Fragrant geranium

Royal pelargonium: origins

However, royal Pelargonium, distinguished by its bright appearance and beauty, is quite demanding in terms of care and maintenance. Let's put it bluntly: like a king! The name Pelargonium is the most correct, because this plant has only a genus in common with geraniums, but otherwise the indicators are very different. And, despite its unpretentious relatives, Pelargonium royal is inclined to show its character at all to please novice and inexperienced flower growers. From time to time, she may refuse to bloom, abruptly go into growth or slow it down.

But nothing can stop the tireless lovers of beauty: flower growers who want to tame this capricious beauty in their home. And she obeys them, if she is properly looked after and given enough attention.

Nice features of pelargonium

The flowers of the plant are quite bright and large, densely dotting the stem, the height of which can reach one and a half meters in length, if not pruned. This, of course, is a great rarity, because it is customary to keep the height of the plant in the range from 40 to 60 cm, a layer of small villi covers the leaves, and the root system is weak and vulnerable. The diameter of the flowers is close to 15 cm. The density and abundance of flowering is striking in its spectacle. Ideally, geraniums can bloom from March to October.

During flowering, Geranium Royal enriches the environment with many phytoncides and essential oils. They have a positive effect on the psychoemotional sphere of the owners of the house in which this plant grows. Pelargonium helps to improve sleep, helps to cope with irritability and stress.

It is popularly believed that pelargonium harmonizes intra-family relations, protects from the evil eye, stabilizes the financial situation of its owners, attracts well-being and happiness.

Comments!
The components of this plant are actively used in cosmetology, in the manufacture of massage oils. Such oils are also used for varicose veins, as well as for hair and skin care.

Attention!
Allergy sufferers and asthmatics are advised to be vigilant and cautious when buying these flowers at home. The aroma from it is barely perceptible, but it can cause a number of unpleasant allergic symptoms.

The benefits of geranium

Geranium is not only very beautiful, but also useful. It contains many substances and elements useful for our body, thanks to which the plant helps in the healing of a number of diseases. Geranium is rich in:

• vitamins;
• essential oils;
• tannins;
• bioflavonoids;
• anthocyanins;
• alkaloids;
• saponin;
• carotene;
• organic acids;
• pectin;
• starch;
• sucrose;
• micro and macro elements, etc.

With the help of the leaves of the plant, you can get rid of headaches and toothaches, stop bleeding, relieve stress. Geranium destroys kidney stones, has a beneficial effect on the digestive tract, heart and blood vessels. Possessing bactericidal and antiviral effects, pelargonium copes well with colds and viral diseases.

Origin

Pelargonium is a perennial that is a close relative of the well-known geranium. An interesting fact: the crane, which is found everywhere in the meadows and forests of central Russia, in fact, is a real geranium. And favorite indoor "geraniums" are pelargoniums.

The first specimens were brought from South Africa, they gave rise to all modern varieties. It is generally accepted that the look familiar to many growers, first of all, blooms effectively.There are also fragrant varieties, whose carved leaves have a pleasant smell of apple, lemon, mint. They fill sachets and gift baskets, make boutonnieres. Inflorescences on a fragrant bush are medium-sized, there are not always many of them.

The group includes many types that differ:

• by the shape and color of the leaves;
• by type, size and color of flowers;
• in the direction of growth of the bush.

There are plants that resemble tulips and roses. A variety similar to viols (pansies) was named "Angel". It appeared as a result of crossing the royal and curly varieties. The hybrid inherited from the curly ancestor a delicate lemon scent and bright green "lace" leaves, and from the royal one - lush and abundant flowering. It was bred in the 30s of the last century by the English breeder Arthur Langley-Smith.

Home care

Lemon geranium grows well and develops at home. In order for the plant to be comfortable, some recommendations should be followed. The optimum air temperature is about 20 degrees. The plant loves moisture and needs regular watering, in summer the procedure should be carried out daily, in winter it should be reduced to a couple of times a week. The main thing is to control the absence of stagnant water and excess liquid. Do not spray geraniums, this can lead to the appearance of light yellow spots, which significantly spoil the appearance.

The plant needs fresh air, so if possible it is recommended to ventilate the room, however, it is necessary to exclude the possibility of drafts. Geraniums require an annual transplant, it is best to carry it out at the very beginning of spring. Pruning is also done in the spring, but pinching is done in the fall.

For feeding, it is best to use special means. Mister Color and Gilea are perfect. Before using them, you must carefully read the instructions. You need to fertilize the flower in spring and autumn. Do not use cold water for irrigation. It must be clean, filtered or settled.

Diseases and pests

For all the unpretentiousness of geranium, there are diseases and pests that can harm the plant, up to its death. If you follow simple rules, then geranium will delight you with its flowering. There are main signs that signal the onset of a disease:

The appearance of spots on the leaves of a plant is an indicator that it is affected by a fungus or viruses. In order to avoid further reproduction of the disease, the leaves must be removed and the stems must be treated with a special preparation.
Abundant fall of foliage is a sign of plant damage by a fungus.
Stem blackening is caused by bacteria. The treatment in this case is similar to the previous one - it is necessary to spray the plant with a suitable preparation.
Plaque indicates a lesion with gray rot. It often appears in damp and cold rooms. In this case, it is necessary to provide good ventilation.
A common parasite that destroys the roots and leads to the death of the plant is the nematode. In case of such a disease, the geranium will simply have to be thrown away, since the treatment will most likely be ineffective.
When one gets the impression that the foliage of a flower has influxes, then this is also a sign of a disease. High humidity and lack of light are the reasons for the development of this situation. To do this, you need to dry the soil or simply replace it.

When transplanting, it is important to add drainage.

The most common geranium pests are caterpillars, aphids, termites.

• If the leaves of the plant curl and the shoots stop growing, become covered with scabs, then most likely the plant is affected by ticks. Heat and high humidity are optimal conditions for their appearance and reproduction. To combat insects, it is necessary to treat the leaves of the plant with soapy water or preparations. Also, the defeat of the plant by ticks is characterized by the appearance of yellow blotches and dry islands on the leaves.
• Rot at the base of the stem is a sign of the appearance of mosquito larvae.Sown plants and cuttings are most often infected with them. Immediately after the appearance of such a parasite, the plant must be treated with specialized preparations.
• Leaf deformations, plaque, the appearance of brown spots indicate the defeat of geraniums by thrips or aphids. Caterpillars, when the plant is damaged, leave gouging areas on the leaves or on the stems. Whitefly can be spotted with the naked eye. It is an insect with white wings. It leaves an unpleasant sticky bloom on the plant.

For information on how to properly care for fragrant geraniums, see the next video.

Where and how to plant it?

Indoor geranium is considered a non-capricious flower (learn all about the types and varieties of indoor geranium here). Despite the fact that it is a native of warm countries, it easily tolerates cold temperate winters. The most suitable place for a plant is a spacious room with plenty of light and fresh air.

Herbalists advise placing the flower in the bedroom as Pelargonium graveolens improves sleep. It also cleans the air well from germs and unpleasant odors, so the second option for location will be the kitchen. In summer, the flower can be taken outside, but hidden under a canopy from direct sunlight.

When choosing a location for lemon geranium, it is worth considering possible allergic reactions. Do not place the plant in a room where small children sleep.

For the full development of geraniums, it is important to choose the right pot. For an adult plant, a suitable size of 20-25 cm in diameter and 3-4 cm in height

It is preferable to choose clay as the material for the planting container. In a plastic pot, the root system decays. The capacity should be renewed as the plant grows. If there is not enough space for the flower, then it begins to die.

Lighting and location

Lemon geranium is a light-loving flower, but it can grow even with little light in the back of the room. She will immediately make it clear to the owner with her appearance about the lack of lighting. If there is little light, the leaves will turn light green. The plant itself will stretch upward, the shoots will be thin and long. To correct the situation, you need to put the flower in the sun for about 6 hours. This is how much time per day geraniums need for full growth.

In the room, geraniums are best placed on the windowsills on the west or east side. At the same time, the place must be completely protected from possible drafts. It is not recommended to place the flower under a stream of hot or cold air, that is, directly near heating appliances or under an air conditioner.

To stimulate flowering, you need to use additional artificial lighting.

Soil requirements

For planting and transplanting lemon geraniums, choose a special or universal soil. You can buy it from a garden store or make it yourself.

It is important that the soil mixture meets the following standards: it has a good drainage layer, is moderately loose, rich in mineral components

The following components, taken in equal proportions, are considered the optimal composition for geraniums:

• coarsely fractional river sand;
• peat;
• charcoal;
• humus;
• sod land.

Soil acidity plays an equally important role in the further growth of Pelargonium graveolens. She does not tolerate a drop in pH to 5.5, in which case she stops eating. The ideal acidity ratio is considered to be pH 6.5. The soil should be neutral or slightly acidic.

It is necessary to regularly loosen the soil in the flowerpot for unhindered access of air to the root system.

When geraniums release inflorescences and how long does this period last

Proper care allows you to admire the attractive buds of the plant. Depending on the variety, geraniums can bloom at different times of the year:

• Forest and large-rhizome geraniums bloom in mid-May. The inflorescences of these plants retain their color for 30-40 days.
• Georgian and small-grained geraniums begin to release inflorescences in mid-June. The duration of their flowering is up to 40 days.
• Dalmatian, marsh and meadow geraniums bloom in mid-July. The flowering period is only 20 days.
• Ash and Renard's geraniums bloom in the middle of summer. The flowering period is 30 days.

Why geraniums do not bloom

At home, geraniums can bloom up to 6 times a season. With proper care, the crop will form buds regularly and retain its color for up to 20 days.

Duration of flowering of a plant

Geranium flowering conditions

In order for the plant to form buds, it is important to observe the following care features:

• In the house, geraniums should be on the south side. The plant requires a lot of sunlight. On the site, you must choose an open place. Adequate sun exposure promotes large leaves and abundant flowering.
• In the house, the plant should not be placed near heating appliances. Because of this, the lower leaves of the bush turn yellow, and the peduncles form small buds.
• The culture does not tolerate clay types of soil. It is necessary to give preference to loose soil that allows air to pass through well. If the soil is used for gardening, it is necessary to mix it with river sand.
• For the formation of inflorescences, it is necessary to regularly make additional fertilizing. For geraniums, complex mineral fertilizers are used, which not only contribute to the appearance of inflorescences, but also prolong the flowering period of the plant.
• Compliance with a certain temperature. The plant begins to bloom only if the air temperature exceeds 12 degrees.
• For flowering, it is necessary that the house be free of drafts. Otherwise, the culture may die.
• Geraniums need to be watered regularly and abundantly. Only in this case, the peduncles will be able to stretch out and form buds. Even in winter, when the indoor air is dry, it is undesirable to spray the leaves. This can lead to a reduced flowering period.
• The flower pot should be spacious enough, since the plant has a well-developed root system. Timely transplants will stimulate the formation of inflorescences.

Conditions for growth

Geraniums can be attacked by pests, so it is necessary to regularly inspect the leaves of the crop. When the first symptoms appear, it is recommended to treat the plant with special means and separate it from other flowers. Most often, aphids appear on the culture. These insects feed on the sap of the plant, which leads to the weakness of the shoots.

Important! Frequent plant transplants can damage the root system, so when choosing a pot, you must take into account the rapid growth of roots.

Planting and transplanting

Young plants need an annual transplant, and adults only when the roots are cramped in the pot. It is better to replant the culture in the spring.

There is nothing difficult about this:

1. The first step is to cut the bush.
2. Then all unnecessary branches and leaves are removed from it.
3. Plant the prepared plant in a pot with a drainage layer at the bottom and an earthen mixture.

Planting fragrant geraniums must begin with the correct choice of substrate. It must be rich in nutrients. For self-preparation of the soil mixture, it is necessary to mix the following components in equal proportions:

• peat;
• sand;
• garden land.

The planting process is as follows:

1. Place a drainage layer on the bottom of the container.
2. Add nutritious soil on top (1/3 of the pot).
3. Prepare the cutting: after it is cut, hold it in the air to dry the wound.
4. Plant the plant in moist soil, covered with a cut plastic bottle for a week.

When the sprout is well rooted, it is pinched a little to stimulate branching.

How to properly prune geraniums for lush bloom?

Geranium is cut taking into account its variety and type, but in any case, the correction is carried out for each plant.Perennial varieties of geraniums are pruned twice a year - this will increase the splendor of the plant, give it shape and stimulate abundant flowering.

How is pruning carried out:

1. Remove dry leaves and wilted inflorescences, then make a cut with a clean and sharp knife - it is done along the outside of the bush, above the knot of leaves.
2. After cutting, a fresh place is sprinkled with activated carbon, and the plant itself is fertilized with nitrogen-containing compounds to stimulate the growth of lateral shoots and flowering.

In terms of the height of the cut, it is enough to leave half the length from the shoot. This will provide a normal level of air exchange and access to the lower leaves of sufficient light - such manipulations will stimulate the release of not only new shoots. But also the peduncle.

We create compositions with geraniums, see the video instruction:

Types and varieties of geraniums with photos and names

Geranium zonale (Pelargonium zonale)

It is also called kalachik. This type is most common in indoor culture. The height of the bush is from 0.3 to 0.6 m, but it can reach 1 m. There are concentric circles on its dark green foliage. Ball-shaped umbrellas consist of double or simple flowers, which can be painted in crimson, pink, red or white.

Geranium ivy, or thyroid (Pelargonium peltatum)

This ampelous geranium is planted in hanging flowerpots. Its fragile hanging stems can be about 1 meter long. They are decorated with brushes consisting of semi-double, simple or double flowers of various colors.

Royal geranium (Pelargonium grandiflorum)

This species has a large number of shapes, varieties and colors. There are specimens with variegated foliage, as well as double or simple flowers. The bush reaches a height of about 50 cm. The flowers on the lower petals have a dark speck or stripes along the veins.

Scented Geraniums (Pelargonium graveolens)

Such a bush can have the aroma of lemon, almond, pepper, lemon balm, mint, ginger, pineapple, strawberry, coconut or pine needles. You can feel it just by touching the foliage. The plant is used to obtain geranium oil, which is used in the medical, cosmetic and food industries. Small flowers are purple or pale pink.

Geranium Angels

During flowering, the bush is decorated with hanging dense inflorescences, consisting of flowers similar to pansies. Indoor bush about 30 cm high.

Unicums

This hybrid plant was created by crossing the royal and brilliant geraniums. The foliage is heavily dissected and has a spicy scent. Highly decorative inflorescences are similar to royal geranium flowers.

Succulent geraniums

There are ten species, among which there are specimens with and without thorns. The plant has unusual curved shoots, which makes it look like a miniature baobab. It is often used to create bonsai.

Variety of Pelargonium. Types, varieties and varieties!