Pelargonium or geranium? The plant that many of us grow on our windowsills is mistakenly called geranium. The confusion with the names - pelargonium or geranium - occurred because when in the 18th century the Dutch botanist Johannes Burman wanted to classify these two plants into different genera, it turned out that the famous scientist of that time, Carl Linnaeus, had already drawn up his own classification and mistakenly combined them into a common group. Popular in those days, flowering pelargonium was actively used in Victorian gardens. And both plants began to be called “geranium”.
For a long time, pelargonium was considered an aristocratic plant. It was bred in the greenhouses of wealthy owners of mansions and villas. In the USA and Western European countries, this plant has been popular for hundreds of years.
Unfortunately, in our country there was a period of not only the heyday of the popularity of this flower, but also an incomprehensible oblivion. Probably, many remember the years when pelargonium received the terrible nickname “bourgeois flower” and for some time became unfashionable.
Fortunately, flower growers remembered these luxurious flowers, and clubs for pelargonium lovers began to appear in our country.
Pelargoniums are indispensable in garden design and in indoor floriculture. As a result of the work of breeders, many varieties and varieties of pelargonium have appeared, which are gaining increasing popularity in ornamental gardening.
Pelargonium and geranium - similarities and differences
Both plants belong to the same Geranium family. The family includes 5 genera and 800 species of other plants. Geranium belongs to the most numerous genus, and pelargonium is the most popular. One of the signs by which Carl Linnaeus united them was the similarity of the fruit capsule. After fertilization, the elongated pistil slightly resembles the beak of a crane, which explains the name of the plants. Translated from Greek, "Pelargos" means stork, and "Geranium" means crane.
Both pelargonium and geranium have erect stems with alternately growing leaves. The next similarity is that both plants have slightly pubescent leaves (covered with small hairs). Also, many geraniums have a special aroma.
Both pelargonium and geranium are easy to propagate and are considered unpretentious plants.
The differences are visible, perhaps, only to specialists. Geranium and pelargonium cannot be crossed. You just won't get any seeds. This is due to differences in genetic characteristics.
The birthplace of pelargonium considered South Africa. The birthplace of geranium is the Northern Hemisphere. That is why southern pelargonium can only overwinter indoors, while geranium is more cold-resistant and can bloom even at 12 degrees Celsius.
In summer, pelargonium often decorates flower beds, verandas and balconies. But with the onset of winter, it must be put away in a warm room.
Geranium feels comfortable in gardens and even survives wintering, with the exception of the most northern regions. Therefore, it is customary to consider geranium as a garden plant, and pelargonium as an indoor plant.
Is there some more external signs, by which you can distinguish geranium and pelargonium.
- Geranium flowers consist of 5 or 8 petals. Typically, these are single flowers, which are occasionally collected in inflorescences. In domestic pelargonium, the corolla of the flower has an irregular shape, namely the two upper petals are slightly larger, the three lower petals are smaller. Pelargonium flowers are grouped into large inflorescences resembling umbrellas.
- Geranium, among the huge variety of its shades, does not have scarlet. Pelargonium does not have blue flowers.
Growing and care
In general, pelargonium can be characterized as an unpretentious plant that grows quickly and reproduces easily. With good care, pelargonium can bloom all year round. There are various ways that even the most capricious specimens can do. The leaves exude a pleasant spicy aroma, from which geranium essential oil is industrially extracted.
Growing pelargonium is not difficult. By following simple rules and creating favorable conditions, you will achieve lush and bright flowering. One plant can have up to 20 or even more inflorescences per season. These can be buds, fully opened inflorescences and already losing their decorative effect. Fading inflorescences should be removed immediately so that the plant does not lose vigor and continues to bloom.
If pelargonium growing in the garden, then under favorable weather conditions its flowering can continue until late autumn. This distinguishes it favorably from other ornamental crops.
By the way, it has been noticed that there are no aphids on flowers growing next to pelargonium.
Lighting
Pelargonium is a light-loving plant that can tolerate direct sun. Only a few of them are considered picky and prefer places (for example, terraces or balconies) protected from direct sunlight, wind and rain. On a windowsill in bright sun, pelargonium can overheat. Therefore, it requires good ventilation and protection from hot midday sun rays.
With a lack of light, the leaves begin to turn yellow, the lower leaves die and expose the stem. Flowering weakens or may stop altogether.
Soil and fertilizing
Pelargonium loves fertile and well-drained loose soil. You can either purchase the soil mixture or prepare it yourself by mixing equal proportions of garden soil, peat, medium-grained sand and a little humus.
Since pelargonium does not like stagnant water and requires good aeration, a good drainage layer should be placed at the bottom of the pot.
In order for the plant to delight you with lush and long-lasting flowering, care should include regular feeding (once every 2 weeks). Some gardeners do this: in the hot season, when watering is done every day, the weekly feeding rate is divided into 7 parts and fertilizing is introduced with each watering. If a lump of earth is dry, you need to first spill it with water.
Any liquid universal composition for flowering indoor plants is suitable for fertilizer.
In winter, when the plant is resting, fertilizing should be canceled. With the onset of spring (March-April), pelargonium begins to be fed with fertilizer with a high potassium content.
You should refrain from fertilizing after transplanting the plant and give it time to acclimatize - about a month.
Watering
Pelargonium is considered a drought-resistant plant. It is recommended to water the flower only when the top layer of soil in the pot dries out. However, the earthen clod should not be allowed to dry out too much.
Excessive watering causes rotting of the leaves and stems, and can lead to the death of the plant. Watering should be moderate. One of the signs that the earthen ball has begun to dry out is that if you touch the earth, it will not remain on your fingers. This means it's time to water. The frequency of watering may depend on individual conditions and air temperature - on average 1-2 days. In winter, watering should be reduced.
There is no need to spray pelargonium. Excessive dampness and poor ventilation can provoke.
By the way, these plants prefer dry air in our winter apartments more than high humidity. For this reason, pelargonium can be considered that rare flower that prefers a room to a greenhouse. Therefore, it should not be placed next to plants that require a humidifier.
Temperature
Comfortable temperature for pelargonium is 20-25 degrees. If the plant is on a balcony or terrace, it is better to protect it from gusts of wind and drafts.
In winter, if possible, you can create special conditions for this southern beauty - place it in a glazed, frost-free greenhouse or loggia, where the night temperature does not fall below +6 degrees, and the daytime temperature reaches +12-15 degrees. On particularly sunny days, to avoid overheating, the greenhouse must be ventilated. However, there are varieties of pelargonium that are best kept at higher temperatures.
Good air circulation is one of the main conditions for a successful winter. Therefore, there is no need to place pelargoniums too closely. These flowers do not like to hide in the shadows of their neighbors, but prefer to show off. Plants with very dense crowns can be thinned out slightly. Otherwise, with thickening and poor aeration, there is a risk of fungal diseases.
Trimming and pinching
Correct and regular pruning contributes to:
- Formation of a neat compact crown of the plant
- The appearance of side shoots and inflorescence primordia
- More luxuriant flowering
- Obtaining high-quality planting material
Since among indoor pelargoniums there are a wide variety of varieties - with erect and lodging stems, dwarf, ampelous and tall species, pruning should be approached individually in each case.
Depending on the variety, the formation of the flower crown may vary. However, there is a general rule - pruning should be regular. Do not neglect the appearance of the plant.
Pelargonium pruning technique
The cut is best done at a sharp angle with a blade, a sharp stationery knife or a thin kitchen knife. Scissors are not recommended for this purpose, as they pinch the shoot at the cut site. The cut is made above the leaf node facing outwards. Then the new shoots will not interfere with each other and thicken the crown.
In order to protect the flower from rotting and pest damage, the cut area must be sprinkled with crushed charcoal.
If you need to remove a young shoot, you can simply pinch it carefully, being careful not to damage the main stem.
In addition, seasonal pruning should be carried out.
Autumn pruning is carried out after flowering has completed for two purposes - to form a beautiful crown and improve the health of the plant. To do this, remove all dried leaves, stems and flowers. Weak, bare and elongated stems are also shortened. Autumn pruning helps the plant to better withstand the winter cold and maintain strength until spring. In this case, almost the entire ground part is cut off (approximately at the level of 5-6 cm) leaving 2-3 eyes, with the exception of royal pelargonium.
There is no need to be afraid of large pruning, since over the winter, if the pelargonium is properly maintained, the plant will make up for everything and produce young shoots.
Autumn pruning and pinching can be done until the onset of winter. And only with the onset of December should the flower be left alone. Some gardeners insist on an earlier dormant period. The difference in approach is explained by different conditions in which the plant is kept. It’s one thing if you have the opportunity to arrange a real winter apartment with a cool temperature for your flower. It's another matter if your pelargonium is in a warm living room.
However, the general rule is the following: the plant should rest (in a cool room until January). Then the pelargonium is brought into a warm place and waited for it to grow. As soon as the flower begins to grow, it is pinched again for splendor.
Spring pruning of pelargonium carried out in cases where the bush has grown greatly over the winter or develops asymmetrically. It is best to do this as spring approaches (late February - early March).
When pruning in spring, the flower can be fed with nitrogen-containing fertilizer to accelerate the formation of shoots and green mass.
Reproduction
Pelargonium is propagated by cuttings or by planting seeds.
Cuttings
Pelargonium reproduces well using cuttings. This method preserves all varietal characteristics of the plant.
Cuttings can be harvested from early spring to autumn. Flowering time occurs after 16-20 weeks depending on the variety. It is not recommended to take cuttings from dormant plants (until the end of January).
For propagation, shoots 6-7 cm long with three leaves are prepared and the cut is air-dried for several hours. For dwarf varieties, cuttings 2.5-3 cm long are suitable. To do this, make a small cut at an acute angle, and remove the lower leaves. In order for pelargonium to take root well, you can use root-stimulating preparations, with which you need to lightly powder the cut and plant it in prepared pots.
There is no need to cover the cuttings. At a temperature of 20-22 degrees and regular watering, young pelargoniums will soon begin to grow. Typically, the rooting process takes from two weeks to a month, depending on the variety. When watering, you should try to prevent water from getting on the leaves and stem to avoid diseases. As soon as the cuttings begin to grow, they will need to be transplanted into separate pots with a special soil mixture recommended for pelargoniums.
Propagation by seeds
The recommended time for sowing seeds is the end of January - February. Some gardeners plant earlier. But in this case, additional lighting is required, since natural daylight hours are still too short, and the seedlings can become very elongated.
The seeds are sown in a container with moistened soil and sprinkled with a thin layer (approximately 2-3mm) of soil mixture. The optimal temperature for seedlings is 20-22 degrees.
Pelargonium seeds You can also sow in individual plastic or peat cups, 1-2 pcs. In this case, picking is not required. The container with the seeds should be placed in a warm, bright place. Shoots appear in 5-10 days.
All this time you need to monitor the soil moisture and prevent it from drying out and forming a crust. It is better to moisten the soil by spraying. As soon as the seedlings appear, water carefully, trying not to get moisture on the leaves. After germination, the temperature can be slightly reduced to 18-20 degrees.
To prevent the seedlings from stretching, it is better to provide additional lighting. Phytolamps have proven themselves very well, thanks to which they produce strong, strong seedlings. Pinching above the fifth leaf is done in order to obtain a compact and lush pelargonium bush. For the same reason, it is recommended to pinch the flower every 2-3 months. If the seeds were sown in a common container, picking is done after the first true leaf appears.
When propagated by seeds, the flowering period begins after about six months.
Photo of pelargonium
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Pelargonium Pelargonium, domestic geranium. An evergreen shrub with woody stems, jagged edges of leaves and flowers collected in large inflorescences - umbrellas of white, pink, red, lilac color, as well as with spots or stripes.
Etymology of the name
The genus name comes from the Greek word pelagros- “stork”: by the resemblance of the fruit to the beak of a stork.
Pelargonium is a universal flower. It can be used as a houseplant, when landscaping flower beds, balconies, terraces, etc. These flowers are unusually impressive in hanging baskets. Dense foliage hides the container from view, bright inflorescences create a spot of color that attracts the viewer's attention. Such baskets will give a unique look to your balcony, porch or terrace. It is quite simple to make, it requires simple care, and long flowering will provide decorativeness for a long time.
Types and varieties of pelargonium
The genus includes about 280 species of annual and perennial herbaceous plants, shrubs, and subshrubs, distributed mainly in South Africa.
Pelargonium (Pelargonium x domesticum)
A cultivated species resulting from the crossing of several species. Evergreen subshrub 45 cm high. Stems are woody and hairy. The leaves are alternate, petiolate, serrated along the edges. Flowers usually appear in spring or early summer. Large inflorescences - umbrellas of white, pink, red, lilac colors, as well as with spots or stripes - completely hide the foliage.
Pelargonium (Pelargonium crispum "Variegatum")
Valued for its decorative fragrant, yellow-spotted leaves with scalloped or curly edges.
Garden pelargonium or zonal pelargonium (Pelargonium x hortorum)
A cultivated species resulting from a series of crosses.
The most common type in indoor floriculture. The name of the species is associated with the brownish horseshoe-shaped pattern on the leaves, which is more pronounced in plants growing in well-lit areas. This species is perhaps one of the most popular, since the plants grow well both indoors and outdoors (specimens from the garden, transplanted into containers in the fall, can bloom almost all year round). Not only compact and medium-growing varieties are popular, but also vigorous-growing cultivars. Individual flowers in umbellate inflorescences are simple, semi-double or double.
Of particular interest are varieties with star-shaped flowers. Their inflorescences seem to be collected from bird feathers - very light and delicate. A separate direction in the selection of zonal pelargoniums is the breeding of varieties with very colorful foliage. Leaf plates, on which, in addition to the characteristic horseshoe-shaped pattern, a white border appears, or the base becomes yellow, various variants of two- and three-color combinations, “take away” the decorative functions of less bright inflorescences.
Garden pelargonium, variety mixture Delta is a new pelargonium hybrid that blooms 2 weeks earlier than others. A variety with a compact bush with abundant flowering.The height of the bush is 25-30 cm.
Popular varieties and series of zonal pelargonium:
As an example, we can cite the following varieties of zonal pelargonium:
Pelargonium zonal Algela Woodberry - large double bright red flowers;
Pelargonium zonal Apple Blossom- flowers are collected in white double roses with a pink border and a greenish center, type Rosebud Zonal pelargoniums. The variety is tall, it needs shaping;
Pelargonium zonal F1 Blanka- compact bush up to 35 cm high with white flowers. The leaves are green with a characteristic dark pattern;
Pelargonium zonal Carmel - standard non-double pelargonium, the flowers are white with a thin pink edge;
Pelargonium zonal Cecile Monroe- pink (salmon) double flowers look like roses;
Pelargonium zonal Dolce Vita— salmon flowers with a light edge, large and double;
Pelargonium zonal PAC Salmon Komtess- a variety with double salmon-colored flowers;
Pelargonium zonal PAC Salmon Princess- a compact variety with large, densely double flowers, pinkish flowers, darker in the center;
Pelargonium zonal Scarlet Rambler - compact bush with densely double two-color flowers (red on one and light on the other), type Rosebud Zonal pelargoniums.;
Pelargonium zonal Elite Series (F1 hybrids)— varieties of this series are distinguished by large, long-lasting inflorescences of regular spherical shape and compact bush size;
Pelargonium zonal PAC Fireworks Series— the series combines varieties with star-shaped flowers ( Stellar), with jagged pointed petals, inflorescences located on very high peduncles, color - from plain white, pink, red, salmon, to two-color with a wide variety of combinations of the given shades;
Pelargonium zonal Tango Series- a series of varieties with very dark foliage and early flowering, a wide range of colors (bright red, pink, lavender, salmon, soft pink and white).
Fragrant pelargoniums have the scent of rose, lemon, and mint. Their leaves can be used like the leaves of other fragrant herbs, filling them into gift baskets, “scented” pillows, bags that are placed in laundry, etc.
Pelargonium graveolens
Subshrub up to 1 m high, with densely branched, pubescent shoots. The leaves are 5-7-lobed, pubescent, with a strong aroma. The flowers are small, pink, collected in umbrella inflorescences. Blooms in summer.
Pelargonium grandiflorum
Subshrub or shrub with stems woody below. The leaves are large, round in shape, finely toothed, folded, without a border. Leaf color ranges from light to dark green. The flowers are large, up to 5-6 cm in diameter, simple or double, collected in inflorescences. Coloring ranges from white to dark red and purple, in various shades. Pelargonium grandiflora is sometimes also called English. However, the origin of this name is not entirely clear, because in England it is known as royal or exhibition, and in the USA - as “ Lady Washington».
Popular varieties of grandiflora pelargonium:
For almost two centuries, varieties of the group " Angel"obtained by crossing curly pelargonium ( Pelargonium crispum) with the scent of lemon and royal pelargonium ( Pelargonium grandiflorum). The light aroma of lemon was also preserved in the hybrids.
Pelargonium grandiflora Tip Top Duet- 30-40 cm high, the upper petals of the flowers are dark crimson with burgundy veins, the lower ones are pale lilac;
Pelargonium grandiflora Wayward Angel- flowers are light lilac with crimson spots on the upper petals;
Pelargonium grandiflora FairyQueen- the flowers are large, wavy, the upper petals are dark purple with a white border, the lower petals are white with purple droplets and veins.
Pelargonium peltatum
A herbaceous plant with long (up to 80 cm) creeping shoots. The leaves are 5-8 cm in diameter, thick, smooth, glossy, green, sometimes reddish along the edges. Flowers on short stalks, simple or double, white, pink, red, lilac. Blooms in summer.
The bright colors of flowers, lush greens, delicate aroma and long-lasting abundant flowering have earned pelargonium truly popular love.
Classification of pelargoniums
Division of pelargoniums according to the Hazel Kay system from the English nursery Fibrex:
Zonal pelargoniums:
Single Zonal pelargoniums- non-double zonal pelargoniums (“zonals”);
Double Zonal pelargoniums- terry zonal pelargoniums (“terry”);
Rosebud Zonal pelargoniums- Rosaceous zonal pelargoniums (“rosebuds”);
Miniature Zonal pelargoniums- miniature zonal pelargoniums (“miniatures”, “minks”);
Dwarf Zonal pelargoniums- dwarf zonal pelargoniums (“dwarfs”);
Variegated, Colored, Fancy-leaved pelargoniums- variegated zonal pelargoniums (“variegated”, “variegated”);
Stellar Zonal pelargoniums- star-shaped zonal pelargoniums (“star-shaped”, “stellar”);
Cactus-flowered Zonal pelargoniums- cactus-like zonal pelargoniums (“cactus”);
Other pelargoniums:
Regal pelargoniums- royal pelargoniums (“queens”, “royal”);
Ivy-leaved pelargoniums- ivy-leaved pelargoniums (“ivies”, “buns”);
Hybrid-Ivy-leaved pelargoniums— pelargonium “Ivy” hybrids (“Ivy hybrids”);
Scented-leaved pelargoniums- fragrant pelargoniums (“fragrant”);
Angel pelargoniums- pelargonium Angela (“Angels”);
Unique pelargoniums- pelargonium Unicuma (“Unicums”);
Species pelargoniums— species pelargonium (“species”);
Species Hybrids pelargoniums— species hybrids (“species hybrids”).
Pelargonium PAC Peppermint Twist is a variety with a lush inflorescence of semi-double, pink, red-striped and speckled flowers. The leaves are green with a brown center.
Pelargonium care
Pelargoniums are extremely unpretentious plants. Excessive care even harms them: on fertile soil and in large pots, the bushes grow actively, but they bloom poorly, and excessive watering is simply destructive (the genes of their African ancestors have an effect!). The best soil for them will be one that consists of equal parts of turf (or compost) soil, humus, peat and sand. However, they can be content with almost any “garden-vegetable-meadow” soil, as long as it is not too dense and not excessively rich in organic matter.
Zonal, ivy-leaved and fragrant pelargoniums are planted in flower beds for the summer, but for this they are gradually accustomed to the open sun. Flowering will be richer and foliage will be brighter if they are periodically fed with fertilizers that contain less nitrogen than phosphorus and potassium. To obtain more lush bushes, plants need to be pinched, that is, the apical bud or the very tip of the shoot must be removed.
Possible problems that arise when growing pelargonium:
— lack of flowers on indoor pelargonium - if the plant looks healthy, then the likely cause is too warm air in winter;
— watery soft pads on pelargonium leaves - edema is a non-contagious disease associated with waterlogging of the soil. Watering should be reduced;
— yellowing lower leaves in pelargonium - indicates a lack or excess of moisture. If the leaves remain elastic or only the edges dry out, there is a lack of moisture. If the leaves are limp or rotting, the problem is due to excess moisture;
— bare stems, falling of the lower leaves of pelargonium - lack of light - pelargoniums are light-loving;
— darkening of the base of the stem of pelargonium - blackleg disease. Such a plant is destroyed. In the future, use sterilized soil and avoid overmoistening it;
— gray mold on pelargonium leaves — gray rot, caused by the fungus Botrytis, occurs when the soil is waterlogged. This is a contagious disease. The affected leaves should be removed, treated with a systemic fungicide, reduce watering and better ventilate the room;
— Pelargonium pests - Can be affected by whiteflies, aphids and weevils.
Pelargonium propagation
Most often, pelargoniums are grown from stem cuttings. They are cut in spring or summer from semi-lignified shoots; the tops of shoots are also used for the same purpose when pruning adult plants. Each cutting should have 4-5 leaves, with one or two lower leaves removed. After cutting, the cuttings are dried in air for one to two hours. They can be rooted in a mixture of peat and sand or simply in water. At a temperature of +18...+20 °C, pelargonium will take root and be ready for planting in a pot in 2-3 weeks. Pots for young plants are small, with a diameter of 7-9 cm. If the container is large, the plant will bloom much later.
Pelargonium cuttings with roots, ready for planting
Ecology of home with pelargonium
Many varieties have phytoncidal properties, so they can be very useful in homes where there are children. Recently in the West it has become popular to keep several pots of geraniums with different aromas as “kitchen” plants. The volatile substances they emit are not only pleasant, but also useful: the air is cleansed of germs and harmful impurities. Pelargonium has one peculiarity - it “sucks up” dampness and waste, cleans and refreshes the air in rooms, and also absorbs stagnant air. A number of pelargonium species are used as insecticidal plants. With one or two pelargoniums in the room, there is a significant reduction in the number of mosquitoes, flies, etc.
Medicinal properties of pelargonium
The aroma of pelargonium relieves spastic pain, nervous excitement, fatigue, and restores impaired blood circulation. Helps with functional diseases of the central nervous system, balances the processes of excitation and inhibition, helps normalize sleep. Has bactericidal properties. In Eastern medicine, pelargonium essential oils are applied locally to cervical cancers. Geranium oil is a strong antiseptic. It helps with diseases of the upper respiratory tract, inflammation of the middle ear, mucous membranes of the throat and sinuses, heals wounds and ulcers; Perfect for disinfecting indoor air, especially during flu epidemics.
Energy of pelargonium
Pelargonium serves as a kind of “fire extinguisher” for negative energies, aggressive attacks, anger and hatred. Its energy is characterized by upward spiral vibrations. Energy flows from the roots of the plant into the stem, around it in a spiral to the tips of the leaves and flowers, enveloping the flowers in widely spreading circles.
Floral cooking with pelargonium
Fragrant pelargoniums have the scent of rose, lemon, and mint. Their leaves are used in cooking as an additive to many dishes. Before using for food, make sure that the plants have not been treated with pesticides and wash the leaves.
An essential oil called geranium is obtained from the leaves of pelargonium. At all times, rose-scented geranium oil was highly valued as a substitute for the extremely expensive rose oil. The best essential oil is obtained from plantations in the south of France and Spain. In France, in the vicinity of the city of Grasse, it was isolated from the leaves of “geranium” already in the 18th century, and today this country is the world leader in the production of a valuable aromatic substance. Pelargonium plantations spread over an area of about 3,000 hectares and produce 120 thousand tons of fresh leaves annually. After distillation, from 100 to 150 tons of oil are obtained from them.
Pages of history with pelargonium or home geranium
The first pelargonium came to Europe probably at the end of the 16th century. Naturalists decided that this is one of the new types of geranium, but real geraniums grow in our forests, clearings and meadows and belong to a completely different genus, although they belong to the same family.
Pelargonium or, more commonly, geranium is one of the most common and favorite indoor plants, both among seasoned gardeners and amateur gardeners. Caring for pelargonium is not so difficult, and the variety of varieties allows you to plant a bright flower bed in pots on the windowsill.
Pelargonium: popular varieties
Pelargonium is rich in varieties - there are about 250 species. Flower growers have developed many varieties of geranium, which, according to some external features, were divided into groups:
Pelargonium zonal
Pelargonium zonal is the richest in varieties (about 1000). Plants of this group are very unpretentious to climatic conditions. When grown outdoors in a hot climate, it can take the form of a tree 2-3 meters or more in height. But there are also miniature varieties that grow up to 12.5 cm.
The main feature of zonal pelargonium is special circles on the foliage, varying in color intensity: from bright to pale green. The inflorescences of plants in this group can have a variety of colors: beige, bright yellow, scarlet, pink and many others.
Pelargonium royal
Pelargonium royal - includes more than a hundred varieties, with a lot of different color shades. It has large inflorescences (flower size in some varieties is more than 7 cm), with contrasting spots or stripes on the main color background.
The leaves of the royal geranium are rounded with pointed edges. However, as the name implies, it is very capricious to care for at home. The period of active flowering usually begins in the spring.
Pelargonium ivy-leaved
Pelargonium ivy - the name itself suggests some similarity with ivy, namely, a similar leaf structure. The leaves of this pelargonium are smooth, the stems can sag and bend. It is often called ampelous; this is the type of geranium that looks great in a hanging pot.
Varieties of ampelous pelargoniums can have variegated leaves and inflorescences from bright pink to scarlet.
Pelargonium fragrant
Fragrant pelargonium is a distinctive feature of this group: the aroma of the leaves. Smells can be different: with notes of citrus, apple and pineapple, nutmeg, other fruits and spices.
The aroma can be felt by touching the leaf - the essential oils contained in them will immediately fill everything around with scent. Unfortunately, the inflorescences of such pelargonium are not so lush and small in size.
Pelargonium: features of care at home
Pelargonium comes from hot African countries, so it can withstand scorching sun rays and lack of moisture.
Soil for pelargonium
When choosing soil, you need to take into account several mandatory requirements:
- The soil for planting should be porous, with a small sand content, with the addition of perlite;
- The soil composition is neutral, not acidic;
- The soil should be nutritious, however, do not overdo it with nitrogen-containing fertilizers, as they activate the growth of foliage, but not inflorescences.
Ready-made soil for growing pelargonium can be purchased in specialized stores, or you can prepare it at home.
Optimal temperature, humidity, lighting, watering
From early spring to early autumn, the favorable temperature for pelargonium is 20-25 degrees. In the cold season, 12-16 degrees is enough. Fresh, clean air, free from drafts, is important for the plant.
It is enough to maintain humidity at about 50%; besides, the velvety leaves of pelargonium do not tolerate excessive spraying.
For pelargonium, poor lighting is detrimental. Therefore, provide your favorite plant with enough sunlight. Try to rotate the pot around its axis more often so that the geranium is symmetrical on all sides.
Pelargonium loves moderate watering, with water at room temperature. The plant should be watered only when you find signs of drying of the top layer of soil.
Rules for transplanting pelargonium
To replant geraniums, you need:
- Choose a larger pot than before. However, do not overdo it with space - too large a container will become a catalyst for the growth of foliage, not inflorescences;
- Provide the pot with drainage - add expanded clay, small stones or pieces of clay pots to the bottom;
- Before removal, the plant is well watered and carefully removed from the pot;
- A layer of moist soil is poured into a new pot, a flower is planted in it, the space around the roots is filled with the remaining soil;
- Water no earlier than every 3 days.
A mandatory ritual in caring for pelargonium is cutting the stems. She especially needs this after winter. During a long cold period, the stems lengthen and the plant loses its attractive shape, so it is recommended to trim it, leaving 3-5 buds on the stem. To treat the cut site, colloidal sulfur, crushed coal or fungicide are used.
How does pelargonium reproduce?
To breed pelargonium at home, the method of cuttings or propagation by seeds is used.
Cuttings are the easiest and fastest method of propagating geraniums. It is enough to cut a cutting 6-7 cm long (the cut must be oblique), remove two leaves from below, leave for a while to evaporate moisture from the cut (preferably treated with a root-forming solution), plant the cutting in a small container with sterilized moist soil.
Rooting time is approximately 3 weeks. After this, we transplant it into a regular pot.
The seed method is carried out as follows:
- We water the moist soil with a manganese solution to a depth of no more than 2 cm, sow pelargonium seeds;
- When the first shoots are detected, remove the film;
- Watering as the soil cover dries out;
- We plant the plants immediately after the growth of two leaves.
Pelargonium is not only beautiful to look at and easy to care for: it is also widely used in various areas of life: it is used in medicine and even in cooking.
Photo of pelargonium
Fragrant pelargoniums are characterized by the presence of glands filled with essential oil on the upper and sometimes the lower side of the leaf blades. Sometimes there are glands on plant stems. When touched or rubbed, the leaves of these pelargoniums release an aroma similar to the aromas of rose, apple, lemon, orange, pineapple, peach, mint, lavender, verbena, wormwood, pine, juniper, cedar, almond, coconut, nutmeg, caramel, cinnamon, and sometimes they have complex, difficult-to-describe odors. The flowers of these pelargoniums are inferior in beauty to many species and hybrid pelargoniums - they are usually small and dim in color (white, pink or lavender), but some bloom very elegantly due to the abundance of small flowers. Some pelargoniums hardly bloom on windowsills and are grown exclusively for their fragrant foliage.
Currently, the original fragrant species are included in the group Species, or wild pelargoniums (Pelargonium Species), and this group of pelargoniums with fragrant leaves (Scented Leaved Pelargoniums) combines the garden forms, varieties and hybrids obtained from them.
Read about the modern classification of pelargoniums on the page Pelargonium.
Most of these are bushy plants with small simple flowers, although there are varieties with large bright flowers and lush inflorescences. Leaves vary in size and shape among different varieties. The aroma of foliage in hybrids can differ radically from the original species, and sometimes is completely lost, so the process of obtaining new hybrids of fragrant pelargoniums is not so simple.
The main ancestors of this group are aromatic pelargonium (Pelargonium graveolens), most fragrant pelargonium (Pelargnium odoratissimum), curly pelargonium (Pelargonium crispum), pink pelargonium (Pelargonium radens), oakleaf pelargonium (Pelargonium quercifolium), pelargonium capitate (Pelargonium capitatum), pelargonium tomentosa (Pelargonium tomentosum), as well as odorous pelargonium (Pelargonium fragrans), whose existence as a species is currently questioned - it is assumed that it is a hybrid P. exstipulatum And P. odoratissimum.
Rarer types of pelargoniums with fragrant foliage:
Pelargonium birch leaf (Pelargonium betulinum)- with a pungent aroma;
. pelargonium vitifolia (Pelargonium vitifolium)- with the scent of lemon balm;
. pelargonium guitarum (Pelargonium panduriforme)- with geranium scent;
. pelargonium dichondrofolia (Pelargonium dichondraefolium)- with the smell of black pepper;
. pelargonium sticky (Pelargonium glutinosum)- with the scent of lemon balm;
. pelargonium capulata (Pelargonium cucullatum)- with lemon aroma;
. pelargonium gooseberry leaf (Pelargonium grossularioides)- with lemon aroma;
. pelargonium lemon balm (Pelargonium mellisimum)- with a sweet lemon aroma;
. small-flowered pelargonium (Pelargonium parviflorum)- with the smell of coconut;
. hairy pelargonium (Pelargonium hirtum)- with a pungent aroma;
. pelargonium crescent (Pelargonium crithmifolium)- with the aroma of ginger and nutmeg;
. pelargonium rough (Pelargonium scabrum)- with the smell of lemon;
. pelargonium rough (Pelargonium x asperum)
. Pelargonium abrotanifolium- with a pungent aroma;
. Pelargonium hypoleucum.
Description of fragrant species of pelargonium - in the article Species Pelargoniums.
Varieties of fragrant pelargoniums
- Pelargonium tomentosa P. tomentosum Chocolate Mint(syn. Chocolate Peppermint) - low-growing, up to 30 cm tall, with slightly hanging shoots. The leaves are medium to large, deeply lobed, soft, velvety, with a chocolate brown spot in the center, and smell of mint. The flowers are pale pink, with purple feathers on the upper petals.
- Pelargonium capitata P. capitatum Attar of Roses- up to 45 cm tall, with large trilobed leaves with a strong rose aroma. The flowers are lilac-pink, with a burgundy throat.
- Pelargonium curly P. crispum Cy's Sunburst- has small, lemon-scented, corrugated, variegated foliage - green with a thin golden edge. The flowers are pink.
- Pelargonium oakleaf P. quercifolium Giant Oak- with very large, lobed leaves with a balsamic scent.
- Pelargonium pink P. radens Red-Flowered Rose- openwork pelargonium with grayish-green palmate foliage (for which it is called Crow's Feet) and abundant red-pink (brighter than the main species) flowers. Very drought resistant.
- Pelargonium pink P. radens Radula- leaves are less finely cut than those of the main species (P. radens), with a less intense aroma. The flowers are small, lilac-pink.
Graveolens Group
Varieties of aromatic pelargonium (P. graveolens).
- Camphor Rose- vertically growing, up to 45 cm tall, with deeply cut leaves with a strong aroma of camphor and mint. The flowers are purple-pink.
- Lady Plymouth- a very popular variety, 45-60 cm tall, leaves with thin white petrification, with the aroma of eucalyptus. Inflorescences of lavender-pink flowers appear in summer.
- Both's Snowflake- vertically growing, 30-60 cm tall and wide, with deeply cut leaves, sparkling due to irregular cream variegation, with a rose scent.
- Variegata- up to 60 cm, with pink flowers and variegated white-green leaves with the aroma of mint and rose.
Fragrans Group
Varieties of fragrant pelargonium (Pelargonium fragrans).
- Fragrans Variegatum- a subshrub up to 15 cm tall, often with reddish stems, the leaves are velvety, three-lobed, blunt-toothed along the edge, light green, with a chartreuse-colored edge, with a spicy aroma. The flowers are white, collected in inflorescences of 4-8, the two upper petals with small red stripes.
- Lilian Pottinger- 25-30 cm tall and 12-16 cm wide, leaves are gray-green, irregularly three-lobed, serrated along the edges, with a complex aroma of camphor and pine. Produces masses of white flowers in summer with small red markings on the upper petals.
- Ardwick Cinnamon- with small, velvety, dull green, cinnamon-scented foliage and white flowers with crimson markings on the upper petals.
Pelargonium varieties with fragrant leaves
Basically, varieties of hybrid origin are presented here.
- Brunswick- up to 60 cm high and 45 cm wide, the leaves are large, dark green, deeply cut into pointed lobes, with a pungent odor. It has spectacular inflorescences of large pink flowers. Blooms in summer.
- Citronella- leaves are dark green, multipartite, with a powerful citrus aroma (citronella). During the flowering period it is covered with many small bright pink flowers.
- Charity- compact pelargonium up to 30 cm tall with palmate-lobed, soft-hairy, light green leaves with a wide, uneven golden border. They have a powerful lemon aroma with notes of rose. The flowers are small, white-pink, with crimson markings on the upper petals, collected in inflorescences of 5-7.
- Copthorne- 45-60 cm high and often the same width, with powerful dark green leaves with large lobes, with a very strong sweetish smell, reminiscent of cedar. It blooms for a long time with spectacular purple-pink flowers with wine-red veins and spots on the upper petals.
- Eucament- strongly dissected, like rose pelargonium (P. radens) leaves with a strong menthol scent.
- Galway Star- small dense pelargonium, the leaves are deeply incised, jagged along the edge, corrugated, green, with a creamy edge, have a strong lemon aroma. The flowers are pale lilac, with bright magenta markings on the upper petals.
- Gemstone- an upright bushy variety 45-60 cm tall, with rough lobed leaves with a bright lemon aroma. It blooms for a long time with spectacular pink-red inflorescences.
- Grace Thomas- a large and dense upright growing variety up to 90 cm tall, with large, deeply dissected, serrated leaves, with the smell of lemon and lime and a sweet raspberry hue. The flowers are white to pale pink, with crimson spots and veins.
- Hansen's Wild Spice- slender plant up to 45 cm tall and wide. Without pruning it produces semi-dangling stems. The leaves are beautiful, hairless, toothed, with a strong aroma of citrus and spice. The flowers are quite large and come in different shades of pink, with darker markings on the upper petals.
- Joy Lucille- 45-60 cm high, with large velvety split leaves with a menthol-mint aroma, and pale pink flowers with purple feathers on the upper petals.
- Lara Jester- up to 40 cm tall, leaves are large, strongly dissected, with a lemon aroma. The flowers are quite large, the petals are pink-lilac, with paler edges and a white base. The upper petals have purple veins.
- Lemon Kiss- lush vertically growing pelargonium up to 40 cm high and 20 cm wide. The foliage resembles curly pelargonium (Pelargonium crispum). The leaves are medium sized, rough, textured, and serrated. It is considered the best variety with lemon-scented foliage. The flowers are small, lavender, with deep carmine-colored feathers on the upper petals.
- Mabel Gray- a wide bush 30-35 cm tall, with two-color jagged leaves shaped like a maple leaf, medium to large in size, with the aroma of lemon verbena. The flowers are pale pink to light purple, the upper petals are marbled, with plum-colored feathers. One of the most fragrant pelargoniums. Discovered in Kenya in 1960. Sometimes appears under the name P. citronellum Mabel Gray.
- Orsett- a large bushy, upright growing plant up to 75 cm tall, with lobed green leaves with purple-brown spots in the center, with a piquant but pleasant aroma. The flowers are large, mauve, with darker markings on the upper petals. It blooms for a very long time.
- Paton's Unique- also belongs to the Unicuma group. 60-65 cm tall and up to 20 cm wide, leaves with a pungent odor, showy inflorescences of coral-red and pale pink flowers with small white eyes.
- Phyllis- also belongs to the Unicuma group, a very beautiful variegated sport from the Paton's Unique variety. The leaves are deeply incised, green, with creamy cream edges, fragrant. The flowers are bright pink, luminous, with a white eye and dark feathers on the upper petals.
About the group of unique people - in the article Royal pelargoniums, angels and uniques.
- Round Leaf Rose- 60-90 cm high, with rounded, vaguely lobed, velvety, textured, crinkled leaves with a bronze spot in the center, having a fresh orange aroma. The flowers are pink, with light spots and purple veins on the upper petals.
- Shottesham Red syn. Concolor Lace- up to 60 cm in height and width. A compact pyramidal plant with very beautiful velvety ruffled light green leaves. The aroma of the leaves is sweetly pungent, with light notes of hazelnut. It blooms from spring to autumn with inflorescences of lilac-red, rare colors, flowers with darker feathers on the upper petals, the three lower petals are lighter.
Photo: Rita Brilliantova, Nina Starostenko
There are a huge number of varieties of pelargoniums and the classification of some species is still unclear. Let's move on to the most famous plants that can be found in every person's home.
Orange pelargonium grows up to 35 cm in height. An unusual appearance with a peach cap on each bud and a greenish tint on the edge. With good care, 240 inflorescences change over 4 seasons. Provides a pleasant view from the balcony. Does not require special attention. Prefers semi-shaded areas. It should be watered abundantly, a little less in winter. In summer it is best to take it out into the fresh air. You can plant seeds in any weather.
White ivy-leaved pelargonium. The foliage is medium sized, dark green. Compact plant. It does not grow quickly, but the buds of this variety are worth it. The flowers grow large, up to 6 cm, and are shaped like a rose. If you keep the plant in the sun a little, you can achieve a slight lilac tint. Pelargonium Anita also has the same beautiful rose-shaped inflorescences. It is easy to grow and grows well. Read about it.
It is different from all the others, because even the origin of this plant is still unclear. The species is not assigned to any classification, which is why it is called unique. Its foliage refers to dissected leaves. The aroma is piquant, without too much harshness. The small flowers look like a bird's feather. Plants can have either one-color or two-color foliage. The variety is classified as tall. The peak of popularity of uniques took place at the end of the 19th century.
Refers to zonal pelargonium. Their flowers are whitish with a pinkish tint in the middle. Foliage is small in size. In a pot it looks impressive and without unnecessary flaws. In the sun it takes on a brighter tone. And in winter it requires special care and feeding. Pelargonium Silk is also a zonal species. She is a true decoration of the home. You will learn about the varieties of this variety.
Miniature golden leaf pelargonium. Belongs to the zonal group. Despite their small size, the flowers are large, white-pink in color, with a pleasant golden tint. The leaves are semi-double with a light green tint. Each leaf has a bright brown zone. Blooms at an accelerated pace. Unpretentious. In a small pot the flower looks compact and fluffy.
Zonal pelargonium. The petals are wavy with jagged edges in the shape of a carnation. Light shading. A spectacular bush, unpretentious in flowering. Has a pastel orange tone. In order for a flower to sprout, it needs pruning. It bushes well, looks large and has grown. The leaves are compact. Inflorescences grow up to 5 cm. Quite a well-known variety. Mostly good flowering occurs in the summer. This plant needs feeding.
Small semi-double species pelargonium. The first flowers are 4 cm in size. It grows in large caps. The bush is elegant, compact, but rather capricious. Not very tall. After pruning, it does not sprout immediately; most often it only replaces it. Responsive to temperature changes. The variety is tender. It has a peach color with a pale white edging of the petals. The trunk is almost always not leafy. Formation does not happen immediately. In hot weather it can throw leaves. The plant is worthy of attention for its dissimilarity.
Small zonal pelargonium with salmon color. The lining of the petals is light, and the leaves themselves have a dark zone. Neat fluffy bush. The heat makes the cap white and thick, which creates a nice contrast. Shoots form quickly. Bright and pleasant to look at. There are almost always many buds present. The plant itself is small in size, which is why it will look perfect on the windowsill. Spraying is useful. Take it out onto the balcony only in hot weather. Dwarf variety.
A dense double flower in the form of an unopened rosebud. The petals of this plant are deep red. Each rose is 1 cm. In hot weather, the red color becomes a little paler, and in winter, on the contrary, it acquires a bright shade. The inflorescence is dense. Peduncles of medium height. Green sheets with a cream mosaic pattern. Belong to the zonal type. It blooms in the shape of a cap. Over time it grows to medium size.
Pelargonium Albina grows quite quickly. After the cuttings have appeared, the peduncle rises on the 3rd day. However, the first flowering is not particularly abundant. 4 flowers grow on 1 peduncle. Large plant. It belongs to the zonal species and is considered a dwarf in height. The leaves are intense green. The flowers themselves are double, white with a small red stamen, and collected tightly. Due to the density of this species, the plant looks collected and neat. He loves feeding, so thanks to courtship, the flowers become larger. Suitable for beginners who are afraid to take responsibility.
Zonal variety of dwarf speckled pelargonium. Flower growers are attracted by the bright, golden-green leaves with creamy double flowers and red veins. The flower is decorated with light, bright crimson specks. Durable. With a neat shape, blooms profusely. The bush is well-fed and strong. Does not throw leaves, bushes on its own.
A neat decorative border and a barely noticeable pink color, which echoes white, distinguish this plant variety from other terry types. The inflorescences are dense and delicate, voluminous compared to the dwarf type. In the sun, the bloom of dovepoint turns from white to pink. Peduncles are short.
Mary belongs to the double zonal pelargoniums. The inflorescences are tight, reminiscent of a rose. They grow up to 10 cm. The flowers themselves are white with a small green one in the center. When blooming, it may acquire a slight pinkish tint. The bush is fluffy. Blooms profusely in spring and summer. Should be replanted annually. Loves the sun and warmth. Tries to bloom even in low light. Prefers complex feeding. The name of this variety goes well with the name.
The wavy petals of Pelargonium Laque are colored orange, and towards the edge of the flower they become completely white. The clearly colored color can only be seen in the sun. In the shadows the color fades. The plant belongs to the usual zonal variety, but in addition it requires careful formation. The leaves are elegant, thanks to the contrasting border of a brownish-green hue.
In the center of the leaf there is a light shade in the shape of a butterfly, which, after basking in the sun, can give a bronze tint. The flower itself is large, peach-colored, and needle-shaped. The variety is not tall, the peduncles are short. Requires shaping. Bushes and blooms for quite a long time. Not afraid of rain and heat. Looks great on the balcony in summer. The size can be easily adjusted using a small flowerpot. Unpretentious, fast growing. It is the unusual leaves that make this species special.
Terry zonal pelargonium plant. Flowers in the form of a red rose. The flower itself is bright and velvety. Blooms profusely and looks compact. The hat is round. The leaves are green, iridescent with a slight brown tint. In person it has a very bright colorful color.
In summer, you can see this type of plant in vegetable gardens, flower beds and balconies. It is distinguished by lush flowering and grace. Quite demanding to care for. It blooms for a short time, about 5 months. But if you see this plant even once, you will immediately want to bring it to your windowsill. Royal pelargonium grows up to 60 cm in height.
It differs from its colleagues by folded multi-colored leaves, dense leaf plate and jagged edges.
On a note. Not everyone can make such a beauty bloom. This individual prefers warmth and sunlight for continuous abundant flowering.
It can tolerate a little shade, but will bloom a little less luxuriantly. Prefers nutritious soil. You can add a little clay mixture to the soil. In cold weather, the temperature should not be lower than 12ºС.
Tamara is many-sided and unique. The flowers are like dense pink and white marshmallows. The color is variable with pink veins and a border of the same color. The plant is tender and airy. Compact bush with small leaves. It blooms from infancy and never ceases to delight with the process. The petals are neat, with pointed tips.
Sunny side required. The soil should be kept moist constantly, but in moderation. It is recommended to spray. Red pelargonium grows up to 30 cm in length. It should be placed on the balcony immediately after frost has passed.
It has a bright shade and universal resistance to all weather conditions. The variety branches well. There are huge inflorescences. The color of this type of pelargonium is similar to wine red. The leaves are classified as ivy-leaved. Grows quickly. Landing 30×30.
The plant is 30 cm tall with good branching. White-pink color. The inflorescences are large. The leaves are green with a slight dark tint. Drought resistant. Preference is given to sunny places with fertile soil. You can start planting from the end of January. The depth for seeds is 0.5 cm. If you maintain a temperature of 20°C, then seedlings can be seen within a week.
Pelargonium is a non-double, ivy-leaved plant. Large caps and beautifully colored in a variety of shades. Blooms profusely, completely covered with inflorescences. There are two types of Tuscany that are currently popular. Read about pelargonium Tuscany and Edwards Elegance.
Bernd
Bright flowers, opening wide, deep red. Each leaf is dark green with a bright brown ring. Refers to semi-double. The bush is harmonious, never stretched out. The lower part of the flower must be compacted tightly.
Hero
Large flowers of a crimson-red hue with white dots on the leaves. The bush is fluffy. It grows slowly, but branches very well. The leaves are medium-sized, dark green. The bush is low, the average height is up to 25 cm. The color is very rich. Does not require growth regulators.
Herbaceous plant with a fragrant aroma. The height of the bush is 25 cm. The leaves are round, green with a small red edge. The flowers are pink with a slight pallor in the form of a spherical inflorescence. The plant prefers light. For feeding, a turf mixture is chosen, and moderate moisture is preferred. If you treat the flower with love, the flowering will continue all summer. In the fall, a transplant and a bright place in the room are necessary. For seeds to germinate, the temperature must reach 20°C.
The difference between black velvet is in the unusual chocolate sheets, which create a wonderful combination with bright red inflorescences. If the bush is formed recently, then you will notice that at the initial stage there is a bronze coating on the sheets. The height of black velvet reaches about 40 cm. The shoots are strong. Loves light, but the sun's rays should not touch the petals.
Pelargonium is unpretentious, but this does not mean that it does not need care. Periodically you need to check the soil and water on time. Prefers mineral fertilizers. Sowing 1 cm. It is not recommended to allow the soil to dry out.
The hybrid variety grows well at home. It looks like a large shrub up to 75 cm in height. Rounded green leaves. The flowers are umbellate up to 3 cm, come in multi-colored shades, namely: white, red, purple and. Flowering lasts six months.
The most popular pelargonium hybrids include two types.
Ardens
Rare hybrid plant. Wine red flower with a black stripe down the middle. This hybrid plant is easy to care for, but requires light. Moderate watering is required. An adult plant reaches a height of 20 cm.
Miss Stapleton
The plant never sleeps. This heart-shaped hybrid looks like a bouquet of pink roses. The stems are hard with stipules in the form of thorns.
Rosaceous pelargonium. The flowers are dense, double. The petals have two colors. The inside is like red wine and the outside is silver. The inflorescences are dense. The leaves are greenish, folded.
Madame Pelargonium has several varieties. Let's look at the main ones.
Bovary
Type of double zonal pelargonium. Fluffy bush. Blooms profusely. The flowers look like dark red wine, there are bright and large inflorescences. It is necessary to keep the soil moist and spray as often as possible.
Celeron
Graceful pelargonium with variegated leaves. The leaves are long-stemmed, gray-green with a wide cream edge. Has thin cuttings. Belongs to the dwarf group (read about caring for dwarf pelargonium at home). Blooms in bright pinkish color. The variety hardly blooms, but captivates with its beauty. The bush is compact and pleasant to look at.
Large flowers resembling a rose. The plant is white, with a rich white-pink border. Tight caps. The bush needs shaping. The leaves are green and have a dark zone. Requires special care.
Terry ivy-leaved pelargonium. The flowers have a similar blue-lilac hue. Compact bush. Needs a sunny area. Requires daily care. The plant needs additional minerals.
Miniature pelargoniums first appeared in England. The height of small pelargonium starts from 8 cm and ends at 15 cm. Ideal for the home, they can also be placed on balcony boxes. The leaves come in a variety of green shades. Pelargoniums are light and airy, but this is not their only advantage. They are compact. They can bloom in any decade of the year.
Among the most worthy breeders is Stanley Stringer. He was born in a small village called Okkold. He took up selection at the age of 50. The most popular variety grown is Alde, which can still be seen on shelves today.
Deacons are also a dwarf variety of Stringer. Among them, the best are: tangerine and moonlight. The tangerine's flowers are orange-red in color, while the moonlight's are white-purple. The most impressive thing is that such a miniature plant has very large flowers.
One of its last cultivations is a golden goblet, which was creamy in color and the petals were dotted with red. Stringer left behind about 160 varieties of pelargonium.
Ry Beatwell started his life as a postman. Therefore, it has a number of geographical names for varieties. Bitwell became famous for being able to develop a new type of pea variety. And they were covered with red, pink and purple specks.
Among the varieties with small spots, the most popular are: Milden, Semer and Elmsett. Milden has green-yellow leaves with bright white flowers flecked with pale pinkish. Semer is a dwarf species of pink flowers with red dots. Elmsett is a zonal species of pale pink flowers with red flecks. The latter species was named after Bidwell. The variety is decorated in wine color with green-red foliage.
And last but not least is the famous breeder Brian West. West is famous for developing a variety whose leaves resemble stars, which is why the variety is called. The varieties have spread throughout the world. Even despite their unusual shape and the fact that they do not exactly resemble pelargoniums, they can be cared for in the same way as ordinary varieties.
There is also another interesting and unusual variety of pelargonium -. This is a plant with very unusual and beautiful flowers. Instead of the usual flowers, inflorescences appear in the form of tulip buds. We talked about such a plant of the Patricia Andrea variety in, and you will learn about the tulip-shaped pelargonium Red Pandora.
In recent years, Vesta has produced miniature plants up to 8 cm. The varieties were named anni popham.
Rules of care
All plants require special care, and pelargonium is no exception. Usually the flower is located in the room, and begins to bloom profusely in the summer. In winter, it is necessary to ensure a temperature of at least 15 °C and avoid waterlogging of the soil. It is best to leave the plant on the sunny side, but only where there are no drafts.
Pruning is carried out after flowering - in autumn. But if the roots have grown well, an exception is made. For pruning, you need to leave shoots of about 10 cm. Do not forget about fertilizing for each flower. It is recommended to transplant in February.
Plants can lose their compactness if they are not given proper care.
On a note. It is best to obtain new specimens from cuttings that have not yet flowered. Each stem should have about 5 leaves.
After cutting, the cuttings should be left for 2 hours in a dry room with fresh air. After pruning, cover them with plastic bags to help them take root. For pelargonium to grow, a temperature of at least 20 °C is required.
Besides beauty, Pelargoniums also have medicinal properties for people. After all, they contain an extract that cures respiratory tract infections. In addition, the oil of this plant has a calming effect. But the main thing is that the flower goes well with any design in the house and allows every housewife to feel like a woman.