Geranium, or crane - so the plant is called for the appearance of the seed box, which resembles the beak of a crane, belongs to the perennials of the Geraniev family. Geranium is magnificent - an unpretentious plant that can grow in almost any conditions, thanks to which it is a favorite of many flower growers and often decorates gardens, front gardens and flower beds. It grows in one place for up to 15 years without losing its decorative effect.
Description
The gorgeous geranium has quite a few varieties that grow in different parts of Europe, Asia and America. Varieties differ from each other in the color of flowers and leaves, as well as their size, but at the same time they also have similar characteristics: all varieties are quite resistant to negative weather conditions.
The leaf plates are velvety, soft in texture, with jagged edges that divide the leaf into five lobes. They can be up to 10 centimeters long. With the onset of autumn, they change their color from green shades to reddish tones: from brown-red to amber.
The flowers are about 3 centimeters in diameter, with 5 rounded petals, they form large inflorescences-umbrellas, mainly of various shades of blue, although they are purple, crimson and even white.
The flowering of varieties has different periods, but mainly begins in June and can last both a month and the whole summer. The root system is quite strong and fast-growing, because of which the plant spreads well and covers the entire allotted area with a thick carpet. Rounded bushes keep their shape until late autumn, without losing their showiness.
Popular varieties
The most famous varieties of gorgeous geraniums include: The most famous varieties of gorgeous geraniums include :
- Alan Mayer - is a hemispherical bush of compact size, blooms with large blue buds with thin purple veins on the petals;
- Blue Blood - looks like a small spherical bush with flowers painted in a light blue tint and covered with dark, almost black veins;
- Mrs. Kendall Clark is a lush bushy plant, reaching a height of 60 cm, the flowers are blue with a delicate pinkish sheen;
- "Rosemur" is a medium-sized bush, it grows up to 45 cm, the inflorescences are large, pleasant lilac color with dark blue lines
Reproduction and transplantation
Gorgeous geranium is bred in only one way - by dividing the rhizome, because it is a sterile culture and does not form fruits and seeds.
The separation procedure is carried out for adults who have reached 5-7 years of age, plants. It can be performed from March to August as follows:
- dig up a plant;
- with a sharp knife, divide into several parts together with the root, but so that each has at least one growth point;
- dig holes 20 cm deep, put a little compost and a mixture of peat and sand on the bottom;
- plant the seedlings neatly into the hole, cover it with earth, slightly compacting it;
- moisten the soil, lay out a layer of sawdust mulch;
- the distance when planting between plants should be at least 40 cm.
Geranium does not feel well when exposed to direct sunlight, so a shaded place is suitable for landing. The soil should be neutral or slightly acidic.
Basically, garden geraniums are planted in the open field in the form of single plantings, in small islands, consisting of several bushes. Its lush, rounded shrubs will give a beautiful look to any lawn, flower bed or plot. In addition, planting does not require special knowledge or skills; it is easy to perform even for a novice gardener.
For information on how to properly trim and plant geraniums, see the next video.
Care features
It is easy to take care of gorgeous geraniums, it does not require special conditions or worries. Watering should be done in moderation, but should be done regularly. In particular, this rule must be carefully followed for the first few months after planting so that the plant has the strength to grow roots. Moistening is carried out when the soil surface dries out; in the summer, accordingly, the frequency of watering is increased. The flower should be watered with warm, settled water.
After the plant has been planted, it is mulched - this process allows the soil to be loosened much less often.
To avoid mulching, you can plant ground cover crops between the plants.
But nevertheless, gorgeous geranium loves light, loose soil, therefore, once every 2-3 weeks, after watering, the soil is treated with a hoe. From time to time they add fresh mulch, which, in addition to everything, also retains moisture well.
Top dressing is applied approximately twice a month, starting in March and stopping in November. A ready-made geranium nutrient mixture, which can be purchased at flower shops, works well as fertilizers. Folk remedies are also used: iodine solution (1 drop per 1 liter of water, only 50 ml are used at a time); a mixture of 20 g of ash and earth, diluted with 1 liter of water; vitamins B1 and B6, dissolved in 2 liters of water, which are added in sequence in two and a half weeks. For fertilizing geraniums, organic matter is not used.
Bush pruning is carried out in early autumn. During its execution, all excess stems are removed, especially those that do not grow from the root, as well as dried parts and wilted flowers. The leaves are removed, leaving 7 leaf plates on the shoot. If a lot of new foliage has appeared during the winter, pruning is also carried out in early spring. At the beginning of the growing season, after the formation of the fourth leaf, the shoots are pinched. Geranium hibernates outdoors, but requires shelter, especially young plants.
For information on how to properly prune geraniums, see below.
Diseases and pests
The plant is quite resistant to diseases, but still sometimes it can be affected by rot or tomato wilting.
In the first case, the disease is the result of improper moisture. Its symptoms are the presence of brownish spots on the leaf plates. When treating a flower, the affected leaves are removed, and the geranium itself is treated with fungicidal preparations.
Tomato wilting can be recognized by the formation of ring-shaped spots. In this case, the diseased parts are also removed and treatment with "Fundazol" is carried out.
If the disease has affected most of the plant, it is better to destroy it, and disinfect the soil with a solution of potassium permanganate.
Due to improper keeping conditions, the flower in rare cases may suffer from powdery mildew (ashtrays) or Alternaria.
Treatment consists in removing the infected parts and treating the plant with Bordeaux water and fungicides. The main task is to establish an irrigation regime.
Of the pests, gorgeous geraniums can be damaged by some types of insects.
- Aphids, which feed on the sap of the leaves, from which they curl and turn yellow. On closer examination, you can see traces of punctures and small white or greenish insects on the leaves. The fight consists in the use of insecticides or folk remedies: tinctures from onions, celandine or tobacco.
- Whitefly -Miniature midge with white wings, which together with the larvae sucks sap from the leaves. As a result of their activity, a fungal disease develops - a sooty fungus, which is practically not cured. Getting rid of this insect, the flower is treated with insecticidal preparations, and from traditional medicine - with tincture of garlic or dandelion.
- Caterpillars also love to feast on geranium leaves. Insects are removed by manual collection and the use of insecticidal preparations.
Where are they planted?
Geranium is gorgeous in flower beds and on lawns looks unusually beautiful. It is used to form borders around flower beds or along garden paths. The flower grows well both in single plantings and in combination with other plants:
- peonies;
- soft cuff;
- light-colored roses;
- ankhuza azure;
- perennial flax.
Under the branchy crowns of shrubs, geraniums create harmonious compositions with astilbe, bells or ferns.
Having planted gorgeous geraniums in the garden, you get, first of all, a plant with beautiful flowers, which does not need to be repotted often. The flower is hardy, sufficiently resistant to diseases and negative weather conditions, does not require significant maintenance, and, most importantly, it looks spectacular and elegant. Even a beginner in floriculture can easily cope with the cultivation of geraniums, without making significant efforts.