Violation of watering rules
If the water for irrigation is too hard, calcium accumulates in the soil, and geranium signals this by yellowing of the leaf plates. Therefore, it is necessary to water the flower only with water that has been settled for several days, to which you can add a few drops of lemon juice. In the warm season, it is necessary to water the plant more often, making sure that the earthy clod does not dry out.
Excess moisture also negatively affects the condition of the geranium. In addition to rolling the leaves, in this case the lower leaf plates rot and the whole plant becomes lethargic. Experienced growers say that it is better to underfill the geranium a little than to fill it, since it tolerates drought better than stagnant moisture.
But too much moisture is also bad. So that the water does not stagnate in the pot, when planting on the bottom of the container, it is imperative to put a layer of drainage. For this, expanded clay is ideal, which can be purchased in flower shops.
Why geranium leaves turn yellow and what to do for beauty
Geranium leaves turn yellow for several reasons. Let's figure them out!
Geranium (or Pelargonium) attracted my attention with a variety of varieties, bright flowering and relative unpretentiousness. For about a year, my collection consisted of about 10 different representatives of this plant.
At the end of spring, I planted them in open ground, and the whole summer I enjoyed bright greenery and lush blooms.
For about a year, my collection consisted of about 10 different representatives of this plant. At the end of spring, I planted them in open ground, and the whole summer I enjoyed the bright greenery and lush blooms.
And for the winter she took the kalachiki (as the geranium was called in our area) into the house, seating them in clay pots.
From my own experience, I can say that pelargonium does not require special care, however, some difficulties sometimes arose. In this article I want to discuss one of them - the yellowing of the leaves.
Every year I plant geraniums and in the garden
The problem seemed to come out of nowhere. Everything seemed to be fine, but here - yellowness on the leaves. After researching authoritative sources, and conducting "experiments" with my own plants, I can share my findings.
Why leaves turn yellow and what to do
First, it is important to understand the cause of the yellowing of the foliage, and then fix the problem. Geranium is rarely sick or infested with pests
The most common cause is improper care. But what exactly could be wrong?
Overabundance of light
Such a plant needs to be urgently saved
Although pelargonium is photophilous, due to prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, the leaves begin to turn yellow and dry burns appear on them.
Shade the plant with a sheer curtain, or move the pot to an east or west window sill.
Lack of light
With a shortage of sunlight, the shoots are stretched out, the leaves become sparse. Being in this state for a long time, geranium begins to “turn pale” and, at times, turn yellow. Then the leaves fall off with a petiole.
Cramped pot
When transplanting, use the transshipment method - it injures the root system the least of all
If the plant has not been transplanted for a long time, the root system fills the entire space, the development of the flower slows down, and the foliage begins to turn yellow.
Transplant the geranium into a pot that is 2-3 cm larger in diameter.
It is important to take into account that too large a container is not suitable, since the plant will direct all its forces to building up the root system, and flowering will have to wait a long time.
High air temperature and low humidity
Geranium is definitely not a houseplant that loves dry air.
Hot air and low humidity in the room lead to yellowing of foliage. The plant is afraid of drafts. In summer for pelargonium, the optimum temperature is 20-25 degrees, in winter - 15-20 degrees. Humidity - 50-60%.
Move the pot to a cooler area. Make sure that the plant is not in a draft. When airing the room, move the pot away from the window. Try to humidify the air in the apartment during the heating season.
Lack or excess of minerals
Feeding geraniums is a must if you want to achieve lush flowering
Yellow foliage may indicate a mineral imbalance, such as a lack of nitrogen or an excess of potassium. Do not overdo it. A lot of nitrogen is needed at the stage of flower growth; in other cases, its excess can provoke yellowing of the leaves.
Use a compound fertilizer for geraniums or flowering plants. Dosage - according to the instructions. In winter, it is better to suspend feeding. About the cool folk dressing of geraniums it is written in the publication: 3 best food for geraniums without chemicals. They will help to bloom magnificently and brightly!
Irregular watering
Dried pelargonium
Frequent drying out of the soil in a pot or vice versa, its acidification negatively affects the foliage.
Water as the clod dries up. Drain the drip tray 20 minutes after moistening. Loosen the soil periodically.
My favorite maroon geranium
Plant care mistakes
The main reason for the loss of attractiveness of indoor plants is improper care. If your geranium in the apartment also began to turn yellow and dry, be sure to check out the list of factors that are unfavorable for the development of the flower:
Insufficient or bright lighting
Geranium loves to live on a windowsill, which gets a lot of daylight during the day. Therefore, if a flower lacks light, its leaves may turn yellow. But keep in mind that pelargonium is also intolerant of direct sunlight, under the influence of which yellow or brown burns may appear on the leaves of the flower.
Excessive watering
This is the most common reason for the appearance of yellow leaves on a geranium bush, since this flower does not like excess moisture. Geranium is a drought-resistant plant that needs to be watered no more than once a week (you can only increase the frequency of watering in hot summer).
Lack of regular watering
The room geranium has a very bizarre character, since from a lack of moisture it can behave in the same way as with an overabundance
Therefore, it is important to water the flower every time the soil in the pot dries out by 2.5 cm.To increase the time between waterings, use mulch (this can be marble chips, crushed stone, synthetic materials, pine bark, peat, tea, moss)
Incorrectly selected soil
For good growth, geranium roots need loose, fertile soil. Florists recommend buying a substrate for it in the store, and not digging in the yard of the house. In ordinary sand or loam, the flower will show poor growth.
High air humidity
An excess of moisture can be felt by the plant not only by the roots, but also by the leaves. Therefore, do not spray geranium leaves - this may cause it to turn yellow.
Heat
Geranium shows the best growth at + 20 ° C, while at higher temperatures its leaves can turn yellow. This happens more often in winter, when the air temperature in the room rises from the battery under the windowsill on which the flower stands.
Hypothermia
Pelargonium can also turn yellow at too low temperatures, since during hypothermia, the natural process of flower dying off begins.
Lack of feeding
For rapid and active growth, geranium needs nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and iron. Top dressing should be applied along with water during every third watering or once a month.As a top dressing, choose a universal fertilizer for indoor plants with a minimum amount of nitrogen.
Herbicides
If geranium leaves turn yellow and dry slowly around the edges, try to remember if they have been exposed to weed control herbicides or other chemicals. Plant leaves can change color even after droplets of air freshener get on them.
Small pot
If the root system of the flower exceeds the volume of the pot, the plant will not receive the required amount of nutrients (and possibly moisture). Increase the volume of the pot gradually, otherwise the plant will devote all its strength to building up the root system and will cease to delight with bouquets of flowers. The diameter of the new pot should exceed the diameter of the old one by only 2 cm.
Drafts
If your geranium is on a window that opens for airing even in autumn and winter, the leaves of the plant will turn yellow constantly. But if you rearrange the pelargonium pot away from drafts, it will immediately transform.
Lack of drainage
In a pot of geraniums, a drainage layer must be present in order to remove excess moisture from the roots. Otherwise, the roots of the flower can rot, and with them the whole plant can gradually rot.
Watering errors
Lack of moisture, like its excess, harms the flower. Experienced gardeners note that it is better not to top up the plant than to pour it over. It tolerates drought much better. At the same time, if it was noticed that geranium leaves were curled up, this indicates that the roots have not seen water for a long time. Many novice flower growers, in principle, irrigate incorrectly - they poured water into the pot and that's it. And if the soil is stone inside, it has not been loosened for a long time, then it will be difficult for the liquid to seep inside and reach the root system. The water will sit on the surface until it evaporates. To prevent this from happening, you should at least once a month loosen the soil well and make sure that the water remains on the sump after irrigation.
Sometimes the rolling of pelargonium leaves is a signal of root rot. The problem is especially relevant in winter, when the room is cool, and they forget to reduce the frequency of watering after summer. If this is the case, then it is necessary to remove the rotten roots (if any) and completely replace the soil mixture.
Diagnosing the problem if the leaves turn yellow
In the process of growing geraniums, growers are faced with the problem of yellow leaves. Of course, if this is a natural process of foliage withering away, then nothing should be done, and if the reason lies in improper care, then you need to hurry up. The main thing is to figure out what could provoke this ailment.
Around the edges
If the plant has a yellow rim along the contour of the leaf in winter, then perhaps the reason is illiterate care during this period. Namely, low humidity in the room, lack or excess of water, unsuitable air temperature. As a rule, the leaves begin to turn yellow from below, and if nothing is done, then the whole flower will soon turn yellow.
Why does this phenomenon appear? If obvious signs are identified in the summer, this means a lack of moisture for room geraniums. It is necessary to revise the irrigation system. Also, yellow edges can appear during the acclimatization process, after moving the pot from the room to the street, or vice versa. There is nothing wrong with that, in a couple of weeks the geranium will recover, and the leaves will turn green.
The need for hydration
Lack of moisture level develops when the pot is placed over household heaters, near heating appliances, on a windowsill, where the sun is often. These placement schemes are disastrous even with frequent abundant watering. The imbalance between placement and moisture saturation leads to yellowing, rotting of the root system and the loss of all parts.
Violation of the root system
The edges begin to dry out due to insufficient production of nutrients by the root system, which is not able to provide the development of the entire plant. An indoor flower is recommended to be transplanted: the roots are carefully examined, damaged areas are removed, placed in a manganese solution, and dried before transplanting. If the root system does not have significant damage, it is recommended to choose the right container in accordance with the size during transplantation.
There are spots on the lower and upper leaves
These manifestations indicate watering the plant with cold water. Even droplets of water on the leaves can provoke yellow spots.
When moisturizing, it is important to try to water the geranium carefully. She does not like spraying, and generally excessive moisture
For irrigation, be sure to use settled water at room temperature.
Yellowing turns into blackening
The leaves are an indicator of the state of the plant. They show how correct care is taken for geraniums. If the conditions are not met, yellow spots may appear on the leaves, which subsequently turn black.
Compliance is checked by touch. If the spots are dry, the air in the room is too dry. The solution is to increase the humidity. Wet spots indicate a mealybug infestation. In this case, the geranium throws off the leaves. Worms are found by the sooty fungi that form a black bloom on the plant. Treatment is carried out with insecticides.
If the flower begins to wilt unexpectedly, then it may have root problems (root rot). The disease in a short time can ruin the plant. It is recommended to cut the stalk and plant it. The instruments are preliminarily disinfected. Have geraniums turn yellow and dry leaves what to do?
What should be done first of all, what should be the care of such a plant?
If you notice that the geranium leaves have begun to turn yellow and dry out, start rescue measures immediately. Next, we will consider the algorithm for saving a flower, as well as how to take care of the plant at home in the future:
First of all, check the free space in the pot.
Also pay attention to the condition of the drainage layer. Maybe he's too small
In this case, add some broken bricks. When you remove the roots from the flowerpot, inspect them for drying out and infestation. Be sure to remove the affected parts with sharp scissors or pruning shears.
After that, place the plant on a well-lit windowsill, but at the same time protect the leaf plates from direct sunlight.
Adjust the watering mode. It should be abundant, but not frequent. Make sure that the water in the pot and sump does not stagnate. Drain excess liquid constantly, otherwise it will lead to the development of harmful organisms.
Monitor the condition of the indoor air. There should be no temperature drops. It is not recommended to place the flower near heating devices or air conditioners. These devices dry out the air greatly. Avoid touching cold glass and regularly ventilate the room - geranium responds favorably to the intake of fresh air. But do not allow drafts to appear.
If the soil is completely dry, water it abundantly. In hot weather, the substrate dries quickly.
Home care should include feeding. You need to fertilize the geranium every two weeks. Use complex fertilizers and dilute them strictly according to the instructions. An overabundance of trace elements is also harmful to the culture, as well as their lack. A large amount of nutrients burns the roots, which causes the leaves to turn yellow.
If, when removing a flower and examining it, you notice that the cause of yellowing is in infectious diseases and pests, treat the geranium with insecticides or fungicides (read about what other diseases and pests can infect the plant here). The method of application is described on the package.Isolate a diseased plant from healthy ones and do not rearrange it until complete recovery or destruction of pests.
On our website you can find out why the flower leaves fall and turn black greens, as well as what to do if the leaves turn white, turn red or spots appear on them.
Pelargonium fungus infection
This is a rare occurrence of leaf curling, but it can sometimes happen. Leaves infected with a fungus, in addition to curling, will be covered with spots or white bloom. In this case, you need to quickly treat pelargonium with a special preparation, for example, Bordeaux liquid. Geranium medicine can be purchased at a flower shop.
So, there are several reasons why pelargonium leaves curl and fall off. This alarm cannot be ignored. It is imperative to either reduce or increase watering, or to rid the geranium of the fungus. If you react in time to the problem of twisted leaves, then geranium will quickly recover, and again will delight the eye with abundant, long flowering.
Reasons why geranium leaves curl
If the leaves are curled from below, it means that the geranium lacks such an element as nitrogen. Nitrogen is considered a very important chemical in plant life. Nitrogen is involved in many chemical processes, and, thanks to this element, the plant has beautiful and lush foliage with a rich green color.
If there is not enough nitrogen, then the plant does not look good.
However, an excess of nitrogen also negatively affects the plant, especially the flowering one. As a result, the plant begins to grow fat, leaves will actively develop, but there will be no flowers at all, or very few.
Often leaves curling can begin due to an excess of potassium. This substance is vital for the plant, since thanks to it the plant receives nutrition and has the ability to stock up on the necessary substances. But an excess of potassium is harmful.
Lack of light
In geraniums, leaf curling may also begin for other reasons, for example, due to light. In many books on floriculture, they write that geranium easily tolerates direct sunlight. However, from my own experience, I want to say that this is not always true. It is better to provide the plant with diffused light. By the way, the leaves can curl from dry air and high temperatures. Geranium loves coolness more than heat.
Improper watering
Watering can also play a role, both good and bad. For example, if a geranium lacks moisture, then its leaves begin to curl, due to which moisture evaporation is delayed.
Due to the constant overflow, problems can also begin, since due to excess moisture, the earth is compacted and almost no air reaches the roots. Watering geraniums is necessary only when the top layer of the earth dries out. After watering, try to loosen the soil.
Pests
The most dangerous causes of leaf curling are diseases and pests. If you notice that something is wrong with the leaves, be sure to inspect the plant carefully from all sides to see if there is any sign of pests (mites, for example) on it. All these living creatures settle on flowers and begin to suck out all the juices from them.
Fortunately, it is possible to get rid of pests today, since there are powerful drugs on the market. It is enough to process the plants several times and there will be no trace of insects. True, it is a little more difficult to get rid of ticks, since their larvae are very tenacious and begin to develop in favorable conditions.
Diseases
The most unfavorable cause of leaf curling can be a viral disease. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to get rid of viral diseases, sometimes even impossible. It is often best to get rid of the plants to keep the infection from spreading. Not only twisted leaves speak of a viral disease.Symptoms such as ugly flowers are also present here, they look like torn. And the leaves become curly and even young.
Sometimes the leaves can curl because the pot has become cramped in which case the plant needs to be transplanted.
If you took soil on the site for planting geraniums, then it is possible that it contains earthworms, which can cause leaves to curl, or the larvae of other living creatures. In this case, the plant will have to be transplanted.
Now you know why geranium leaves curl. Perhaps there are more reasons, but I only know these, if you know other reasons, I will be glad if you share them.
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Why do geranium leaves curl
There are many reasons why leaf curling can occur. These include:
- improper watering;
- lack or excess of minerals;
- inappropriate room microclimate;
- prolonged exposure to direct sunlight;
- cramped pot;
- diseases and pests.
Let's take a closer look at each factor.
Improper watering
There must be the correct amount of moisture in the pot, since an excess of it, like a deficiency, is harmful to the plant. In general, geranium is better to dry out than to pour
When watering, it is necessary to pay attention to the condition of the top layer of the soil, if it is too dense, loosening is performed. The process allows the water to flow better into the interior of the pot, nourishing the roots there.
In addition, oxygen is supplied.
In the cold season, the amount of soil moisture must be reduced, since moisture evaporation is slower. Otherwise, the roots can rot, which will negatively affect the leaves: first they curl up, then dry up and fall off. In advanced cases, this can lead to complete death.
Nutrients
Sometimes you can see that geranium leaves curl downward, which indicates a lack of nitrogen in the soil. This element is especially important for the successful growth and development of the flower. It participates in the vast majority of chemical reactions, providing lush green vegetation. With a lack of nitrogen, geranium loses its attractive appearance.
Of course, you should not allow an overabundance: the flower will have large, large leaves, but you can not wait for flowering. Often leaves curling occurs due to a lack of potassium. The substance provides the flower with nutrition and allows you to stock up on useful components.
The pot must contain peat and a small part of river sand. Humus and mineral fertilizers should be added periodically. The corresponding composition can be purchased from specialized stores.
Room microclimate and location
Although pelargonium is considered a plant that loves light, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can have negative consequences. In the summer months, it is better to remove the flower from the windowsill, providing it with a sufficient amount of diffused type of lighting.
Sometimes geranium leaves curl down due to the presence of dry air and high temperatures in the room. The plant prefers cool rooms with sufficient humidity levels. In winter, it is carried away from batteries and other devices that produce heat. Alternatively, you can put a container of water near the pot or purchase a humidifier.
It is not allowed to find a flower in a draft in the cold season. A good place for this period can be a glazed balcony facing the south side of the house, where the temperature is in the range of 10-12 degrees.
Small pot
The capacity in which geranium grows must be gradually increased in accordance with the size of the plant. Do not immediately plant a small sprout in a large pot, this can lead to death or cause slow development and lack of flowering.
Often, in the first years of a flower's life, a transplant is performed every year, since at this time active growth occurs. Then the transplant is performed every 3-5 years. Each next pot should be 3-5 cm larger in diameter or height: it depends on the direction of root growth. If they stick out on the sides, then the container should be larger in diameter, if at the bottom - higher.
Pests and diseases
Trying to understand what to do when geranium leaves curl, you need to take a closer look at the flower, perhaps a pest is located on it or there are traces of disease.
Although the sap of the plant is unpleasant for insects, they can still settle on it. As a rule, this is a spider mite or some species of aphids. You should look under the sheet plates and check for pests. If found, the flower is treated with insecticides. Usually 1-2 spraying procedures are sufficient.
Infections or viruses can cause curling. It is almost impossible to get rid of the latter, so it is better to immediately remove the flower from the house in order to prevent the spread of infection. Symptoms include deformation of the leaves, asymmetrical shape of the petals, and the formation of through holes.
Peculiarities
Pelargonium is a rather unpretentious flower, it is thanks to this feature that it enjoys increased popularity among flower growers in our country. Caring for this ornamental flowering plant does not require much effort. But some rules and subtleties still need to be known, since if they are not followed, the leaves of geraniums begin to curl and turn yellow, which leads to the wilting of the entire plant. Geranium comes from the southern part of the African continent, so the flower prefers warm and well-lit areas. The owners most often place it on the east, south or west windowsill. Let's say more - in the summer, the flower will feel comfortable in the garden in the open field, but as soon as the temperature begins to drop, the plant should be immediately returned to the house.
The culture pleases with its flowering all year round, subject to proper watering, optimal light conditions and top dressing. For a lush flowering of pelargonium, it is necessary to pinch from time to time and prune in a timely manner. The plant is very beautiful, so any problems with it can seriously upset the grower. Let us dwell in more detail on the reasons for the wilting of geraniums, methods of flower resuscitation and disease prevention.
Pests and diseases
All kinds of insects are reluctant to land on the plant, because it is "tasteless". True, this does not mean that the pests fly around the flower at all, some can still “settle” on geraniums. Often we are talking about a spider mite. To detect parasites, you need to carefully examine the plant. Especially carefully you should look at the lower leaf plates, where parasites settle. It is not difficult to notice them. We are talking about small bugs on the flower, dark spots on the leaves, tears on them and similar deviations, which should not be.
If something like that was noticed, it means that "uninvited guests" came to the geranium. The most important thing is to notice the problem in time and start fixing it. There are a number of drugs on the market today that are effective against a number of parasites. These are insecticides or chemicals. Having processed the flower several times, there will be no trace of the pests.
Excess or lack of nutrition
Top dressing plays an important role. If there is none at all, then the plant suffers from a lack of minerals and begins to wither. If it is excessive, then geranium often stops blooming, it can drop leaves.
Lack of nitrogen leads to curling of the lower and middle leaves. This element is essential for the beautiful appearance of the plant. Thanks to him, geranium leaves look healthy, juicy, green, the plant is actively growing and developing. Due to a lack of nitrogen, the state of the leaves worsens - they wither, become thinner, curl up into a tube.
Potassium is an equally important element in the life of a plant. It is necessary for the full growth and development of geraniums. At the same time, an overabundance of potassium in the soil leads to leaf deformation.
If you recently fed geraniums and it was after this that this problem appeared, most likely the matter is in the nutrition of the flower. Stop feeding and rest the plant.
Why do the leaves of room geranium curl and how to fix the situation
Geranium or pelargonium is the most beautiful flower that gardeners have recently acquired more and more often. Often this is due to the particular unpretentiousness of the plant, as well as its resistance to many types of diseases. The latter is possible due to the fact that the leaf plates contain phytoncides and alkaloids - protective components (and they are very bitter) that repel many pests. Novice flower growers, knowing that a flower does not need much care, actively plant it and breed it, decorating the windowsills of their own apartments.
However, noticing that the leaves of the geranium are twisting inward, gardeners, in bewilderment, begin to shrug their shoulders, how and why this could happen. This will never happen with a healthy flower, and if so, then it is necessary to deal with the causes of twisting of the leaf plates and methods of eliminating the problem.
