Geranium - care at home and the homeland of the houseplant

Geraniums are undoubtedly one of the most common and interesting plants grown on apartment windowsills. Flowering bushes can be found on almost every window sill. To enjoy the beauty of geraniums, it's worth learning about the variety of species and the intricacies of caring for them at home.

The homeland and history of geranium cultivation

Indoor geranium is a colloquial name for pelargonium. Geranium is grown as an outdoor plant. They share a similar appearance and are members of the same plant family. The houseplant's homeland is the hot lands of South Africa. About 80% of the wild species of this flower grow in the Cape Province. Some sources still list India as the pelargonium's birthplace. However, scientists have proven that the plant was only exported through India.

The flower first arrived in Europe over 400 years ago. The Triste variety was brought to England, distinguished by its intense aroma that intensifies at night. Initially, the flower was used as a living room air freshener.

In the 20th century, pelargoniums became the subject of widespread hybridization. Breeders developed numerous hybrids with distinct flower and leaf shapes. Thanks to intensive breeding, the pelargonium's color palette, originally limited to lilac and violet, has expanded to several dozen colors. Today, pelargoniums are considered one of the most popular houseplants. The Pelargonium and Geranium Society operates in Britain, and its activities span the globe.

Characteristics of indoor plants and species diversity

Pelargonium is a herbaceous plant or subshrub of the Geraniaceae family. It is a perennial plant characterized by the following botanical features:

• creeping branched stems;
• petiolate leaves of various shapes and shades of green;
• single or multi-flowered inflorescences of various colors and shapes.

There are over 250 known species of this plant. The most common are:

1. Fragrant. The inflorescences are small, of varied shapes and colors. The leaves are deeply dissected. The surface of the leaf blades is rough to the touch. The coloring is represented by several shades of green. The leaves are aromatic. Depending on the variety, they can emit an aroma similar to lemon, apple, coconut, and others.

   

2. Angel. The inflorescences resemble pansies. The coloring is varied. Most often, it consists of two shades of a single color or a combination of two different colors. The leaves are heart-shaped and a subtle green.

   

3. Unique. Most varieties are double-flowered. The petals are very vibrant, with a variety of shades. Characterized by deeply dissected leaf blades, the color of the blades is also very vibrant.

   

4. Succulent. Most varieties are double. The petals are very vibrant, with a variety of shades. Characterized by deeply dissected leaf blades, the leaf blades are also very vibrant in color.

   

5. Royal (English) - Numerous hybrids with a variety of flower and leaf shapes. Coloration is available in a wide range of shades. Both solid and variegated varieties are found. Characterized by a large bush size.

   

6. Ivy-leaved (Shield-shaped). It is distinguished by its elongated shoots, which make it suitable for growing as a trailing plant. It has a wide variety of cultivars. Most varieties have a color pattern that combines two or more colors.

   

7. Blood-red. The leaves are round and corrugated. Many varieties have a brownish transverse ring on the green background of the blade. The bright red flowers are collected in spherical inflorescences. Some hybrids are characterized by double flowers.

   

Depending on flower shape, geraniums are classified into single and double varieties. Based on flower head type, the following pelargonium varieties are distinguished:

• Rosaceae;
• stellate;
• cactus-like;
• tulip-shaped;
• bird eggs;
• speckled;
• cloves;
• phlox-like.

Depending on the size of the bush, the following types of plants are distinguished:

1. Standard (above 25 cm).
2. Dwarf (15-25 cm).
3. Miniature (up to 15 cm).

Some species of pelargonium can be found in garden plots. Growing this crop in a flowerbed is only permissible during the warm season. For the winter, the flowers are transplanted into pots.

Secrets of caring for geraniums at home for beginners

Geraniums aren't particularly fussy plants, so experienced gardeners can easily grow them indoors. For beginning gardeners, there are a few care tips.

Lighting

Pelargoniums require bright, indirect light. The optimal day length for the plant is 12 hours. It is recommended to place the plant on windowsills facing west or east. On a south-facing window, it should be shaded with a curtain. A north-facing window or a room further back will require additional lighting with grow lights.

Lighting affects the appearance of geraniums. Insufficient light causes shoots to stretch and leaves to become smaller. The plant loses its decorative appeal and looks neglected. Too much direct sunlight can cause sunburn on the leaves.

Temperature and humidity

Growing geraniums requires maintaining a temperature regime. During the active growth period, the plant is kept at room temperature. During the dormant period, the temperature is gradually reduced to 15 degrees Celsius.

The plant doesn't require high humidity. However, misting the plant and the air around it is recommended. This is especially true for varieties with pubescent leaves, from which accumulated dust is difficult to remove. Spray with room-temperature water. Household water can leave an unsightly coating on the plant's leaves and petals.

Watering and fertilizing

During the growing season, geraniums require ample moisture. Water them as the top layer of soil dries out. Water should be warm and settled. Rainwater is preferable. Watering is done overhead, moistening the soil beneath the plant. Insufficient moisture can cause yellowing of the leaves, while too much moisture can lead to rot.

During the active growth period, the plant requires fertilization. During this time, it should be fed twice a month. Geraniums rest in winter, so they don't require growth stimulation. For supplementary feeding, use mineral fertilizers for flowering plants. Universal mixtures are also acceptable. Ideally, the composition should be high in potassium and phosphorus, which promote flowering. Nitrogen fertilizers are intended only for the growth of green mass.

Diseases, pests and methods of control

Pelargoniums rarely get sick. Most often, illnesses arise as a result of improper care. The most common diseases are:

Geraniums can be susceptible to attacks from harmful insects. These include the following pests:

• aphid;
• scale insect;
• spider mite.

Aphids can be eliminated by treating the bush with a concentrated solution of baby soap or natural laundry soap. Spider mites and scale insects can only be controlled with insecticides.

When and how to prune geraniums to shape flowers

Geraniums require annual pruning. Without stem shortening, they become leggy and lose their appeal. It's recommended to prune the plant in the fall. At this time, the growing season ends, and new leaves no longer appear.

Annual pruning of geraniums is performed for:

1. Stimulation of new shoot growth.
2. Crown formation.
3. Stimulation of flowering.

Some geranium varieties require additional pruning because they continue to grow even during dormancy. Additional pruning should not be done until spring. During dormancy, the plant is weakened. Winter pruning can be detrimental to the plant's health. Shoots cut during this period are unable to root.

Experts recommend leaving only the stems growing from the root on the bush. Axillary shoots should be removed. Only 5-7 leaves are left on the stems; the rest of the shoot is cut off. However, even deep pruning cannot harm the plant, as the exposed stems contain numerous dormant buds.

How to propagate and transplant geraniums at home?

Indoor geraniums are propagated by cuttings, sowing seeds, and dividing the mother plant. Below is a description of the steps for each method.

Cuttings

To obtain a new flower from a cutting, follow these steps:

1. A cutting is formed from the cut stem: 3-5 leaves are counted from the top, the rest is cut off at an angle.
2. The cutting is dried in the shade for 2-3 hours.
3. The container is filled with a mixture of turf soil, peat and sand in equal parts.
4. The cut end of the cutting is treated with an antiseptic. The cutting is then rooted in moist soil at the same point.
5. To make the bush more lush, you can pinch the top.

Caring for a cutting is virtually identical to caring for a mature geranium. The only difference is daily misting until rooting occurs, which occurs 2-3 weeks after planting. Once the cutting has produced a couple of full-grown leaves, it is transplanted into a pot filled with suitable soil for geraniums.

Cuttings are the most optimal method of flower propagation. After pruning, a large number of shoots remain, which can be used as material for cuttings.

Dividing the bush

Propagation by dividing the bush involves the following steps:

1. A part of the rhizome with a shoot is carefully cut off from the mother bush using a sharp disinfected tool.
2. All damaged parts of the plant are treated with crushed activated or charcoal.
3. The cut piece is placed in the soil (if desired, you can increase the amount of peat).

The pup is cared for in the same way as an adult plant. If additional peat was used during planting, fertilizer should be added no sooner than a month later. The advantage of this method is its speed and almost 100% success rate. The disadvantage is the small number of new plants.

Seed propagation

Growing a new flower from seeds involves the following steps:

1. A container with high sides is filled with a mixture of turf soil, peat and sand (1:1:1).
2. Fresh pelargonium seeds (no more than six months old) are sown in moist soil. Don't cover the seeds with soil. Simply press them down lightly with your fingers.
3. The container is covered with transparent film and placed in a room with a temperature of 22-25℃.

The seedlings require daily misting and ventilation for half an hour. The first shoots appear after a couple of weeks. Once established, transplant the pelargoniums into individual pots, along with the root ball, to avoid damaging the fragile roots.

Seed propagation allows for the production of a large number of plants. The downside of this method is the risk of losing the varietal trait.

Transfer

Geraniums don't tolerate repotting well. Therefore, complete soil changes are performed no more than once every two years. Geraniums are repotted using the transshipment method, without disturbing the integrity of the root ball. If repotting is not planned for the current year, simply add a little fresh soil.

Repotting is usually done in the fall. The pot shouldn't be too spacious, otherwise the plant will devote all its energy to root development at the expense of flowering. A drainage layer should be placed at the bottom of the pot. There's a special potting mix for geraniums, consisting of equal parts peat, sand, turf, and leaf mold.

Frequently Asked Questions

Indoor geranium is a beautifully flowering houseplant. As long as care instructions are followed, growing it is hassle-free. Besides its aesthetic appeal, geraniums are prized for their ability to purify indoor air and their medicinal properties.