Royal geranium - home care for beginners
Content:
Royal geranium is the fruit of many years of painstaking work of breeders. It differs from other similar varieties in its delicate delicate aroma and large size of flowers that form a cap above the green leaves. It is also known as Grandiflora. Such a plant looks just gorgeous, every florist wants to have such a gorgeous beauty. However, it is worth remembering that the large-flowered royal geranium is very capricious, it is not easy to care for it.
This type of pelargonium has not only an interesting history, but also a number of distinctive features by which it can be easily recognized.
Royal geraniums are very capricious in cultivation, however, the chic appearance and delicate delicate aroma compensate for all the inconveniences and costs.
It got its name due to its chic appearance during the flowering period. However, in order to achieve the desired result, you need to make a lot of effort.
What does it look like
The height of an adult plant does not exceed 0.5 m. The flowers are located at the same level with the leaves. The diameter of the inflorescence reaches 15 cm. The color range is very rich: from snow-white to almost black. The most common red palette. The upper row of inflorescences is characterized by a more saturated color, sometimes even with a spotted pattern. In appearance, the flower is very similar to pansies. Particular attention should be paid to the Elegance variety, which is considered elite. The non-uniform color of the flower cap immediately attracts attention and attracts attention.
Flowers are large in size
The leaves of the royal geranium are velvety, their edges are wavy. Their color is green. The stem is erect. The root system consists of adventitious roots.
About the history of appearance
Royal geraniums originate from the Cape region (southwestern Africa). She came to Europe in the 18th century. It was during this distant period that scientists constantly carried out work on crossing various varieties, obtaining new varieties of them, the number of which has already exceeded a thousand by now. Now the selection of this plant is carried out mainly in Germany.
Royal Geranium Care for Beginners
A very capricious plant is royal geranium. Proper home care for beginners is a big challenge. The plant needs special care, therefore, you should familiarize yourself with all the rules and nuances in advance.
Tsar Pelargonium is capricious in leaving
Temperature
Pelargonium royal belongs to the thermophilic plant species. In the summer, in the climate of the middle zone, it is quite possible to keep it outdoors at + 22-27 ° С. When this indicator increases, the flower should be watered twice a day. The first time it is done before 10 am, the second - after 6 pm.
In winter, the air temperature in the room where the king geranium grows should be maintained up to 10-15 ° C. You can take the pot to a heated loggia or to a greenhouse, but the amount of light should not become less. Suitable for plants and a cool window sill with a wooden frame.
Lighting
Geranium is very fond of good lighting, but at the same time requires protection from direct sunlight. With a lack of light, the stems of the flower stretch out, the leaves acquire a pale color. It is best to place the royal pelargonium on the east or west windowsill. If you grow it on the south window, then you need to take care of a little shading.
Well-lit places are suitable for growing geraniums
Watering
Watering rates are adjusted depending on the temperature and season. In summer, when the weather is dry, hot, geraniums are watered 2 times a day. If the flower is kept in the room, then it is enough to irrigate it 1-2 times a week. In winter, the plant should be watered once a week. Before carrying out the procedure, they examine the earthen lump and make sure that it has dried out.
Spraying
Geranium spraying is carried out only if the air in the room is dry, or central heating batteries are working. You cannot be zealous with this procedure, otherwise fungal diseases may develop.
Humidity
King geranium prefers high humidity conditions for growing, but this indicator directly depends on the air temperature in the room.
Priming
Soil for growing royal geraniums can be bought at a flower shop or prepared by yourself. Its acidity should be neutral, moisture-retaining components (for example, sphagnum) are included in the composition.
King geranium prefers slightly alkaline soil with neutral acidity
The soil for pelargonium should be loose and contain a sufficient amount of nutrients. You can prepare it by mixing the following components:
- leaf humus;
- peat;
- sand;
- a small amount of wood ash.
Top dressing
Royal Pelargonium is grown in cramped pots, so for several years the plant can do without replanting. Over time, the soil is depleted, and you have to fertilize it. In early spring, it is worth doing top dressing with a high nitrogen content. With the onset of flowering, phosphorus is preferred. To get lush flowering, they start feeding geraniums in March, and stop in September.
Excessive enthusiasm for fertilizers can harm geraniums
Winter care, during dormancy
Winter is a dormant period for geraniums. As soon as the plant has time to bloom, it should be removed to a cool place with a temperature of 10-14 ° C, the amount of watering is reduced to a minimum. Top dressing at this time is not needed at all.
In the process of pruning, the main stem is shortened by a third, and all dry or damaged shoots and leaves are removed. The shoots appearing in winter are pinched.
When and how it blooms
The flowering of royal geraniums is a true delight for flower growers. She is able not only to look great, but also to exude an amazing subtle scent.
Types of flowers
The flowers of the royal geranium can be not only classic, but also double. There are even specimens with corrugated inflorescences. The variety of their colors is simply amazing. The following shades can be presented:
- yellow;
- pink;
- red;
- purple;
- Orange;
- white.
Royal geraniums have a rich color range
Flower shapes
The royal flower for the most part has flat and concave petals on the inflorescences, but in some varieties they are wavy. This makes the plants even more attractive and exquisite.
Flowering period
Unlike other varieties, king geraniums have a shorter flowering period. Its duration does not exceed six months. The beginning of flowering coincides with the onset of spring.
How to make bloom at home
In order for the royal geranium to bloom at home, its pot must be a little cramped. The plant also needs a dormant period. Otherwise, it will weaken and will not drown in flowers in the next season. Timely fertilization, adequate watering, and adequate lighting are also prerequisites for flowering.
Pruning for lush bloom
Before the onset of the dormant period, the main stem of the royal geranium is shortened by a third of the length. This helps to maintain the decorative appearance of the flower, and also improves air circulation, which prevents the spread of fungi and pests.
Mandatory pruning is required for lush flowering.
In the spring, only thin and non-viable shoots are cut off so that the flower does not waste energy on them. This is done in such a way that at least 4 internodes remain on the shoot. You can also form a stem from the plant, however, in this case, the fragile stem will have to be attached to the support.
How royal geraniums reproduce
There are several proven ways to propagate royal geraniums, which are actively used by experienced flower growers and breeders.
Germinating seeds
Germinating the seeds takes longer than just rooting the cutting. But the grown plants will be healthy and strong, their flowering period is longer.
Seed material can be purchased at a reliable and trusted flower shop. Seeds are carefully distributed over wet soil (which must include sand and perlite), sprinkled with sand on top and buried a little. The vessel is covered with cellophane or glass and placed in a warm, well-lit place. Direct sunlight on crops is unacceptable. When real leaves appear on the young geranium, it is seated in separate pots. After the fifth true leaf has formed, the plant is pinched.
Rooting cuttings
To reproduce by cuttings, use the upper sprouts, the length of which is about 8 cm. Each of them must have at least 2 internodes. Within a couple of hours after pruning, they are allowed to dry out and planted in prepared soil, having previously treated with any root formation stimulant. The stalk is buried 2 cm and placed in a room with a temperature of about + 18 ° C and not very bright lighting.
It is best to propagate geranium by cuttings
Geranium takes root in a week, after which you can plant it in separate pots.
Air layering
This propagation method is very similar to rooting cuttings. Another container with nutritious soil is placed next to the royal geranium pot. Choose a suitable strong twig and bend it to the installed container, then fix it with a metal bracket and sprinkle it with soil. The soil is tamped and watered a little. After a week, the roots should form. When the new plant begins to develop on its own, it is cut from the mother bush and planted in its own pot.
Transfer
For several years, royal geraniums can safely grow in one pot. In addition, she painfully tolerates a transplant in open ground for the summer, unlike other varieties. The procedure is carried out only when the root system has completely filled the planting container. The new pot should be 1.5 cm larger than the previous one. Too large a vessel slows down the growth of the flower and prolongs the absence of flowering.
King geranium does not tolerate frequent transplants
It is better to plan geranium transplant work for the period from February to April. The plant that has come out of the dormant period takes root well and enters the phase of active growth. In summer and winter, you should not disturb the flower without an urgent need.
Possible growing problems
Even the most experienced growers are not one hundred percent protected from the problems that arise when growing royal geraniums. For beginners, it is even more difficult.
Drops buds and leaves
If the foliage and buds of the royal geranium begin to fall off, then with a high probability we can say that the room is too hot and the air is very dry. Also, these symptoms sometimes indicate insufficient lighting. You will need to turn on the phytolamp, put a humidifier and take measures to reduce the temperature in the room. If the house is cool, then it is enough to limit yourself to additional lighting and monitor the humidity.
Due to the heat, the king geranium sheds leaves and buds
Leaves turn pale
A change in the color of the leaf plate is provoked not only by a deficiency of trace elements (in particular, nitrogen), but also by a lack of light, as well as excessive moisture. It is urgent to analyze these factors and eliminate the cause.
The tips of the leaves dry
Such a problem in royal geraniums most often occurs due to a lack of moisture. You should increase the number of watering and resort to humidifying the air, but you should not be too zealous.
The lower leaves fall
The fact that the lower leaves begin to turn yellow and fall off is caused by a lack of moisture or nutrients in the soil, as well as a lack of light, poor ventilation of the bush. Also, this symptom signals the decay of the root system, which can lead to the death of the flower.
Pests
Of the pests for royal geraniums, they pose the greatest danger:
- mite;
- weevils;
- whitefly;
- aphid.
King geranium is susceptible to pests
To get rid of parasites, you should wipe the inside of the leaf plate with chamomile infusion and leave the plant for a couple of hours, then rinse everything. If such actions do not bring a positive result, an insecticide is used. Step-by-step instructions for its use are contained in the attached documentation.
Other problems
Sometimes the trunk of a royal geranium begins to rot. This indicates that the plant is affected by a black leg. Excessive watering or low temperatures leads to the development of this ailment. Sick plants must be disposed of and the pot must be disinfected.
Sometimes flower growers wonder why geranium is green, but sluggish? First of all, you should immediately reduce watering. Otherwise, the flower will become bleached with gray mold. The scarlet shade of the leaves indicates low temperatures or the presence of drafts.
