What kind of houseplant is this?
Geranium is a flower that is very popular among gardeners. It is sure to be in the collection of an aristocrat or on the windowsill of an elderly person. Nowadays the interest in it is not the same as before, but people still appreciate it for its many advantages.
Reference. Geraniums are credited with healing properties. It can even protect against insect pests.
It grows well at home or in the garden. Numerous varieties and varieties have been discovered, thereby giving the right of choice to everyone who wants to acquire a pot of it. She has great potential in medicine.
We recommend that you read our other articles on how to care for geraniums:
- houses in pots;
- a house plant in winter;
- in open ground.
In culture[edit | edit code]
In Europe, geranium was introduced into cultivation in the 17th century; in Russia it appeared at the beginning of the 18th century and became widespread at the beginning of the 19th century, when Russian botanists began actively studying the flora of the Caucasus [11].
Species common in cultivation and resistant to climatic conditions in central Russia:
The above species, with the exception of Geranium Roberta, can grow in one place without dividing and replanting for 8-15 years. Signs of aging (death of the middle of the bush) begin to appear at 6-7 years.
Flowering time
(for central Russia):
- Flowers bloom at the end of May, flowering lasts 20-30 days: Geranium large-rhizome, Himalayan, red-brown, forest.
- Flowers bloom in mid-June, flowering 40-45 days: Geranium small-stamened, Georgian, Endrisa, flat-petaled, Roberta, blood-red.
- Flowers bloom in early July, flowering 30-40 days: Magnificent geranium, marsh, Dalmatian, Renarda, meadow.
- Flowers bloom at the end of July, flowering 30-40 days: Ash geranium.
Types of geraniums with beautiful (yellow or reddish) color of autumn foliage: Robert's geranium, Georgian, flat-petaled, large-rhizomatous, small-stamened. Evergreen species: Blood-red, red-brown geranium.
Photophilous species:
Geranium magnificent, Himalayan, Georgian, Dalmatian, Endrisa, small-stamened, large-rhizome, Renarda, flat-petaled.
Shade-tolerant species
: Blood-red, meadow, marsh geranium.
Shade-loving species
: Red-brown geranium, Roberta, forest.
Drought-resistant species
: Dalmatian geranium, ashy, Renarda, large-rhizome.
The soil
: loose, well-drained, fertile. Most species grow on acidic, slightly acidic and neutral soils. Calciphiles: Blood-red geranium, Dalmatian, ashy, Endris, Renard [5].
Some varieties are of hybrid origin [edit | edit code ]
Soil value
Why can’t you replant pelargonium into the first substrate you come across on the counter in a flower shop? The fact is that the fate of the plant depends on the composition of the soil , whether it will bloom at home or not.
- Turf. It is rich in nutrients that are so necessary for the growth of indoor plants: palm, dracaena, monstera, ficus.
- Leaf soil. It is obtained in a simple way: in the fall, leaves are collected and placed in a stack. In the summer they constantly spill it with water, not forgetting to shovel it at least twice. Even after 2-3 years, begonias, cyclamens, camellias, myrtle, etc. are planted in it.
- Peat is a mandatory mixture to increase soil acidity. It is collected from the swamp, placed in a stack, and shoveled from time to time to eliminate harmful substances.
- Heather soil , it is harvested from heather thickets, and then added to pots with azaleas, orchids, gloxinias, etc.
Notes[edit | edit code]
- ↑ For the convention of indicating the class of dicotyledons as a superior taxon for the group of plants described in this article, see the section “APG Systems” of the article “Dicotyledons”.
- ↑ Geranium // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg, 1890-1907.
- ↑ Zhuravelnik // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg, 1890-1907.
- ↑ The Plant List: Geranium
- ↑ 123
Karpisonova R. A. Geraniums in the garden. "Kladez-Books", 2006. ISBN 5-93395-156-0 - ↑ Jelitto, Leo; Schacht, Wilhelm; Epp, Translated by Michael E. & John Philip Baumgardt, Technical Editor (1990), Hardy herbaceous perennials
, vol. 1, Portland, Or.: Timber Press, p. 260–64, ISBN 978-0-88192-159-5 - ↑ Hessing, M.B. 1989. Variation in self-fertility and floral characters of
Geranium caespitosum
(Geraniaceae) along an elevational gradient
. Plant Systematics and Evolution 166:225–241. - ↑ Van Etten and Chang 2014. Frequency-dependent pollinator discrimination acts against female plants in the gynodioecious
Geranium maculatum Annals of Botany 114:1769-1778 - ↑ Elzinga, Jelmer A.;
Varga, Sandra. Prolonged stigma and flower lifespan in females of the gynodioecious plant Geranium sylvaticum (English) // Flora: journal. — 2022. — Vol. 226. - P. 72-81. - doi:10.1016/j.flora.2016.11.007. - ↑ Mordak, 1981.
- ↑ Andreeva V.A.
Review of the collection of the genus
Geranium
L. in the State Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences // Botanical gardens in the modern world: theoretical and applied research: Materials of the All-Russian Federation. scientific conf / Demidov A.S. - M.: Scientific T. ed. KMK, 2011. Archived May 12, 2012.
What soil composition is needed?
Geranium is a plant that is not picky about soil. But you shouldn’t buy just any one. It is advisable to follow certain recommendations when selecting it. So, what kind of soil should this houseplant be planted in?
Most often, gardeners buy universal soil, adding the necessary components to it . Vermiculite, river sand and perlite are suitable. All components are mixed and then poured into a pot of geranium. The main thing is to make sure that there is no mold or insects in the soil.
Reference. The flower grows well in loose and well-drained soil. You can buy special soil at a flower shop or prepare the substrate yourself.
Sometimes peat is added to the universal soil, which promotes the growth and development of the crop.
Temperature
In the spring and summer, when pelargonium is actively growing and blooming, it is necessary to maintain a temperature of 20 to 25°C. From October to the end of February, you can organize a cool winter for the plant with a temperature of 12 to 15°C. In such conditions it is at rest and does not grow.
In winter, it is advisable to create dormant conditions for pelargonium.
If there is no suitable place for wintering, geranium can be kept in winter and at room temperature. But in this case it is necessary to organize additional lighting.
Preparing the substrate for planting a flower
- Before preparing the land, select a container. You can use a pot that has been used. In this case, wash it the day before the scheduled procedure and disinfect it.
- At the next stage, a drainage layer is placed in the pot. It is sold in the store. In principle, you don’t have to buy it, but use pebbles, polystyrene foam, ceramic shards or broken bricks for drainage. If in the future they will water with hard tap water, put pieces of dried pine bark at the bottom. It will acidify the soil and remove excess moisture from it.
- 1/5-1/4 of the pot’s volume is allocated to the drainage layer. Then they put the soil. If you prepare it yourself, take the following components: turf, humus, sand (8:2:1). It is advisable to sprinkle it after transshipment of the transplanted plant, trying to remove all voids.
- All that remains is to water the geranium with settled water and wait for the excess to drain into the pan.
Trimming / Support / Garter
Indoor geraniums need to be pruned to maintain their decorative appearance. Pelargonium is pruned in March before the start of active growing season.
Geraniums are formed in the following forms: standard and bush.
The standard form is not pinched from above, growing a straight trunk. All side branches on it are removed. As soon as its height reaches 70-80 cm, the top shoot is pinched, which first leads to the appearance of several new top shoots, and then to the formation of a pelargonium crown.
Bush plants are pinched after 5-6 leaves appear. With regular pruning, dry and diseased shoots are removed, and the rest are greatly shortened, leaving 3-4 buds on each of them.
Choosing the right pot
Geranium is a flower that is successfully grown in warm countries directly in garden beds. In southern countries the climate is favorable, and therefore it is a large spreading bush with a woody trunk. In the northern part of Russia, the plant is not planted in open ground. They grow it in a container on the windowsill, but is any suitable for this purpose?
Experienced gardeners do not see the difference between a clay, ceramic or plastic container. You can choose it based on your own preferences. If you take plastic, then only white so that it does not get too hot in the sun and the roots do not rot. A ceramic pot is also suitable for transplanting geraniums. Its volume depends on the pelargonium variety. A small sprout is grown in a 0.25 mm container, gradually increasing it. By 2-3 years, the plant should “migrate” to a 2-liter pot.
Zonal pelargonium is planted immediately in a 1.5-liter pot. As soon as she grows out of it, it is better to transplant her immediately into a 10-liter one.
Read about how to choose and what kind of pot you need for geraniums in our material.
Botanical description [edit | edit code ]
The leaves are petiolate, dissected very differently, palmate or palmately lobed, rarely pinnate with three to five leaflets. The leaves of many species are soft-hairy.
Peduncles with one to three flowers. The flowers are regular, large and beautiful, from a five-leafed outstretched calyx and five identical almost round corolla petals, also outstretched almost flat; Their color is white, purple, blue and violet in different shades. There are ten stamens, usually all with anthers.
The fruit is a modified capsule with preserved sepals - a sterigma, which opens from the bottom to the top [10].
How to replant?
Geraniums are replanted when the root system grows strongly , when the flower is flooded and in the absence of buds. It is advisable to replant in the fall, before the plant enters the dormant stage. If you carry out the procedure in the spring, then only before its active growth.
- Before transplanting, prepare a tool (watering can, knife) and a pot. When using an old container, treat it with a chlorine-containing substance and then rinse it with water afterwards.
- Prepare high-quality drainage, positioning it so that ¼-1/5 of the pot is occupied.
- The geranium is taken out of the previous container, being careful not to damage the earthen ball. You can use a knife carefully if you need to separate the soil from the walls.
- After removing the geranium, inspect the roots, trying not to miss any traces of rot or strange spots. If they are present, remove them with scissors.
- Transfer the plant to a new pot, filling all the voids in it with soil.
- After watering, put the pelargonium in the shade for 7 days.
- After seven days, they place it on the windowsill, where there will be no bright light, drafts or heat from heating devices.
- Fertilizing is applied for the first time 2 months after transplantation.
Replanting indoor geraniums before and during flowering: soil composition, pot selection
Geranium is considered one of the most unassuming indoor plants. But flower growers who grow flowers on their windowsills know how important it is to create suitable conditions for them. One of the mandatory procedures is moving to a new pot. To do this, you need to know exactly how to replant geraniums.
Why replant geraniums
The need to replant the plant arises when the root system grows and it becomes crowded in the planting container. You can understand this by lifting the pot - the tips of the roots will be visible through the drainage holes. In this case, the flower begins to suffer from a constant deficiency of nutrients, is easily susceptible to diseases, and there is a risk of death.
The flower needs transplants as it grows
A transplant may be needed in the following cases:
- the occurrence of root rot due to violation of the watering regime;
- stimulating the onset of the flowering stage after a prolonged period of dormancy;
- excessive exposure of the lower part of the stems;
- soil contamination by pests and pathogenic microorganisms;
- the need to replace a damaged pot;
- severe depletion of soil for pelargonium;
- needs for rejuvenation.
Additional Information! To rejuvenate a flower, it needs to be planted in a new container. Simultaneous propagation by dividing the bush is possible.
Optimal time for the procedure
The time it takes to adapt to a new location largely depends on the time at which the flower is transplanted. Typically, transplanting geraniums at home is carried out in the spring.
With increasing daylight hours, the plant begins vegetative processes, and it most easily perceives stressful changes.
At the same time, some gardeners are guided by the lunar calendar, knowing about the reaction of plants to the movement of the night star.
How to replant an orchid: step-by-step instructions at home
The winter months are considered the most unfavorable time. Transshipment of the plant, carried out in March or April, will give the best results and be the most painless.
Note! Transplanting pelargonium into the garden, be it a royal, zonal or ivy-leaved plant variety, should occur at the end of spring, that is, in the second half of May.
You should move the flower back to your house or apartment before the onset of cold weather.
Is it possible to replant geraniums during flowering or in summer?
Geranium can be replanted at any time of the year, but under favorable conditions the plant blooms almost continuously throughout the summer. Is it possible to replant flowering geraniums?
During active budding, the bush spends a lot of resources and entails a protracted recovery period. As a result, the bush may not cope with stress and drop flowers. It is for this reason that it is recommended to postpone the transplant to another time.
Is a transplant necessary after purchase?
Many purchased flowers quickly die when they find themselves in a home environment. At the same time, the plant is provided with complete rest so that it can adapt to the changed external conditions, because in a short period of time the flower has gone through a number of stressful situations: replanting in the garden area, transportation, keeping in the store.
Experienced gardeners try not to replant geraniums immediately after purchase. In the first days after the appearance of a new plant, the apartment is maintained at optimal temperature and humidity.
Preparing the plant for transplantation
How to propagate violets - step-by-step instructions
The day before replanting the flower, water it abundantly so that the root ball of earth can more easily come out of the pot when the plant is transferred.
Note! Some gardeners recommend using stimulating drugs that will help geraniums recover faster.
There are no other ways to minimize stress for a plant during transplantation. The only other way to mitigate the consequences of the procedure is to choose the optimal time.
Pot size and material
When choosing a new pot for replanting geraniums, the reasons for the procedure are taken into account. If you need to move a flower that has become cramped in the previous pot, the size of the new container should be 1-2 cm larger. Choosing a pot that is too large will lead to the fact that the root system will begin to develop a new space, which is why the flowering period will not occur as expected term.
In a large pot the plant will turn into an untidy overgrown bush
When a flowering-stimulating transplant is carried out, it is recommended to take a pot that exactly matches the volume of the root system. The same applies to moving geraniums for the purpose of rejuvenation and simultaneous division of the bush into several independent plants - each container must fit a new specimen.
It is allowed to use a landing container made of any material. When choosing a plastic pot, keep in mind that it has poor breathability, but is more practical to use.
A ceramic pot is more expensive, but more attractive. It is environmentally friendly and better suited for long-term cultivation.
Due to the porous structure of the material, delicate roots can grow into the pot, which will lead to the risk of damage during transplantation.
Important! Regardless of the material from which the flowerpot is made, it must have special holes to remove excess moisture.
Soil composition
Properly selected soil for geraniums will relieve the plant from severe stress. The soil for indoor geranium should include the following components:
- turf soil for geraniums – 2 parts;
- rotted humus - 2 parts;
- coarse sand - 1 part.
The soil may contain a small amount of peat. Another option is to purchase a universal soil for flowering crops. Purchased soil is suitable for most indoor flowers, fully meeting their nutritional needs.
Additional Information! To optimize the composition for planting geraniums, just add a little perlite and coarse river sand to it.
Drainage layer
Whatever the composition of the soil mixture, the soil for indoor geranium should include a drainage layer placed at the bottom of the pot or planting hole. Without it, excess moisture will stagnate in the root zone, resulting in rotting of the root system. The following is used as drainage:
- broken brick;
- expanded clay or pebbles;
- fine crushed stone.
To prevent the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot from becoming clogged, experienced gardeners cover the drainage layer with a small piece of construction mesh.
Drainage is placed at the bottom of the pot
How to replant geraniums - step-by-step instructions
Knowing what kind of land is needed for geraniums, they begin to transship the plant. It’s better to find out in advance how to transplant geraniums at home step by step and prepare everything you need.
Ampelous pelargonium or geranium - growing and care at home
In addition to moving an indoor flower from one pot to another, it is often transplanted into open ground in the spring and transferred back with the onset of autumn.
At home from one pot to another
Handling homemade geraniums is easy. The procedure consists of the following steps:
- Drainage is placed at the bottom of the container.
- A little earth is poured over the drainage layer.
- The flower is carefully removed from the previous pot along with the root ball.
- The plant is placed in a new pot, filling the voids with soil mixture.
After the transplant is completed, the flower is returned to the same place. The first watering is carried out no earlier than after 3-4 days.
In open ground
When geraniums are correctly moved into open ground, the perennial decorates the area with abundant flowering. To make the plant feel comfortable in the garden:
- The soil in a selected well-lit area is dug up with the addition of a compost mixture.
- Prepare a small planting hole with a depth equal to the height of the pot containing the flower.
- The plant is carefully transferred to a new place and the soil around it is compacted with your hands.
- The transplanted geranium is watered abundantly with settled water.
Additional Information! When planting cuttings in the ground, they are buried 2-3 cm. The distance between them should be at least 25 cm.
From open ground to pot in autumn
For wintering, geraniums are returned to room conditions. You should figure out how to plant geraniums in a pot in this case.
Inspecting the roots helps prevent pests from being brought into your home.
After a thorough inspection:
- The ground around the bush is watered.
- Prepare a pot with drainage and a small layer of soil.
- The flower is removed from the soil along with the root ball.
- The soil is carefully removed from the roots and inspected. At the same time, heavily overgrown, non-viable ends are cut off.
- The geranium is moved into a pot, sprinkled with soil and carefully compacted.
A flower that spent the summer outside is transferred to a well-lit place with minimal shading. It is also advisable to trim the shoots to a length of 20 cm to help the geranium get used to the new environment.
Watering and fertilizing
It is advisable to water geraniums abundantly and regularly. If you overfill it, water stagnation will occur, which will have a detrimental effect on the roots. Good drainage, prepared according to the scheme above, keeps the soil moist without stagnation.
The plant is not fed immediately after transplantation . After two months, the geranium is fertilized without using fresh organic fertilizers. Non-blooming geraniums are fertilized with standard fertilizer, and those with buds are fertilized with special fertilizers. The frequency of fertilizing is 2 times a month.
Read more about what is best to feed and when to use fertilizers for geraniums here, and from this material you will learn how to properly use iodine with hydrogen peroxide to feed the plant.
Types [edit | edit code ]
There are up to 40 species in Russia. Most often found in northern and central Russia:
- Meadow geranium ( Geranium pratense
L.) typus - with light purple flowers - Swamp geranium ( Geranium palustre
L.) - with purple flowers - Blood red geranium ( Geranium sanguineum
L.) - with small palmate leaves and blood red flowers. It grows on open slopes, meadow steppes, forest edges, especially on limestone, and in steppe forests.
Problems
Indoor geranium is a very unpretentious plant. There are few problems when growing it. Usually this is: yellowing and falling of leaves, poor flowering, wilting of leaves and elongation of shoots.
Pelargonium leaves dry along the edges, turn yellow and fall off due to lack of moisture in the soil. Watering needs to be increased.
Sparse flowering or its absence may be due to the lack of a dormant period. Pelargonium often does not bloom due to lack of feeding or replanting.
When the geranium root rots, the leaves may wilt. The plant needs to be removed from the pot, inspect the roots, cut off the diseased parts and replant.
The stems of the plant become bare and become very elongated when there is insufficient lighting. We should not forget that pelargonium is a light-loving plant that requires bright lighting and backlighting in winter.
History of the origin of geranium
In its natural habitat, this plant can be found in South Africa. The culture prefers to grow in hot and sunny climates. Despite the fact that geranium is a heat-loving plant, it has easily adapted to the territory of the European continent.
The history of growing this flower dates back to the 16th century. It was at that time that trade with African countries developed. For Russia, this flower became known after Peter I traveled through Europe. The Dutch architects brought with them several bushes of indoor flowers, including geraniums.
The origin of this name is associated with the prophet Mohammed. Once upon a time, geranium was a simple weed that no one paid attention to. But when the prophet descended from heaven to earth, and his cloak was wet from sweat, he threw it onto the grass. Geranium wrapped the cloak closer to the sun so that the moisture would evaporate from it as quickly as possible. The Prophet Mohammed saw this and thanked the culture, giving it an unforgettable aroma and a luxurious umbrella of inflorescences.
The meaning of the flower could be determined by the shade of the inflorescences. For example, pink geranium attracted family well-being and love, white geranium attracted childbirth, and red geranium protected from evil spirits and evil spirits. The petals of this plant can also attract a husband to the house, helping to build family relationships. For this purpose, young unmarried girls carried dried flowers in a linen bag with them everywhere. In the family, this plant helped women get rid of their husband’s drunkenness, and also returned him to the family.
Poems were written about geranium; famous classics mentioned it in various stories. Plants were grown for healing and to decorate the garden and home. Some varieties can adapt to outdoor conditions, while others prefer to grow only indoors. However, they all respond gratefully to the care of their owner.
Benefits of geranium
But geranium is not only a beautiful, but also a useful plant. Substances are released from its leaves, they clean and disinfect the air. The smell that comes from the plant has a beneficial effect on the nervous system. It is believed that geranium can give good and sound sleep. Therefore, it is recommended to place the plant in bedrooms.
Geranium contains tannin, flavonoids, essential oils, etc. Even in ancient times, priests, sorcerers, and healers were interested in this plant. This flower drove away evil and protected a woman during pregnancy.
Geranium is endowed with medicinal properties. It is often compared to plantain, which is often used in medical practice. If a person is injured, it is recommended that he apply the sheet to the affected area. As a result, the bleeding will stop, the wound will not rot, and will heal quickly.
In addition, geranium has other properties. It was used to eliminate poisons, relieve stress, and relieve headaches. An oil is extracted from this plant, which is valued by doctors. With its help, back in ancient times in their homeland, plants strengthened muscles and relieved pain in the spine. They also made a compress based on oil; it was applied to the wound so that it would heal faster, and in this way the pus was drawn out. For a runny nose and pain in the ears, oil was dripped. They also mixed it with whiskey, this drink was drunk, after which the headache went away. This even lifted my mood and made my depression disappear.
An infusion was made from the inflorescence or leaves. Honey was added to it, after which a medicine was obtained, which was used to wash the eyes, which had festered. A decoction of the leaves of the plant has great benefits. It was used to treat stomach diseases. This drink will be especially valuable for gastritis and diarrhea.
To prepare a decoction, you first need to grind the leaves of the plant. They will need to take one tablespoon, add a glass of boiling water to it. The mixture should be heated in a water bath for five minutes. After this, the decoction is considered ready. It should be consumed 3 times a day, a spoonful half an hour before meals.
Even geranium roots have medicinal properties. They are used to prepare an infusion that raises blood pressure. To prepare it, you need to grind the root. It is poured with boiling water. The mixture should stand for about 8 hours. The strained infusion is drunk before meals throughout the day.
An infusion of the leaves can help relieve poor sleep as it has a calming effect. The geranium leaves themselves relieve inflammation and restore cells.
Even in ancient times, in the homeland of geranium, it was used for medicinal purposes. But today this flower is grown in different countries, so every person who has this amazing plant in their home can take advantage of its healing properties.
In addition, geranium is also used as a talisman. The plant is also believed to have magical properties. But that's just a theory
One thing is certain, geranium is able to purify the air, which is important in the current course of life.
