Geranium - home care and home of the houseplant. Indoor geranium Where geranium grows in nature

Geranium is a wonderful indoor plant. But it is also planted in parks and gardens, as it looks beautiful not only on the windowsill, but also on lawns. In nature, geranium can grow in forests and meadows. Many people grow this plant at home, unaware of its real place of origin.

Geranium is also called crane grass. People are often mistaken when they call this plant pelargonium. Despite the fact that there are many similarities, some differences can still be identified. Today there are about 400 varieties of geranium. They grow all over the world and the plant can be a shrub or a grass. Geranium grows up to 60 cm. The leaves are covered with delicate hairs, and the inflorescence comes in different colors. But where is the homeland of indoor geranium?

Back in the 17th century, geranium was brought to our region from Great Britain. Some people began to believe that this country is the birthplace of this amazing flower, but this is a wrong opinion. Geranium is a southern plant, and came to Europe from South Africa and India. It was brought by the British. In Great Britain, other varieties of this plant began to be developed, which many people still grow at home today. Geraniums are decorated with window sills and planted in the garden.

Most geraniums are plants that have adapted to dry weather, so they have learned to accumulate huge amounts of moisture in their thick stems.

In the homeland of this plant there are harsh weather conditions. The scorching sun shines there most days of the year. Drought is often replaced by heavy, long rains that flood the ground for several days.

About 10% of all geranium species grow in other areas.

In Madagascar
In Australia
In California
In New Zealand

As soon as geranium was brought to Europe, it began to be used as decoration in houses, on windows, and this could especially often be seen among nobles.

In ancient times, ladies used inflorescences to decorate necklines and headdresses. After some time, the plant gained popularity, so ordinary people began to grow it.

As already mentioned, geranium originally grew in South Africa. But, often, sailors who visited various places were interested not only in culture, infrastructure, but also in the plants that appear in a particular area. Therefore, a flower like geranium could not go unnoticed. Naturalists drew attention to the amazing inflorescence that they contemplated in such a warm climate. After this, they had a desire to adapt the plant to new living conditions. So geranium began to spread to different parts of the world, adapting to the varied climates it encountered. Because of this, people are now surprised by the fact that the birthplace of geranium is a country where the weather is hot almost all year round.

The flower reached Russia somewhere in the 18th-19th century. Some types of geraniums were left to grow in the wild, and they tolerated cold weather calmly. But many varieties of plants began to decorate people's rooms.

As a result, geranium was developed by breeders who began to breed different varieties. Each plant has a difference in color and shape. But even in its homeland, geranium continues to please the eye; it looks the same as a houseplant.

Caring for this home plant is directly related to the birthplace of geranium. Its fellow countrymen are chlorophytums, sansevierias and other plants. Geranium loves warmth and light, so it could only survive at home. Many years have passed since the plant was first brought to Europe, so during this period it was able to adapt to new conditions. But, nevertheless, people who decide to grow geranium at home should choose a place for it that is well lit. The windows should be south facing.

In summer, geraniums can easily be placed on balconies. The plant will delight you with its beauty if it is placed where there will be direct rays of the sun. But don't overdo it. In extreme heat, it is better to hide the flower in the shade.

The soil of geraniums should be moist, but, again, you need to remember in moderation. The flower should be watered once every 2 days. In order for the plant to grow well, you should make drainage from pebbles. With its help, excess moisture will be removed, so the roots will be safe and will not rot.

But in winter you can do without abundant watering, since the plant is dormant until spring.

Geranium does not require frequent replanting; it should be done only when roots emerge from the hole. The plant does not require special soil; it is enough to use ordinary soil. The number of flowers may decrease if the geranium grows tall. Because of this, it is recommended to systematically prune branches. From this, the bush will become lush and there will be many inflorescences.

If you follow all these rules, geranium will delight you with its beautiful flowers for a long time. But propagation of the plant is generally simple. To do this, the torn twig is placed in a container of water. It can be planted when the first roots are visible.

But geranium is not only a beautiful, but also a useful plant. Substances are released from its leaves; they purify 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 this is just a theory. One thing is certain, geranium is able to purify the air, which is important in the current course of life.

We know geranium as an unpretentious indoor plant that delights with its numerous bright flowers from spring until the snow. Not everyone knows that there is another type of geranium that grows quietly in open ground. The frost-resistant “sister” can be found in the garden, forest or swamp. Botanists divided them into two varieties, one of which is called “geranium”, and the other was given the name “pelargonium”. It is she who has become the pet of almost everyone who breeds flowers. Both genera belong to the same Geranium family and have the same origin.

The geranium plant is native to South Africa. In different parts of the Republic of South Africa there are several types of climate: Mediterranean, tropical, subtropical and temperate. As a result, the flora turned out to be very diverse and variegated. Unusual representatives of the plant world have been transported from here since the 16th century. Trade ships from the Old World began to land on the shores of Africa.

Sailors often stopped at the Cape of Good Hope during long journeys. At that time, Europeans were interested not only in the culture of the local population and trade with them, but also in the flora and fauna of the mainland. Naturalists immediately noticed the bright and varied flowers growing freely underfoot, and took specimens home for further breeding. Among the plants was geranium. Breeders became interested in the unusual and beautiful flower and began to actively adapt it to new living conditions. Gradually it spread throughout the world, perfectly adapting to the climate in which it found itself. That is why today it is so unusual for us to hear that the birthplace of the geranium plant was a hot country.

The first mentions of geranium appeared in Europe around the 17th century. It appeared in Russia at the beginning of the 18th century, and in the 19th century. became a house plant in every aristocratic house. Certain types of geranium remained “wild”, grew in forests, meadows, and swamps, calmly tolerating harsh climatic conditions. Others “turned” into indoor heat-loving beauties. This is how a type of domestic geranium emerged, which was called pelargonium. Over time, he became completely different from his meadow “sister”. Today the two flowers are very different from each other, despite their shared ancestry.
Breeders have developed many varieties of geranium. They differ in color and flower shape. There are about 400 species of this plant on earth. In nature, it can be found in New Zealand, Turkey, Madagascar, other species grow in Russia.
Currently, many varieties of geranium can be seen in the plant’s homeland, Africa. There it looks like our usual indoor pelargonium.

We will tell you about it in more detail. Homemade pelargonium is divided into two main types:
bush (these are lush, low plants);
ampelous (ivy-leaved pelargonium with long shoots creeping like a grapevine).
Among bush pelargoniums there are flowering varieties with bright lush inflorescences and fragrant ones, which are valued for their fragrant leaves.

The most popular among gardeners are bush geraniums:
zonal (with a border around the edge of the flower);
royal (with large flowers).
Geranium care
The geranium plant is native to South Africa. Many indoor crops, such as chlorophytums, clivias, sansevierias and others, originated from there. Being thermophilic and light-loving, finding themselves in Europe and then in Russia, they could only survive at home.

Over several centuries, geranium has adapted well to our changeable climate, but just like its southern relatives, it loves the sun and warmth. Therefore, if you decide to grow this flower, find the brightest place for it in the apartment. Windows should face south or southwest.
In the summer, you can decorate your balcony or veranda with pelargonium. This plant loves direct sunlight and will delight you with a large number of flowers. In extreme heat, it is advisable to cover it a little.

Temperature
Indoor geranium grows well at 20 - 25°, but in winter it is better to place it in a cooler place. She will feel great at 10 - 15°.

Watering
Pelargonium loves moisture, although it should not be flooded. The optimal frequency of watering is once every two days. For favorable growth, the flower requires drainage from expanded clay or pebbles. It will absorb excess moisture, which means that the roots of the plant will not rot or become sick.
In winter, geranium is almost not watered; at this time it “sleeps” until spring.

Do I need to replant geraniums?
This plant does not like to be disturbed unnecessarily, so replanting can be done only when roots emerge from the drainage hole. Regular garden soil can be used for planting. Do not let geraniums grow high, as this will reduce the number of flowers. It needs to be pruned periodically, then the bushes will be lush, and many inflorescences will appear on them.

If all these conditions are met, your geranium will bloom from spring until late autumn. Propagating the plant at home is very simple: just cut off a small branch with a few leaves from the top in the spring and place it in a glass of water. When roots appear, it can be planted in a small pot.

Benefits of geranium
Centuries ago, people discovered that geranium has medicinal properties. Using a compress from its leaves, abscesses were removed and wounds healed. It turned out that it has an anti-inflammatory and regenerating effect.
It was for the treatment of patients that geranium was used in its homeland. She disinfected wounds and protected against infection. It was often used as a folk remedy for runny nose and headaches.

It has been noted that fragrant geranium can calm the nervous system and improve a person’s mood. It’s not for nothing that this flower was grown in almost every home. There was an opinion that this plant brings peace and well-being to the family. Pelargonium was cherished not only as a home decoration, but also as a talisman.

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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 common 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 particularly 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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This beautiful and useful flower, which came to our country from Europe back in the 17th century, very quickly gained unprecedented popularity. However, the birthplace of the geranium plant is hot South Africa and spice-scented India. Most botanists agree that this flower was distributed on the ancient supercontinent Gondwana, which united India, Australia and Africa.

It was not until the late 16th century that geraniums were brought to Britain from South Africa. It should be noted that it was at this time that Europe became a center for the selection and cultivation of rare species of edible and ornamental plants. This was facilitated by the exploration of new exotic lands in Africa and India by English and Spanish sailors. The birthplace of geranium, the varieties of which we know and grow today, is Great Britain. In those distant times, it was popular to bring interesting representatives of flora and fauna to expand the catalogs of royal gardens and menageries, as well as to satisfy the needs of wealthy breeders.

The huge Geranium family includes two genera of plants. The first representative is pelargonium, which can be found on the windowsills of many in our country. The second genus is the geranium itself. This flower is suitable both for growing at home and for planting in the front garden in open ground. Many novice and experienced gardeners often confuse pelargonium and geranium: the plant’s homeland, appearance and maintenance conditions are almost identical, but still not the same. The first genus has about 280 species, and the second - more than 430, but every year new representatives of this home beauty appear thanks to the tireless work of breeders from all over the world. To distinguish one plant from another, you need to carefully examine the flowers: in geranium they will be radially symmetrical, collected in small semi-umbrellas and almost regular in shape. But the inflorescences of pelargonium have bilaterally symmetrical zygomorphic flowers.

Popular types

The birthplace of the geranium plant is India, the most popular varieties come from there. It is also found in Africa. Let us dwell in more detail on several common plant species, which are the most beautiful representatives of this family.

Geranium quadrangular is a bush 30-70 cm high. Flowers appear in spring and summer (depending on the planting date) and look like a butterfly. South Africa is the birthplace of the geranium quadrangular plant. The color of the flowers can range from soft cream to light pink. The plant prefers well-lit window sills and temperatures not lower than +10 o C. In spring and summer, geranium is watered abundantly, and in the cool season - moderately. Nutritious soil with good drainage is suitable as soil.

Curly geranium is an excellent variety for growing at home. This shrub reaches a height of 30-60 cm and has a very branched leaf system. The birthplace of the curly geranium plant is South Africa (Cape Province). The flowers are brightly colored from pink to deep purple, and have fairly short stems. The first buds appear in July, and complete wilting and ripening of microseeds occurs at the end of August.

Any selected variety of pelargonium or geranium requires fertile soil, high-quality watering and a bright, well-ventilated place in the house or area. Despite the plant’s resistance to various diseases, the roots should not be allowed to rot.

The most beautiful types of indoor geraniums

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indoor geranium

Indoor geranium: description

Types of indoor geranium

Reproduction

Growing conditions

Houseplant care

Use of the flower

Indoor geranium has about 300 species. Homeland - South Africa. Indoor geranium unites all plants of the species grown at home. These include African geranium, called Pelargonium.

Indoor geranium: description

All indoor geraniums can be divided into two groups:

Blooming, distinguished by beautiful flowers.
Fragrant, with inconspicuous flowers and fragrant leaves.

The root of geranium is often branched, in some species it is taprooted. The stem can be erect or creeping (in ampelous plants). The leaves are dissected or lobed, less often pinnate, covered with small fine hairs. The color can be monochromatic, zonal, green of varying intensity, with a grayish, red or blue tint. All of them have long petioles.

Flowers are collected in inflorescences of a brush, each of them consists of 5 or more rounded petals of red, pink, purple, white. In some varieties they are marked with bright contrasting spots.

Geranium blooms almost all year round.

To do this, she needs to provide a sufficient amount of light and nutrients. Fruit boxes are formed from the flowers. To many, they resemble the shape of a crane's beak. The plant owes this similarity to several popular names that have taken root in different countries: “crane bird”, “stork’s nose”. Inside the fruit there are quite large seeds.

Types of indoor geranium

The most popular and beautiful types of indoor geranium:

The most common is Geranium zonalis (bordered, kalachik). There are 70 thousand varieties. The leaves are entire, with dark concentric circles of varying intensity. The stem is erect; if formed incorrectly, it grows up to 1 m in height. The flowers are bright, pink or white, simple, semi-double or double in shape.
Ivy differs from the zonal shape of the stem. Long vines, decorated with smooth leaves, hang down. The flower is installed in hanging flowerpots.
The royal one grows up to half a meter. The leaves are plain or have stripes and dark spots. The flowers are large, simple or double in shape, monochromatic, of various colors, with colored spots, veins, and borders. Another name is English grandiflora.
Fragrant geranium can have the smells of lemon, pine needles, lemon balm, ginger, pineapple and other plants. The Strong-smelling variety has the aroma of a rose, the Most Fragrant variety has the aroma of an apple. Some scents are not very pleasant. The flowers are inconspicuous, pink or purple. The bush needs to be pinched regularly so that it has a beautiful shape. Used for the production of aromatic oils.
Geranium Angel with viola-like flowers. The bush is ampelous, the vines are shorter than those of the ivy leaf, covered with inflorescences with a large number of flowers.

Unicuma hybrids have highly dissected, very fragrant leaves. The flowers are large and beautiful, but smaller than those of the Royal one. Miniature and dwarf varieties do not require pruning. They bloom profusely.

Based on the shape of the flower, several groups of zonal geraniums can be distinguished:

Rosaceae with flowers resembling roses.
Cactus-shaped with petals twisted in the shape of a cone.
Star-shaped with pointed petals.
A group of carnation flowers with petals serrated along the edges stands out.
Succulents are a special type of geranium. The stems of the plants are intricately curved. Some varieties have thorns.

Reproduction

Indoor geranium is propagated by:

By seeds, but this method does not always guarantee the repetition of the maternal properties of hybrids.
By cuttings.

Seeds are sown in soil prepared from equal parts of peat, sand and a double portion of turf soil. The main part of the soil mixture is placed in a container, at the bottom of which there is a drainage layer. Sow the seeds over the surface at a distance of 2 cm from each other, then cover the remaining soil with a thin layer. Moisten with a spray bottle.

Cover the dishes with glass or film and keep them warm (temperature about 20°C). Every day they ventilate by removing the glass and shaking off any drops from it. When the first seeds germinate, remove the cover and lower the temperature (you can place it on the windowsill, where it is lower than in the rest of the room).

For the next 2 months, the seedlings are watered, waiting until they have 2 true leaves. Plant the plants in separate small-diameter pots. To get a beautifully shaped plant, pinch the top after the 6th leaf. When sowing seeds collected with your own hands, they are first scarified. To do this, you can grind them with sandpaper.

Geraniums can be propagated by cuttings almost all year round, but in the spring roots are formed more actively.

They take a cutting and leave it in the air for several hours for it to take root. Planted in a container with loose soil or coarse sand. They don't cover. When the cutting takes root, it can be transplanted into another pot.

Most often, cuttings are rooted in a different way. They tear off the lower leaves, place the cutting in a glass of water and wait for roots to form. Then they are planted in a pot.

The soil for growing indoor geraniums is not very fertile. Otherwise, the plant will have many leaves but few flowers. The geranium pot should have enough holes to drain excess moisture. A layer of drainage is placed on the bottom of the dish: expanded clay, pebbles, polystyrene foam.

Water as the soil dries out. In winter, in a cool room, watering is carried out a couple of times a month. If the plant is in a warm room, moisten it more often. Plants that were planted in open ground are hidden indoors at the beginning of autumn. They do not tolerate transplantation well. The root system is not able to hold a large amount of soil, so the roots are exposed.

To make the geranium easier to transplant, the branches are pruned, limiting their height.

Cut tops can be used for propagation. For the winter, leave a stem on which no more than 7 leaves grow. Remove shoots growing from leaf axils. Leave those that grow from the root. Break off shoots after every 5 leaves. Do not prune geraniums in December and early January. Anti-aging pruning is carried out, leaving 5 buds on the shoot.

Growing conditions

Geranium is an unpretentious plant. But often she dies due to errors in care. Usually this:

Temperature too low. Optimal from 15 to 20 degrees. If it is below 10°C, the plant disappears.
Excessive moisture and poor drainage in the pot. This is manifested by yellowing and wilting of the leaves. The root system rots and the plant dies.
Lack of moisture is manifested by the leaves turning yellow and drying out at the edges.
When there is insufficient light, the leaves grow small, with long petioles, and some of them fall off. The plant stretches upward and has a pale appearance. It is better to install the flower on southern windows. Covering from the sun should only be done on particularly hot days.
Geranium needs constant formation of the bush. To make it branchy, shoots are pinched. If you do not plan to collect geranium seeds, remove the brushes after flowering. This will improve the appearance of the plant and allow other buds to develop faster.
The size of the pot matters. If the container is too wide, the plant will bloom poorly.
Geraniums are replanted when the roots of the plant begin to emerge from the drainage holes. If you do not replant in time, the leaves will begin to turn yellow and fall off.

Houseplant care

Tips for caring for your heroine:

The main thing to care for geraniums is not to overwater it. It tolerates excess moisture much worse than drought. Indoor geranium leaves are not sprayed with water. Drops of moisture can remain between the villi, creating conditions for the development of fungal diseases.
Geranium easily tolerates high temperatures.
Sometimes, when there is insufficient lighting in the room, geraniums are illuminated with garden fluorescent lamps. This leads to active formation of buds.
Fertilizers are applied throughout the growing season. The use of liquid fertilizer gives good results. Geranium reacts positively to iodine. A drop of iodine is dissolved in a liter of water. Mix thoroughly and water the plant. This must be done so that the solution does not get on the roots. Therefore, they pour it over the walls of the dish. The plant will bloom actively after such feeding. You can use any mineral complex fertilizers with phosphorus. Organic ones are not added.
The dried soil is periodically loosened to provide air access to the roots. Use an old fork or wooden stick for this.
Geranium care includes pest control. Aphids and mites are destroyed by treating the lower part of the leaves with an infusion of tobacco and laundry soap. After a few hours, wash off with clean water. Whitefly is more difficult to control. It is more advisable to immediately start using insecticides such as “Confidor”.
If brown spots form on the leaves of geraniums, this is a sign of a fungal disease - rust. To combat it, spray it with Fitosporin. Increased soil moisture causes root rot, and the ingress of water droplets during watering causes gray rot.

Use of the flower

Geranium is used for landscaping an apartment. But in the spring, when the threat of return frosts has passed, it is better to plant it in a flowerbed. All summer it will delight with lush flowering.

Geranium leaves are used in salads or for baking. Used as a seasoning. This largely depends on the variety of geranium and the personal preferences of the owner. Geranium leaves are used to scent clothes in closets.

Application in medicine:

Phytoncides secreted by leaves can kill microorganisms that lead to various diseases. Therefore, an infusion of leaves and a decoction of the roots are used to treat purulent wounds, diseases of the throat, and gastrointestinal tract. Some types of geranium have additional healing properties.
The smell of geranium has a tonic and calming effect on the human nervous system. It helps relieve stress after a working day and improves sleep. Therefore, oils with various aromas are produced from the leaves.
Geranium is especially useful for patients with cardiovascular diseases. Its aroma improves the condition of patients with sinus arrhythmia, coronary artery disease, and normalizes blood circulation in the vessels.

More information can be found in the video:

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Homeland of the geranium plant

Geraniums are popular not only among indoor plants, but also among park and garden crops, as they look ideal on window sills, flower beds, and lawns. These plants belong to the geranium family, and in the wild they can be found in forests, wetlands and clearings. But, despite the fact that everyone is familiar with geranium, nevertheless, not everyone knows about the places of its origin, but its homeland is South Africa and India.

The second name of the plant is cranebird, but many believe that geranium is the same pelargonium. But in fact, this opinion is a misconception, and although the difference between plants is insignificant, it still exists.

So, at the moment there are more than 400 species of geranium, which are scattered all over the world, and they can be found both in the form of herbs and shrubs. On average, the height of the plant reaches 40-60cm. Its leaves have soft hairs and various dissections. And the flower itself has a 5-leaf, outstretched calyx and the same number of rounded corolla petals. The color of the plant can be white, blue, violet and purple.

As already mentioned, South Africa and India are considered to be the place of origin of geranium, although there is an opinion that this information is not reliable. But then where did geranium come from? There is one assumption that the plant’s homeland is an ancient continent that once united Africa, Australia and India, but, unfortunately, it is no longer possible to fully know this secret.

Despite its secret, which only geranium knows. Many other mysterious events and legends are also associated with this flower. For example, one of them explains why geranium is sometimes called crane grass.

Once, when a female crane was shot by hunters, her “friend” could not bear such a loss. At first he circled over the place of her death for three days, and then suddenly he rushed onto the stones, folding his wings. After some time, flowers sprouted at the site of his death that looked like crane beaks. As you might have guessed, it was geranium. This plant is also credited with the magical power to fill the house with positive energy, comfort and kindness. And it has already been noted that if there is geranium in the apartment, then, as a rule, there will no longer be serious quarrels and scandals in your family.

The birthplace of the geranium or pelargonium plant and where it comes from

Geranium is considered the most popular and famous plant in indoor floriculture. Beginning hobbyists appreciate it for its unpretentiousness and ease of reproduction. There are a huge number of different varieties. Geranium is an annual or perennial, reaching a height of fifty centimeters. The highlight of the plant is the leaves of a rich green hue, reminiscent of the color of young grass, and large bright flowers collected in inflorescences. The leaves emit a pleasant aroma of lemon and mint. In this article we will talk about the homeland of the plant, find out its scientific name and differences from another species - pelargonium.

History of origin and homeland of the houseplant

Where are you from?

First, let's figure out where this houseplant comes from. Found in the wild in New Zealand, Australia, California and Madagascar. The plant is native to India and South Africa. It was from these regions that the plant came to European countries. One day, sailors who found themselves in South Africa became interested in an interesting plant with bright inflorescences. The British brought the plant to Great Britain, where breeders began to develop new varieties.

They began to decorate houses and gardens with it as soon as it arrived in Europe. Basically, this plant could be seen in the homes of nobles. Ladies of those times fell in love with the beauty and decorated their outfits with her, decorating headdresses and the neckline of luxurious dresses.

Geranium flowering

When did it come to Russia?

Rustenia arrived in Russia in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and immediately gained wide popularity among aristocrats. They began to decorate their luxurious houses with an unusual flower. Some species were never domesticated by humans; they spread into the wild, settling in meadows, swampy areas, and forest areas, persistently fighting unfavorable weather conditions.

Problems when growing a flower

yellowing and falling of the lower leaves. Reason: lack of lighting, improper watering. Lack of sunlight causes leaves to turn pale. Drought causes the tips of the leaves to dry out, and excessive moisture causes them to rot. If this happens, the conditions of detention are adjusted: the plant is given additional light or watering is adjusted;
redness of the leaf margins. Reason: frozen. Solution: move to a warmer room;
lack of flowering. Reason: insufficient lighting or low temperatures. Solution: adjustment of conditions of detention;
disease damage (gray rot, root rot) or exposure to pest attack: nematodes, aphids, whiteflies and mites. To avoid the development of diseases, it is necessary to ensure the correct conditions of detention.

Useful properties of geranium

It not only decorates the apartment, but also has many useful properties. It contains flavonoids, essential oils, tannins, carotene, starch, fructose, pectin, manganese, iron and other substances. People have been interested in the properties of the miracle geranium since ancient times; it attracted the attention of healers, sorcerers and priests. With its help they fought evil and protected pregnant women.

Flowerbed of geraniums

It was used to eliminate headaches, stress and pain in the spine. It is able to fight bacteria and viruses, stop bleeding, relieve pain and swelling, heal wounds, and have a positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract and heart.

When you have a runny nose, drop juice from the leaves into your nose; when you have a cough, drink an infusion from the leaves and gargle. Ear diseases are treated by placing a fresh leaf in the ear canal. There are a large number of recipes for its use for medicinal purposes.

Signs and beliefs

Geranium can have a positive effect on the surrounding area and people. For many, it is associated with old grandmothers and Soviet times, when the flower adorned every windowsill. Our grandmothers believed that the plant has truly unique properties. However, even now it does not lose its popularity.

The plant saves families from scandals and quarrels, creating a harmonious atmosphere in the house. A specific aroma helps to cope with a stressful situation and relieves excessive irritability. The nervous system comes into order under the influence of a miraculous plant, thanks to which a person no longer has bad dreams, and insomnia goes away. Many believe that it is an excellent amulet that protects against the evil eye and damage.

A variety of beliefs are associated with geranium, in which our ancestors especially strongly believed. Previously, girls carried dried flowers with them, sewn into a bag, so that the guy who liked them would pay attention to them. The girls believed that they helped the birth of reverent love. It is believed that the plant has a positive effect on the family budget.

Flowering geranium close-up

White geraniums symbolize purity, innocence and sincerity. They protect family happiness from misfortunes and failures. Married couples who want to have a child should immediately purchase white geranium: she will help you become parents.

Red symbolizes passionate love. Single girls who dream of meeting their soulmate should make friends with them. Red geranium will help preserve beauty and youth. Pink plants are presented to girls who cannot get married for a long time.

Another scientific name for geranium

In Latin the name sounds like this - “geranium”. It comes from the word "geranion" or "geranios", which means "crane". The name was given to the plant for a reason: the fruits that grow on it look very similar to the beak of a crane. The British and Americans call geranium “cranesbill” - “crane bird”.

Pelargonium flower

What is the difference between geranium and pelargonium?

There is a lot of confusion in the floriculture industry regarding geraniums and pelargoniums.. Some think they are the same plant, others believe that "pelargonium" is the scientific name of the plant. This is a big misconception. In fact, geranium and pelargonium are two completely different flowers with significant differences.

They belong to the same family, this is the greatest similarity. The family has five genera and eight hundred plant species. The most numerous is geranium, and the most common is pelargonium. They have similarities in external features. They have very similar fruits that resemble the beak of a crane or stork."Pelargos" is translated from Latin as "stork", hence the name "pelargonium".

Plants are characterized by having different genetic properties, so they cannot be crossed. Pelargonium is native to the southern regions, and geranium came to us from the northern latitudes. This difference is significantly reflected in flowering: geranium blooms flowers even at twelve degrees Celsius, while pelargonium requires greenhouse conditions for this. Pelargonium grows well at home, in flower beds and on balconies, and can exist in gardens where it does not need to be covered during the winter months.

Difference in care

Species that naturally grow on rocks love light sandy soil, while species that live in meadows develop well in heavy soil with clay.

Pelargonium close-up

Geraniums and pelargoniums grow well indoors with partial shade., although they like good lighting, but without direct rays of the sun. Caring for them is basically the same. The only difference is that pelargonium is cared for in an apartment, and geranium is cared for in a garden.

Pelargonium is placed on the windowsill, providing it with a comfortable temperature. She came to apartments from hot places, so she requires greenhouse conditions. If the plant does not have enough light, it stops blooming or blooms small flowers. Water the pelargonium as the top layer of soil dries. It is impossible to over-moisten, otherwise it will lead to rotting of the root system. For pelargonium, a small pot filled with nutritious soil and equipped with high-quality drainage is enough.

It is watered infrequently; special attention is paid to it if the summer turns out to be poor in rain. Despite the fact that the flower will develop without fertilizer or weeding, it is still worth paying a little attention to these aspects of care. Minimal fertilizing and weeding will help the flower become more lush and healthy. They plant it in sunny places and do not cover it for the winter, because it tolerates frost well. This is the fundamental difference between the two types.

How to distinguish two flowers?

A geranium flower has five or eight petals. Most often, single flowers bloom, but in some varieties they are collected in inflorescences. Pelargonium growing at home has an unusual corolla structure: the upper petals are larger than the three lower petals, resulting in an irregular shape of this part of the flower. Pelargonium flowers produce large inflorescences. Geranium has a wide palette of shades in which flowers can be painted, except for scarlet, and pelargonium flowers never bear colors with blue notes.

On the left is a pelargonium flower, on the right is a geranium

The most common varieties are “Georgian”, “Oxford”, “magnificent”. Pelargonium is loved by home gardeners; it blooms flowers throughout the year. In the summer, it can be placed on a balcony or veranda, but in winter it should be returned indoors.

Flowers are often confused, believing that they are the same plant. However, these two flowers are completely different plants with fundamental differences, so you need to be able to distinguish them from each other.

Pelargonium (Geranium), (Pelargonium). Description, types and care of geraniums

Pelargonium, or Geranium (Pelargonium), she's the same Kalachik- a genus of beautiful flowering plants of the family Geraniaceae.

the most popular plant, both among indoor plants and among garden and park crops. It looks great on the windowsill in apartments and offices, in balcony boxes, in flower beds and lawns, in gardens and cottages.

The word "pelargonium" comes from the Greek "pelargos" - stork, because the fruits of geraniums look like a stork's beak.

Geranium was brought to Europe in the 17th century from the Cape Colony. At first it was considered an aristocratic plant; it was bred in the greenhouses of rich mansions and suburban villas. Now it shows off in every home, because geranium is unpretentious, stable, and long-lived.

Types of pelargonium

Geranium (Pelargonium crithmifolium). The plant is native to South and South-West Africa.

Succulents, forked-branched, shrubs, with creeping shoots up to 1.5 cm thick. The leaves are pinnately lobed, 5-8 cm long, slightly pubescent or smooth, bluish. Flowers of 4-6 are collected in umbels, white, with red spots on the throat, pedicels 1-2.5 cm long. Grows well in moderately warm rooms. Propagated by cuttings and seeds.

Geranium quadrangular (Pelargonium tetragonum). Homeland - South Africa.

A bushy plant 30-70 cm high, with stems branched at the base, erect or lodging, consisting of three- or tetrahedral segments 6-8 mm wide of different colors (from light green to green-gray). The leaves are alternate, on long petioles, slightly pubescent, 2-5 cm wide, usually dry out and fall off in winter. The leaf blade is heart-shaped with a red-brown edge. In spring and summer, flowers appear on the plant, resembling a butterfly in shape, ranging in color from white-cream to pale pink, with three large upper petals and two small lower ones. Grows well in a lighted and ventilated room with a temperature of at least 10°C. Watering in the spring-summer period is necessary abundantly, in the autumn-winter period - limited. The soil is nutritious with good drainage. Propagated in spring and summer, by cuttings from the central part of the stems, rooted in a sandy, dry substrate.

Angular geranium (Pelargonium angulosum). Found in the southwestern part of the Cape Province (South Africa).

Grows up to 1 m tall. The leaves are oval, three- or five-angled, lobed, broadly wedge-shaped, pointed at the base. Short petiole. Inflorescence multi-flowered umbrella. The flowers are bright red. Blooms in August-October.

Capitate geranium (Pelargonium capitatum). It lives on moist soils, on coastal dunes in the Cape Province (South Africa). Evergreen plants, subshrubs 0.5-0.6 m tall, densely pubescent. The shoots are straight, widely spread. The leaves are three- or five-lobed, serrated. Stipules broadly heart-shaped, dense. Inflorescence multi-flowered umbrella. The flowers are sessile, purple-pink. Blooms in July-August. The leaves have a pleasant aroma. An essential oil is extracted from them, which smells like rose oil. It is an indoor plant.

Curly geranium (Pelargonium crispum). Grows in the southwestern part of the Cape Province (South Africa).

Evergreen plants, shrubs 0.3-0.6 m tall, highly branched. The leaves are arranged in two rows, small, almost heart-shaped, trilobed, curly at the edges, unevenly toothed, hard, with a pleasant lemon aroma. Flowers are collected in groups of 2-3, on short stalks. Blooms in July-August. It is an indoor plant.

Geranium cucullatum (Pelargonium cucullatum)

Strongly branched shrubs, shoots densely pubescent. The leaves are kidney-shaped, also densely pubescent. Umbrellas multi-flowered. The flowers are purple-red. Blooms in August-September.

Geranium grandiflora, or Royal (Pelargonium grandiflorum). The plant's homeland is South-West Africa, Cape Province (South Africa).

Evergreens, branched subshrubs up to 90 cm tall. The leaves are kidney-shaped, rounded, more or less five-seven-lobed or dissected, glabrous or slightly silky-hairy, coarsely toothed at the edges. Stipules are free, ovate. Peduncle with 2-3 flowers. The flowers are 2.5-3.5 cm in diameter, white, with reddish veins. Blooms in April-June.

Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens). Grows in the southern and southwestern parts of the Cape Province (South Africa).

The shrubs are highly branched, up to 1 m tall, with short glandular hairs. The leaves are five to seven lobed, the lobes are deeply notched and pubescent on both sides, with a pleasant strong aroma. The flowers are collected in multi-flowered umbels, pink and dark pink. Blooms profusely in summer.

Geranium (Pelargonium inquinans). The homeland of the plant is Natal (South Africa).

Shrubs up to 1.5 m tall. Young shoots are fleshy and pubescent. The leaves are rounded, kidney-shaped, glandular-pubescent. Stipules broadly heart-shaped. The flowers are collected in umbels, on short stalks, scarlet-red. It blooms from May to autumn, and sometimes in winter.

Geranium (Pelargonium odoratissimum). The homeland of the plant is the Cape Province (South Africa).

Shrubs with a short trunk, 15-22 cm tall, branched. The branches are short, herbaceous, the crown is rounded. The leaves are heart-shaped, rounded, 2.5-5 cm wide, bluntly toothed at the edges, softly silky pubescent, and have a strong pleasant aroma. Stipules are triangular and small. Flowers of 5-10 are collected in umbrellas. Colors from white to pink. Blooms in summer.

Geranium corymbose (Pelargonium peltatum). Homeland - Southeast Africa.

Shrubs. The branches are branched, drooping, bare or covered with small hairs, slightly ribbed. The leaves are thyroid-shaped, 7-10 cm wide, five-lobed, entire, glossy green, glabrous, sometimes finely pubescent, fleshy. Flowers of 5-8 are collected in umbels, pink-red or white. Blooms from spring to autumn.

Rose geranium (Pelargonium radens). It grows on mountain slopes, along river banks on sandy soils in the southern and southwestern parts of the Cape Province (South Africa).

Branched shrubs, up to 1.5 m tall, with hard short hairs. The leaves are deeply divided. The lobes are linear, densely covered with hard hairs above and softer hairs below, with curved edges and a strong pleasant aroma. Inflorescence of 4-5 small flowers. The peduncle is densely pubescent. The flowers are pale purple, with dark veins. Blooms in summer.

Geranium zonale (Pelargonium zonale). It is found in shrubby semi-savanna in the south-eastern and southern Cape Province (South Africa).

Evergreen subshrubs 0.8-1.5 m tall; shoots are fleshy, pubescent. The leaves are heart-shaped, rounded, entire or weakly lobed, glabrous or softly hairy, with a brown or dark brown stripe on top. Stipules are wide, oblong-heart-shaped. The inflorescence is multi-flowered. Flowers sessile, red. Blooms continuously from May to October.

Caring for Pelargonium

Temperature. In summer - indoors, and in winter, pelargoniums are kept at a temperature of 8-12°C. The winter period and the period until April are decisive for subsequent flowering, since the formation of flower buds occurs at a relatively low temperature (11-13 ° C) for 2.5-3 months. This period is characterized by short days, which is also significant, since pelargoniums are short-day plants.

Lighting. Photophilous, tolerates direct sunlight well. It is best to keep them on a south-facing window close to the glass. Plants tolerate both northern and eastern windows, but with a lack of light in winter they stretch out. In winter, pelargonium can be illuminated with fluorescent lamps.

Air humidity and watering. The room with pelargonium must be constantly ventilated. In summer, plants are recommended to be placed outdoors. When taking them out into the open air, you should not knock them out of the pots to dig them into the ground, but rather bury them in the ground along with the pot so that they do not grow too wildly to the detriment of flowering. In September-October, when frost approaches, the plants are moved indoors.

Watering is moderate, they do not like waterlogging. Watering should be done two to three days after the top layer of the substrate has dried. In winter, plants are watered very moderately to restrain growth during the winter lack of light and prevent them from stretching. In addition, overwatering of plants in winter when kept cool often leads to wilting of leaves and rotting of the root collar and roots.

Pelargonium does not require constant spraying, but on hot summer days, periodic spraying of the plant will be useful.

Fertilizer. 2-3 months after transplantation, it is necessary to feed with superphosphate, which stimulates flowering. Plants do not tolerate fresh organic fertilizers well.

Transfer. Every year in March, young plants are transplanted into fresh soil mixture. At the same time, they are pruned, leaving 2-5 buds on each shoot, in order to subsequently obtain low and lush, abundantly flowering specimens. Overgrown pelargoniums are replanted only if necessary (for example: when the pot becomes too small).

The soil. The substrate is neutral, light, highly permeable to air and water. It may consist of equal parts of turf, leaf soil, peat, humus and sand with a small addition of charcoal. Good drainage is a must.

Reproduction. Pelargonium is most often propagated by apical cuttings with 3-5 leaves, in spring (February-March) and summer (July-August). Cuttings are cut from apical and lateral shoots with 3-4 nodes, making an oblique cut under the bud. The cut cuttings are slightly withered for several hours, the sections are dipped in charcoal powder (one crushed heteroauxin tablet is mixed per 100-150 g of powder), and then planted in a pot or bowl, placing them along the edge of the dish.

To form a lush bush, the apical bud is pinched. The planted cuttings are placed in a well-lit place (without direct sunlight) and at first (before rooting) they are moistened carefully, only by spraying. Cuttings take root in 2-3 weeks.

Rooted cuttings are planted in pots one at a time, without pruning, so that they bloom faster. The smaller the pot, the more abundant the flowering will be. Plants grown from cuttings taken in August bloom already in April, and with spring cuttings, flowering occurs only in mid-summer.
Can also be propagated by seeds. When propagated by seeds, the parental characteristics are split, so sowing with seeds is used for breeding purposes.

Seeds are sown in spring in boxes or bowls in a substrate composed of turf, peat soil and sand in equal volumes. At a temperature of 20-22°C, seedlings appear after 12 days. Seedlings are sown in 5 cm pots, and when a clod of earth is braided, a transfer of 9 cm is given. Seedlings bloom after a year, but most often after 14 months.

Attention! All parts of plants of some types of pelargonium are slightly poisonous, ? may cause contact dermatitis.

Possible difficulties

Due to lack of light lower leaves may fall off, the stem is stretched and exposed. The plant does not bloom well.

No flowering may be caused by a warm winter, provided the plant is healthy.

When the lower leaves turn yellow and their edges dry out, then the reason for this is lack of moisture.

The lower leaves turn yellow, while they wither or rot - the reason is an excess of moisture in the soil. Remove rotting leaves and sprinkle them with crushed charcoal. Watering should be done 2-3 days after the top layer of the substrate has dried.

Blackening of the stem at the base indicates the “black leg” disease, which destroys the plant. Cut off the healthy part and root it. In the future, follow the watering schedule. If the plant is severely damaged by the disease, then the plant can no longer be saved and the soil is thrown away. The pot after a diseased plant should be thoroughly disinfected.

Due to waterlogging of the soil, there may be small swellings on the leaves- watery soft pads (edema). Follow the watering schedule.

Due to waterlogging of the soil, the plant may experience gray rot.

Scientists have proven the beneficial properties of geranium in the following experiments:

Drops of liquid containing millions of staphylococcus bacteria were applied to the surface of the leaves. After three hours, most of the bacteria died. We began to deepen our research.

We placed the geranium in the box. At a distance of 0.5 cm from the leaves, plates were placed on which there were drops of liquid with microbes. A nutritious environment was created for microbes. After six hours of proximity to the geranium, all microbes died. It turned out that geranium releases bactericidal substances into the air that are destructive to microbes.

Geranium leaves and roots are used for medicinal purposes. Of the chemicals present in the plant, gallic acid, gum, starch, pectin, sugar and tannins can be particularly distinguished. Preparations from geranium have a contracting effect, prevent the secretion of fluids, and when taken orally, they slow down the absorption of iron and other minerals. In addition, they are used as rinses for the mouth and throat in the treatment of pharyngitis, increase blood clotting, have an astringent effect, reduce nosebleeds, and treat stomach, intestinal and oral bleeding. In the past, geranium was used for fractures and to treat cancer. Used as a remedy for diarrhea.
Geranium is useful for people suffering from neurasthenia, insomnia, hypertension, heart disease and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It has a particularly beneficial effect on the energy of patients with chronic gastritis with high acidity.

The presence of geranium indoors improves the condition of those who suffer from liver and gallbladder diseases.

Geranium- a good antiseptic, anti-inflammatory agent.

After picking and kneading geranium leaves with your fingers, you can put them in your ear. with otitis- this will reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Traditional medicine suggests using fresh geranium leaves for compresses, preparing healing infusions and relieving pain. It’s good to hold a geranium leaf behind your cheek for toothache. It is easier and more painless for babies to teethe if a geranium leaf is tied to the outside of their cheek.

You can also use geranium in the treatment of ear mites in animals, the tick usually disappears during the first procedure

Attention! Small children should never place geranium in the oral cavity; exposure is only possible externally.

Patients with radiculitis or osteochondrosis It is recommended to make compresses with crushed geranium leaves, applying them to sore spots overnight. If you apply a geranium leaf to the pulse on your wrists, your blood pressure may normalize.

For cuts and wounds To improve healing and disinfection, apply geranium leaves or flowers to the damaged area.

At the beginning of a cold, for nasal congestion drip juice from geranium leaves and flowers, three drops per nostril. At night, wrap your big toes in 3-4 layers of geranium leaves, wrap them with a bandage and put on socks.

Place the geranium plant next to the patient to inhale the fumes (avoid drafts during the procedure)

Compress: for ear pain and chronic otitis, take 5-12 fresh geranium leaves and grind them into a paste. Add 2-3 tbsp. spoons of oatmeal, rye, or buckwheat flour (you can just steamed bread or rolls), 1-2 tbsp. spoons of camphor alcohol, mix everything. Knead a stiff dough, roll it with a roller and place it around the ear, drip 1-2 drops of geranium juice inside. Place compress paper, insulate with cotton wool and secure with a bandage overnight. Three or four procedures - and the disease will recede.

Infusion: Pour 20 g of fresh flowers or leaves of indoor geranium with a glass of boiling water and leave for 7-8 hours.
Infusion against diarrhea: 3 tbsp. Pour 100 g of medical alcohol into spoons of gruel from fresh leaves and flowers. Leave for three days in a dark and warm place in a well-sealed container. Take 20 drops in a tablespoon, adding water until it is full, in the morning on an empty stomach and in the evening before bed. If alcohol is contraindicated for patients, then they can be treated in this way: pour 2 teaspoons of freshly prepared gruel or leaves and flowers into a glass of cold boiled water. Leave in a dark place for eight hours. Take in equal portions 5-6 times.

To normalize blood pressure attach a geranium leaf to your wrist (where the pulse is) and tie it with a bandage for convenience so as not to hold the leaf with your hand.

pharmachologic effect

Diarrhea stops, blood pressure normalizes, the functioning of the heart and pancreas improves, and glycogen levels in the liver are restored.

For facial paralysis indoor geranium is used in compresses, applications, ingestion and in the form of oil for rubbing into affected muscles.

Infusion used with paralysis: 3 tablespoons of chopped fresh leaves pour 100 ml of alcohol. Infuse for three days in a dark place, take 20 drops in a spoon of water, in the morning on an empty stomach and in the evening before bed.

Properties of geranium juice

For cataracts It is impossible to restore an already withered lens of the eye; in this case, an operation to replace it is necessary. But if you have recently been diagnosed with cataracts, in order to stop its development, along with the medications prescribed to you by an ophthalmologist, remember about indoor geranium.

Instill 1-2 drops of juice from its leaves and flowers into the corner of the eye daily will help you maintain and improve your vision.

Geranium oil: place 1 glass of mashed pulp from fresh leaves and flowers in a glass container, pour in half a glass of undiluted medical alcohol, carefully close the lid. The glassware should be transparent. Should the infusion contained in it occupy? volume. Place the dishes in good sun for two weeks. Then open the lid and fill the container to the top with olive or corn oil. Close the lid and put it back in the sun for another two weeks. Then strain off the oil, squeeze out the raw materials and discard. Store in well-closed bottles.

Attention! Before using the self-medication methods above, consult your doctor.

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