Royal geranium is the fruit of the painstaking work of many breeders. It differs from other similar varieties by its delicate delicate aroma and large size of flowers, which form a hat over green leaves. She is also known as Grandiflora. Such a plant looks simply gorgeous, each grower wants to have such a luxurious beauty. However, it is worth remembering that the large-flowered royal geranium is very capricious, it is not easy to take care of it.
This kind of pelargonium has not only an interesting history, but also a number of distinguishing features by which it can be easily recognized.
Royal geranium is very moody in the cultivation, but the chic appearance and delicate delicate aroma compensate for all the inconvenience and cost.
It got its name due to its chic appearance during the flowering period. However, in order to achieve the desired result, it is necessary to make a lot of effort.
What does it look like
The height of an adult plant does not exceed 0.5 m. The flowers are located on the same level as the leaves. The diameter of the inflorescence reaches 15 cm. The color scheme is very rich: from snow-white to almost black. The most common red palette. The upper row of inflorescences is characterized by a more saturated color, sometimes even with a spotty pattern. In appearance, the flower is very similar to pansies. Particular attention should be paid to the variety Elegans, which is considered an elite. The monotonous color of the flower cap immediately attracts attention and catches the eye.
The flowers are large
The leaves of the royal geranium are velvety, their edges are wavy. Their color is green. The stem is erect. The root system consists of subordinate roots.
About the history of appearance
Royal geranium originates from the Cape region (southwestern part of Africa). It came to Europe in the 18th century. It was in this far period that scientists constantly carried out work on crossing different varieties, receiving new varieties of them, the number of which by now had already exceeded one thousand. Now the selection of this plant is mainly carried out in Germany.
Royal Geranium Care for Beginners
A very moody plant is royal geranium. Proper home care for beginners is a big problem. The plant needs special care, so you should familiarize yourself with all the rules and nuances in advance.
Royal Pelargonium is capricious in leaving
Temperature
Royal pelargonium is a thermophilic plant species. In the summer, in the climate of the middle zone, it can well be kept outdoors at + 22-27 ° С. With an increase in this indicator, the flower should be watered twice a day. The first time this is done before 10 am, the second - after 18.00.
In winter, the air temperature in the room where the royal geranium grows should be maintained up to 10-15 ° С. You can take the pot to a heated loggia or in a greenhouse, but the amount of light should not become less. Suitable for plants and a cool windowsill with a wooden frame.
Lighting
Geranium loves good lighting, but at the same time requires protection from direct sunlight. With a lack of light, the stems of the flower are extended, the leaves become pale in color. It is best to place the royal pelargonium on the eastern or western windowsill. If you grow it on the south window, you need to take care of a little shading.
Well-lit areas are suitable for growing geraniums.
Watering
Irrigation rates are adjusted depending on temperature and season. In summer, when the weather is dry and hot, geraniums are watered 2 times a day. If the flower is contained in the room, then it is enough to irrigate it 1-2 times a week. In winter, the plant should be watered 1 time per week. Before the procedure, they examine the earthen lump and make sure that he has managed to dry out.
Attention! In case of waterlogging, royal geranium begins to suffer from powdery mildew and root rot.
Spraying
Geraniums are sprayed only if the room has dry air or central heating batteries are working. You can’t be zealous with this procedure, otherwise fungal diseases can develop.
Humidity
King geranium prefers humid conditions for growing, but this indicator directly depends on the air temperature in the room.
Priming
You can buy soil for growing royal geraniums in a flower shop or prepare it yourself. Its acidity should be neutral, water-retaining components (for example, sphagnum) are included in the composition.
King geranium prefers slightly alkaline soil with neutral acidity
Attention! If the soil is dense, then before planting a flower it is enriched with perlite.
The land for pelargonium should be loose and contain a sufficient amount of nutrients. You can cook it by mixing the following components:
- leaf humus;
- peat;
- sand;
- a small amount of wood ash.
Top dressing
Royal pelargonium is grown in tight pots, so for several years the plant can do without transplanting. Over time, the soil is depleted, and you have to fertilize it. In early spring, it is worth doing top dressing with a high nitrogen content. With the beginning of flowering, phosphorus is preferred. To get lush flowering, they feed geraniums in March, stop in September.
Attention! Overfeeding in winter negatively affects the flowering of the royal pelargonium.
Excessive hobby for fertilizers can harm geraniums
Care in winter, at rest
Winter is a resting period for geraniums. As soon as the plant has bloomed, it should be removed to a cool place with a temperature of 10-14 ° C, the number of irrigations is reduced to a minimum. Top dressing at this time is not needed at all.
Attention! So that in the next season the color was more magnificent, before the onset of the rest period, geraniums should be trimmed.
In the process of trimming, the main stem is shortened by a third, and all dry or damaged shoots, leaves are removed. The shoots appearing in the winter pinch.
When and how it blooms
The flowering of royal geraniums causes true delight among gardeners. She is able not only to look great, but also to exude an amazing delicate aroma.
Types of flowers
Royal geranium flowers can be not only classic, but also terry. There are even specimens with corrugated inflorescences. The variety of their colors is simply amazing. The following shades may be presented:
- yellow;
- pink;
- red;
- purple;
- Orange;
- white.
Royal geraniums have rich colors
Flower shapes
The royal flower for the most part has flat and concave petals on the inflorescences, but in some varieties they are wavy. This makes plants even more attractive and refined.
Flowering period
Unlike other varieties, royal geraniums are characterized by a not so long flowering period. Its duration does not exceed six months. The beginning of flowering coincides with the onset of spring.
How to make blooming at home
In order for the royal geranium to bloom at home, its pot should be a bit tight. Also, the plant needs a dormant period. Otherwise, it will weaken and will not sink in flowers in the next season. Timely application of fertilizers, standardized irrigation and a sufficient level of lighting are also necessary conditions for flowering.
Lush flowering pruning
Before the dormant period begins, the main stem of the royal geranium is shortened by a third of its length. This helps to maintain the decorative appearance of the flower, and also improves air circulation, which prevents the spread of fungi and pests.
Lush flowering requires pruning
In the spring, only thin and non-viable shoots are cut off so that the flower does not waste strength on them. Do this in such a way that at least 4 internodes remain on the shoot. It is also possible to form a shtamb from a plant, however, in this case, a fragile stem will have to be attached to a support.
How royal geranium breeds
There are several proven methods that allow you to propagate royal geraniums, which are actively used by experienced growers and breeders.
Seed germination
Germinating seeds takes longer than just rooting the stalk. But the grown plants will be healthy and strong, their flowering period is longer.
Attention! It is impossible to independently prepare the seeds of royal geranium, since each variety is a hybrid and, after germination, does not preserve the characteristics of the mother plant.
Seed can be purchased at a reliable and trusted flower shop. Seeds are carefully distributed on wet soil (which necessarily includes sand and perlite), sprinkle with sand on top and slightly buried. The vessel is covered with cellophane or glass and placed in a warm, well-lit place. Direct sunlight on crops is unacceptable. When real leaflets appear on young geraniums, they plant it in separate pots. After the fifth true leaf is formed, pinch the plant.
Rooting cuttings
To produce propagation by cuttings, use the upper sprouts, the length of which is about 8 cm. Each of them should have at least 2 internodes. Within a couple of hours after trimming, they are allowed to dry and planted in the prepared soil, having previously been treated with any root formation stimulator. The stem is buried by 2 cm and placed in a room with a temperature of about + 18 ° C and not very bright lighting.
Attention! So that the cuttings do not rot, water them through the pan.
Best propagated geranium cuttings
Geranium takes root in a week, after which you can plant it in separate pots.
Air lay
This method of reproduction is very similar to the rooting of cuttings. Next to the pot of royal geraniums, another container with nutritious soil mixture is placed. Choose a suitable strong branch and bend it to the installed container, then fix it with a metal bracket and sprinkle with soil. The soil is a little rammed and watered. A week later, roots should form. When a new plant begins to develop on its own, it is cut off from the mother bush and planted in its pot.
Attention! It is not recommended to use a cheap Chinese pot for growing royal geraniums, since the plant is more likely to be affected by diseases in it.
Transfer
For several years, royal geranium can calmly grow in one pot. In addition, she painfully transfers the transplant to the open ground for the summer period, unlike other varieties. The procedure is carried out only when the root system has completely filled the landing capacity. The new pot should be 1.5 cm larger than the previous one. Too large a vessel helps to slow down flower growth and a long absence of flowering.
Attention! Due to frequent transplants and a change of place, royal pelargonium may die.
King geranium does not tolerate frequent transplants
Geranium transplantation is best planned for the period from February to April. A plant that has left the dormant period perfectly survives and enters the phase of active growth. In summer and winter without an urgent need to disturb the flower is not worth it.
Possible problems in growing
Even the most experienced growers are not one hundred percent protected from the problems that arise when growing royal geraniums. Beginners are even more difficult.
Discards buds and leaves
If the foliage and buds begin to fall off the royal geraniums, then with high probability we can say that the room is too hot and the air is very dry. Also, these symptoms sometimes indicate poor lighting. You will need to turn on the phytolamp, put an air humidifier and take measures to reduce the temperature in the room. If the house is cool, then it is enough to limit yourself to additional lighting and monitor the humidity.
Due to the heat, royal geranium drops leaves and buds
Leaves turn pale
A change in the color of the leaf plate is provoked not only by a deficiency of trace elements (in particular, nitrogen), but also by a lack of light, as well as excessive moisture. It is urgent to analyze these factors and eliminate the cause.
The tips dry on the leaves
Such a problem in royal geraniums most often occurs due to lack of moisture. It is necessary to increase the number of irrigation and resort to humidification of the air, but you should not be very zealous.
Lower leaves fall off
The fact that the lower leaves begin to turn yellow and fall off results in a lack of moisture or nutrients in the soil, as well as a lack of light, and poor ventilation of the bush. Also, this symptom signals a decay of the root system, which can lead to the death of the flower.
Pests
Of the pests for royal geraniums, the most dangerous are:
- mite;
- weevils;
- whitefly;
- aphid.
King geranium is susceptible to pests
To get rid of parasites, you should wipe the inside of the leaf plate with chamomile infusion and leave the plant for a couple of hours, then rinse off. If such actions do not bring a positive result, use an insecticide. A step-by-step instruction for its use is contained in the attached documentation.
Other problems
Sometimes the royal geranium begins to rot the trunk. This indicates that the plant is affected by a black leg. Excessive watering or low temperatures leads to the development of this ailment. Sick plants need to be disposed of and the pot disinfected.
Sometimes gardeners wonder why geraniums are green but sluggish? First of all, watering should be immediately reduced. Otherwise, the flower will fade with gray rot. The scarlet shade of the leaves indicates low temperatures or the presence of drafts.
