Pelargonium is a herbaceous plant from the Geranium family. India and South Africa are its homeland, but for several centuries this flower has been grown in our country as an indoor. It is also called geranium, a small stick and a crane. However, geranium and pelargonium are still different plants. The first is a powerful frost-resistant perennial. The second is a tender, thermophilic crumb. A specific smell spreads from the slightest contact. To some, he seems harsh and unpleasant, while others simply admire him. It is also believed that pelargonium in the home improves the microclimate, and makes family relationships warmer.
Appearance
Pelargonium is an evergreen perennial. Its strong grassy shoots strongly branch and form a shrub. They are quite meaty. There are varieties with erect or lodging stems. They are rapidly increasing in size. In just a year, a flower can grow by 20-30 cm. The average height of indoor plants is 60-90 cm, it is achieved by regular pruning and rejuvenation.
The leaves of the pelargonium are petiolate, they grow again. The surface of the sheet is bare, shiny or pubescent. The color predominates in green, there are species with variegated leaves. In shape, the leaf plates are round, heart-shaped or palmate. The relief of radial veins is visible on the surface.
At home, the flowering of pelargonium can last almost a whole year, but most often it happens from May to September. In the axils of the leaves and on the tops of the shoots, a rather long, bare peduncle grows. It carries an umbrella, almost spherical inflorescence. Flowers on short pedicels are located close to each other. They are painted in various shades of red, white and yellow. The shape of the whisk depends on the variety. Most often it consists of 5 petals, which differ in size.
After pollination, the fruits ripen - seed boxes. A fully ripe fruit opens at the bottom, like a beak of a crane. Actually, the name "pelargonium" comes from the word "crane".
Types of Pelargonium
In total, there are more than 250 species of plants in the genus pelargonium. Moreover, botanists from different countries continue to argue about the classification. Among cultivated species, only 6, but the number of decorative varieties is simply huge.
Pelargonium is zonal. The species was most widespread and one of the first cultivated. It includes more than 75,000 varieties. A plant with branched, fleshy shoots and dense, rounded leaves grows quite quickly. On the sheet plate in the central part there is a lighter spot (zone). It is surrounded by a bright edging. Flowering is very plentiful. Up to a dozen large umbrellas with bright colors can appear at the same time. Foliage exudes a specific aroma. Varieties are divided into thematic groups:
- Pelargonium is tulip-shaped. Even the blossoming flowers remain quite narrow and resemble tulip buds. Each inflorescence carries a large number of flowers.
Pelargonium tulip - Terry pelargonium. Each flower has 9 or more petals:
- dovepoint - dwarf bush with large pink and white flowers;
- brookside Katerina - bright pink flowers;
- magnus - a compact, slow-growing bush with dark green leaves blooms saturated red flowers;
- saxdalens selma - profusely dissolves dense pink buds;
- wendy real - a dwarf plant with salmon-pink corollas;
- sister henry - a medium-sized bush with dark green leaves dissolves dense bright pink inflorescences;
- bold gold - golden green leaves are combined with salmon buds;
- pensby - a tiny bush with dense inflorescences of soft pink buds;
- Kenny's Double - a medium-sized plant simultaneously produces many inflorescences with raspberry red flowers.
Terry pelargonium - Pelargonium roseaceous (pink). Plants with terry flowers that look like small roses.
- april snow - flowers in the form of tiny white roses with a pink border on the petals;
- shelk moira - a dwarf bush covered with coral, rose-like flowers;
- anita - blooms with white-pink small flowers and grows large shiny leaves;
- vectis rosebud is a dense compact bush with bright red buds.
Pelargonium reticulum - Non-double pelargonium. Plants with simple five-petalled flowers.
- bob newing - angular palmate leaves are variegated from dark green, white and pink, flowers are plain, red.
Non-double pelargonium
Pelargonium pelvic (ampelous). Creeping shoots grow 25-100 cm in length. They are covered with smooth, angular leaves, like ivy. Depending on the variety, the flowers are double or simple. They are collected in dense inflorescences. A popular variety of green eyes - semi-double or double flowers of white-purple color in the center have a green eye.
Royal pelargonium. Very beautiful, but moody plant. It is distinguished by its large size and powerful branched shoots. The dense crown is up to 50 cm high. The serrated broad foliage is similar to maple. Large flowers with corrugated petals grow 4-7 cm wide. The color is dominated by purple, pink, scarlet. Petals are always variegated. Plants necessarily need a dormant period. Flowering lasts no more than 4 months.
Pelargonium of grandiflora (large-flowered). A branched shrub up to 1 m in height is covered with lobed or dissected leaves on long petioles. Foliage is bare or slightly pubescent. Each peduncle carries 1-3 flowers with a diameter of 3-4 cm. Red strokes are located on white petals. Flowers bloom in April-June.
Pelargonium angel. The species was obtained as a result of interspecific selection. It differs in smaller (1-2 cm in diameter) foliage and creeping shoots. The plant is less capricious and grows fast. It dissolves simple asymmetric flowers with larger upper petals. Variety "the mole" grows upright, branched stems, covered with light green foliage. The tops are decorated with inflorescences with white and burgundy petals.
Breeding methods
At home, pelargonium is propagated by cuttings and seeds. The vegetative method is used more often, since it is as simple as possible and retains the varietal characteristics of the mother plant. Most pelargoniums regularly need pruning, so material for grafting is easy to obtain. Usually take sprouts 2-15 cm long with 1-2 nodes. The slice is made perpendicular to a sharp blade at a distance of 5 mm from the site. If there are flowers, they are removed to reduce the consumption of nutrients. Large sheet plates are cut in half. It is convenient to root cuttings in water, and when the roots appear, plant them in loose, fertile soil. You can immediately identify the sprouts in pots with wet but not wet peat. For zonal pelargonium maintain a temperature of + 20 ... + 25 ° C. Angels, royal and ivy need to be kept at + 18 ° C. The rooting process takes from 2 weeks (zonal) to 3 months (royal). The first flowering can occur within six months.
To grow pelargonium from seeds, you must first prepare the planting material. Thick-skinned seeds are scarified. Then they are placed in a wet towel for a day. Crops are produced in shallow pots with a mixture of perlite and peat to a depth of 3-5 mm. They are sprayed with water and covered with a film. During the germination period, the temperature is maintained at + 21 ... + 23 ° C. Shoots appear in 10-15 days. After that, the shelter is removed and the container is transferred to a room with diffused bright light. When 2-3 leaves appear on the seedlings, they are dived in separate pots. Younger specimens need brighter lighting, so they use the backlight.
Home Care
Pelargonium, with the exception of the royal, are unpretentious plants, but all of them should choose a comfortable place and periodically pay attention.
Lighting. The plant needs a long daylight and bright light. Direct sunlight will not hurt. In winter, it is recommended to use a backlight so that the stems do not stretch.
Temperature. Pelargonium will be comfortable at + 25 ° C. In summer, it is advisable to bring the flower to the balcony or veranda. In winter, it is recommended to provide a cool content (+ 12 ... + 14 ° C). This stimulates the laying of flower buds.
Humidity. The plant easily adapts to normal indoor air humidity. Only occasionally during the heating season can the leaf tips dry out. For prevention, the crown is sprayed from the spray gun. Try to prevent water from collecting in drops.
Watering. Pelargonium is relatively drought-resistant, so it is necessary to give the earthly one a third to dry. Excess water should be removed.
Fertilizer. With a fairly fertile soil, regular feeding is not needed. It is enough to apply fertilizer 1-2 times with a frequency of 2-3 weeks during the period of budding and flowering. It is recommended to use mineral complexes with a high phosphorus content. Organics are undesirable.
Pruning. It is common for all pelargoniums to stretch, so plants are periodically cut off, leaving 2-4 knots from the ground. Pruning of yellowed and dry leaves is also carried out. In this case, the base of the petiole is left on the stem.
Transfer. Plants are transplanted every 1-3 years. The procedure is carried out in spring or summer. The pot should be selected medium size not too big, but steady. A thick layer of drainage material is poured at the bottom. In the soil mixture add sand, peat, turf and leaf soil in equal quantities.
Diseases and pests. When the soil is flooded or damp in the room, pelargonium often suffers from fungal infections (gray rot, rust). At an early stage, they try to remove damaged areas and carry out fungicide treatment. If it is not possible to save the whole flower, cut the cuttings from healthy stems. The soil is completely replaced, and the pot is scalded with boiling water. Common plant pests are whiteflies, mealybugs, spider mites, thrips and aphids. It is not difficult to get rid of them with the help of insecticides, but it is important to see parasites in a timely manner. For this, a thorough inspection is periodically necessary.
