Perennial flowering plant - indoor geranium- good for home grown. Planted geraniums in a room look no less beautiful than in open ground. Most varieties of the plant have a pleasant aroma, and strong-smelling Geranium, for example, generally exudes the scent of a rose. In today's article you will learn in what soil to plant indoor geraniums and how to care for them at home.
Choosing soil for indoor geraniums
Planting indoor geraniums is simple when you know how to choose the right soil mixture, in what conditions to keep the flower, what it likes and what even such an unpretentious plant will not like.
The soil for indoor geranium should be:
- Nutritious;
- Loosened;
- Not dense;
- Do not retain water;
- Neutral acidity;
When choosing soil for indoor geraniums, you can choose universal mixtures For indoor flowers or choose an individual substrate.
In open ground, the soil for geraniums must be treated against pests, viruses, fungi and weed seeds. At home, it is easier to manipulate the components, which instills confidence in the quality of the resulting substrate.
In what soil to plant indoor geranium:
The ingredients are combined in a ratio of 1:1:0.5. The sand is pre-treated. The remaining components, at your discretion, can be shed with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or steamed.
A drainage layer is poured onto the bottom of the pot before laying the soil for indoor geranium. The pot must additionally have holes for drainage, otherwise the geranium will rot. For additional loosening, perlite or vermiculite is added to the soil for indoor geraniums, but there is no need to loosen the substrate too much.
Pour the treated soil mixture into the pot on top of the drainage layer. Often only sand is steamed or doused with potassium permanganate. Next, we replant the indoor geranium, sprinkling the edges with the remaining soil mixture.
How to care for indoor geraniums after planting?
The soil in which indoor geranium is planted is watered with Uniflor to accelerate the development of the root system in the new substrate. Feeding begins 2.5 weeks from the moment of planting. Before this, moderate watering is carried out. After 1-1.5 months, you can add “Uniflor-bud” to stimulate the formation of buds of indoor geranium. Usually it is replaced with phosphorus and potassium or a complex of mineral fertilizers.
Indoor pelargonium will spend the winter quietly on the windowsill without drafts. There is no need to water it. You can insulate the flowerpot if the window freezes. In the new season, after a dormant period, the transplanted indoor pelargonium is pruned so that the shoots do not stretch. The plant will bloom later - after 2 months - but its quality will please the grower.
(No ratings yet, be the first)
READ ALSO:
Soil for indoor geraniums
Is it possible to keep geranium at home: signs?
How to make it bloom royal geranium?
Geranium does not bloom, what should I do?
When is the best time to replant indoor geraniums?
When does geranium bloom at home?
Geranium is a flower that is very popular among gardeners. It is sure to be in the collection of an aristocrat or on the windowsill of an elderly person. Nowadays the interest in it is not the same as before, but people still appreciate it for its many advantages.
Reference. Geraniums are attributed healing properties. It can even protect against insect pests.
It grows well at home or in the garden. Numerous varieties and varieties have been discovered, thereby giving the right of choice to everyone who wants to acquire a pot of it. She has great potential in medicine.
Why can’t you replant pelargonium into the first substrate you come across on the counter in a flower shop? The fact is that The fate of the plant depends on the composition of the soil whether it will bloom at home or not.
- Turf. It is rich in nutrients that are so necessary for the growth of indoor plants: palm, dracaena, monstera, ficus.
- Leaf soil. They receive it in a simple way: in the fall, they collect foliage and put it in a stack. In the summer they constantly spill it with water, not forgetting to shovel it at least twice. Even after 2-3 years, begonias, cyclamens, camellias, myrtle, etc. are planted in it.
- Peat– a mandatory mixture to increase soil acidity. It is collected from the swamp, placed in a stack, and shoveled from time to time to eliminate harmful substances.
- heather land, it is harvested in heather thickets, and then added to pots with azaleas, orchids, gloxinia, etc.
What soil composition is needed?
Geranium is a plant that is not picky about soil. But you shouldn’t buy just any one. It is advisable to follow certain recommendations when selecting it. So, what kind of soil should this houseplant be planted in?
More often flower growers buy universal soil, adding the necessary components to it. Vermiculite, river sand and perlite are suitable. All components are mixed and then poured into a pot of geranium. The main thing is to make sure that there is no mold or insects in the soil.
Reference. The flower grows well in loose and well-drained soil. You can buy special soil at a flower shop or prepare the substrate yourself.
Sometimes peat is added to the universal soil, which promotes the growth and development of the crop.
Preparing the substrate for planting a flower
- Before preparing the land, select a container. You can use a pot that has been used. In this case, wash it the day before the scheduled procedure and disinfect it.
- At the next stage, a drainage layer is placed in the pot. It is sold in the store. In principle, you don’t have to buy it, but use pebbles, polystyrene foam, ceramic shards or broken bricks for drainage. If in the future they will water with hard tap water, put pieces of dried pine bark at the bottom. It will acidify the soil and remove excess moisture from her.
- 1/5-1/4 of the pot’s volume is allocated to the drainage layer. Then they put the soil. If you prepare it yourself, take the following components: turf, humus, sand (8:2:1). It is advisable to sprinkle it after transshipment of the transplanted plant, trying to remove all voids.
- All that remains is to water the geranium with settled water and wait for the excess to drain into the pan.
Experienced gardeners do not see the difference between a clay, ceramic or plastic container. You can choose it based on your own preferences. If you take plastic, then only white so that it does not get too hot in the sun and the roots do not rot. Also suitable for replanting geraniums ceramic pot. Its volume depends on the pelargonium variety. A small sprout is grown in a 0.25 mm container, gradually increasing it. By 2-3 years, the plant should “migrate” to a 2-liter pot.
Zonal pelargonium is planted immediately in a 1.5-liter pot. As soon as she grows out of it, it is better to transplant her immediately into a 10-liter one.
How to replant?
with strong growth of the root system, when the flower is flooded and there are no buds. It is advisable to replant in the fall, before the plant enters the dormant stage. If you carry out the procedure in the spring, then only before its active growth.
- Before transplanting, prepare a tool (watering can, knife) and a pot. When using an old container, treat it with a chlorine-containing substance and then rinse it with water afterwards.
- Prepare high-quality drainage, positioning it so that ¼-1/5 of the pot is occupied.
- The geranium is taken out of the previous container, being careful not to damage the earthen ball. You can use a knife carefully if you need to separate the soil from the walls.
- After removing the geranium, inspect the roots, trying not to miss any traces of rot or strange spots. If they are present, remove them with scissors.
- Transfer the plant to new pot, filling all the voids in it with soil.
- After watering, put the pelargonium in the shade for 7 days.
- After seven days, they place it on the windowsill, where there will be no bright light, drafts and heat from heating devices.
- Fertilizing is applied for the first time 2 months after transplantation.
It is advisable to water geraniums abundantly and regularly. If you overfill it, water stagnation will occur, which will have a detrimental effect on the roots. Good drainage, prepared according to the scheme above, will support the soil during wet without stagnation.
The plant is not fed immediately after transplantation.. After two months, fertilize the geranium without using fresh ones. organic fertilizers. Not blooming with standard fertilizer, but with buds - special fertilizers. The frequency of fertilizing is 2 times a month.
Read in detail about what is best to feed and when to use fertilizers for geraniums, and from here you will learn how to properly use iodine with hydrogen peroxide to feed the plant.
Video on the topic
Below you can find out how to plant geraniums and choose soil for it.
Conclusion
The most unpretentious crop is geranium. By following the simple rules, it will delight the eye and decorate a window sill in an apartment or a garden in a country house.
If you find an error, please highlight a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter.
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: a 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, especially in summer, in flower boxes. 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 neither was, over time it upper 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 (at least +22) place. There is no need to cover the geranium plantings, creating 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, transfer it to a new pot and 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: whether to replant a flowering plant or not. 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.
Share with your friends!Geranium or pelargonium - it's incredible beautiful plant, often grown at home. Pelargonium has a delightful color of lush flowers; it fits perfectly into any interior and fills the house with comfort and warmth. Geranium is an unpretentious indoor plant, but it needs to be done correctly so that it has an excellent appearance. Proper care includes: replanting, temperature, lighting and watering. Each time when replanting geraniums, you should use the necessary soil composition for its cultivation.
What soil is needed for indoor geraniums?
Pelargonium is not picky about soil, but you need to know some recommendations. Geranium loves well-drained and loose soil. You can buy soil for a flower at a flower shop; any substrate for flowering indoor plants will do. Professionals usually use universal primer and add the necessary components to it.
To this mixture you need to add washed river sand, vermiculite and perlite. All ingredients should be mixed, and the soil for planting indoor pelargonium is ready.
When choosing an all-purpose soil, you need to make sure that it is free from insect mold. Also, such soil should not cake into a lump. The soil must contain peat, then your plant will develop and grow well. You can buy special soil for geraniums in the store.
You can also prepare soil for pelargonium yourself at home. To prepare it, you should use the following components:
- Turf land - 8;
- Humus - 2;
- Sand - 1.
Transfer
Geraniums are transplanted at home when the root system has grown greatly and occupies the entire space of the pot. In other cases, replanting is performed when the flower is flooded or if the pelargonium does not bloom.
Indoor geraniums are usually transplanted in the spring.
before active flower growth begins.
To properly transplant a plant, you should follow some rules:
- First, at home, you need to prepare: soil, a suitable flowerpot and a waterer. If you do not want to change the pot, then it must be treated with bleach. Pour bleach into a container and leave it for a while, and then rinse well with water.
- It is necessary to take care of high-quality drainage, which is laid out at the bottom of the pot. Can be used as drainage brick chips, finely chopped polystyrene foam or fine expanded clay.
- You need to carefully remove the flower from the old tank without damaging the earthen ball. If you can’t pull the plant out, you can use a knife and carefully separate the soil from the walls of the pot.
- After removing the geranium, it is recommended to carefully examine root system for rot and disease. If there are damaged areas, then they need to be removed using scissors.
- The plant must be planted in a new pot, and in empty seats soil should be added.
- The flower needs to be watered and placed in a shaded place for 1 week. You just need to do it correctly so that there is no overflow. After 7 days, the plant should be installed in a place where there is good lighting and warmth. Geranium loves bright and diffused light.
- Fertilizing should be applied only two months after transplantation.
Choosing the right pot
The plant can be grown at home in a pot and box. If you use boxes for growing pelargonium, then the distance between the bushes should be at least 20 centimeters. This is an important rule.
You need to select the size of the container depending on how much the roots have grown. If the diameter of the flowerpot is incorrectly selected, then in this case it will be quite difficult to control the growth.
It is best to purchase small pots, 2 cm larger than the previous one. In such a container, geranium will feel great and bloom beautifully with bright and beautiful flowers. The height of the tank should be about 12-15 cm.
If transplanted correctly indoor geranium into fresh and nutritious soil, and then create the right care, in this case the flower will bloom beautifully and delight the eyes of its household.
How to correctly choose the composition of the soil for cacti? Medicinal and beneficial features indoor geranium: areas of application indoor plant How to choose the right soil for anthurium
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.. Moistening the clod of earth is carried out 2-3 times a month so that the top layer of soil in the pot becomes 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 which are the 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.
The best fertilizers for indoor geraniums 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 appliances. 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 geranium to maintain decorative appearance needs to be trimmed. 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.
