How to choose soil for pelargonium. Favorite soil for indoor geraniums: we prepare it ourselves or choose it in the store. What soil is needed for geraniums?

Geranium (indoor pelargonium) – unpretentious home plant with elegant inflorescences, it takes root well in almost any conditions. That's why it's so popular among fans home garden: both experienced flower growers and beginners. But still, there are some growing features that those who want to acquire this bright flower need to remember.

What kind of soil does geranium like?

Most plants react negatively to incorrectly selected soil composition; each flower has its own preferences. Indoor pelargonium is quite demanding on the soil. The perfect solution- unused, loose soil with good drainage.

For young plants without a formed root system, light soil is more suitable, so sand and peat, vermiculite and perlite are added to the composition.

There are several soil options that are suitable for pelargonium.

Can buy ready mixture in special stores - ordinary universal black soil for flowering plants, and place expanded clay at the bottom of the pot. On the packaging, the manufacturer indicates what types of flowers the product is suitable for. If the name is not on the list, then soil for plants of the same type, for example, for succulents, is suitable.
Mix purchased chernozem with coarse sand and perlite, this will make the soil light and breathable. Line the bottom of the flowerpot with fine crushed stone.
There are also specialized mixtures for geranium on sale - they already contain all the necessary components and nutrients in the required proportions.

Tip: When choosing a ready-made composition, it is important to make sure that there is no insect mold in it, and that the mixture has not turned into caked lumps.

When choosing a soil mixture for pelargonium, you need to focus on neutral characteristics that make the composition universal for most plants:

porosity, looseness of the soil, providing breathability
moisture permeability
moisture capacity - the ability to retain moisture
conductivity of nutrients
neutral acidity level.

Composition and properties

Any soil mixture has characteristics such as acidity and fertility, mechanical and microbial composition. These indicators must be taken into account when choosing a habitat for a flower.

geranium grows well in fertile soil rich in nutrients
the composition of the earth must be neutral or slightly acidic
Microorganisms are necessary for normal plant life
The air permeability of the soil directly depends on the mechanical composition, which is extremely important for geraniums.

The mechanical composition is easy to determine: you need to compress a small amount of generously watered soil in the palm of your hand - good soil will crumble, bad soil will form a dense lump.

In addition to beneficial microflora, purchased mixtures may also contain pathogenic organisms; if desired, the soil can be sterilized at home. To do this, place it in an oven or water bath preheated to 80 degrees for one hour. After the procedure, the soil is kept for two weeks so that the microbial composition is restored.

You can prepare the planting mixture yourself. For the composition in equal parts you will need the following components:

Sand
Humus
Leaf ground

Or garden soil mixed in equal proportions with sand and peat. For better oxygen supply to the root system, it is necessary to periodically loosen the soil.

Important! If you purchase ready-made soil, it must contain peat; this component is very important for the full growth and development of the flower.

Proper plant care is a whole range of measures: correct watering and lighting, transplanting and temperature regime. Some useful tips:

To prevent the soil from becoming compacted when watering and not moving away from the walls of the pot when it dries, coarse impurities are added: pebbles, crushed expanded clay, chopped moss, coarse sand, large brick or foam chips.
Water the flower moderate amount water at room temperature, do not “flood” the plant. In winter, this should be done no more than twice a week. In summer, when geranium is actively growing, daily watering is necessary, but without waterlogging, avoiding water getting on the leaves.
The optimal temperature for the normal functioning of pelargonium: +18-22 degrees in summer and +10-15 degrees in winter. This is a fairly cold-resistant plant, but it needs a lot of light, even direct sunlight is acceptable, with the exception of particularly hot days.
Geraniums are replanted in two cases: when the pot becomes crowded, and if a lot of water gets into it during watering. The approximate replanting schedule is once every 2-3 years, in spring or summer. It is better to choose pots that are not too spacious - this will worsen flowering.
Mineral supplements are suitable as fertilizers, but it is better to refrain from fresh organic ones - the plant does not tolerate such fertilizing. During vigorous flowering mixtures with a high content of potassium and phosphorus are used, and nitrogen supplements are used during the rest period. You need to fertilize the flower once a week, from late spring to early autumn. If the geranium has been replanted, it is better to start fertilizing after 2-3 months.

Conclusion

Caring for geraniums is not difficult if you follow certain rules and create the right habitat for the plant - suitable soil. Then the flower will delight you with long, abundant and colorful blooms, providing a great mood.

In this article we will tell you everything about indoor geranium (also called “kalachik”), namely: how to care for this plant, what soil to plant it in and how to choose the right pot.

Let’s not forget to tell you about the methods of propagating pelargonium.

Did you know? The Geranium family has about 800 species and is widely distributed in nature in southern Africa and Australia.

Features of growing geraniums at home

The word "geranium" comes from the Greek "geranion" or "geranios", and is translated as "crane" (the fruits of this plant actually resemble the beak of a crane).

The plant itself is a subshrub, the height of which can reach 60 cm. There are two types: beautifully flowering or fragrant. In the second case, when flowering, it may resemble the smell of apples, roses, or even nutmeg.

Homemade geranium is undemanding to care, so housewives everywhere take it into their homes and rejoice at it beautiful flower. Geranium takes root well in homes and you will have to try to make this flower start to hurt.

But, despite its unpretentiousness, there are several features of growing geraniums that are worth considering:

Light. Geranium loves light very much, so it is often placed on window sills, and you need to take into account which window the geranium is placed on (the south side is best).

Important!In the summer, you should not leave the flower in direct sunlight.

Temperature. Geranium is not very capricious in terms of heat, but still winter time, the room should not be cold (not lower than +10 ˚С). If you want it to bloom all year round, then it is worth providing it with light (in winter - a lamp) and placing it in a warm place.
Watering. You need to water frequently, but make sure that water does not stagnate in the flowerpot, as the roots of the plant will begin to rot and the geranium will die.

Important! Geranium cannot be sprayed. This flower does not need humid air, and such a procedure will only harm him.

Climatic conditions for geraniums

Since geraniums are native to South Africa, you should create a similar climate in your home. Of course, this does not mean at all that you need to constantly maintain the temperature in the room at 30 ° C and fill the geranium with water, as in tropical rain.

It is enough to save wet soil in a pot and provide sufficient lighting to your “curl”. Maximum comfortable temperature for a flower - from +10 to +30 degrees. The need for geraniums in good lighting is due to the fact that in its homeland there is the greatest number of sunny days a year.

Important! In case of shortage sunlight, a regular lamp that is installed next to the flower is perfect.

Don't skimp when choosing a pot for geraniums

When choosing a pot for geraniums, it is worth remembering the information that we discussed above, namely: “How to water a ball at home.” You already know that geraniums need frequent watering, although the water should not “stand” in the pot. Thus, when choosing a pot, it is worth considering this point.

If we compare plastic pots and baked clay products, then the latter will be a priority, since the soil dries out faster in them. The pot should not be very large, otherwise you risk growing a tree instead of a small flower. A pot with a diameter of 14-15 cm and a height of at least 10 cm is sufficient for one plant.

What soil is needed for geraniums, feeding and grafting of the plant

Now let's tell you about what kind of soil does geranium like?. In this matter, again, we will be helped by the knowledge that we gleaned from the previous paragraphs. There are 2 important points to remember:

The soil should be loose and unused;
The soil must have good drainage properties.

There are several soil options that are well suited for geraniums:

We use ordinary chernozem, which is sold in flower shops, paired with expanded clay, which is placed on the bottom of the flowerpot;
A mixture of chernozem with river sand and small crushed stone, which is placed at the bottom of the pot.

The composition of the soil “from the store” must necessarily include peat, which is required by the plant.

Important!Despite good drainage, the soil in the pot must be loosened periodically to avoid rotting of the roots.

Let's move on to choosing fertilizers for geraniums. Regular fertilizers from a flower shop are suitable, which contain phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen and trace elements. They are paid no more than 2 times a month.

It is best to feed the ball after sunset, or by moving the flowerpot into the shade. No need to use liquid fertilizer if the soil is dry. Pre-water the flower. It's important to remember that fresh organic fertilizers cannot be entered, otherwise the flower will dry out.

Now let's move on to considering how to plant indoor flowers.

Geranium grafting – This is the transplantation of a piece of shoot from one plant to another. This is done in order to get flowers of different colors/smells on one bush, or to form a decorative crown.

Only strong plants at least 1 year old are grafted. This is done in the spring, when the balls grow at a faster rate. It is important to do everything correctly and exactly according to the instructions, which are outlined and shown below.

Important!You should not use a cutting that is larger in diameter than the rootstock.

How to water geraniums correctly

Indoor flowers The rolls should be watered quite often, especially in the warm season, when the geranium blooms or its rapid growth occurs. During dormancy, in winter, the intensity of watering is reduced, leaving the soil slightly moist.

If you notice gray mold on the leaves or a characteristic putrid odor, this is an excess of moisture in the flowerpot. In this case, you should either wait until the soil dries and not water the flower, or transplant the geranium into a new dry substrate.

It is worth remembering that too dry soil for a roll will not be as bad as an excess of moisture that stagnates in the soil. In hot weather, pelargonium is watered once a day. At average temperatures and little evaporation, watering is carried out every two days.

Features of pruning geraniums

Now we will look at how to trim the balls correctly.

Geraniums need to be pruned, regardless of their size and age. This is done so that the number of inflorescences can be increased.

First stage of pruning passes before winter. This procedure helps the curl retain more resources for a successful transition to a state of rest.

We start pruning only after the geranium has completely bloomed: we cut off half the length of the flower (this allows us to give more light to the basal flowers and reduce the chance of infection with fungi). If the sections begin to turn black over time, they need to be shortened.

Re-pruning produced in late February or early March. This is necessary if the pelargonium has become very stretched over the winter.

Geraniums need pruning sharp blade , which should be disinfected with an alcohol solution before the procedure. The cuts are made obliquely, above the leaf node.

Fading flowers and dried shoots must be pruned. IN in this case, you don’t just make the bush more attractive and small, you help the plant cope with possible problems, and reduce the risk of fungus developing on wilted parts.

Geranium propagation methods

Now we have come to the final stage of the article - reproduction. Geranium can be propagated in two ways: seeds and cuttings. And now we will help you evaluate the pros and cons of each method.

Seeds

So, you have geranium seeds and you need to get beautiful bushes from them. Let's start with what you need to know before you get started:

Seed planting time;
Soil option for planting;
Germination period;
Moments of transplantation.

Optimal time planting is the period when the plant is dormant (early winter - mid-spring).

Next, you will need the correct substrate for planting. In this case it will be perfect mix of turf+sand+peat (in a ratio of 2:1:1). Water will not stagnate in it, and the peat will provide a kind of nutrition for the sprouted plant.

After choosing the soil, you should prepare it yourself seeds. To do this, they are treated with epin or zircon, and then soaked for 3 hours in water at room temperature.

The seeds and soil are ready - let’s move on to the actual landing. We spread the soil 0.5 centimeters thick, put the seeds on top and cover with glass. Place the box with seeds in a bright room with a temperature of +20 degrees.

Reminder for plant care

Annually In the spring-summer period 20-25, from October to the end of February 12-15 In hot weather - every day, but without stagnation of water in the ground. In winter - 2-3 times a month. Does not need Bright lighting, 2-3 hours direct is better than the sun In winter, a period of rest is desirable; drafts should not be allowed

Lighting

The plant loves bright lighting, direct rays of the sun 2-3 hours a day do not harm it. However, you can’t leave geraniums in the sun either. This can cause its leaves to turn yellow and dry out.

Lack of light negatively affects the growth and flowering of pelargonium.

Pelargonium grown in partial shade or shade becomes elongated, does not bloom, and its shoots become thinner. Therefore, in winter, when there is a lack of light, it is advisable to use artificial lighting.

Temperature

In the spring and summer, when pelargonium is actively growing and blooming, it is necessary to maintain a temperature of 20 to 25°C. From October to the end of February, you can organize a cool winter for the plant with a temperature of 12 to 15°C. In such conditions it is at rest and does not grow.

In winter, it is advisable to create dormant conditions for pelargonium.

If suitable place no for wintering geranium can be kept in winter and at room temperature . But in this case it is necessary to organize additional lighting.

Watering

During the growing season and flowering, the plant requires abundant watering. In very hot weather it should be watered every day or every other day to prevent the soil from drying out. But you should avoid waterlogging and stagnation of moisture in the soil.

During wintering, watering geraniums is sharply limited.. The earth clod is moistened 2-3 times a month to upper layer the soil in the pot became dry. This will prevent root rot at low temperatures.

Do not water geraniums cold. The water should be at room temperature and should be left to stand for 2-3 days before watering.

The soil

The soil for planting geraniums should be fairly fertile and not very permeable to water..

However, clay substrates are not suitable for this plant, since stagnation of water in the soil can cause fungal diseases.

Here are some soil mixtures that are most suitable for this plant:

Leaf soil, turf soil, humus and sand in a ratio of 2:2:2:1;
Compost soil, humus, peat and sand in a ratio of 1:1:1:1;
Garden soil, peat, sand in a ratio of 1:1:1.

Fertilizer

For abundant flowering Pelargonium should be in a small volume of soil. Therefore, fertilizing during its growth and flowering should be carried out regularly. The plant should be fed at least once every two weeks, and preferably once every 10 days.

Best for indoor geranium are liquid complex fertilizers.

You need to choose a mixture for flowering plants so that it contains more potassium and phosphorus. Fertilizers are applied to moist soil 1-2 hours after watering.

With the onset of autumn, geraniums are fed once a month., and with the beginning of October they stop fertilizing the land altogether. They begin to feed pelargoniums only in mid-March.

Humidity

The plant requires moderate air humidity. When it increases, the roots may rot, and when it decreases, the leaves dry out and fall off. It is advisable to regularly ventilate the room with pelargoniums, but the plants should not be in a draft.

For indoor geraniums you do not need to create high humidity . It does not need spraying. On the contrary, getting water on pubescent leaves can cause rotting, and dried drops leave streaks on the leaves.

Peculiarities

To increase the flowering time of pelargonium, you need to plant the plant in small pots. This also contributes to winter period peace.

Geraniums kept at room temperature all year bloom much less often.. Ampelous varieties of pelargonium bloom in July and fade in early October.

Do not keep the flower in a draft or near heating devices. In this case, pelargonium first loses lower leaves, and then all the shoots may become bare, on which only 2-3 upper leaves will remain.

In the spring, when it is installed warm weather, indoor geraniums can be taken out into the garden and planted directly in the ground. On outdoors it can exist until autumn. In the garden or flower bed, these plants bloom the most luxuriantly.

Trimming / Support / Garter

Indoor geraniums need to be pruned to maintain their decorative appearance. Pelargonium is pruned in March before the active growing season begins..

Geraniums are formed in the following forms: standard and bush.

The standard form is not pinched from above, growing a straight trunk. All side branches on it are removed. As soon as its height reaches 70-80 cm, the top shoot is pinched, which first leads to the appearance of several new top shoots, and then to the formation of a pelargonium crown.

Transfer

How to replant geraniums at home? Pelargonium is necessary annually new land. Best time for transplantation - mid-March.

It is better to transplant geraniums using the transshipment method.. With a strongly developed root system, you can remove excess soil from the roots, and lightly trim too long roots.

Replanting geraniums requires a little more than the previous one. But you cannot plant the plant in a spacious pot, as this leads to an increase in leaf mass and poor, short-lived flowering.

Make sure to have good drainage in a geranium pot. so that excess water leaves the soil. Typically, the drainage layer is made of fine expanded clay, which retains moisture well. After transplanting, the plant needs to be watered well.

Video

We recommend that you watch a useful video on the topic of the article:

Now you know everything about caring for indoor geranium (pelargonium) at home and about propagating the plant.

Geranium (pelargonium) belong to the type perennial plants. There are two directions - fragrant and blooming geranium. The peculiarity of fragrant geranium is that it emits a pleasant aroma that can fill an apartment, but its inflorescences are inconspicuous and unattractive. One of the varieties of geranium, such as Pelargonium graveolens exudes a wonderful rose aroma. Pelargonium is much easier to care for and grow than roses, so you can do this trick and pamper yourself. Blooming geranium, on the contrary, it doesn’t smell at all, but appearance she clearly has no equal in her beauty.

Basic rules for caring for geraniums

Geranium is a southern plant, so there is an abundance of sunlight, elevated temperature she will like the air. In summer, geranium can be safely transferred to the terrace or placed directly in pots in the open ground so that it blooms under the rays of the summer sun and gains strength, grows leaves and lays buds. The air temperature for keeping geraniums at home should be 20 degrees Celsius. The permissible temperature drop that geranium can withstand ranges from 5-8 degrees Celsius. In winter, you need to protect geraniums from drafts, soil freezing, and sudden temperature changes, otherwise the plant will begin to hurt.

The soil for indoor geraniums is constantly updated. Geraniums need to be replanted annually, so you should be prepared in advance by knowing the necessary components and knowing how to mix them.

Can be purchased combined soil soil for geranium in the store, but it’s better to create it yourself. According to general parameters the soil for indoor geranium should be light and loose so that air and water can easily pass through. The soil reaction should be acidic or slightly acidic, and, depending on some varieties of geranium, it may be neutral.

To create a soil mixture you need to take land from the site, add to it perlite and disinfected river sand(steamed or washed with potassium permanganate), after which it is well mixed, moistened and prepared for transplanting geraniums into it. Exactly the same steps can be repeated with the purchased soil mixture - supplement it with sand and perlite, after which you will get a substrate with an ideal composition.

Caring for geraniums after planting

After transplanting or planting, water indoor geraniums, repeating this procedure regularly at intervals to dry the top layer of the substrate in the pot. In winter, less attention is paid to watering, since the water does not have time to evaporate quickly.

Wet soil in a pot, plus low temperatures and constant drafts lead to diseases, weakening and wilting of geraniums, so the watering process must be constantly regulated. Feed indoor geraniums with liquid mineral fertilizers to improve its flowering.

Fertilizers are applied every two weeks during summer flowering. In winter, a dormant period begins for geraniums, during which the plant is strictly forbidden to feed. You can return to the previous regime from the beginning of April after the plant awakens.

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Pelargonium, or the more common name in Russia, geranium, is a completely easy-to-care for plant and very easy to propagate. Many generations of flower growers have been convinced of this, who even unite in communities of pelargonist fans. There are many reasons to love pelargonium: it has decorative and fragrant greenery, it blooms beautifully and for a long time, and it is healing. But there is one unpleasant feature in the docile nature of pelargonium. Indoor geranium does not really favor transplantation. A procedure that is routine for most plants can end disastrously for her. To prevent this from happening, before transplanting geraniums, read the simple rules of this procedure.

Pelargonium: features of home care

Pelargonium, which has firmly established itself on the windowsills of our apartments, comes from the South African savannas. And like all Africans, she loves the sun very much, is warm and has a negative attitude towards soil that is too nutritious and too wet, because rain in the savannah is rare, and the soil is very poor.

IN indoor floriculture Three types of pelargonium are known: zonal, royal and ampelous. It is the zonal or garden geraniums that are planted in flower beds in the spring. They bloom for a very long time and reproduce without problems from cuttings. Royal or royal pelargoniums are more whimsical. Their flowers are larger and more original than those of zonal ones, but the flowering time is shorter, propagate royal pelargonium more difficult. Ampelous geraniums the most delicate and difficult to care for. But in general, pelargoniums are not very demanding on conditions and are grateful for good care flowers.

The characteristics of the southern woman must be taken into account when caring for them at home. Place pelargonium window sills on the south, east or west side. Plant it in a cramped pot so that it blooms better, give it not very greasy soil with a good drainage layer. As the plant grows and blooms, water generously but infrequently. In winter, pour less water, only slightly moistening the soil. It is not worth spraying pelargonium, in nature high humidity she's not spoiled. Slightly hairy leaves may even become diseased if they are exposed to drops. In summer, expose the flower to fresh air or even transplant it into open ground. The geranium will literally bloom there. In the fall, bring the whole plant or its cuttings home again. Organize a cool winter, +10–15 degrees is optimal. And in winter, just as in summer, pelargonium needs plenty of light. If there is not enough sun, artificial lighting (phytolamps, fluorescent or LED) will help.

Indoor geranium responds well to pinching and pruning. Be sure to remove faded flower stalks so that new ones appear.

But don’t rush to transplant pelargonium from pot to pot. This plant is not prone to changing places. After a seemingly harmless operation, she may turn yellow and become depressed so that resuscitation is required.

It must be said that cuttings of pelargonium (with the exception of some particularly delicate varieties) take root very readily in light soil, the survival rate is almost 99%. And for those in the remaining 1 percent, inventive gardeners have come up with the most incredible rooting methods.

What you need to know to transplant a flower correctly

Houseplants cannot be grown successfully without replanting. Sooner or later the pot becomes small, the soil is depleted, the growth of the green pet stops - and then the time for change inevitably comes. A new pot and fresh soil should stimulate flower growth. But sometimes, instead of positive changes, the grower discovers that the new resident has fallen ill or even died. How to act to bring benefit and not harm to pelargonium? First of all, we need to determine whether she needs a transplant.

Reasons for transplanting indoor geraniums:

Pelargonium roots have entwined the entire soil in the pot and are peeking out from drainage holes. It’s easy to verify this: take out a lump of earth and inspect it. The roots hold the soil tightly and there is no room for them to develop - replant! The roots are not visible at the edges - return the plant to the old pot;
the plant shows signs of disease (turns yellow, withers), the soil is very wet and does not dry out - you flooded it, and the roots began to rot. This means that the soil urgently needs to be changed;
pelargonium has stopped growing, although it receives feeding and proper care. Perhaps it's a matter of unsuitable soil;
the geranium bush has unattractively exposed the lower part of its stems, which is almost inevitable over time. The flower needs rejuvenation, and a transplant will help it with this;
In the spring you planted pelargonium in a flowerbed, but on the eve of frost you need to return it to its native windowsill.

Unless there is a compelling reason to replant your geranium, leave it alone. This plant will feel better in its old place of residence. An unreasonable move will only cause problems.

Choosing a pot

If your pelargonium definitely needs a transplant, choose it the right pot, in which the plant will feel comfortable and will reward it with bright greenery and flowering.

Let's start with the material. If your pelargonium has been living with you for a long time and is doing well, do not change the material of the pot, as this will certainly entail changes in the watering regime. But if the flower was uncomfortable or a new plant is being transplanted, you need to choose which is better: plastic or ceramic pot. Plastic is cheaper, easier to clean, lighter and does not break. Pelargonium, of course, will grow in such containers. But she often suffers from waterlogging of the roots. Ceramics are more hygroscopic; the porous walls of the pot are able to absorb excess moisture. In addition, clay removes harmful salts from the water, which is also beneficial for the plant. Conclusion: if you have a choice, give preference to a pot made of natural ceramics.

A new ceramic pot needs to be prepared for replanting. Wash it thoroughly and soak it for several hours in hot water. If it has already been used, you need to not only wash it, but also remove the mineral salts absorbed into the walls, sterilize it: pour a weak solution into it acetic acid, and then pour boiling water over it.

Choose the size of the pot for pelargonium depending on the size of the plant. The diameter of the new container should exceed the old one by only 3–5 cm. A small pot is better than a large one. Pelargonium will then begin to bloom when the roots become crowded. For a plant average size A pot with a diameter of approximately 15 cm and a height of 10 cm is sufficient. Several cuttings can be placed in a large container at once. Pelargonium is often grown in flower boxes, especially in summer. Place plants in them at intervals of 15–20 cm. For hanging varieties you will need hanging planters or baskets.

What soil is needed for planting geraniums?

Some admirers of pelargonium believe that the soil quality for this plant is not the best. important factor. They remember how they used to grow indoor geraniums in heavy, cement-like soil. And they grew and bloomed. Only this was not thanks to, but despite the difficult conditions of existence. Now that there is big choice soil compositions, do not torment the plant.

Pelargonium prefers moderately nutritious soil. Geranium may react to overly fertilized soil by actively growing foliage to the detriment of flowering. But the looseness and air capacity of the soil - required condition. Although, as experienced pelargonists assure, heavy loam will not hurt geraniums.

Soil options:

ready-made store-bought soil for pelargoniums, or for Saintpaulias, with the addition of sand for looseness;
10 parts of purchased universal soil plus 1 part of chopped sphagnum moss and 0.5 parts of humus;
gardening soil, peat and sand, mixed in equal parts;
for 4 parts turf soil, 1 part humus and 0.5 parts coarse sand;
equal parts leaf, turf, humus soil and river sand;
loam, peat and coarse sand or perlite - all in equal parts.

During sterilization, not only harmful, but also beneficial inhabitants of the soil die. Special EO biological products or home remedies will help restore the microflora. For example, some gardeners add milk to water for irrigation.

Pelargonium needs good drainage. In addition to expanded clay, you can use large vermiculite or perlite, brick or foam chips.

Whatever good soil No matter how it was, over time its top layer will become denser. And pelargonium loves its roots to breathe. Give this pleasure to the plant. Be sure to loosen the top layer of soil between waterings. Pelargonium will appreciate such care and will grow and bloom better.

When is the best time to plant

Young pelargoniums are replanted every two years in the spring, before active growth begins. Mature plants - if there is a need to change the pot. Otherwise, it is enough to update the top layer of the soil substrate.

Sometimes, when the threat of spring frosts has passed, geraniums are planted in a flowerbed. The plant can remain in open ground until the average daily temperature drops to +15. Before the onset of cold weather, usually at the end of September, it is again transplanted into a pot to return home.

Replanting indoor pelargonium with the addition of new soil

Like any serious matter, transplanting a living plant is a responsible operation that requires careful adherence to the rules. This fully applies to geraniums that do not like changing their place of residence.

Step-by-step instruction:

Prepare the container, soil and drainage. Sterilize everything.
Place 2–3 cm of drainage layer and part of the soil at the bottom of the container.
Carefully remove the pre-watered pelargonium from the old pot with a lump of earth. If the plant does not give in, lay it on its side and knock on the side of the container, and then turn it upside down, holding the bush.
Inspect the roots. Trim off the rotten and dried ones, being careful not to touch the healthy roots.
Place pelargonium with a lump of earth in the center of the new pot.
Between the wall of the pot and the lump of earth, gradually add moistened soil, lightly tamping it. Shake the container periodically so that the earth falls down and fills the voids.
Water the pelargonium, place it in partial shade or next to a sunny window, but not in direct sunlight.
After a week, move the plant to a well-lit place.

How to return geraniums from the flowerbed to the pot in the fall

At the beginning of September, it’s time to move pelargonium from the “dacha” to the winter apartment:

Water the plant well so that the entire root system is moistened.
Prepare a pot with a drainage layer and place a little soil at the bottom.
After waiting for the soil to absorb water, dig up the pelargonium with a root ball of soil.
Remove excess soil from the clod and inspect the roots.
If the roots have grown too much, trim the ends of the side ones. Remove damaged or rotten ones.
Transfer the plant with some garden soil to the pot.
Deepen the upper roots, but the plant should remain in the soil at the same level as it grew in open ground.
Using careful tamping, fill the voids between the roots with soil.
Water the pelargonium.
A plant that spent the summer on fresh air, after transplantation, do not immediately place it in the sun, keep it in partial shade for some time.
Perform light pruning: the length of the shoots should remain at least 20 cm. Reducing the amount of green mass will help the plant adapt to the pot and home conditions.
At the end of winter, pelargonium will need a new haircut.

If possible, increase the temperature of the pelargonium gradually. After the street, let the plant remain for about a week. warm veranda or loggias, only then move the geranium into the house.

Video: transplanting pelargonium from open ground to a home pot

How to replant a purchased plant, whether to remove the purchased soil mixture

When buying pelargonium, choose a healthy plant with no signs of disease or wilting. It is better if there are buds on it rather than blooming flowers.

There is no need to rush to replant a recently purchased plant. Moving from a store, changing the microclimate, lighting, water quality and irrigation regime is a serious stress. Let the pelargonium rest and get used to the new place for a couple of weeks or a month. And if the purchase was made in the fall or early winter, adaptation will take even more time. Wait until the end of February or March to transplant.

There is an opinion that the transport soil in which store-bought plants live must be completely changed, supposedly it is harmful. This is wrong. In fact, its composition is most often quite high quality. It is loose, absorbs moisture well and dries out. As a rule, it contains a lot of peat. The only drawback- such soil, in order to limit plant growth, is poor in nutrients. If you try to remove store-bought soil, for example by washing the roots, the plant will get sick and may even die.

It is necessary to wash the roots, getting rid of the old substrate, only in special cases when the plant is clearly sick, the roots are rotting, and the soil is souring. Then choose the lesser of two evils: injury to the roots is better than rot. Wash the roots, possibly in a fungicide solution, trim off the rotten areas and plant the pelargonium in fresh, sterilized soil.

If the size of the store pot corresponds to the size of the plant, it is enough to take a container with a diameter 2–3 cm larger and transfer it, that is, save the lump old land, adding a little new. This operation is the least traumatic for the roots. Only damaged roots should be removed.

Post-transplant care requirements

Geraniums find it difficult to take root in a new place. Immediately after transplantation, pelargonium needs gentle care. It is placed in a warm place. For some time light-loving plant shaded from direct sun. Water moderately, as unestablished roots easily rot. Excess moisture in the soil is the cause of most diseases. The flower is not fertilized the right soil There will be enough nutrients for at least 2-3 months. No water treatments, no spraying - pelargonium does not like this.

Video: how to replant geraniums at home

How to plant geraniums without roots

Geraniums can be planted without roots. To do this, you need to correctly cut the branch-cutting and prepare a light substrate or other material in which rooting will take place without problems. Whatever rooting method you choose, follow general rules: cuttings need warmth, light and moderate substrate moisture. And no bags or cans on top.

Rooting in the ground

Rooting cuttings in the ground is the most common method of propagating pelargonium:

Cut apical cuttings 7–10 cm long with 4–6 leaves. Make the cut at an angle. Remove the lower leaves and dry the cuttings, leaving them in the air for 2-3 hours. The cut should be covered with a film.
Prepare small containers ( plastic cups 200 ml each), make drainage holes in them.
Place drainage at the bottom, and light soil on top consisting of sand, peat and perlite. Lightly moisten the mixture.
Use a wooden stick or pencil to make a hole in the ground. Place the cutting there, deepening it 3–5 cm, and carefully compact the soil around it.
Place the container with the seedling in a bright and warm place (at least +22). There is no need to cover geranium plantings to create something like a greenhouse.
Water the plantings from below, through the pan.
Rooting occurs in 2–4 weeks.
When the plant has put out true leaves and has become stronger, pinch the top bud so that the side buds develop. Then the bush will turn out lush.
If pelargonium was rooted at the end of summer or autumn, transshipment in new pot and make more nutritious soil in early spring.

Pelargonium lovers claim that cuttings of ordinary non-varietal geraniums take root well without treatment with stimulants. But if you capricious plant, treat the cut before planting, dip it in a solution of Epin, Kornevin or other root formers for half a minute.

Video: transplanting a rooted cutting into a permanent pot

Another option is to germinate in water first

You can also root geranium cuttings in water. Most often, roots appear and grow quickly; this process is interesting to watch. However, the method has a significant drawback: “water” roots do not always successfully adapt to the soil. Some cuttings die after moving into the soil.

How to root cuttings in water:

When cutting capricious varieties of geranium, for example, royal geranium, spend 3 weeks before stimulating the mother plant. Make small cuts under the buds along the entire branch you plan to cut. Root tubercles will appear at the incision sites. Cut the cuttings underneath. Then young roots will appear in 2-3 days.

What else do gardeners like to plant geraniums in?

Pelargonists came up with original ways rooting your favorite plant. Here are the options tested in practice. They are suitable for cuttings of whimsical varieties, weakened or diseased plants. Try planting cuttings in moss, vermiculite or padding polyester. According to reviews from flower growers, such methods provide 100% rooting.

In sphagnum

In vermiculite

Fill a plastic cup halfway with dry vermiculite.
Bury the cutting about 1.5–2 cm into it.
Water gently warm water under the future root.
Place in a warm and bright place.
Water a little at a time to keep the vermiculite slightly moist. The roots should reach towards the water.

Natural vermiculite is a mineral from the hydromica group. These are plate-like crystals of yellowish-brown color. They do not rot and decompose; microorganisms do not live in them. In floriculture, vermiculite is used as a drainage material and for rooting cuttings. It can be purchased at flower shops.

In padding polyester

Video: rooting cuttings in peat tablets

Is it possible to replant flowering geraniums?

Those who have just started growing geraniums sometimes have a dilemma: to replant or not flowering plant. Flowering takes away the geranium's strength; at this time it is more vulnerable. A transplant is a serious stress, and it will be followed by a period of adaptation, which will also require a lot vital energy. It turns out that by replanting a flowering bush, you are guaranteed to lose both buds and flowers, and perhaps destroy the entire plant. He doesn't have the strength to handle both cases.

But sometimes there is simply no other way. For example, you flooded your pelargonium, and the roots were affected by rot. Then, to save the plant, an urgent transplant is needed, regardless of flowering.

How to rejuvenate geraniums by renewing the stems

Over the years, the lower part of the shoots of indoor geraniums inevitably becomes exposed; as flower growers say, it “grows out.”

Pelargonium can be rejuvenated by transplanting. After moving the plant into a new pot, the roots will receive more space and nutrition for development. And the above-ground part must be severely pruned; in some advanced cases, literally “stumps” with several buds are left. For some time, pelargonium will get used to its new position. When the roots become established, the remaining buds will begin to develop.

The cut top of a geranium can also continue to live and bloom. It will make excellent cuttings. With proper rooting (how to do it was discussed above), you will be able to grow several healthy plants.

Problems associated with replanting: soil composition and others

Pelargonium does not like changing the pot, but in most cases it successfully adapts to the new place. Of course, she may get sick; according to some observations, the adjustment time lasts on average 2–3 weeks.

Most often, gardeners complain about rotting cuttings or roots. If rooting is carried out in water, an additive will help activated carbon. Cuttings do not rot in completely depleted soil or its surrogates - moss, vermiculite, synthetic padding. When transplanting adult pelargoniums, root rot may occur if the unsterilized soil mixture is infected with a fungus, the soil in the pot is flooded, or the pot itself is too large.

Why does geranium turn yellow?

It is normal if after transplantation pelargonium loses a few leaves. But sometimes almost the entire geranium turns yellow. This is also a natural reaction to a change of place. Don’t worry, don’t try to place the geranium in a greenhouse or spray it, but just give it time to acclimatize. Most likely, everything will return to normal.

But just in case, check that the soil is not drying out and that you are not flooding the plant. Pelargonium should be watered only after the top layer has dried 2–3 cm. For better adaptation, you can add stimulants (Kornevin or Epin) to the irrigation water.

Knowing how to transplant or plant plants correctly is important for a gardener. Especially when it comes to flowers that do not tolerate changing places, such as pelargonium. The simple rules are easy to learn. True, sometimes the grower does everything as expected, but the plant gets sick after transplantation. And the other one breaks the rules, but the flower is cheerful and cheerful. What's the secret? Pelargonium lovers claim that this plant senses a person’s mood and energy very well. You need to care for geraniums with love and good mood. So, in addition to the pot and soil, prepare positive attitude- then everything will work out.

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