Pelargonium got sick: we diagnose, treat and revive our beloved geranium

Treatment

Let's consider some successful methods on how to deal with various diseases of geranium.

Rust
Root rot
Leaf spot

How to feed and fertilize geraniums correctly

This culture rarely needs transplanting and in one pot it can grow for more than one year. Top dressing is done with liquid universal fertilizer for flowering crops 1 time in 2-3 weeks. The solution should be prepared according to the instructions on the package.

Geranium feeding technology:

• mineral fertilizers (potassium and phosphorus) are added 2 times a month. These trace elements prolong flowering and strengthen the culture;
• watering with a solution of heteroauxin or sweet water will help geraniums bloom in the winter. An artificial or natural stimulant must be added weekly;
• ready-made complex fertilizer. Added according to the instructions.

Note! Pelargonium "loves" natural fertilizer in the form of ordinary iodine in a proportion of 1 ml per 1 liter of warm water

Feeding geraniums with iodine

Iodine solution is added like this:

• watering of the soil is carried out;
• when the earth dries up a little, iodine fertilizer is added (pour along the wall of the pot at a distance of at least half a centimeter from the plant).

There are some recommendations for feeding geraniums that will ensure a healthy looking plant and its lush flowering.

The feeding rules are as follows:

• if the culture has been under improper lighting for a long time, then it is not recommended to feed it.First you need to fix this error;
• if a plant is "diagnosed" with a disease or pests are found on it, then first you need to get rid of them, and only then feed them;
• after adding fertilizers, it is worth loosing the soil in the pot to provide oxygen access to the roots;
• you cannot fertilize the crop more than 1 time per week;
• for young flowers and in winter, the dose of groundbait should be halved.

Geranium is a versatile beautiful flower that, with proper care, will delight with lush inflorescences and a pleasant aroma. Now, knowing how to care for this beautiful plant (geranium blooms better with proper care), there should be no problems with growing it.

Other problems with geranium leaves

There are other, less common problems with the geranium leaf apparatus that a florist may encounter.

Geranium leaves curl inward

Leaf curling is associated with a lack of moisture in the soil, air and an increased ambient temperature. Most often, this state of the plant is observed on a hot summer day, if the flower is in the sun. Geraniums should be watered every 2 days in summer, keeping the soil moderately moist.

Geranium leaves turn yellow at the edges, what to do

Yellowing of the border of the pelargonium leaf plate indicates chlorosis. This disease is caused by a lack of minerals in the soil, due to which the flower does not receive enough nutrition. It is necessary to feed the plant with a complete mineral fertilizer, with the addition of trace elements: magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese, boron.

Why do geranium leaves brighten

The uniform pallor of the foliage of pelargonium signals a lack of nitrogen or a lack of lighting. It is useful to feed the flower with a weak solution of chicken manure (the concentration of the substance is 1 part to 20 parts of water) or urea. Spraying the foliage with a solution of ammonia will help: 1 tbsp. l. preparation for 1 liter of cold water.

If geranium leaves turn black and dry

The foliage of the plant is covered with brown or black spots with the disease Fusarium (black leg). The disease is caused by fungi, which multiply intensively when there is excessive moisture in the soil and air, combined with low temperatures.

It is almost impossible to save geraniums affected by fusarium. You can only separate healthy cuttings and, after keeping them in Fitosporin or a solution of potassium permanganate, plant them for rooting.

Geranium flower pests

Ticks. When they appear on the leaves from below, yellow specks appear. Then, dry or discolored areas appear on them. This happens from dryness or high air temperature. We need to treat the plant with soapy water to get rid of spider mites. Mushroom mosquito larvae. They attack the stems. They have a black head and a size of 7 mm. The plant begins to rot and dies. In the soil with humus, these archers develop rapidly and penetrate the stems. They most often damage seedlings and seedlings up to three weeks of age. It is necessary to treat the plant with special preparations.
Thrips. On the underside of the leaf, they form in the form of outgrowths and begin to deform the young plant. As a result, the leaves and the point of their growth are bent. Spots appear on the flower, and the leaves turn brown. Thrips reproduce in the stamens of the flower. To remove this pest, you need to have green sticky traps or insecticide treatment.

This is very important for a young plant. The treatment should be repeated every five days.

Aphid. From her, the leaves turn yellow and curl up into a tube. With severe infestation, there is a sticky aphid discharge. It is urgent to cut off these leaves with a colony of insects and grease the plant with soap and water. Destroy severe damage with special solutions. Caterpillars. To destroy them, you need to inspect the plant every evening. If caterpillar feces are present, apply biological insecticides.
Whitefly.These insects 2-3 mm are usually found on the underside of the leaf. It is necessary to set yellow traps and treat geraniums with preparations based on potash soap.

Applying our tips for the care of geraniums, this plant will always delight you with its beautiful appearance and beautiful flower buds. We wish you every success in growing this wonderful flower.

Watch a video about diseases and pests of geranium:

Causes of yellowing leaves

Most gardeners are often faced with a problem like yellowing of the leaves of the plant. Why such a question arises and how to solve it, we will consider further.

At the edges of the plant

Answer: The yellowing of the edges of the plant most often occurs in winter, this indicates improper care of geraniums at this time.

The plant begins to turn yellow from above, then it sinks lower and lower, if the necessary measures are not taken. How to protect a houseplant from disappearing?

Also, geranium leaves can disappear in the summer, which means that the flower does not have enough moisture. To eliminate this problem, pelargonium will need to be watered more often than usual, and the yellowing of the leaves will pass.

Yellowing of the edges of the geranium leaf

The loss of leaves can appear due to a sudden change in climate. Most often this happens in the autumn, if the flower is transferred from the street to the house. In this case, nothing needs to be done, the flower adjusts within two weeks.

Blotches in the flower

Answer: If the plant turns yellow with spots, then this indicates a geranium disease. Disease factors can be microbes or bacteria. First, the yellow spots turn brown, after which the leaf dries out and falls off.

If you do not take any measures to combat diseases, then all pelargonium may die completely. If there is an image in the form of a mosaic on the outside of the leaf, then all this indicates that the flower has caught a virus. Such a plant should be removed from the premises because it may harm other houseplants. Also, spots on plants can indicate a bacterial disease. In this case, the decision should be made in a timely manner, otherwise the flower may die.

Yellow spots on geranium leaves

In addition to all of the above, the causes of yellowing of the leaves (pictured) can be insects - pests. Often, pelargonium gets sick with similar pests like nematodes are insects that drink all the necessary elements from the plant. In addition to nematodes, the plant can infect:

• Caterpillars;
• Aphid;
• Spider mite;
• Whitefly.

It is necessary to fight pests with the help of special solutions, but it is best not to contribute to the infestation of geraniums.

Also, the reasons for the yellowing of the leaves include:

One of the common problems is considered to be improper watering of the plant - it often happens rarely, or, on the contrary, the flower is watered very generously. Both can contribute to yellowing of geranium leaves.
Lack of drainage. The plant does not like waterlogging of the soil. Drainage for the plant is essential. If this moment is not taken into account, then in the future the flower will begin to turn yellow.
Not enough storage. If the pot for geranium is small, then after a while the plant begins to turn yellow.
Not enough air.
Withering is a viral disease that causes the flower to turn yellow. In this case, the plant dies gradually, at first it spreads in the lower part, then switches to the upper part, then the flower withers, the yellowness spreads to the root and the pelargonium dies altogether.
Improper care in winter

During this period, a significant factor is the saving of the plant from drafts, temperature surges, it is not necessary to put the plant near the battery, it is important not to overdo it with replenishing the earth.

Why do geranium leaves dry

Another problem that a geranium owner may face is the drying out of the leaf blades.There are several reasons for this condition in a plant:

• insufficient illumination;
• excessive or insufficient watering;
• sunburn;
• unsuitable temperature regime;
• diseases of pelargonium of fungal nature;
• the appearance of pests;
• small pot.

Some of the reasons have already been discussed above, therefore, the options that have not yet been presented will be considered in more detail.

Leaves dry

The lack of light is expressed by the gradual yellowing and drying of the leaves located below the plant. The stretching of the stem part begins, the flowering phase is either very rare or absent altogether. It is easy to correct the situation by rearranging the pot to a more suitable place, closer to the light source, or installing a phytolamp.

Worth knowing! Tearing off yellowed leaves is not recommended. In order for the flower to begin to grow in width, the crown of its head is pinched.

The appearance of pests is accompanied by the formation of small yellow dots. In some cases, the shoots are covered with sticky bloom or cobwebs. As the points grow, the leaf plates begin to dry out. It is necessary to determine who is harming the plant and get rid of the parasite as soon as possible.

The tightness is indicated by the state of the leaves: at first they may turn yellow, then dry and fall off. In addition, the root system begins to show through the drainage hole of the pot. The best way out of the situation is a culture transplant.

In addition, you need to pay attention to how the foliage dries:

• the defeat affects the leaf plates at the edges - insufficient watering;
• the plant itself begins to dry out - a disease of fungal origin.

Bordeaux liquid 5% will help get rid of the fungus. At the same time, the culture is treated with Fitosporin twice with a week break.

Insect pests and control measures

With improper care, geranium weakens and is easily exposed to various parasites. To prevent this, you need to know which insects are capable of destroying the plant and how to deal with them.

Whitefly

Small white flies called whiteflies are very dangerous for geraniums. Insects live on the lower part of the leaf. If you find uninvited guests, you need to immediately take action:

1. The first step is to remove the sheets on which more parasites are located.
2. The next step is insecticide treatment. Processing is carried out three times with an interval of 7 days. You can use "Aktara" or "Confidor". If you chose the second remedy, then you should know that it has a pungent odor. In order not to harm your health, the treatment is best done outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.

Aphid

The leaves of the flower began to curl - perhaps this is the work of aphids. These are pests. Which feed on plant sap, from which they become lethargic and weak. The leaves on which the aphid lives curl up and dry out very quickly.

Aphids are insects that multiply very quickly. If you do not take action right away, then in a few days these parasites can invade the entire plant. As a result, will lead to his death.

To get rid of aphids, it is necessary to remove the parts of the plant on which insects live and treat it with Fitoverm or Mospilan.

Spider mite

Spider mites are easy to spot. If cobwebs and white dots on the leaves appear on the plant, then this is certainly the work of a spider mite. Under the influence of the parasite, the leaves begin to curl inward.

The best conditions for mite breeding are dry air. The danger of such a resident is that he is able to carry infectious diseases.

To get rid of an intruder, you need to remove the parts on which he lives and treat the plant with an insecticide.

Termites

• Chemicals such as Messenger or Marathon can be used to kill termites. They are also used to prevent the appearance of these parasites.
• You can also spray with an aspirin solution. To prepare the solution, you need to dissolve one tablet in eight liters of water.

Nematodes

They are the smallest and most dangerous worms. They destroy the plant from the inside by eating their roots.

As a result, nodules appear on the rhizomes. Unfortunately, there is no cure.

A plant infected with nematodes must be destroyed.

Root worm

The ideal habitat is waterlogged soil. The root worm feeds on the roots, which leads to a stop in the development of geraniums.

1. In case of minor infestation, it is enough to rinse the roots and remove the damaged parts.
2. Next, a transplant is made into a new soil, which is pre-treated with an insecticidal agent.
3. Watering with "Aktara" will be useful.

In case of serious infections, the plants cannot be saved.

We suggest you watch a video about geranium pests:

Causes of the appearance of yellow leaves in geraniums

Why do the leaves turn yellow on a seemingly healthy geranium, which is carefully looked after? There are several reasons for this phenomenon, and almost every one can be eliminated by returning a healthy "green" appearance to the flower.

But, alas, root disease and the natural death of foliage cannot be cured. When the root is affected, the whole plant dies, and there is no cure for this, as well as for the aging of foliage.

Natural leaf dieback

Natural leaf death is the most common reason why geranium leaves turn yellow. This is especially noticeable in the zonal, the lower leaves of which regularly turn yellow, dry and fall off. Basically, you don't need to do anything.

However, since the plant loses its attractive appearance, it is recommended to partially prune the stem in the spring, which will speed up the emergence of new leaves.

Improper care is a common cause of yellow leaves in geraniums

The key to the health of indoor geranium is proper care. And it begins with the choice of the pot and the "place of residence" of the plant. It is very important for her:

• Watering mode;
• Soil condition;
• Top dressing;
• "Winter holidays".

Geranium pot

Geranium does not like either tightness or space and immediately reports the wrong size of the pot with yellow leaves.

A clay pot with a diameter of 20-25 cm and a height of 12-15 cm will become a cozy "house" (in a plastic one the root system often rots due to excess moisture).

Change of habitat

Geranium is a "stay-at-home", and the slightest change in its usual conditions causes stress and violent protest in the form of yellowed leaves. Often geraniums are planted in open ground for the spring-autumn period, where it pleases with lush flowering. But the return of the plant to the room ends with stress, which disappears with the right, caring care.

Violation of watering conditions

The well-being of geraniums directly depends on proper watering, therefore, a lack of moisture, like an excess, leads to its deterioration. By the state of the leaves, it is easy to distinguish underfilling from overflow. The leaves wither and dry, which means there is not enough moisture. And if they turned yellow, then the flower was "flooded".

Therefore, it is important to water abundantly, regularly but infrequently, monitor the weather and adjust the amount of water.

Quality of soil and water for irrigation

The health of the geranium also depends on the quality of the soil and water for irrigation. Good drainage will ensure the normal development of the plant's root system. And the soil can be purchased in the store or prepared by yourself.

Usually they buy a universal soil, add vermiculite, perlite and washed river sand. The main thing is that it should be loose, not form a dense lump.

Water for irrigation needs soft, because hard water contains excess calcium, which leads to yellowing of the upper leaves of the flower. Therefore, it is advisable to defend the water for irrigation, and you can additionally soften it by adding lemon juice or acid.

Air temperature

Geranium is a thermophilic plant that calmly survives drought, but from the slightest draft it can become covered with yellow leaves. The best temperature for the comfortable existence of a flower is considered to be room temperature - 20-25 °, and in winter - 10-14 °.

It is protected from drafts, cold or overdried air by home heating systems.

If the winter is warm, then geraniums will winter wonderfully on a glassed-in loggia or balcony with sufficient lighting.

Top dressing

The lower and middle leaves suffer from a lack of:

• Potassium nitrogen;
• Magnesium;
• Phosphorus;
• Zinc.

Top leaves turn yellow and signal a deficiency:

• Bora;
• Gland;
• Calcium;
• Manganese;
• Copper;
• Sulfur.

Prevention at home

Prevention will help prevent not only the appearance of dry yellow leaves, but many other problems as well. In order for the plant to feel good, develop quickly and annually please with spectacular inflorescences, you must adhere to simple rules:

1. Do not place the pot in places with insufficient lighting, on a cold windowsill, next to a radiator or TV.
2. Disinfect the ground. Before planting (transplanting), you need to warm up the soil in the oven or process it with potassium permanganate.
3. Keep the flower clean. Do not forget to remove dust from the leaves, cut off dried stems and flowers.
4. As it grows, replanting the plant into a larger pot - it will be grateful for that.
5. If the air in the room is too dry, then you need to place a container with cool water near the geranium.

As you can see from the above, it is easy to prevent the appearance of dry leaves. You need to follow these tips, and they will never appear.

Diseases, their photos, treatment and prevention

To overcome diseases that are common in geraniums, you need to identify and eliminate them in a timely manner:

1. If it is noticed that the plant has withered, it is necessary to immediately remove the diseased areas, dry leaves and branches.
2. The flowerbed where the plant is planted for the summer must be constantly cleared of weeds.
3. Do not water geraniums by overhead watering and after 11 o'clock in the morning.
4. When processing a plant, it is necessary to wash your hands more often.
5. You can not add fertilizers to the soil, which contain a lot of nitrogen.
6. The soil must have good drainage, so there will be no stagnation of water in it.
7. We need to fight insects.
8. Many diseases are treated with chemicals that include a fungicide (antifungal agent).

Blackleg

This disease develops due to waterlogging of the soil or due to lack of drainage. As a result, the stem darkens and rots. To prevent the development of the disease, it is necessary to pinch off the cuttings and cut off the top, then root.

Rhizoctonic rot

Dark spots form at the bottom of the stems. There is no flowering. As the disease develops, the leaves turn yellow and wither, the plant dies. The infection penetrates the soil.

They provoke the development of the disease:

• Oversupply of fertilizers.
• Warmth in the room, especially during the heating season.
• Excessive soil moisture.
• Poor lighting and poor ventilation.

Help with illness:

1. The use of quality soil.
2. Temporary cessation of watering.
3. Treatment of the plant with drugs such as Vitaros, Fundazol, Rovral.

Our experts have prepared materials for you about diseases of geranium leaves, as well as the reasons why they turn white, redden and curl.

Detailed instructions on how to cure a plant

If it happened that the leaves on your favorite geranium began to turn yellow and dry out, then proceed with emergency measures. The sooner you find out the causes of the disease, the faster the flower will recover (what leaf diseases are found in geraniums?).

How to save an indoor flower?

The first step is to check how firmly the flower sits in the pot, whether it has enough space for development, whether there is drainage, and how it performs its functions. If in doubt, it is best to change the pot and renew the soil. In this case, use only a special mixture for geraniums.
Try to rearrange the flower on the windowsill, where there is more light
However, it is advisable to shade direct sunlight.
Pay attention to watering. It is recommended to water the flower abundantly, but not often.
The water in the flowerpot should not stagnate. If there is liquid in the pan, it must be drained. If the soil is wet for a long time, pathogenic microorganisms appear in it, and this cannot be allowed.
Geranium does not tolerate changes in temperature parameters. It should not be placed near heating devices, air conditioners. In the cold season, the indoor flower is removed from the windowsill to avoid contact with cold glass

But at the same time, geranium loves fresh air. It is important to regularly ventilate the room, but not to allow drafts. Perhaps the reason is this, then the location of the flower should be changed.

In the summer, you need to monitor the condition of the soil, if it is dry, then urgently water

Usually, after watering, the plant returns to its original state, but if this did not happen, then the reason for the yellow leaves is different.
When feeding geraniums, always follow the exact instructions for use. An excess of mineral fertilizers can negatively affect the health of a blooming pet, in particular, you can burn the roots, and external signs will be expressed in the yellowness of the foliage. If this happens, it is worth examining the root system and urgently replanting the flower.
If, after a visual inspection, it turned out that fungal diseases or insects are to blame, then immediately isolate the geranium. Treat with fungicides or insecticides, respectively, and quarantine until complete recovery.

What to water and what top dressing is needed?

Of course, clean water is an important factor, as well as its temperature. But for full development, mineral components are also needed. Here's what you need to water geraniums in order to feed the plant and so that the leaves do not turn yellow:

• potassium - for growth;
• phosphorus - for flowering;
• nitrogen - for a splendid and intense green color.

However, if there is more nitrogen than is required, the geranium will begin to turn yellow. It is advised to choose preparations with a minimum amount of nitrogen. In winter, feeding the flower is not worth it, watering is minimal.

We suggest you watch a video about feeding geraniums:

Plant parasites and pests

Mistakes in the care of geraniums weaken its protection from various pests.

Root worm

It appears in constantly moist soil and feeds on the roots of the plant. The condition for getting rid of this pest is to remove the infected part of the roots and treat the remaining segment with hot water. After drying, the rhizomes are sprinkled with wood ash and planted in another container.

Leaf spot

Important! The knife is held over a fire or wiped with a sterilizing compound immediately before the start of the procedure

Mealybug

Leaves, on which white sticky mucus appears, are infected with this pest. The parasite is removed by hand, after which it is sprayed several times with soapy water with a small amount of alcohol. Significant damage is treated with insecticidal formulations (Actellik, Fufanon and others).

Spider mite

If a spider mite appears on a geranium, it will suck out all the juices from the plant. The parasite is a carrier of gray mold and viruses. To get rid of the tick, the plant is removed from the soil and thoroughly washed with warm water or a strong tea broth is made. Wipe with a soft sponge. Then they are smeared with a thick solution of soap and, having been transplanted into a new pot, without washing off the protective layer, they are closed with a bag. For prophylaxis, all flower pots are disinfected whenever possible, as well as pallets, window sills and even cracks in them.

Whitefly

Insects can be located on the back of the leaf. From this, the leaves can be twisted into a tube. They are easy to remove with Aktra.