despite all the undemanding nature of geranium, you should know what care at home will ensure its year-round flowering:

• Spring is the best time to transplant or plant geraniums, since at this time buds form and active growth begins. Geranium does not like replanting, so it can only be done once every two years.
• Summer is a period of active feeding. Geraniums especially need nitrogen fertilizers; without this element they will not bloom. But excess nitrogen is also bad - the leaves will grow actively, but there will not be enough strength for flowers. The best fertilizer is one that contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in equal proportions. You should not keep the plant in direct sunlight, although it will not cause much harm.
• Winter is a period of cold weather. Caring for geraniums in winter involves creating a temperature of 10-13 o C, but if your room is not so cold, just place the flower away from the heaters and closer to the window glass - this coolness will be enough for it. Geraniums growing on the north side can be artificially illuminated. In winter, geraniums are pruned.

In order for perennial geranium to bloom for a long time, the fading inflorescences must be broken off without leaving them on the plant. Proper planting and care guarantee a healthy and long-flowering plant, which will act as a natural air freshener, because the leaves can have a very different aroma depending on the variety of geranium.

Geranium diseases

Thanks to the pungent smell of geraniums, almost no insects are dangerous. Moreover, it also drives away pests from its neighbors on the windowsill. But diseases associated with the action of harmful microbes and fungi can appear, especially if the plant does not have enough light and the air is too humid:

• gray rot, in which plaque appears on the leaves and the stems darken;
• leaf rust - yellow spots on leaves;
• powdery mildew, when the stems and leaves are coated with a characteristic coating.

You can combat the manifestations of these diseases by spraying geranium leaves with special preparations.

Caring for home geraniums

Pelargonium is a genus of plants in the Geranium family. It grows naturally in South Africa. This genus includes about 250 species. The smell of pelargonium is very specific; it cannot be confused with anything else. Essential oils contained in the leaves of the plant create a natural barrier to bacteria and viruses.

ATTENTION: Many people believe that pelargonium and geranium are the same thing, but this is not so. Geranium, or cranebird, is also a representative of the genus of the Geranium family.

Geranium, growing in the wild. In Russia, it is not customary for flower growers to distinguish between these types of plants, considering the words “geranium” and “pelargonium” to be synonymous. Geranium is used in folk medicine: for insomnia, depression, rheumatism, heart disease.

If home flowers are attacked by aphids, it is advised to place a pot of pelargonium next to them, which expels pests.

Periods of growth and rest

From December to February, pelargonium enters a dormant phase, so its growth and flowering slow down. It is for this reason that there is no need to feed the plant during this period. She needs to be allowed to get stronger and gain strength before the new growing season (read about how to feed geraniums for lush flowering, and from here you will learn how to properly use iodine with hydrogen peroxide to feed a flower). Until about January, pelargonium will delight its owners with bright, beautiful flowers. Its vegetative period begins from mid-spring until autumn.

How to care at home?

In winter, gardeners should pay attention to the following conditions for keeping pelargonium.

In the cold season, geraniums should be kept in a cooler room than in summer.. If you cannot ensure this, then you can place the pot on the northern windowsill, making sure that the leaves of the plant do not touch the glass. Ideally, the temperature should not exceed 10-15 degrees above zero.

If it is much higher, then there may be a risk of dropping the newly formed buds. The temperature of geraniums can be lowered to 4 degrees.

Protect the flower from drafts.

Lighting

Since geraniums are of South African origin, they love bright light.. If the flower is located on northern windows, then it needs to be provided with additional lighting. If this is not done, then the pelargonium will not bloom, and its leaves will become small. The duration of daylight should be at least 12 hours.

To create additional lighting, you need to use a lamp marked “phyto”, placing it at a height of 10 centimeters from the top of the flower.

IMPORTANT: There is no need to be afraid of direct sunlight: the flower tolerates it calmly.

Watering

Pelargonium loves regular watering. In winter, it is permissible to water it once a week. You need to ensure that the soil in the pot is always evenly moist. Stagnation of water at the roots of geranium leads to the death of the flower!

To adjust the watering system, select a suitable drainage system and light soil for the plant (you can find out what the composition of the soil for indoor geranium should be and whether a universal soil is suitable). Expanded clay and perlite can be used as drainage.

If you do not prune regularly, the plant will stretch out and stop blooming beautifully.. It must be taken into account that unpruned pelargonium is predisposed to various diseases. When pruning, use only sterile instruments (scissors or knife). Remove all shoots growing from the axils, leaving only 6-7 leaves on the stem. This procedure is carried out in the fall or at the very beginning of winter.

It is better not to prune geraniums from December to January. Dried flower stalks and leaves should always be trimmed, even in the cold season. They are easily detached without harm to the plant, even without scissors. Several times during the cold season.

Miniature geranium varieties do not require pruning. You can find out how to prune geraniums).

Watch a video about proper pruning of geraniums:

Rules for storing in the basement

Some geranium lovers plant it in the garden all summer long (we talked about how to care for geraniums in the open ground in). Before the winter cold, they are faced with the problem of how to preserve garden geraniums. There are several ways to store geraniums:

1. Bunches of pelargonium are suspended in the basement at a constant temperature of 2 to 7 degrees above zero. Some gardeners wrap plants in newspaper or place them in paper bags instead of hanging them. In this case, you need to make sure that the bags are open for ventilation. Plant roots are periodically moistened. This method is called “dry storage”.
2. Geraniums are planted in pots, before which the roots and stems are cut by two-thirds(you can find out how to choose and what kind of pot is needed for geraniums, and from here you will learn how to replant geraniums at home). Store the prepared plant in the basement at a constant temperature of up to 10 degrees, the room should be twilight. Pelargonium planted in this way is watered infrequently, only when the soil becomes dry. This method of storing geraniums is called “canning”.

ADVICE: The humidity in the basement should be at least 80%.

How to welcome spring?

Closer to spring, when the temperature outside reaches 2 degrees above zero, you can take pots of pelargonium to the balcony. You need to start with half an hour, gradually increasing the time the geranium stays on the balcony. In this way you can help pelargonium bloom constantly.

If the geranium was stored in the basement, then before taking it outside, you need to soak the bunches in water with fertilizer, then plant them in a pot. Geraniums in a pot should stay indoors for about a week. Only after the last frost is pelargonium planted in the garden flower garden..

Thus, geraniums should be placed in a cool room in winter, provided with additional lighting and monitored soil moisture. You also need to break off dried leaves and flower stalks from time to time. If you follow all these simple rules, pelargonium will delight you with its aroma immediately after leaving the resting phase.

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In this article we will tell you everything about indoor geranium (also called “kalachik”), namely: how to care for this plant, what soil to plant it in and how to choose the right pot.

Let’s not forget to tell you about the methods of propagating pelargonium.

Did you know? The Geranium family has about 800 species and is widely distributed in nature in southern Africa and Australia.

Features of growing geraniums at home

The word "geranium" comes from the Greek "geranion" or "geranios", and is translated as "crane" (the fruits of this plant actually resemble the beak of a crane).

The plant itself is a subshrub, the height of which can reach 60 cm. There are two types: beautifully flowering or fragrant. In the second case, when flowering, it may resemble the smell of apples, roses, or even nutmeg.

Homemade geranium is undemanding to care, so housewives everywhere take it into their homes and rejoice at this beautiful flower. Geranium takes root well in homes and you will have to try to make this flower start to hurt.

But, despite its unpretentiousness, there are several features of growing geraniums that are worth considering:

1. Light. Geranium loves light very much, so it is often placed on window sills, and you need to take into account which window the geranium is placed on (the south side is best).

Important!In the summer, you should not leave the flower in direct sunlight.

2. Temperature. Geranium is not very capricious in terms of heat, but still, in winter, the room should not be cold (not lower than +10 ˚С). If you want it to bloom all year round, then you should provide it with light (a lamp in winter) and place it in a warm place.
3. Watering. You need to water frequently, but make sure that water does not stagnate in the flowerpot, as the roots of the plant will begin to rot and the geranium will die.

Important! Geranium cannot be sprayed. This flower does not need moist air, and such a procedure will only harm it.

Climatic conditions for geraniums

Since geraniums are native to South Africa, you should create a similar climate in your home. Of course, this does not mean at all that you need to constantly maintain the temperature in the room at 30 ° C and fill the geranium with water, as in tropical rain.

It is enough to keep the soil in the pot moist and provide sufficient illumination for your “ball”. The most comfortable temperature for a flower is from +10 to +30 degrees. The need for geraniums in good lighting is due to the fact that in its homeland there is the greatest number of sunny days a year.

Important! If there is a lack of sunlight, an ordinary lamp, which is installed next to the flower, is perfect.

Don't skimp when choosing a pot for geraniums

When choosing a pot for geraniums, it is worth remembering the information that we discussed above, namely: “How to water a ball at home.” You already know that geraniums need frequent watering, although the water should not “stand” in the pot. Thus, when choosing a pot, it is worth considering this point.

If we compare plastic pots and baked clay products, then the latter will be a priority, since the soil dries out faster in them. The pot should not be very large, otherwise you risk growing a tree instead of a small flower. A pot with a diameter of 14-15 cm and a height of at least 10 cm is sufficient for one plant.

What soil is needed for geraniums, feeding and grafting of the plant

Now let's tell you about what kind of soil does geranium like?. In this matter, again, we will be helped by the knowledge that we gleaned from the previous paragraphs. There are 2 important points to remember:

1. The soil should be loose and unused;
2. The soil must have good drainage properties.

There are several soil options that are well suited for geraniums:

1. We use ordinary chernozem, which is sold in flower shops, paired with expanded clay, which is placed on the bottom of the flowerpot;
2. A mixture of chernozem with river sand and small crushed stone, which is placed at the bottom of the pot.

The composition of the soil “from the store” must necessarily include peat, which is required by the plant.

Important!Despite good drainage, the soil in the pot must be loosened periodically to avoid rotting of the roots.

Let's move on to choosing fertilizers for geraniums. Regular fertilizers from a flower shop are suitable, which contain phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen and trace elements. They are paid no more than 2 times a month.

It is best to feed the ball after sunset, or by moving the flowerpot into the shade. There is no need to use liquid fertilizer if the soil is dry. Pre-water the flower. It's important to remember that fresh organic fertilizers cannot be applied, otherwise the flower will dry out.

Now let's move on to considering how to plant indoor flowers.

Geranium grafting – This is the transplantation of a piece of shoot from one plant to another. This is done in order to get flowers of different colors/smells on one bush, or to form a decorative crown.

Only strong plants at least 1 year old are grafted. This is done in the spring, when the balls grow at a faster rate. It is important to do everything correctly and exactly according to the instructions, which are outlined and shown below.

Important!You should not use a cutting that is larger in diameter than the rootstock.

How to water geraniums correctly

Indoor flowers, kalachiki, should be watered quite often, especially in the warm season, when geraniums bloom or grow rapidly.

During dormancy, in winter, the intensity of watering is reduced, leaving the soil slightly moist.

If you notice gray mold on the leaves or a characteristic putrid odor, this is an excess of moisture in the flowerpot. In this case, you should either wait until the soil dries and not water the flower, or transplant the geranium into a new dry substrate.

It is worth remembering that too dry soil for a roll will not be as bad as an excess of moisture that stagnates in the soil. In hot weather, pelargonium is watered once a day. At average temperatures and little evaporation, watering is carried out every two days.

Features of pruning geraniums

Now we will look at how to trim the balls correctly. Geraniums need to be pruned, regardless of their size and age.

This is done so that the number of inflorescences can be increased. First stage of pruning

passes before winter. This procedure helps the curl retain more resources for a successful transition to a state of rest.

We start pruning only after the geranium has completely bloomed: we cut off half the length of the flower (this allows us to give more light to the basal flowers and reduce the chance of infection with fungi). If the sections begin to turn black over time, they need to be shortened. Re-pruning

produced in late February or early March. This is necessary if the pelargonium has become very stretched over the winter. Geraniums need pruning sharp blade

Fading flowers and dried shoots must be pruned. In this case, you not only make the bush more attractive and small, you help the plant cope with possible problems, and reduce the risk of fungus developing on wilted parts.

Geranium propagation methods

Now we have come to the final stage of the article - reproduction. Geranium can be propagated in two ways: seeds and cuttings. And now we will help you evaluate the pros and cons of each method.

Seeds

So, you have geranium seeds and you need to get beautiful bushes from them. Let's start with what you need to know before you get started:

• Seed planting time;
• Soil option for planting;
• Germination period;
• Moments of transplantation.

Optimal time planting is the period when the plant is dormant (early winter - mid-spring).

Next, you will need the correct substrate for planting. In this case it will be perfect mix of turf+sand+peat (in a ratio of 2:1:1). Water will not stagnate in it, and the peat will provide a kind of nutrition for the sprouted plant.

After choosing the soil, you should prepare it yourself seeds. To do this, they are treated with epin or zircon, and then soaked for 3 hours in water at room temperature.

The seeds and soil are ready - let’s move on to the actual landing. We spread the soil 0.5 centimeters thick, put the seeds on top and cover with glass. Place the box with seeds in a bright room with a temperature of +20 degrees.

Caring for geraniums at home is not difficult, but you still need to learn the main points and rules for successful cultivation. Our article will provide you with information about this.

According to the biological classification, this plant belongs to perennial herbs and shrubs. The official name is pelargonium, but it is not used very often even in books. Depending on the growing conditions, more than 300 types of geranium are distinguished, but only its indoor varieties have literally conquered the world and become a kind of symbol of the family hearth. In addition to purely aesthetic pleasure, the geranium flower is a very useful acquisition.

Treatment with pelargonium:

• Geranium oil is used for toothaches and headaches. To do this, the inflamed area is moistened with a small amount of the substance.
• Geranium essential oil perfectly refreshes and disinfects the air, killing harmful microbes.
• Geranium extract is often added to massage oil to enhance the warming effect. Such manipulations will alleviate the condition of neuralgia and muscle pain. It is better to coordinate recommendations for oral administration with your doctor so as not to harm the patient.

The most common types of geraniums

This bright beauty has quite a few “relatives” and is distinguished by a wide variety of colors. That is why pelargonium can be classified according to several criteria at once. Depending on the type of shoot formation, there are bush and ampelous geraniums. The first type is more suitable for home growing, as it allows you to form compact and attractive bushes. Ampelous or ivy-leaved geraniums are no different in care, but to grow them you will need a pot of a suitable design.

Common types of indoor geraniums:

A separate niche is occupied by garden or meadow geranium. It can be grown with equal success both in the garden and in the apartment, so this versatility is also extremely popular. In addition to it, there are peony-shaped and tulip-shaped geraniums, the original inflorescences of which will decorate any garden or windowsill.

The colors of pelargonium are simply incredible in variety. Blood-red geranium, which can be seen in overwhelming quantities, is considered “classic”. The exception is yellow and blue, which are not typical for this plant. Breeders are still continuing to work on developing new varieties, so in the future, perhaps, such pelargonium will appear instead of the usual red geranium.

Care for geraniums at home

Despite the wide popularity and unpretentiousness of the plant, if you don’t know the basic nuances of growing, you can easily ruin it. To prevent this, it is necessary to prepare the optimal location and everything necessary for comfortable growth before purchasing.

Basic care requirements

• The room temperature should not fall below +10 ºС, otherwise the plant will die. In winter, it is better to remove geraniums from the balcony and unheated loggia.
• Even in summer, the plant simply cannot do without sunlight, so it is worth giving it a southern window sill. To prevent burns on the leaves, it is better to darken the window a little during the day.
• To form a neat bush, you need to pinch the top of the plant in time. Geraniums are also pruned for lush flowering.
• The pot for geraniums should not be too large, and replanting should only be done in extreme cases. In this case, it is advisable to choose a container only 2-3 centimeters larger than the previous one, so that the plant actively blooms.
• The optimal fertilizer for pelargonium is a ready-made mixture for flowering plants. You should not use fresh organic matter, otherwise the plant will get sick. The frequency of feeding is once every two weeks.
• Dried inflorescences must be removed so that the plant has enough strength to develop new ones.
• When watering, you must ensure that moisture does not fall on the stem and leaves of the plant. Young pelargoniums especially often die from this.

Indoor geranium (pelargonium), with proper care, can bloom all year round with a short dormant period. Do not forget that South America is considered its homeland, so during the flowering period it is extremely important to provide the plant with fertilizing and good lighting.

The composition of the soil is moderately fertile; it is necessary to provide good drainage in the pot so that water does not accumulate. Apply fertilizers as needed, but preferably abundant watering. The soil should not dry out too much, but excess moisture will not benefit your plant. It is advisable not to spray; caring for the leaves involves regular wiping to remove dust and contamination. Most types of geraniums boast “fluffy” leaves, which release special substances upon contact, so hygienic care can be combined with involuntary “aromatherapy”.

Geranium pruning and bush formation

A very important stage in caring for pelargonium is the formation of a neat bush. To do this, the top of the young plant must be cut off, and later the side shoots. Pruning is best done in the fall, repeating in early spring if necessary. However, you should not get carried away - for normal development the plant needs at least two lower leaves. Trimmed branches can be successfully used for propagating pelargonium.

This procedure should not be carried out in winter, when the plant goes into short hibernation.

Caring for royal geraniums at home is somewhat different from the recommendations given. Regular pruning can damage this lush beauty, so the bush must be formed with care. The plant usually blooms in its second year, so the first pruning is best done after removing the inflorescences.

Diseases of geranium and their manifestations

Black rot is considered the most terrible and incurable disease. The stem turns black, and the plant gradually withers and dies. Unfortunately, such conditions cannot be treated, and geraniums are simply thrown away. To prevent this, it is necessary to carefully monitor soil moisture, avoiding excess liquid.

Geranium rarely gets sick; usually alarming signals come as a result of improper care.

When planting and transferring a plant, it is necessary to take good care of the composition and quality of the soil, because most pests hide there. To destroy the larvae, it is best to fry the soil in the oven or pour boiling water over it. If you plan to use purchased soil, there is no need to carry out such activities.

An aphid attack on a plant is a very unpleasant situation, which modern drugs can help get rid of. Folk remedies also help well: treating leaves with laundry soap, tobacco dust and chamomile infusion.

There may be several reasons why geranium leaves turn yellow. First of all, it is a lack of moisture. Fear of flooding a flower can lead to a catastrophic lack of water. If this alarming symptom appears on your geranium, it is necessary to provide abundant watering without going to extremes. Excessive waterlogging of the soil can also cause the leaves to turn yellow, but they are softer and easily separated from the stem.

The second reason may be lack of space. If the pot has become too small, the plant has nowhere to develop further, so the flowers and leaves suffer. Other factors include poor lighting, because geranium is a very sunny and heat-loving flower. Violation of the temperature regime also contributes to poor health and even death of the flower, so you should not subject it to such tests.

The only whim of geranium is its dislike of change, which can also be the reason for the plant to wither. If you notice that pelargonium has begun to wither in a new place, you need to return it to its original location. Transplants also do not reflect very favorably on the condition of geraniums, so you should not get carried away with this procedure. It is advisable to transplant in early spring, when the plant has not yet emerged from its short hibernation. The container should not be too large for the plant to develop well.

To the question: “why doesn’t geranium bloom?” You should also look for the answer in improper care. Typically, pelargonium has a long flowering period, briefly regaining its strength only in late winter. If a plant does not want to produce buds, there may be different reasons for this.

Why doesn't geranium bloom?

• Transplanting into a pot that is too large. This plant likes some cramped conditions and produces buds only after filling almost the entire space of the pot with rhizomes.
• Fertile soil, which promotes leaf development. In this case, it is advisable to replace the mixture with a purchased one designed specifically for flowering plants.
• Irregular feeding. The plant needs potassium supplements, as well as a small amount of nitrogen fertilizers. Disturbing this balance or using organic matter can harm the plant.
• Timely pruning will help not only shape the plant, but also provide additional strength for the buds.

Drying of the leaves is a common problem when growing geraniums. If the problem is a lack of water, the problem is solved quickly, but often the cause can be a rust disease. The solution is to treat the leaves with Bordeaux mixture or any similar purchased solution.

How to propagate geraniums correctly

How to properly grow geranium from cuttings

• For propagation, fresh cuttings are used, the length of which is at least 5 centimeters.
• After cutting, you should not immediately plant the plant. For successful cultivation, it is dried a little, then the cut is treated with charcoal. Only after such procedures, the cuttings are planted in the ground.
• Developing a shoot in water is a very popular method, but the maximum result will be ensured by using coarse sand. To do this, the plant is placed in a pre-moistened mixture. After two weeks, the cutting with the first shoots of roots can be transplanted into the soil.

Propagating geraniums by cuttings usually does not present any particular difficulties, especially since there is already a clear example of successful cultivation. Often in this way you can save money and purchase the pelargonium you like much cheaper than an adult plant. To eliminate the possibility of deception, it is better to take cuttings only from trusted breeders or in a greenhouse.

Growing geraniums from seeds

A more painstaking and responsible task, but with less chance of success, is to try to germinate a plant from seeds. The cost of such plants will also be much lower, but finding decent planting material is much more problematic. Self-collection of seeds is usually impossible for indoor varieties. To do this, it is necessary to provide natural or artificial pollination. Seeds are collected in late summer - early autumn, and hybrid varieties will not pass on their unique properties to their offspring, as usually happens in such cases.

Geranium is grown from seeds at home, like any seedlings. The seeds are deepened into a suitable container and moistened with water from a spray bottle. For better germination, you can cover it with glass or stretch a transparent film, but do not forget about ventilation. If you are using your own seeds, it is better to lightly sand the skins with fine sandpaper before planting to speed up germination.

Purchased seeds do not need such treatment, so you will be pleased with friendly shoots in two to three weeks. After the first three leaves appear, the plant is transplanted into a separate pot. When the sprout forms 5-6 leaves, pinch the top a little so that the side shoots grow. Having provided a comfortable temperature (about 18-22º) and sufficient watering, after 5-6 months the geranium will delight you with compact bushes.

Indoor geranium is a unique and very beautiful house plant. Thanks to its unpretentiousness in care and propagation, it can be successfully grown even by beginners.

She feels great on the balcony and in the garden, delighting the owners with long-lasting flowering. There are more than 300 varieties of pelargonium, and you can find the most unusual colors and configurations of inflorescences. In addition, geranium is not only an attractive bush, but also a medicinal plant with a very wide range of uses. How to care for geranium, as well as how to get rid of some diseases with its help, is described in our article.

Geranium is one of the most beloved and popular indoor plants. The decorative nature of flowering and the unusual shape of the leaves have long won the hearts of many gardeners. The crop is not picky in cultivation, but has its own characteristics.

Home geranium prefers sunny, well-lit places, so pots with it are placed on eastern, south-eastern window sills. This culture is not afraid of direct sunlight, but when placed on southern windows on particularly hot days it is protected from the sun. The optimal temperature regime for keeping geranium is within +18…+20 0 C.

Flower crops place special demands on the composition of the soil and its structure. Firstly, the soil must be nutritious and contain increased amounts of phosphorus and potassium. Substrate looseness and drainage are no less important.

To prevent stagnation of water in the lower layers of soil when watering, the pot must have drainage holes at the bottom to remove excess moisture. To make the soil light and loose, sand, peat and turf soil are taken in equal proportions and mixed.

Geranium needs moderate watering, its frequency depends on the specific time of year. Excessive leaf moisture is negative, so geraniums are not sprayed on the leaves.

Proper care of geraniums for beginners

Growing geraniums in general involves regular watering, fertilizing, shaping, as well as timely transplanting from one pot to another as the flower grows.

Watering geraniums is carried out exclusively at the root, without affecting the above-ground part of the plant. To do this, use a small indoor watering can with a long spout without a diffuser. The quality of the supplied water is very important for the crop. Hard, cold water will harm the flower and cause many problems that arise when growing it. Therefore, geraniums are shed only with settled water at room temperature.

Geraniums respond well to fertilization. The frequency with which fertilizing is carried out can be from 1 to 2 times a week. They absorb water-soluble mineral fertilizers well; fertilizing with organic matter is undesirable.

The composition of a complex fertilizer can be universal for flower crops and contain three main elements: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium. But during preparation and during flowering, the composition of the fertilizer is changed: it should include a large amount of potassium, a minimum of nitrogen and microelements (magnesium, calcium, iodine).

Forming geranium bushes allows you to achieve lush flowering and proper preparation for the dormant period. Therefore, flower pruning is done in autumn-winter and spring.

• Winter pruning is aimed at preparing the plant for winter. The main stem of the bush is shortened by 1/3 of its length, the shoots that have grown over the season are thinned out, and all old flowers and yellow foliage are removed. Start pruning for the winter after the geraniums have finished flowering.
• In spring, the bush is pruned to stimulate lush, beautiful flowering. There is no need to shorten the shoots too radically, since the plant will spend a lot of effort on growing green mass. After pruning, the plant is fed with nitrogen-containing mineral fertilizers. In this case, geranium blooms a little later than usual, but the flowering is brighter: the flowers themselves are larger in size, their number is greater, and the flowering period is extended.

In addition, pruning twice a year has a good effect on the condition of the plant: thinning the above-ground part improves ventilation and lighting of geraniums, which becomes an excellent preventive measure against pests and diseases.

How to form geraniums: video

Geranium, like many other flower crops, does not like transplanting. But sometimes this measure becomes necessary. As the pelargonium grows, the pot may become too small. You can tell when it’s time to replant by looking at the plant’s roots protruding from the drainage holes of the container.

The flower itself is well watered before transplanting. A new pot is selected based on the size of the old one: its diameter should be only 2…3 cm larger than the previous one. Planting geraniums in a pot that is too large will negatively affect its flowering.

1. A small layer of drainage (coarse sand, expanded clay, etc.) and a layer of nutrient substrate are poured onto the bottom of the new pot.
2. The plant, along with the lump of earth, is removed from the previous container and placed in a new one.
3. The resulting voids between the lump of earth and the walls of the pot are filled with nutrient substrate.
4. The first watering is carried out only 3 days after transplantation. Feed no earlier than after 2…3 months.

The main condition for transplanting pelargonium is accuracy - you need to try not to damage the root system of the flower.

Replanting and caring for geraniums: video

Features of care

Depending on the time of year, care operations and the frequency of their implementation vary.

In the fall, after the crop blooms, it is pruned and basicly shaped. No more fertilizing is applied - the plant must naturally prepare for winter. If the central heating has not yet been turned on in the apartment, and it is cold outside, there is no need to worry - moderate temperatures that do not drop below +12 0 C will only be beneficial.

During the dormant period, geranium does not need any feeding. Water it 2 times a week with a small amount of water. The flower needs good lighting; the daylight hours should be 12 hours. Therefore, geraniums have to be illuminated with a phytolamp.

The air temperature in the room should be about +14 0 C, but not lower than +8 0 C. You cannot place containers with flowers near batteries. To ensure that the air in the room is not too dry due to heating, water containers are placed on the radiators. In winter, geraniums are not pruned or pinched.

In spring, pinching is done to stimulate rich flowering of geraniums. With the arrival of spring, geranium awakens, and the need arises to resume fertilizing and regular watering.

If the bush has managed to grow during the dormant period, it will need to be transplanted into a larger pot.

The summer period is the most important, because it is at this time that geraniums bloom. Particular attention is paid to the feeding schedule, changing its composition depending on the stage of plant development. Watering is moderate, but frequent - on hot days, geraniums are watered daily. The flower can easily withstand temperature increases up to +27 0 C. At higher temperatures, geraniums are shaded.

Features of home care

Each variety of geranium has its own care requirements. Below are the three most popular groups of pelargoniums and the features of caring for them at home.

Behind the ampelous geranium

Ceiling varieties are very demanding in terms of lighting; southern window sills are suitable for them. Feeding is carried out once a week in small portions, starting in March and ending in August.

Despite all its advantages, the flowering period of royal geranium is short. The budding stage occurs in April, so pinching and shaping of the bush is carried out until March. This type of geranium is very afraid of waterlogging of the soil and if it is not watered properly, it gets sick for a long time.

In the spring-summer period, ivy-leaved geranium is fed with potassium fertilizers once every 10 days. During flowering, faded inflorescences are regularly removed.

Geranium propagation

Geraniums are propagated in two ways: cuttings and seeds. The first option is considered more popular, since the plants obtained as a result of propagation have all the varietal qualities of the mother specimen and bloom in the next season (if cuttings are carried out in the fall).

Geraniums grown from seeds bloom only a year after sowing; the process itself is very labor-intensive and ineffective - seed germination is low, young shoots need to be illuminated with a phytolamp. For each reproduction method there are detailed step-by-step instructions.

Sections of shoots cut off during autumn pruning can be used as cuttings.

1. Cuttings are cut at right angles to the stem. Their length should be within 5...7 cm, in this area there should be 2...3 leaves.
2. For a couple of hours, the material is kept in a dry, dark place, where the sections dry out. After this, they are powdered with coal or Kornevin.
3. All leaves of the cuttings located in an area of ​​2...2.5 cm from the base are turned.
4. Small cups with drainage holes are used as planting containers. Each of them is filled with a light, loose substrate.
5. The cutting is placed in a cup, base down, to a depth of 2...2.5 cm.

The cuttings will take root in a few weeks. They do not need shelter, but if the leaves become yellow or limp, the plants are covered with transparent caps. The soil is kept moist, preventing stagnation of water and drying out of the soil.

Propagation of geraniums by cuttings: video

Varieties of geraniums that have flowers of a simple shape, not double, are propagated by sowing seeds. Planting begins in late November - early April.

1. The container is filled with a substrate consisting of 2 parts turf, 1 part sand and 1 part peat.
2. Geranium seeds are laid out on the surface of the soil, keeping a distance of 5 cm between them.
3. They are sprinkled with soil on top with a layer of 0.5 cm.
4. The surface of the soil is moistened with a spray bottle so that the seeds are not washed out.
5. The container is covered with film or covered with glass.

Shoots will appear in 2 weeks if the room temperature is maintained at +18...+230C.

Growing problems, what to do

When growing geraniums at home, novice gardeners have many different questions. Answers to some of them are given below.

For lush and long-lasting flowering, geraniums are fed with yeast. To prepare the fertilizer, pour 2.7 liters of water into a 3-liter jar, add 100 g of yeast and half a glass of sugar. The mixture is stirred and left to ferment. When the fermentation process is over, the fertilizing is used for its intended purpose: add 1 cup of fertilizer to a bucket of water and pour 1 cup of geranium onto the bush 2 times a month.

Sometimes, even with strict adherence to all the basic rules of care, capricious geranium refuses to bloom. Fertilizers prepared from improvised materials will be excellent flowering stimulants.

Recipe 1. Iodine water

Add 1 drop of iodine to 1 liter of water. For one flower you only need 50 ml of solution. It is poured along the walls of the pot in a circle.

Recipe 2. Castor oil solution

Dissolve 1 tsp in 1 liter of water. castor oil. The composition is poured onto geraniums at the root.

These feedings can be carried out at any time of the year, with the exception of the plant's dormant period.

What to do to make geranium bloom magnificently all year round: video

By changing the color of the leaves, geranium signals non-compliance with growing requirements and the appearance of pests and diseases.

The foliage of the plant turns yellow with a lack or excess of moisture. In this case, you should adjust the watering mode. If the flower has been overwatered, you need to limit its watering for several days or transplant it into a new pot with drainage holes and a layer of drainage at the bottom.

Yellowing of geranium leaves occurs when the growing location is chosen incorrectly. For example, the pot is in a draft, near a radiator or in the shade. In this case, you should find a more suitable place for keeping. Yellow leaves can be a signal for fertilizing or, conversely, for too frequent and incorrect application of fertilizers.

Drying of leaves can be caused by low indoor humidity.

If the leaves turn yellow, it is necessary to inspect the entire flower - it is possible that it is affected by pests or diseases. The main enemies of many plants are thrips. Their appearance is indicated by pimples on the underside of the leaves. Geranium needs to be treated with a solution of the drug Fitoverm. If, along with yellowing of the leaves, a fuzzy coating or dark spots appear on the stem, the geranium is infected with a fungus. To treat it, it is treated with a fungicide solution, and watering is kept to a minimum.

Flower growers who are interested in growing different types of geraniums share their experiences and leave a lot of useful tips. Some of them are given below.

1. If a geranium gets sick with root rot or root collar rot, no treatment methods will help it - the flower will definitely die, so you shouldn’t even try to save it.
2. When grown in the shade, geranium does not bloom, and the foliage becomes smaller in size.

Growing geraniums at home is not at all difficult; the main thing is to comply with all the requirements for maintenance and care, and then the green pet will bloom almost all year round.