Royal Pelargonium is an original plant for a vibrant landscape! Royal geranium and its care at home
Among geraniums, there are completely unpretentious plants that are not demanding on growing conditions and do not create problems even for a novice grower in the process of growing them. Royal geranium is clearly not from this "opera". This indoor flower requires constant attention and specific care. In the absence of these conditions, it stubbornly does not bloom and does not please your eye with lush and unique in its beauty buds.
The thing is that the royal pelargonium is a native of the hot and humid climate of South America. She feels great in the conditions high humidity air and in the absence of direct sunlight. Of particular importance is the regular and quantitative characteristics of irrigation. It should be moderate but constant. In summer, the plant should be watered early in the morning (before 10 o'clock) and late in the evening (after sunset). In winter, watering is limited to 1 time per day. At the same time, no more than 50 ml of water per 1 mature plant. The earth ball should be soaked, but not wet. Otherwise, root rot occurs, and bacterial infections join, which prevent abundant flowering and development of the stem part.
Photo of royal geranium and description
On the proposed photos, the royal geranium is presented in various variations of varieties and selections. This plant is a favorite among flower growers from all over the world. Therefore, new varieties with the original color of the petals are constantly appearing. Terry royal pelargoniums are more common. They have a rich color of the petals and a wide spherical shaped cluster of peduncles.
On the picture royal pelargonium you can see the Pink Mikado variety. It is distinguished by a compact bush size, rich dark green leaves and a slight pubescence of the stem. The color of the petals ranges from pastel pink to deep salmon. In the center of each petal there is a dark oval speck that gives out the royal pelargonium.
On next photo presented Aristo Schoko - a variety of royal geranium, which has a rich red color of the petals. In the center of the cervical part of each petal is a bright spot of an oval shape and dark red color.
If you want an exotic look, then look at the photo of the royal Barkarole geranium. This is a bright motley color with a real riot of colors. The edging of each petal, which has a silvery sheen, gives refinement and exoticism to the variety. The edging of the buds, combined with bright yellow, orange, white and pink petals, gives the royal geranium flower an attractive appearance. Widely used to form harmonious interior designs in apartments, country houses and offices.
For lovers classic options interior design is the Imperial grade. In the photo you can see compact plants with delicate beige petals that adorn rich pink spots in the center.
For the first time, royal pelargonium was brought to Europe at the end of the eighteenth century. Since then, selection work has been going on endlessly, as a result of which more and more new hybrid forms of this plant appear. Therefore, the varieties of royal geranium listed above are far from full list. These are simply the most popular and sought-after varieties.
A general description of the royal geranium pelargonium includes information about the average height of an adult plant. In most cases, at home, royal pelargonium reaches a height of 60 - 80 cm. It is not advisable to grow a taller plant, since the buds are located only at the apical points of growth. With a height of 1 meter decorative properties indoor flower are completely lost. However, in a garden, you can also grow a one and a half meter bush as an experiment. But it is better to use it as a background for undersized flowering plants.
The special chic of royal pelargonium, judging by the description and cultivation practice, is the inflorescence of buds. They can reach a width of up to 25 cm. But this is with proper care at home. On average, these are standard inflorescences with a diameter of up to 15 cm. The length of the peduncle can reach up to 10 cm. The more mineral fertilizers of the potassium and phosphorus groups are applied during the preparation for flowering, the larger the diameter of the inflorescence and the shorter the peduncle.
A distinctive characteristic is the presence of a dark, saturated color of an oval spot in the center of each petal. According to their structure, royal pelargonium flowers can be either simple or double. The shape of the petals can be with a slight wavy structure or flat concave. There are forms of corrugated flowers of royal geranium. Leaves are serrated, oval or rounded. The leaf has a rough surface with slight pubescence. The color of the foliage depends on the condition of the plant. A healthy indoor flower has rich emerald foliage that tightly covers the central trunk and all shoots.
The shades of the buds can include dazzling whites, reds, pinks, purples, yellows, oranges. The flowering period is not long and is a maximum of 6 months. The indoor flower of royal geranium begins to bloom in early March.
Royal Geranium Care
Timely and proper care of royal geraniums allows you to form a regular and strong bush during the first year of life, which in the second year of its life will give you lush bright buds.
Caring for royal pelargonium begins from the moment you decide to house this plant. You need to choose the right place to land. Royal geranium does not bring drafts, dry air and direct sunlight. Also, the plant does not like the high air temperature and insufficient watering. However, waterlogging of an earthen coma will not do anything good.
As you understand, the optimal place for growing is the northern or eastern window, under which there is no central heating battery and which is not used to ventilate the room during the cold season. In spring, summer and autumn period s royal geranium feels great in a glazed loggia. However, when the threat of the first frost appears, the plant should be removed to the room.
In spring- summer period For the growth of geraniums, ambient temperatures up to 25 degrees Celsius are suitable. In autumn and winter, you should not allow the temperature to rise above 20 degrees Celsius.
To organize the proper care of royal geraniums at home, planting is important. For growing, choose ceramic pots. They maintain the optimum temperature of the earthen coma and ensure uniform air distribution. There must be a drainage hole to eliminate excess moisture. Pour expanded clay or any other drains at the bottom of the pot. Next, fill the container with soddy soil with a high organic content. You can immediately apply 1 tablespoon of nitrogen fertilizers to ensure sufficient plant nutrition during the period of green mass gain. After planting, keep the royal pelargonium for 2 weeks in a shady place and water 2 times a day.
Royal geraniums should be transplanted no more than 1 time in 3 years. And it is best to refrain from this event. This indoor flower tolerates a transplant extremely painfully and may even die.
Also, caring for royal geraniums includes the timely application of top dressing. In spring and summer, it is necessary to apply mineral fertilizers once a week. Potassium and phosphorus should predominate. In autumn and winter, apply nitrogen and organic fertilizers once a month.
Be sure to shape the plant by pinching. The first pruning is carried out at the moment when the plant reaches a stem height of 15 cm. All tops are cut off by 2 cm. The second pinching is needed at the moment when the side shoots reach a length of 5 cm. Cut all their tops by 1 cm. After that, you will get a spherical shape of a bush, which, with proper care for royal geraniums, will give abundant flowering in the second year.
Propagation by cuttings of royal geranium
At home, it is advisable to propagate royal geraniums by cuttings. Although propagation by seeds is not ruled out. In this case, sowing is carried out in the first half of February in structured loose soil to a depth of 0.5 cm. Floors as needed. Picking in the phase when the seedlings have 2 true leaves.
Reproduction by cuttings of royal pelargonium is available to every grower if there is an adult plant. In the spring or autumn, cuttings up to 10 cm long are cut. For this, it is better to use sharp knife. Cut at a 45 degree angle. Immediately after cutting, 2 leaves are removed from below, and the cuttings are placed in water at room temperature for 7-10 days until the roots appear.
After that, the cuttings are rooted in light structured soil in containers of small diameter. Transplantation to a permanent place is carried out after 2 months. To improve the rooting process, it is important to prepare soil mixture. Add the same amount of building or river sand to any soil. After mixing, pour all the soil with boiling water. A strong solution of manganese is also suitable for disinfection. But after watering them, plants can be planted after 48 hours. 
When rooting has passed, the growth of the top begins. Be sure to cut it back by 1 cm. This will stimulate the growth of side shoots.
Why doesn't the royal geranium bloom?
Many beginner flower growers are wondering why the royal geranium does not bloom. This may be due to improper care, frequent transplants and the presence of bacterial and fungal infections. First of all, carefully inspect the plant for dark spots on the leaves, fluff on the stems and rot in the basal part. If signs of the disease are found, then the entire root system should be cleaned from the ground, rinsed under running water and put for 2 - 3 days in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Clean up or remove all affected parts of the plant.
Prepare fresh soil. The pot, if the same one will be used, is disinfected with a solution of bleach. The soil before transplanting is also disinfected with boiling water. Replant the plant and carefully observe the appearance of new signs of disease.
Also, royal geraniums do not bloom if improper care and growth conditions are provided. For example, excessive dryness of the air leads to the systematic fall of buds and peduncles. Their laying occurs only if the soil contains sufficient amounts of phosphorus, potassium and manganese. With excessive nitrogen application, a rapid set of green mass occurs and there is no flowering.
Another option why royal geranium pelargonium does not bloom is too large a container in which the plant grows. Tall, but not wide pots are more suitable for this indoor flower. This ensures long-term abundant flowering. A large pot leads to the growth of green mass and the absence of budding.
The royal geranium is a showy, luxuriantly flowering houseplant. However, due to errors in care, the buds may not form or fall unopened. Let's learn how to care for royal geraniums to enjoy abundant blooms.
The royal pelargonium (the second name of geranium) has a rather wide bush - 30–60 cm in height. Peduncles and shoots are located on the same level. The flowers are 7-15 cm in diameter, depending on the variety, they can be simple or double.
Varieties of royal pelargoniums delight with an abundance of shades: for example, Mona Lisa (Mona Lisa) has white petals with small pink spots; in Bravo (Bravo) some of the petals are white, some are dark pink; Rimfire (Rimfire) immediately catches the eye due to the burgundy-red petals with pronounced veins.
Purple Pac candy flowers violet (Pack candy flowers violet), crimson Candy flowers dark red (Candy flowers dark red), white-crimson Candy flowers bicolor (Candy flowers bicolor) or purple Pac Shocking Violet (Pack shocking violet), bright orange Mandarin (Mandarin), coral Coral Sunset (Coral Sunset).
With proper care, flowering is abundant and lush, lasting from 3 to 5 months.
Necessary conditions for growing
Royal geranium requires regular, but moderate watering: drying out of an earthen coma, as well as stagnant moisture, have a bad effect on the health of the flower.
The soil needs light, for example, peat, sand and garden soil in a 1: 1: 1 ratio.
The lack of light leads to a disproportionate stretching of the sprouts and a loss of decorativeness, but direct sunlight, especially on a southern window, can cause burns. Best of all, royal geranium feels on the east and west windows. The optimal daylight hours for her are 12–14 hours, so in autumn and winter you need to light up with fitolamps.
For beginner gardeners, the question sometimes arises: why does a plant that has overwintered safely not bloom? The fact is that royal pelargonium needs a dormant period, and coolness provides it: if in summer the optimum temperature of the content is within + 22 ... + 25 ° C, then in winter it should not be higher than + 12 ... + 16 ° C. For example, Mona Lisa needs 4-6 weeks of dormancy.
By the way, the summer heat also has a bad effect on the plant: temperatures above this one slow down or completely stop the development of geraniums and the formation of buds.
Care rules
Royal pelargonium needs careful care. During the development period, it requires more water (room temperature), so watering should be plentiful in summer. But in autumn and winter, do not allow overflow - the water that is glass in the pan must be poured immediately.
Home care involves regular transplantation. It should be carried out in February - in cases where the roots have become clearly cramped in a pot. If you have a question “How to make a plant bloom?”, Please note that a container that is too spacious stimulates the active growth of roots and the green part, while the plant does not have the strength to form buds. If you want to admire the flowers, when transplanting, choose a new container, only a few centimeters larger than the previous one.
Caring for royal geraniums at home necessarily includes top dressing, on average twice a month during the growth period. For lush flowering preference is given to phosphate and potash fertilizers. Geranium does not like excess nitrogen, it is needed in a minimal amount.
A flower like royal geranium needs shaping pruning. It is best to carry it out in the fall, after flowering has ended. It is possible in two visits with an interval of 1–1.5 months, so as not to injure the plant too much. The shoots are cut by a third, which contributes to the healing of geraniums, increases its immunity and stimulates flowering next year.
Disease and pest control
Royal geranium can be attacked by a fungal disease of the black leg. In an infected plant, the bottom of the stem turns black, dies off, and may simply break in half. Often occurs due to growing errors - overflow, sudden temperature changes or too heavy soil. If the disease has manifested itself, it is no longer possible to help the plant. For prevention use "Fitosporin".
Beginners also have questions: why do the leaves of the plant turn yellow and what to do in this case? A common cause is an infectious disease called rust. All leaves that have turned yellow should be cut off, and the plant should be treated with Topaz.
Of the pests, the whitefly is dangerous - a small white butterfly, juice drinker plants. When it appears, the plant must be watered with Aktara solution (according to the instructions).
Breeding rules
For propagation of pelargonium, healthy, well-developed tops of shoots with 4 leaves or more are cut off by cuttings. With a sharp, disinfected knife, cut them 5 mm below the knot. Remove the lower leaves, leaving only the top 3. Sprinkle the cut points with chopped charcoal and leave to dry for 18 to 24 hours, then plant in a small container with a mixture of peat, humus and sand, deepening by 2 cm and slightly flattening the soil.
Rooting is possible in another way: dry the cut sprouts for 10 minutes, then treat the cut with a rooter and immediately plant it in the ground.
Attention! These indoor plants do not like excess moisture, so propagation by rooting in water will not work. Planting in waterlogged soil will also kill the plant.
Reproduction of royal geraniums is possible by planting in a moistened peat tablet.
Depending on a number of conditions, the process of growing cuttings takes from 2 to 4 months. When the young geranium got stronger and began to give new leaves, it is transplanted to a permanent place. In order for it to give side shoots, the main sprout must be pinched over the third pair of leaves.
In the first year after transplanting to a permanent place, the plant develops, gaining green mass, but next spring, subject to all conditions, you will get a flowering plant.
Theoretically, it is possible to breed geraniums by seeds. However, at home it is difficult to obtain high-quality planting material. With a high degree of probability, pelargonium will not inherit the advantages of the mother plant if it reproduces in this way (instead of double flowers there will be simple ones, etc.), so it is better to purchase seeds from specialized companies.
As you can see, royal geranium requires certain skills in care and reproduction. But her magnificent amazing beauty flowering will reward you for all your efforts.
Video "Royal Geranium Care"
From this video you will learn how to properly care for royal geraniums.
Royal Pelargonium blooms only with proper care. Under adverse conditions, the flower will not die, but the buds will not form. The efforts made will not be in vain - the flowering is very beautiful.
Description and features
This is a powerful bushy plant up to half a meter high. Shoots branched, strong. The leaves are wide, with serrated edges. The surface is rough to the touch. The flowers are very large compared to other types of geraniums. Their diameter can reach 7 cm. The colors are dominated by purple, white, dark pink, burgundy colors. Petals are usually fringed, corrugated. Monochromatic flowers are very rare, more often two shades are harmoniously combined in color.
Growing royal pelargonium at home is not an easy task. It grows quickly, rarely dies, but it is quite difficult to keep its decorative effect and make it bloom. The flowering period is shorter than that of "ordinary" pelargoniums, it is only three to four months. For laying flower buds, it is imperative to observe a cold wintering at a temperature not exceeding 12 ° C. Royal pelargonium blooms in spring.
If the bush has grown excessively, stretched out, lost part of the lower leaves, it can be rejuvenated. To obtain young plants, apical cuttings are cut and rooted. If you root them in the fall, then by spring you can already get full-fledged flowering bushes pelargonium.
Caring for royal pelargonium: what to consider
How to care for royal pelargonium in a pot? It is important to provide her with full coverage, favorable temperature regime, find optimal schedule watering in accordance with the conditions of detention. Experienced flower growers recommend adhering to the following rules.
- Temperature . In spring and summer, the optimum temperature is around 23-24°C. In winter, royal pelargonium definitely needs a dormant period at 10-14 ° C. Cool wintering contributes to the abundant laying of flower buds in spring. Keeping warm not only prevents flowering, but also weakens the plant.
- Lighting. The need for lighting is high not only in summer, but also in winter. In summer, the plant receives right amount light from the sun, in winter it is advisable to use fluorescent lamps. Without illumination, flower buds will not be laid.
- Watering. It is necessary to water the royal pelargonium taking into account the conditions of detention. In spring and summer, when it is warm, it is watered moderately, but often - in small portions twice a day. In winter, they simply maintain soil moisture, preventing it from completely drying out. Should only dry upper layer soil. For a single watering take about 50 ml of water. Experienced flower growers advise replacing top watering with bottom watering to avoid soil compaction.
- Humidity . It grows and blooms normally in dry air conditions. Spraying harms pelargonium, leaves marks on its velvety leaves. Bathing in the shower is contraindicated for a flower.
- Top dressing. Mineral fertilizers are applied with weekly breaks. Before flowering, around the end of March, potash and phosphorus fertilizers are additionally applied. Pelargonium does not like organic matter. In winter, feeding is stopped.
- Ground. Preference is given to soils with a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction. good composition- a mixture of an equal amount of sand, peat, turf, humus and leafy soil. It is useful to add ash - it reduces acidity, provides additional nutrients.
- Pot. Use ceramic pots. With each transplant, the size of the pot is taken a little more - literally a couple of centimeters. Young, small plants are not planted in spacious pots - this is fraught with souring of the substrate, rotting of the roots.
- Transplant. The interval between transplants of adult pelargonium is two to three years. More often it is not necessary to replant - a capricious variety is hard to tolerate transplants, flowering is delayed. The frequency of transplants depends on the intensity of growth. When thin roots begin to break through the drainage holes, it's time to repot.
Especially important is the care of royal pelargonium after purchase. For two weeks, the plant is quarantined, creating favorable conditions for adaptation. Watering is minimized, they are not fed, they carefully monitor the condition of the flower. They don’t put it in bright light - they shade it from the sun. After two weeks, gradually transfer to normal care.
Trimming Rules
It is necessary to prune the royal pelargonium to maintain the beautiful shape of the bush and full flowering. A common mistake is spring pruning. If you cut the pelargonium in the spring, it will postpone flowering for a year. Therefore, it is necessary to form a bush only after the end of flowering. Usually it ends in the middle of summer, sometimes a little later.
Pruning is carried out twice with a monthly interval. After the first pruning, pelargonium will actively produce new shoots. To stimulate further branching, pinch them after the fifth young leaf. Pinching is repeated up to five times to achieve a neat bush shape and active bud formation. The time of the last pinching is no later than the end of January.
If the pelargonium has grown strongly during the winter, instead of pinching, the shoots can be cut a little.
Why are there no buds
Royal pelargonium does not bloom for various reasons. In most cases, common mistakes in care affect.
- Temperature . Incorrectly selected temperature regime, warm wintering. To form flower buds in winter, pelargonium is kept cool.
- Lighting. Lack of lighting, especially in winter.
- Big pot. In a spacious pot, pelargonium sprouts new shoots, grows leaves, but does not bloom.
- Lack of nutrition. Two trace elements are needed for flowering - potassium and phosphorus. If there are not enough of them, the buds will not form. Excess nitrogen has the same effect.
- Incorrect cropping . spring pruning postpones flowering for a year. You need to wait until the end of flowering and only then prune.
To make pelargonium bloom, they create coolness in winter; in early spring, potash and phosphorus fertilizers are applied. Be sure to carry out regular pruning at the right time. If pelargonium grows in a spacious container, it is transplanted into a smaller pot.
Reproduction methods
The reproduction of royal pelargonium by cuttings is mainly used. Seeds are used only store. The seeds collected from your plant will sprout, but the flowers will be smaller and lose their characteristic bright color.
cuttings
Description . In order not to injure the plant once again, cuttings are combined with pruning. Use cut tops with three pairs of leaves. Rooting royal pelargonium in water will not work - the base of the cutting will rot. Therefore, they are planted directly in the ground.
Procedure
- Before planting, the base of the cuttings is dipped in coal powder, dried for several hours.
- Deepen into a loose substrate. A mixture of equal amounts of sand and perlite or peat with sand will do. In order not to disturb the roots once again, it is better to immediately take separate cups. According to some flower growers, it is convenient to use peat tablets.
- After rooting, the cuttings are carefully transplanted into larger pots with nutrient soil. It is better not to rush, to carry out the first transplant in a couple of months.
- Pinching over the third pair of leaves, Pinching is repeated as it grows.
Seedlings are watered twice a month with complex fertilizers with a minimum content of nitrogenous substances. Its concentration in the composition should not exceed 10-11%. The first flowering after rooting of the cutting occurs in six to nine months.
seeds
Description . Growing from seeds is used as a way to simultaneously obtain a large number of young plants. Use only store-bought seeds.
Procedure
- Sowing begins towards the end of winter. Seeds are sown in a light, loose substrate under cover.
- Keep on good lighting, if necessary, illuminate with fluorescent lamps.
- Daily check the humidity of the substrate, remove condensate from the film or glass.
Shoots appear quite quickly - in about two weeks. The germination rate depends on the level of lighting, temperature, time of collection of seeds. Fresh seeds germinate much faster. Seedlings can be planted after the appearance of three or four true leaves.
Common diseases
Diseases for royal pelargoniums are more dangerous than other species. The table shows the most common ailments and how to treat them.
Table - Diseases of royal pelargoniums
| Disease name | Signs of infection | Treatment Methods |
|---|---|---|
| Gray rot | - Brown spots on the leaves; - gray fluffy coating | - Transplantation into a new sterile soil; - trimming of the affected parts; - treatment with fungicides "Vitaros", "Fundazol" |
| Stem and root rot | - Blackening of the root neck; - pallor, yellowness, lethargy of leaves | Processing with Fitolavin, Biporam |
| late blight | - growth retardation; - pallor of leaves; - sunken spots on stems | - Cutting to healthy tissue; - treatment with any fungicides; - transplantation into a sterile substrate |
| Edema (tissue swelling) | Bumps and growths on leaves | - Pruning diseased leaves; - reduced watering |
| verticillium wilt | Leaves wither, but remain hanging on the stem | - Destruction of affected plants; - on initial stages-treatment with preparations "Fundazol", "Topsin" |
The main pests are spider mites, aphids,. To combat them, insecticides and acaricides are used. With a slight lesion, a single treatment is enough. With a strong one, you have to process it again.
Main growing problems
Not less problems occurs due to improper care or inappropriate conditions of detention. The most common growth defects and their causes are shown in the table.
Table - Problems of growing royal pelargonium
| Problem | Possible reason |
|---|---|
| Leaves turn yellow | - Lack of moisture; - excessive watering; - excess fertilizer; - lack of light |
| The leaves turn red | Cold |
| The lower part of the stem is exposed | Flaw sunlight |
| The soil dries out quickly, and the leaves wither | cramped pot |
| Mold appears on the surface of the soil | dense soil |
| No flowering | - Incorrect cropping; - a spacious pot; - warm winter |
| Falling buds | - drafts; - heat; - complete drying of the soil |
Knowing how to care for royal pelargonium, you can achieve stable and long flowering. Beautiful, large double flowers will please even those who have not really loved pelargonium before.
Royal geranium - home care, photo, cropping
Proper care of royal geraniums at home
Pelargonium royal differs from other species requirements and aristocratic and royal appearance.
She happens to be capricious plant , which blooms less than other varieties, does not tolerate being on outdoors and difficult to reproduce.
Despite all the difficulties, the royal flower has a lot of admirers. They are ready to make any sacrifice to see the flowering of the noble pelargonium.
Royal pelargonium (large-flowered geranium): home care
Location and lighting
Royal Pelargonium need more illumination. It is placed on the windowsills of the western or eastern orientation.
You can also place a flower at the south window, then you will definitely need shading with curtains: the flower does not tolerate exposure to direct sunlight leaving burns on the leaves.
In warm weather, a flower pot can be moved to a balcony, loggia or veranda. Here she will receive a sufficient amount of sunlight, and in the afternoon she will be covered with light partial shade.
Pelargonium afraid of precipitation, therefore, when placed on a balcony or veranda, it is protected from rain.
Tips for caring for the royal pelarogony:
Royal pelargonium is not planted in a flower garden in open ground. It cannot stand even a slight breath of wind and responds heavily to transplantation, so frequent transfer from one place to another can destroy the plant.
In winter, the flower will need additional lighting. organized with phytolamps. If this recommendation is neglected, the plant will stretch out during the winter months, will not lay buds and will not bloom in the next season.
During the dormant period, that is in winter, geraniums are placed in a cool place. There should not be central heating batteries near the plant that dry the air.
It is not advised to put the plant next to the opening window: it afraid of exposure to drafts.
The plant needs a lot of light, is afraid of precipitation and drafts, direct sunlight
Temperature
In spring and summer time in the room where the plant is kept, the temperature should be at the level of twenty-four degrees.
In winter, the plant provides a dormant period and contain at rates of ten to fourteen degrees.
Only if such a temperature is maintained in the room where the plant is kept, will it lay buds for subsequent flowering. Elevated temperature causes growth and development to stop.
Watering and humidity
The frequency of watering royal pelargonium depends on the temperature in the room where it is located. In spring and summer, when the flower is actively developing and blooming, it is watered regularly and moderately.
The plant is very fond of water, so in the summer months it is recommended to water it twice a day - in the morning and in the evening after sunset. In winter, watering is reduced to once a day.
The top layer of soil must dry out between waterings.: check this before moistening the soil again. Excess fluid provokes rotting of the root system and the occurrence of infectious diseases.
It is impossible to allow overdrying of an earthen coma, this negatively affects subsequent flowering. About fifty milliliters are spent on an adult plant at a time, this amount will just be enough to moisten the earthen mixture.
Hybrids of this species need more water because they are kept at a higher temperature.
In summer, the plant is watered twice a day, in winter - once.
for watering use soft settled, boiled or rain water at room temperature.
Some flower growers recommend not to do ordinary watering from above, but to pour water into the pan, because the flower reacts heavily to the strong compaction of the earth in a pot. This method allows the root system to take as much moisture from the pan as it needs.
If the air in the room is not too dry, do not resort to spraying procedure, because geraniums do not tolerate water on leaves and flowers. Swimming under warm shower also harms the plant.
top dressing
Royal pelargonium is periodically fed. During the period of growth and flowering, that is, in spring and summer, the flower is fertilized once a week, using mineral supplements.
Additional nutrition is especially necessary for a young plant, which is just getting used to the new soil. At this time, a complex fertilizer is usually used, intended for young specimens.
Before flowering(the very first and subsequent) pelargonium is fed with food containing potassium and phosphorus. This top dressing begins to be applied two to three months before the first flowers appear, that is, at the end of March.
The use of organic fertilizers is prohibited especially fresh.
Pelargonium is fed with food containing potassium and phosphorus in spring and summer.
pruning
It is important to learn how to properly prune the royal pelargonium. Some growers resort to this procedure in the spring, not knowing that pruning during this period will affect flowering and delay it for a year.
Form a bush after the end of flowering, around the end of the summer months or early autumn.
Pruning includes two procedures, which are performed at intervals of one and a half months, in order to injure the pelargonium less.
In autumn, the plant actively develops new shoots that pinch after the formation of the fourth or fifth pair of leaves. Pinching causes the emergence of new young shoots.
Professional flower growers who prepare their pelargoniums for exhibitions resort to pinching about three to four times. This helps the plant form into a compact bush and bloom profusely in the new season.
The last pinching must be carried out no later than the end of January. Pelargonium can stretch out a lot during wintering, then instead of pinching, the shoots are pruned.
The secret to forming a lush bush:
Choosing a pot, soil and transplant
With each transplant, a pot is used that is two centimeters larger in diameter than the previous one.
You can not plant a young plant immediately in a large container, this can lead to acidification of the soil, which the root system does not have time to master.
Soil for royal pelargonium is purchased at a specialized store or prepared independently, mixing humus, leaf and sod land, sand and peat in equal proportions.
The plant does well in neutral or slightly alkaline soil. To reduce acidity, ash is poured into the pot, which at the same time is an excellent top dressing.
Must be in the pot lay high-quality drainage from pebbles or expanded clay.
Royal Pelargonium transplanted once every two to three years because the plant is hard to move to a new container. Frequent transplantation slows down flowering.
The most suitable time for this procedure is the spring months. Transplant the plant when the roots begin to crawl out of the drainage holes.
The plant is transplanted every 2-3 years, in the spring, with each transplant, a pot is used, which is 2 cm larger in diameter than the previous one.
flower reproduction
cuttings
The easiest way to propagate royal pelargonium is resort to cutting method. A cutting of small length is separated from the mother plant by cutting it below the internode at an angle of forty-five degrees.
The places of cuts are sprinkled with charcoal and the cuttings are left to dry for four to five hours.
After that cuttings are planted in a specially prepared mixture of peat, which is mixed with sand or perlite. Peat tablets sold in a gardening store are also suitable for this purpose.
Each cutting is planted in a separate container, and after the roots appear, they are transferred to the earthen mixture necessary for the royal pelargonium.
Propagation by cuttings:
How to care
After transplantation, manipulations are carried out that stimulate active branching and flowering: pinch the young plant above the third leaf. The following pinching is carried out as needed.
During the growth period, pelargonium is fed with fertilizers that contain no more than eleven percent nitrogen. An increased nitrogen content will provoke an increase in green mass, and not the appearance of buds.
Flowering stimulants are used only nine to ten months after the roots appear on the cuttings.
Can it be propagated by seeds?
It is also possible to propagate pelargonium with the help of seeds, but this is much more difficult. As a result of this method, more viable specimens with an extended flowering period grow.
Small elongated seeds are purchased at the store. In mid-February, they are planted in a container with peat and sand, deepening by half a centimeter.
A month later, sprouts are shown, which are planted in separate pots after the appearance of a pair of true leaves.
When grown from seeds, you can get more viable plants with an extended flowering period.
Diseases and pests
whitefly. The insect resembles a white butterfly, only one or two millimeters in size. Symptoms of an attack: the appearance of yellow spots on the leaves.
Fighting methods: the plant is removed from a room with dry warm air. A heavily infected specimen is shed with "Aktara" - three times with an interval of six to seven days.
If the pest has just begun subversion, it can be washed off with water by washing the leaves laundry soap. Then the royal pelargonium is covered with a bag for half an hour.
Blackleg. Reason: excessive moisture, low temperatures, dense soil, large capacity. Symptoms: tissue softening. It is not possible to save the flower, so the plant is destroyed.
Aphid. Symptoms: twisting leaves, falling buds, the presence of white chips. Get rid of pests by washing reverse side leaves infusion of chamomile or green soap.
Rust. Symptoms: the appearance of red-brown spots on the leaves, drying and falling off. Treatment: cutting out damaged parts of the plant, the use of fungicides: "Topaz", "Fitosporin-M".
Diseases and pests of pelargonium: whitefly and aphids, rust and black leg
Why doesn't it bloom? What to do to ensure flowering?
It often happens that the royal pelargonium (geranium) at home refuses to bloom. This is due to content errors. You should always follow the instructions on how to properly care for a flower as closely as possible.
Why does the large-flowered pelargonium not bloom? Flowers may not appear over showy green foliage due to insufficient lighting or inappropriate temperature readings.
Pot size affects flowering.: a plant in too large a container will not bloom. Fertilizers with the wrong composition also stop flowering.
Also pelargonium refuses to bloom due to delayed transplantation and improper care: incorrect pruning or its complete absence.
Trying to make pelargonium bloom, flower growers resort to the method of grafting onto other plant species. For this purpose, fragrant pelargonium and a variety called "unique" are suitable.
Vaccination is carried out as follows: prepare a twig with two leaves, make a cut one centimeter long on it.
An identical cut is made on the second plant, after which a branch is attached, combining two cuts and tying them with a woolen thread. The procedure is carried out in almost sterile conditions.
In order for royal pelargonium to bloom, it can be grafted onto fragrant geraniums
Pelargonium does not bloom if it is not provided with peace in winter. Lush and abundant flowering will please the grower only if all the conditions of detention were observed in winter, providing the plant with rest.
Pelargonium royal fully justifies its name. She looks truly royal, blooming flowers of stunning beauty and demanding heightened attention to your own person.
Source: http://proklumbu.com/komnatnue/geran/pelargonija-korolevskaja.html
Geranium royal care at home: planting, reproduction, diseases and pests
Royal geranium is completely different from typical representatives of the geranium family. She is truly royal and aristocratic in appearance.
Royal pelargonium blooms much less often than other varieties and is particularly capricious in care. In order for the plant to grow well and often bloom, certain recommendations must be followed.
In the material of the article we will talk about how to care for royal geraniums.
How to care for royal geraniums
Despite the high whimsicality to environmental conditions, this type of geranium is very popular among flower growers. Plant care has many features that must be carefully observed. You should know that the flowering of geraniums cannot be extended in any way.
Where to place the flower
Royal pelargonium is a light and heat-loving plant placed in places with good lighting. For example, on windowsills with east and west orientation.
If the windows of the apartment face south, then for normal development, the plant needs to be slightly shaded with curtains or other improvised means. Royal Pelargonium does not respond well to exposure to direct sunlight.
Bright sunlight can scorch leaves.
How to place indoor flowers on the window
Royal Pelargonium grows well in light air spaces. Therefore, some flower growers are not limited to growing plants on the windowsill.
It can be used to decorate balconies, terraces and loggias. If necessary, geraniums can be planted in the garden.
For normal development, geraniums must be protected from bright sunlight and precipitation on the leaves.
Geranium is not recommended to be planted in open ground. This is due to the fact that pelargonium does not tolerate gusts of wind and a constant transplant. Frequent transplantation and transfer of a flower to different places can quickly kill geraniums.
Some gardeners wonder why pelargonium does not bloom, subject to, it would seem, all conditions. Very often, the reason for the lack of flowering is non-compliance with the dormant period and active growth. In addition, in the cold season, the plant may suffer from insufficient lighting.
To compensate for the lack of ultraviolet rays, you can use a photo lamp. Neglect of this recommendation can lead to the fact that the pelargonium will stretch out, the process of laying butts will be disrupted, and most likely the geranium will not be able to bloom next season. Pelargonium does not tolerate dry air.
In the winter season, the plant must be installed away from central heating batteries.
Temperature regime
During the period of active growth, the plant should be in a room where the air temperature is in the range from 20 to 25ºС. In the cold season, geraniums are dormant. The optimum temperature during the winter months should be between 10 and 15ºC.
Compliance with the optimal temperature regime will allow pelargonium to correctly lay buds for subsequent flowering. If during the summer period the air temperature in the room exceeds the optimum allowed values, then the plant develops poorly and eventually stops growing.
How to properly water a plant
The frequency of watering depends on the air temperature in which the royal geranium flower is located. In the spring and summer, regular moderate watering is recommended for pelargonium. How to determine how much water is needed for irrigation, you ask? It is very simple to determine, you need to look at the top layer of soil.
If it is dry, then the plant needs to be watered, and if not, postpone watering. Geranium does not need abundant watering. Excess moisture in the earth coma can provoke the occurrence of diseases of the root system. Insufficient watering, as well as an overabundance, are very dangerous for royal pelargonium.
Overdrying of the plant substrate adversely affects flowering.
The average plant consumes about 50 ml of water per day. This does not mean at all that royal pelargonium must be watered with so much water per day. This volume is not enough to wet the top layer of the earthen coma.
Hybrid varieties, unlike classic ones, need more water. This is due to the nature of care. Optimal temperature for keeping hybrid varieties pelargonium is in the higher range. For irrigation use soft and settled water. The plant can be watered with boiled, rain or melt water.
Unlike others indoor plants pelargonium does not need to be sprayed, because it does not tolerate water on the leaves very well. Washing under warm water can cause irreparable harm to geraniums.
top dressing
Pelargonium, like any other plant, needs periodic feeding. During the growing season, geraniums must be fertilized with mineral top dressings once every 7 days. After transplanting, the plant needs new soil and a special complex fertilizer, which is intended for these purposes.
Geranium especially needs top dressing during the flowering period. The plant is fed mineral fertilizers containing calcium and phosphorus. This type of top dressing begins to be used 90 days before the flowers appear, in other words, in early spring.
Pelargonium is forbidden to feed with organic fertilizers
How to choose the right pot and substrate
When transplanting a plant, you need to pay attention to its volume. The new container for pelargonium should be 2 cm larger than the previous one.
Instead of a ruler, you can use two fingers (index and middle). Thus, the new pot should be 2 fingers larger than the old one.
If the above rule is neglected, then this leads to a slowdown in the process of adaptation of the root system and acidification of the soil.
Neutral soil is ideal for the plant. The substrate for the flower can be bought at the store or prepared independently. Ash can be used to reduce acidity.
At the bottom of the container for the flower, drainage from small pebbles must be laid. It is recommended to transplant the plant no more than 1 time in 3 years.
A flower transplant is carried out in the case when the roots of the pelargonium completely braid the land lump. best time for this event is the spring.
How geraniums are propagated
Pelargonium can be propagated in several ways. The most common method is cuttings. To do this, take the mother plant and cut off the cutting at an angle of 45º.
Many people wonder how to root royal geranium? Everything is very simple, the cut stalk is processed and dried. Then the cuttings are planted in a mixture of sand, peat, and poured.
As soon as the roots appear, the plant is transplanted into an earthen mixture.
Propagation of geraniums by cuttings
Propagation of indoor plants is an amazing activity
Reproduction of pelargonium by seeds is less popular. This is because this method is much more complicated. But hard labour worth it. As a result of propagation by seeds, a more viable plant with a long flowering period grows.
Seeds of royal pelargonium can be purchased at a garden store. The plant is planted in a special substrate, which consists of peat and sand. perfect time for planting the plant is the end of winter. About a month after planting, the first sprouts should appear, ready for transplanting.
"Royal Geranium Reproduction"
What diseases and pests affect pelargonium
Houseplant pests and how to deal with them
How to prune a pelargonium
Many flower growers make a huge mistake when pruning geraniums during the active period of growth. Such ignorance leads to the fact that the royal geranium does not bloom.
Pruning of the plant is carried out in late August and early September. This procedure is performed in several stages with an interval of 1.5 months.
This period of time avoids trauma to pelargonium.
Pinching plants promotes the emergence of new shoots. It is carried out after the fifth pair of geranium leaves. The last procedure should be done in the middle of winter. If in the process of wintering the plants are very stretched, then they are pruned.
"Royal geranium: pruning and care"
Subject to all the rules of care, the royal pelargonium will delight with its magnificent beauty and require increased attention to its person.
Source: http://CvetnikInfo.ru/komnatnye-tsvety/geran-korolevskaya.html
Pelargonium Royal Geranium
Pelargonium is very popular among flower growers and all lovers of indoor plants. Popularly, this type of flower is called geranium, the Royal geranium variety is considered the brightest and most beautiful. It is distinguished by its extraordinary flowering splendor, its size and an exceptional variety of color palettes.
Pelargonium is very popular among flower growers and all lovers of indoor plants.
The royal geranium is one of the most large varieties, its beauty does not leave anyone indifferent, it grows in a large, wide shrub, which, during flowering, seems to be strewn with dense flowers, often they reach up to 15 cm in diameter. Flowers can have a different color depending on the variety, a characteristic difference of this species is a dark blotch on the top of the petals, in appearance, many compare them with pansies.
So, it’s worth finding out in more detail what kind of care this beauty needs and how difficult it is to grow it.
Care rules
The fact that this pelargonium is called Royal gives a certain definition to its appearance. Indeed, this variety is quite capricious and requires special care at home. Its appearance corresponds to the name, it differs from other varieties in its size and shape. Larger flowers among this genus are difficult to find - perhaps this is its main difference.
Her leaves also have characteristic features: they seem to be covered with small hairs, which makes them rough to the touch, and rather large, their edges have a jagged shape.
It is worth noting that the Royal geranium does not emit fragrance. Specialists are working hard on new varieties of this species, surprising each time with an extraordinary color and size of flowers.
The place where the Royal Geranium is placed should be well lit, many experts recommend providing it. additional lighting, fluorescent lamps are ideal for this. The plant does not like drafts and cold, so it is worth positioning it in such a way that the room can be ventilated without creating drafts.
Royal geranium is one of the largest varieties, its beauty does not leave anyone indifferent
The best place for this flower would be South side, namely windows or a loggia. In summer, the plant must be protected from direct sunlight to avoid leaf burns. If the flower pot is not rearranged from the windowsill, then it is possible to regulate the supply of light with the help of blinds. The temperature in the room where the Royal geranium is located should not be lower than + 10ºС and not higher than + 30ºС.
Also read: The best flowers for decorating garden and city beds
It blooms mostly for a short time, but with proper care and regular feeding, the Royal geranium can start its color from April to August. To form a bush, it is necessary to periodically pinch the branches, as well as carry out sanitary cleaning, removing faded flowers and dried leaves.
Trimming a geranium bush should be done regularly, this will significantly increase the number of flowers on it. Pruning is carried out for lush flowering, as the plant redirects all its forces not to greening the branches, but to the density of flowers. Pruning is carried out several times a year. The first time it is performed before the winter period, as soon as the plant fades.
They remove half of the branches with flowers, this reduces the risk of developing diseases and makes it possible to successfully go into a state of hibernation. The main thing is not to apply fertilizers right away, otherwise the flower, on the contrary, will actively begin its growth and restoration of the cuttings, and the root system in this case will receive stress and exhaustion.
The second time pruning is performed at the end of winter or early spring. If the bush has grown significantly, then it can be cut a little and shaped. The cut must be made obliquely and with an exceptionally sharp instrument, which is disinfected before starting work.
The soil for the Royal Pelargonium is easiest to purchase at a flower shop or store, you can prepare the substrate yourself, taking in the same proportions:
- black soil from a greenhouse;
- coarse river sand.
It should be borne in mind that purchased substrates have big amount nutrients than ordinary black soil. The soil should be fertile, rather loose, not light. During planting, be sure to line the bottom of the pot drainage layer, expanded clay or small gravel is ideal for this.
Watering geraniums Royal loves regular. For humidification, use only settled water at room temperature.
It is necessary to water as the top layer of the earth dries out, but do not wait for the formation of soil crusts and cracks.
Excess moisture is also undesirable for the southern beauty, stagnation of moisture in the flowerpot leads to a disease of the root system and death of the flower. In winter, if the room has enough humidity and low temperature, reduce watering.
Royal geranium loves top dressing, you need to make it regularly. In winter and autumn, you can fertilize once every 2 months, and in summer and spring - 1-2 times a month.
Also read: A variety of species and varieties of tenacious creeping
Often flower growers start a special diary, Royal geranium, which is celebrated every day. After all, it is important to know when the flowers were fertilized and with what preparations. This helps not to get confused and fertilize according to the scheme. The best fertilizers for kalachik are drugs that include:
- phosphorus;
- nitrogen;
- potassium;
- minerals.
Fertilizers can be applied only after the plant has been watered, moist soil will avoid possible burns of the root system.
Do not use organic fertilizers for top dressing, decorative look geraniums can even die from such substances.
If you properly feed the kalachik, this will allow it to bloom for a longer and more magnificent.
Gallery: Royal geranium (25 photos)
Royal Pelargonium (video)
Grafting of Pelargonium Royal
One of the most important points in the care of this plant species is the implementation of the so-called grafting. It is performed in order to obtain a new color on an adult bush and to form a crown.
The process itself is a transplant of a young sprout or shoot from one plant to another.
Young plants that are not yet 1 year old, as well as depleted and sick specimens, are not subject to grafting.
So, the first stage is the separation of a piece of a young sprout from a cutting. To do this, it is better to use a regular blade, it is thinner, and you can make a curly cut with it.
The upper part of the sprout 2-3 cm long is cut out V- figurative form point down. For replanting, a cutting of the same width is chosen so that at least one side of the inoculum coincides.
Insert the scion into the stock and, if desired, fix it.
The best place for this flower will be the south side, namely windows or a loggia.
Reproduction of pelargonium seeds
You can propagate this decorative type of geranium in 2 ways:
Both methods are actively used by flower growers.
So, sowing seeds:
- The best time for sowing is winter or spring. A substrate enriched with useful minerals is placed in a special container. You can buy ready-made soil or mix the following components yourself: 2 parts sod land, 1 part river sand and 1 part peat.
- The next step is to prepare the seeds themselves. Initially, they are necessarily processed in solutions such as Zircon or Epin, this should be done strictly according to the instructions. After processing, they must be soaked in water at room temperature for at least 2-3 hours.
- Since the seeds are quite small, they are not deepened individually into the ground. Planting takes place as follows: seeds are carefully laid out in a container with soil and lightly sprinkled with a substrate on top. After that, the container must be covered with glass. In the future, every day it is necessary to carry out ventilation by opening the glass cover and removing condensate. The container is placed in a warm and well-ventilated room with an air temperature of + 20ºС.
- After 14 days, young shoots will appear. As soon as 2-3 leaves sprout on each of them, you can transplant into an individual pot. Its size should be small, no more than 10-15 cm, depending on the seedlings.
Of course, this method of reproduction is quite long and laborious, and not always everything can work out the first time.
How to root cuttings of royal pelargonium (video)
Reproduction by cuttings
This variety can be propagated by cuttings, for this you need to cut off young cuttings with branches at the top from the main branches. The length of the planting material must be at least 5-8 cm, the cut point must be treated with crushed coal, and a sterile and sufficiently sharp tool must be used when working.
The young stalk is planted in a separate pot with the same substrate as for sowing seeds. Sometimes flower growers temporarily use peat pots until the sprout takes root, and after the roots appear and it begins to grow, it can be planted in a permanent place. In the future, care for him is carried out in the same way as for an adult plant.
Regarding transplantation, it is worth saying that pelargonium needs it as a last resort, when the roots in the old pot are already crowded and they are visible from the holes for water drainage. For transplanting, it is important to purchase not too large pots, but only 2-3 fingers higher and wider than the previous one. This is enough for the roots to settle freely and have a small space for development.
Diseases and pests
Like all types of plants, this variety of pelargonium is at risk of disease, but most often this is due to improper care and non-compliance with growing rules.
The most common problem and factor causing the risk of disease is an excess or stagnation of moisture in the soil.
This leads to damage to the roots and death of the plant, the soil in this case is disposed of, and the pot must be disinfected.
Quite often, pests such as aphids, mites and whiteflies are found on pelargonium. You need to fight these insects with the help of special preparations and soap solutions.
Perhaps this is the most basic information that will help to properly care for and reproduce the royal roll. Although this variety is considered quite whimsical and demanding, but if desired and with a fairly competent approach, this may not even be noticed.
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Pelargonium royal is an incredibly beautiful plant, strikingly different from other types of geraniums. It has large flowers, for which it received its second name "large-flowered", devoid of the characteristic smell of geranium. The latter contributed even more to her widespread among home growers.
Breeders have bred many varieties of royal geraniums, differing from each other in color, size, and shape of flowers. Petals can be corrugated, wavy, terry, soft pink and even inky purple. The leaves are usually large, rough or serrated, but some new varieties are quite small. There are even species with uncharacteristic smaller flowers.
The difference between the royal geranium and its "relatives" is not limited to external data. This type of pelargonium is quite capricious and whimsical both to the conditions of detention and to the breeding technique. However, following all the rules and recommendations, you can get great and magnificent flowering bush desired variety.
Methods for propagating royal pelargonium
There are several ways to get a new copy of the magnificent regal geranium:
- Seeds. A fairly simple method from a “technical” point of view, but, unfortunately, not always justified. Flower growers usually resort to seed germination only in cases where they want to get a rare variety, that is, an adult specimen of the desired species is not available. Big role plays the acquisition of a really good seed. If the seeds correspond to the declared quality, it is enough to follow the instructions given on the package.
- Cuttings. Proven method preferred by both experienced growers as well as amateurs. The main thing is to have an absolutely healthy adult specimen, which will be propagated in the future. Unlike other types of pelargonium, you have to make a little effort. If everything is done correctly, no complications should arise.
The advantage of cuttings is that it is suitable for any variety of royal geranium. There is always the opportunity to get planting material from absolutely any bush you like.
How to get cuttings from large-flowered geranium?
Material for cuttings of royal pelargonium is obtained with the advent of spring and until the very middle of summer. Cuttings are harvested either during the formation of the bush, or when performing the first pruning. In the first case, it is allowed to leave shoots for propagation throughout the year, and in the second - only from spring and the first half of summer.
Cut the cuttings slightly below the level of the internodes. The incision is made at an angle of 45 degrees. The tool is taken sharp. To exclude infection of the plant, it is recommended to pre-treat the blade. You should not break off the shoots. This will damage the pelargonium. The length of the cutting depends on the variety of geranium. If the mother plant belongs to a dwarf variety, shoots about five centimeters long are separated. From large specimens take ten centimeters. From cut cuttings, all available flowers and leaves are completely cut off.
Some types of royal pelargonium, grown for more than a year, have fairly long shoots. To collect planting material from such plants, the cuttings are simply cut to required size, that is, each is cut into segments of 5-10 centimeters.
Features of propagation of royal pelargonium by cuttings
Unlike other geraniums, large-flowered is quite capricious. This is reflected in the scheme of propagation of the flower by cuttings. It differs from that of other types of pelargonium. The main requirement is that excessive moisture of the substrate should not be allowed. Otherwise, the shoots will simply begin to rot.
Vegetative propagation of geraniums is carried out in several ways:
- using ordinary water;
- with landing in light soil;
- using a special peat tablet.
Each method has its own characteristics. The success of one or another is largely due to the way in which the adult bush was obtained, from which the shoots are taken. If you choose a similar scheme of actions, then the chances of success are much higher, and rooting is faster.
Common vegetative propagation of large-flowered geranium
It implies obtaining roots by lowering the cuttings either into ordinary settled water, or by planting directly into the ground:
- 1. Shoots are placed in an opaque container filled with 3-5 cm of water, changing the liquid every two to three days. A glass or mug is placed on a well-lit window. When the roots cut through in 5-15 days, the cuttings are planted in temporary pots with nutrient soil.
- 2. planting material dry for about two hours, treat the cut points with either Kornevin or charcoal. Further, without waiting for the appearance of roots, the cuttings are immediately planted.
The pot in which young shoots take root is chosen with a small diameter. The lower part is filled with drainage. As a substrate, take peat with sand, which are mixed in equal proportions, watered. Then cuttings are planted, and further watering is carried out only along the edge of the container.
Using a peat tablet
This unique method of vegetative propagation of royal pelargonium is considered the best. It does not involve planting shoots in the ground, but is based on the use of a special tablet. It consists of peat, which is saturated with all the necessary micronutrients. This contributes more rapid growth root system.
To prepare the peat base, the tablets are first filled with water. The complete absorption of the liquid indicates the readiness of the nutrient medium. A small indentation is made in the tablet swollen under the influence of moisture. However, planting cuttings in peat implies that they have germinated roots, that is, they stood in water for 5 or 15 days. Further, the tablets are simply put on the windowsill.
Due to the presence of a highly nutritious environment, the absence of conditions for accidental waterlogging, the probability of rotting of the shoot is reduced to zero. Growing roots have the ability to breathe, grow freely. Readiness for transplanting into a spacious pot is evidenced by the complete braiding of the root system of the peat tablet.
Is it possible to propagate royal geraniums in winter?
In cold weather, pelargonium is in a dormant period, grown at a temperature of 15 degrees. It is not always possible to create such a regime, and the plant is “harvested” until March. The bush is removed from the flowerpot, the shoots are shortened, cleaned of dirt and the roots are cut, and then wrapped with newspaper and film, hung in the basement.
This procedure can be combined with reproduction. The main thing is that the bush from which the cuttings are taken is healthy and fluffy. It is better to do this at the beginning of winter, that is, at least one to two weeks before the moment when the plant is harvested. The mother plant is preliminarily fertilized abundantly. It is recommended to do this three to four days before cutting the cuttings, which is done in the usual way, similar to how cutting is done in the warm season.
Sections must be dried for at least three hours. Sprigs are planted in the soil, previously watered with a solution of potassium permanganate. The containers are placed under the lamps, and the temperature is set at about 24 degrees. Pelargonium transplanted in this way will take root for a whole month.
This method is also great for autumn breeding royal geranium.
Caring for royal geraniums after breeding
The wide popularity of reproduction of the "royal" representative of pelargonium using cuttings is easily explained by the speed of rooting. Before the appearance of the first sprouts, it usually takes from three to four weeks. When this happens, you need to start increasing watering.
The main thing is to do it very carefully. Otherwise, there is a high probability that the soil will simply be soaked. Regarding the royal geranium, there is one simple rule. It lies in the fact that it is better to underfill the flower with water than to overfill it. The plant tolerates "drought" more easily than excess moisture.
This does not mean that the plant is ready for full care. They wait another month, and then they begin to gradually harden the pelargonium in the sun. Thus, the specimen obtained by cuttings is transferred to the care scheme that is also applied to adult large-flowered geraniums.
Transplanting into soil prepared from compost is carried out only when the root system is well developed. If this is done earlier, it is likely that the plant will die. The substrate, as a rule, consists of humus, sand, leaf and sod land, taken one by one.
They love large-flowered pelargonium for its high decorative effect. To always have a beautiful and luxuriantly flowering plant, geraniums are transplanted annually. This is due to the fact that it is young pelargoniums that provide such flowering. Some fans of royal geraniums simply "get rid" of old specimens, but most prefer to keep.
If you show a little care for the mother bush, he will release many flower stalks. To make this happen, in the fall it is removed from the flowerpot. Next, cut off both the shoots and the roots of the geranium. After that, the bush is planted in the same or a new pot, but with a fresh substrate. The renewal of the soil allows you to enjoy the abundant flowering of adult large-flowered geraniums in the spring, and use the cuttings obtained as a result of cutting the bush for propagation.
