Caring for ampelous geraniums or pelargonium sympathetic: diseases and pests

Geranium is famous for its elegant inflorescences, it is very appreciated for a long flowering period, medicinal properties, unpretentiousness and easy care. Geranium is a perennial flower with a Latin name, native to South Africa. It remains the most popular for many years throughout the world. Homemade geranium (care and growing features are described below), the plant is unpretentious, but certain conditions are needed for lush inflorescences.

The leaves of geraniums are smooth, bright green and resemble ivy leaves in shape, and inflorescences reach up to 20 cm in diameter. To flower pleased with its spectacular appearance, you need to know some rules and tricks to care for it. About this and not only - further in the article.

What does geranium look like

What is the difference between geranium and ivy pelargonium

Thyroid geranium, or as ampelous peliconium pelargonium is also called, is ideal for forming a hanging garden, decorating a balcony, terrace, window or veranda. Many believe that geranium and pelargonium are one and the same plant. But this is not so, although they belong to the same Geraniev family. Outwardly, these two sisters are not alike. So what is the difference between Geranium and Pelargonium?

The difference between geranium and pelargonium

The main difference between these two plants is in leaves and flowers, but the seed bolls are identical. If your eyes are bright red, pink or white umbrellas, this is pelargonium. These two plants were mixed up in the 18th century. scientists, but there’s a difference in caring for them. It is very important to know the differences in order to understand how to properly care for pets.

Geranium can be of such types:

• bordered (zonal);
• condyle;
• angel;
• fragrant;
• royal;
• unique garden;
• tulip-shaped;
• dwarf.

Geranium Flower Care

This unpretentious luxurious culture requires, albeit minimal, but proper care. Only in this way will she please with bright and lush bouquets.

Plant care and basic rules:

• a lot of sun. Do not be afraid to put a pot of geranium in direct sunlight, with the exception of especially hot days. At this time, you just need to cover it to avoid burning leaves;
• hard water for irrigation is not allowed. In winter, the plant is watered 2 times a week, bypassing the leaves, and in the summer it is moderate, but every day;
• drainage at the bottom of the pot is a prerequisite so that there is no stagnation of water;
• a small pot. This is necessary so that the plant completely fills its roots;
• Do not spray or rinse foliage. Excessive moisture is dangerous to this crop;
• it is worth paying attention to the choice of soil. Necessarily need a 1: 1: 1 mixture of peat, sand and garden earth;
• it is required to loosen the earth more often. The roots must be fed with oxygen;
• Do not forget to feed the culture. Geranium should receive mineral fertilizers (phosphorus and potassium). This beauty does not accept organic fertilizers;
• nitrogen top dressing. This is done necessarily after flowering and only 1 time per week from April to September.

These are the main conditions under which a plant will delight with its beauty and dense flowering.

Propagation of the culture is carried out mainly by cuttings (the most reliable way), but it is also possible with leaves. This is best done in the spring (March-April is the perfect time).

Choosing a place for geraniums

The flower feels very comfortable and well on the windowsill, on the balcony or on the veranda (open air is good for culture), but only on the south side. The most optimal temperature for him is room temperature, because this is how he feels comfortable.

Choosing a place for geraniums

In the warm season, the flower pot can be taken out to the veranda or balcony, and fresh air will positively affect its development. It is important to remember that the plant does not like drafts.

Air humidity

As noted above, this culture does not like spraying, but this does not mean that it is not necessary to maintain optimal humidity in the room. Below is a table that indicates the required humidity and air temperature for growing geraniums.

Table

If geranium is adjacent to other indoor plants that need spraying, then it is worth protecting it from moisture when it irrigates other flowers.

Pelargonium disease

• Gray rot. It is formed from waterlogging. Appears in the lowest areas closer to the ground. These are brown spots that spread very quickly. Pelargonium does not bloom, and its leaves become dry and yellow. Leaves closer to the ground are immediately affected, and some varieties of the plant become completely spotted. To save the plant, you need to treat it with systemic fungicides.
• Alternariosis. Earth contains a pathogen. The edges of the leaves are covered with brown spots with a bright middle. The plant ceases to bloom, and the leaves become dry and yellow. You can return the flower to life with sufficient ventilation, loose substrate and proper watering, as well as treating it with ridomil gold or scor.
• Rhizoctonia rot. Infected soil, excessive amounts of fertilizer in the ground, dry indoor air, strong moisture in the substrate, little light or excessive watering. Dark spots appear on the stems below, which have an extruded structure. In this period, the culture ceases to bloom, and its leaves wither and become yellow. To restore pelargonium, it is necessary to correct the above reasons and treat it with vitaros, rovral or foundationazole.
• Withering. The leaves turn yellow, fade and blacken. Avoiding the development of the disease is simple: remove plant debris, root the cuttings in a clean substrate, treat with foundationazole, vitaros, rovral.
• Rust. It occurs due to the ingestion of a fungus with water or through other infected plants and too wet content. Outlined yellow spots appear on the top of the leaf, and brown spots on the back. The plant does not bloom, the leaves dry, turn yellow and fall off. It is worth minimizing the level of humidity, remove infected leaves and treat with topaz.
• Late blight. Improper care. Geranium does not bloom, decays and fades. Spotting begins to appear on the roots. It is necessary to observe the rules of ventilation, use a loose extract, treat with ridomil.
• Decay of the stem. The reason for all this is contaminated soil, a dense planting culture, insufficient lighting, a moist extract, an excess of nitrogen in the soil. The plant fades, the roots become covered with dark spots, and in some places the mycelium of the fungus appears. It is recommended to treat geranium with Ridomil Gold or Previkur.
• Twisting and spotting of foliage. The virus is in an infected plant. Culture does not bloom. You can help with the treatment of insecticides.

Pest Pelargonium Pests

In addition to diseases, the plant is affected by pests:

• spider mite. Yellow dots appear on the leaves, after which they dry;
• caterpillars. Holes appear in the leaves;
• whitefly. Eggs are laid on the leaves, which begin to curl;
• aphid. Leaves die off and dry out;
• nematode. Insects feed on plant rhizomes;
• thrips. Outgrowths form on the back of the leaf, after which the green becomes white.

Why Ampel Geranium Does Not Bloom

If the florist wants to get abundant flowering, then for this you need to follow some rules for growing geraniums.

Conditions under which the plant does not bloom:

• insufficient lighting;
• insufficient feeding;
• the pot is not completely filled with the root system;
• temperature differences and drafts.

How to feed and fertilize geraniums correctly

This culture rarely needs a transplant and in one pot it can grow for more than one year. Top dressing is carried out with liquid universal fertilizer for flowering crops once every 2-3 weeks. The solution should be prepared according to the instructions on the package.

Technology for feeding geraniums:

• mineral fertilizers (potassium and phosphorus) are added 2 times a month. These trace elements prolong flowering and strengthen the culture;
• watering with a solution of heteroauxin or sweet water will help bloom the geraniums in the winter. Artificial or natural stimulant must be added weekly;
• ready-made complex fertilizer. It is added according to the instructions.

Feeding Geranium with Iodine

The iodine solution is added as follows:

• soil is irrigated;
• when the earth dries a little, iodine fertilizer is added (drain along the wall of the pot at a distance of at least half a centimeter from the plant).

There are some recommendations for feeding geraniums, which will ensure a healthy appearance of the plant and its lush flowering.

The rules for feeding are:

• if the culture has been in poor light for a long time, then it is not recommended to feed it. First you need to fix this error;
• if a plant is "diagnosed" with a disease or pests are found on it, then first you need to get rid of them, and only then feed them;
• after adding fertilizer, it is worth loosening the earth in a pot to provide oxygen access to the roots;
• you can not fertilize the culture more than 1 time per week;
• for young flowers and in winter, the dose of bait should be halved.

Geranium is a universal beautiful flower, which, if properly maintained, will delight with lush inflorescences and a pleasant aroma. Now, knowing how to take care (geranium blooms better with proper care) of this beautiful plant, there should not be any problems with its cultivation.

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