Tips for beginner gardeners: how to care for fragrant geraniums? Flower photo

As a result of active breeding work on the breeding of hybrids of this plant, numerous varieties were obtained.

Among 400 species of geranium scattered around the world, fragrant geranium stands out not with a decorative appearance, but with a gamut of persistent aromas. In warmer climates, grassy perennials are grown in gardens and plantations. In Russian latitudes, fragrant geranium grows in room conditions.

Thanks to the work of breeders, new varieties of perennial have been bred, spreading over 150 flavors. Is it a flowering plant or not flowering?

In the article presented below, we will answer questions about caring for geraniums at home, and also what kind of flower is it in general.

What it is?

Fragrant geranium belongs to the geranium family. The birthplace of the plant is South Africa. It is found in South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe. From the southern continent, English sailors brought the plant to Europe in the XVIIth. Geranium has taken root in the UK, the largest nurseries of fragrant perennial have been created here. In Russia, the odorous bush came in the XVII-XIX centuries. It was grown in greenhouses of noble nobles.

In the Cape Province of South Africa, a close relative of fragrant geranium is widespread - such a houseplant as fragrant pelargonium or aromatic (fragrant) (Pelargonium odoratissimum). You will learn more about fragrant geranium here, and about the features of the room variety, read here.

The worldwide distribution of geranium was promoted by its unpretentiousness and adaptability to local conditions. A fragrant houseplant is grown in pots and containers. In the warm season, it is used to decorate terraces, paths, mixborders, flower beds.

The roots are tuberous. The flowers are small, white, collected in inflorescences. Leaves are covered with many silky hairs.which, when touched, exude a persistent apple-mint smell.

Description of appearance

Fragrant geranium - a perennial branched bush growing up to 1 m. The root system is well developed. The leaves are bright green, palmately dissected. The flowers are small, painted pale (white, pink). They have five petals, mostly single flowering, rarely inflorescences. Blooms or not? Some varieties at home do not bloom for years, they are kept for the decorative look of the leaves and a pleasant aroma. After flowering, the fruit appears - a boxin which seeds ripen.

The plant owes an unusual smell to small glands on the outer and inner sides of the leaves. They look like thin hairs. The glands are filled with essential oil. The aroma spreads from touching the leaves. A breeze can provoke it, and if you rub it with your hands, there will be a persistent smell of rose, lemon, cinnamon or mint. This is far from the whole variety of aromas developed by breeders.

Information. Fragrant geranium spreads volatile indoor antimicrobial agents and improves sleep. Its leaves contain essential oils, flavonoids, organic acids and other compounds used in medicine, perfumes, cooking.

We wrote about the medicinal properties and contraindications to the use of aromatic geranium in this article.

Popular varieties of plants and photo species

These are far from all aromas; you can find varieties with the smell of fruits, needles, peppers, coconut, ginger or wormwood.

Common varieties of fragrant geraniums differ in aroma, leaf shape, shades of flowers. Some of them were bred several centuries ago:

• "Lady Plymouth" - One of the first varieties bred in the UK (1852). The leaves are gray-green, dissected, along the edge of a white edging. Flowers are single, small. Soft purple. It smells like a rose.



• "Royal Oak" - leaves are carved, green with brown patches. The flowers are pale pink with burgundy strokes. Smell - forest freshness.



• "Pungent Peppermint" - the plant grows well in room conditions. The leaves are carved, gray-green, the flowers are small pink. Distributes a strong mint flavor.



• "Apple Cider", "Apple Fringet" - perennial with the smell of apples. The bushes are compact, the leaves are light green with corrugated edges. The flowers are white or light pink.



• "Chariti", "Robert's Lemon Rose" - The peculiarity of these varieties is an original mixture of lemon pink aroma. The leaves are large, green.

Rules and Tips

Scented geraniums are grown in pots or open ground. Plants at home cause a minimum of trouble, but street geraniums need to be replanted every fall. Without winter conservation, it will die from the cold. If geranium is planted in open ground, it reaches a large size over the summer. There are difficulties with transplantation.

Recommendation. Experienced growers recommend dipping it into the soil with a pot. This will save you trouble in the fall. Geranium needs fresh air, at the first opportunity it is taken out to the balcony or terrace. In the cold season, it is advisable to ventilate the room.

How to choose a place?

A plant accustomed to the African sun requires placement in the most illuminated place. This is the south side of the apartment. Geranium is not afraid of sunlight, but in the heat it is better to use a protective screen that protects foliage from burns. In winter, additional lighting with lamps is required. The bush signals a lack of light with elongated shoots and pale leaves.

Which soil is suitable?

Fragrant geranium requires light neutral soil. You can buy ready-made soil mix intended for growing these plants (Garden of Miracles "Geranium"). The soil contains a sufficient amount of sand and nutrients. Usually for growing perennial soil is prepared independently. It should have several components:

1. sheet earth;
2. sand;
3. humus.

The ingredients are taken in equal proportions. Before use, the earth must be disinfected - warmed in the oven, treated with a solution of potassium permanganate.

Fragrant geraniums are planted in small diameter ceramic pots. Expanded clay must be poured to the bottom for drainage. A plant transplant is performed when the roots fill the entire space. The new pot should be 2-3 cm larger in diameter. The optimal time for the procedure is the beginning of spring. After transplanting, geranium does not need to be fed for up to two months.

Tip. The roots looking out of the drainage holes of the pot will help determine the time of transplantation.

Care Rules

Fragrant geranium does not like heat, in summer, she is comfortable at 18-25 °, and in winter at 14-15 °. The plant is able to create a supply of moisture in the leaves and stalk, so it does not need frequent watering. The soil is moistened after the top layer has dried. In the summer - once every two to three days. In winter, watering is reduced. In the cold period, waterlogging leads to decay of the root neck.

When feeding, it should be remembered that an abundance of nitrogen promotes leaf growth, but reduces aroma. Fertilize geranium is necessary during a period of active growth. When using complex preparations, the recommended dosage is reduced by half. Organics are poorly absorbed by the plant, it is better to refuse it. Magnificent flowering contributes to the introduction of phosphorus and potassium. In winter, you can refuse to feed.

To achieve abundant flowering and a compact form of the plant, pruning is recommended every spring. Leave no more than three buds from annual growth. In summer, the shoots are tacked, creating the desired shape of the bush. Leaving begins with the beginning of the development of geranium from the cuttings. Without pruning, the plant starts growing, it turns out a high vine.

Diseases and Pests

Fragrant geranium is resistant to diseases, the main reason for their appearance is improper care. High humidity and low acidity of the soil provoke fungal infections. Stem, root and gray rot affects the plant with excessive watering.

The cause of the disease is fungal sporesspreading in a humid environment. Root rot softens the roots, stem - affects the petioles, making them black and weeping. Gray rot appears as plaque on leaves and peduncles. For treatment, fungicides are used: Fundazol, Fitosporin-M, Topaz, Gamair. Baktofit. In cuttings, black rot is not treated. It is better to destroy the infected plant. To sterilize soil.

At high air temperatures, mites can settle on the leaves. Pests hide on the underside of the leaves. They make punctures and suck out nutritious juices. The sheet becomes stained, dries and curls. If parasites are found, the plant is treated with soap. The composition is left for 2-3 hours, then washed off with water. With a severe defeat, chemicals are needed: Karbofos, Karate Zeon, Fitoverm, Antiklesh.

Geranium pests include thrips and whiteflies. Adhesive traps are hung in the greenhouses against them. Infected plants are treated with insecticides: Aktara, Actellik, Confilor.

Propagation Features

Geranium propagation occurs in three ways:

1. division of the bush;
2. cuttings;
3. planting by seed.

The simplest and most effective method is rooting the cuttings. It allows you to save all the properties of the mother plant. For propagation, a healthy apical stalk with 3-4 leaves is selected. Rooting takes place in water or immediately in the ground.

The cut stalk must lie down for at least two hours before plantinguntil the wound is healed. Then he is dipped briefly in the "Kornevin" (growth stimulator). The soil for planting should be loose, breathable. A good option is a mixture of universal soil and perlite 1: 1. Petiole takes root in 2-3 weeks.

Caring for it is simple:

• diffuse lighting;
• periodic watering.

Tip. The best time for propagating fragrant geraniums by cuttings is March.

A new plant grown from cuttings begins to bloom six months later. Maternal bush division also occurs in spring. It is taken out of the pot and divided into several parts, each of which has its own root and shoots. Plants are planted in separate pots.

Propagating geranium seeds with fragrant seeds will require more time and effort. For sowing, soil is taken, consisting of peat, sand, turf land (1: 1: 2). The soil is treated with a solution of potassium permanganate. Seeds are laid out on the surface and sprinkled with a layer of soil. The soil is moistened.

The container is covered with glass or polyethylene to create greenhouse conditions. The capacity is contained in a room with a temperature of at least 20-22 °. After emergence, the coating is removed. The first leaves appear after 1-2 months. Flowering will have to wait at least a year.

Fragrant geranium is a difficult decorative plant. Thanks to a pleasant and healthy aroma, it helps to create a favorable atmosphere in the house. Perennial has medicinal properties that are used in cosmetology and medicine.

Watch the video: Growing Geraniums : Problems with Geraniums (November 2024).