Let's talk about pelargonium, better known as geranium. It grows in many people, both in apartments and in summer cottages and gardens. Pelargonium fell in love with its unusually bright inflorescences and a wide variety of varieties and forms. But, as it turns out, not only inflorescences can have variegated colors.
Pelargonium is a representative of the Geranium family. Perennial culture, varieties of which are represented as semi-shrubs. Plant height is from 25 to 55 cm. The stems are slightly branched, upright. For the first time variegated varieties of pelargonium were presented to high society at the very beginning of the 20th century. The cost of such a geranium at the moment is about 250 rubles.
Features of appearance
The variety has a very beautiful variegatedness: the bright green center is often fenced with a white and yellow edging, showing a burgundy shade in the sun. In addition, the foliage is with a rim in two or three strips, allocated on a leaflet cream, yellow, brown, golden colors. Inflorescences are small, simple shapes of bright colors.
The genus stands out for its calm growth and quite good branching, it is wonderfully suited as a detail in the interior due to its unique decorative leaves.
Attention! The most unpretentious geraniums are considered varieties with golden and gold-black leaves. They appear to be the most durable, well tolerated wintering and direct sunlight.
A photo
See also the photo of this plant:
Where better to plant and how?
Ideal soil
It can be planted already in ready store mixes with a neutral indicator of soil acidity.
If you do not trust the purchased formulations, you can prepare a mixture at home. It will take two parts:
- sod land;
- sheet;
- overtake
All this needs to be mixed with a small amount of coarse sand. Drainage and a thin layer of soil are poured into the pot, onto which a flower is planted along with the earth, sprinkling the roots with new soil.
During budding the transplanted flower must be intensively fertilized.. Using a comprehensive feeding once a week will be enough. Compost can be combined with irrigation, diluting with water. Such a tandem will provide access to nutrients to the roots. Replace in early spring.
Location and lighting
Experienced flower growers are advised to have a beauty at the south window.
Growing Pelargonium on the balcony, you can transfer it there too in April. If you want to send a flower to the garden, wait until the air with the earth warms up to the proper temperature.
In the cold season, place the geranium on the warmest and lightest window sills.. She is not afraid of sunlight. Enhanced lighting is good for her. But in the days of the warm season, leaving the geranium on the window, it is necessary to shade the culture from hitting the rays.
Care features
- Crop.
- Watering.
- Temperature.
The right time to form a variegated geranium - spring. Autumn pruning tolerates poorly. Thanks to this procedure, it is possible to facilitate wintering, form the appearance of young shoots and lateral processes and increase the number of inflorescences. The plant which has grown up during a dream in the spring is cut off repeatedly.
Important! From the middle of autumn geranium begins a period of peace and development stops.
On hot days, watering is needed constant, but it is important to observe that the water does not stagnate. In the pots must be drainage holes, they contribute to the care of excess water. Spraying and washing the leaves is strictly prohibited, it harms the plant. Watering should be at the root or in the pan.
Do not forget that the geraniums need winter peace. The temperature suitable for this is 10 ° C. If during this period does not contain the correct temperature, the buds can not wait. If a darkened edge of a leaf is detected in the winter, it is urgently removed from the window, this is a warning that the temperature is too low.
During the flowering period, an approximate temperature of 20-23 degrees. In the free street space feels comfortable even in the sun.
Diseases and pests
- Verticillary wilting. A deadly disease for pelargoniums. Only one way out - the destruction of the affected flowers and circumcision of all suspicious shoots. Treat biofunhididom trichodermine under each bush 2 g funds.
- Gray rot. Appears rusty stains throughout the plant. Foliage wither and turn yellow. The disease occurs due to waterlogging, but it can also be caused by a large amount of nitrogen in the fertilizer. To help resist circumcision and fungicides. After infection, the flower is transplanted into a new soil and change the pot.
- Eden. Appears in the form of growths on the leaves. Treatment - reduce watering and cut off all the bad leaves.
Breeding
- Cuttings.
- The division of the bush.
We prepare the cuttings by drying them in a tank with the composition of coarse sand and perlite. Planted twigs set for adoption in partial shade. As soon as the plant is strengthened, it can be safely planted in a container and put in a normally lit place.
To separate a bush, it is necessary to water it well, then pull it out of the pot with a lump and divide it neatly. After dividing cut high branches to 5-7cm and land in the ground. The first time the plant will be capricious, throwing off the leaves and fading - this is normal. After a week, feed the future flower a little to stimulate growth.
Learning how to properly care for the plant, you can grow a flower of incredible beauty that will thank you for sure, delighting with its colors and bizarre forms.
