Useful information on planting and caring for magnificent geraniums. Flower photo
On garden plots and flower beds you can find just a huge number of different flowering street plants. Many of them are more familiar to us in the image of potted indoor flowers, but often these crops can be grown without problems in open ground. Gorgeous geranium is a plant with beautiful flowers that grows in groups and reaches a height of up to half a meter. Inflorescences of geraniums are bright purple with the presence of dark veins. Flowering begins around June.
Description and history of occurrence
Magnificent geranium includes about 400 species and grows in numerous areas of Europe, Asia and America. The difference between the types of magnificent geraniums lies in the shape, size and color of the leaves.
All varieties of this geranium are quite resistant to adverse weather conditions. The leaves of geraniums are very lush, and when the sun hits them in the autumn, you can notice how they shimmer in different colors, from light green to bright green.
In addition, the leaves are five and seven-fingered, they can reach ten centimeters in length, there are notches along the edges, fleecy to the touch. Geranium flowers in diameter up to three centimeters, collected in umbrella-shaped inflorescences with sparse ends.
As a rule, they have red, raspberry and purple colors, there are several species with white flowers. It blooms for a month. The root system of the magnificent geranium is characterized by a large power length as a result of which the plant grows in a short time throughout the entire area intended for planting.
The history of this plant begins around the seventeenth century, it was then that all the nobility of Europe began to use these flowers to decorate parks, as well as planting in flowerbeds and gardens.Popular varieties and photos
Among the popular varieties of magnificent geranium, the following are distinguished:
- Alan Mayes. The plant is a hemispherical bush. In height, the bush can reach 40 centimeters, and in width - 35 centimeters. Blue flowers with dark blue veins. The diameter of one flower is about 4.5 centimeters.
- Blue blood. The plant is presented in the form of a dense bush of rounded shape, in height and width, geraniums can reach 30 centimeters. Flowers of this variety are characterized by a blue color with dark blue, almost black veins. The diameter of one flower is 4.5 centimeters.
- Mrs. Kendall Clark. Geranium is presented in the form of a lush bush, the height of which reaches 60 centimeters. Variety flowers have a bluish-blue color with a pinkish tint.
- Rosemoor. Geranium is presented in the form of a bush of medium size, height up to 45 centimeters, width up to 35 centimeters. The flowers of the plant have a purple-blue color with dark blue veins, in diameter reach up to 5 centimeters.
Rules and advice on planting and care
In most cases, magnificent geraniums are planted in open soil in the form of single plantings on lawns or lawns. Planting a plant does not require special skills.Since magnificent geranium is sterile (does not produce fruits and seeds), its planting is possible only by dividing the rhizome. When planting the cuttings in pre-prepared pits, you must not forget to pour a mixture of earth, peat and sand to the bottom, this will contribute to faster rooting.
It is advisable to plant geranium in the form of islands: several bushes nearby, and then a few more bushes at a distance of about 40 centimeters. This is necessary so that the plants do not interfere with each other during the growth of the root system.
Lighting and location
The most favorable temperature for the growth of magnificent geraniums is + 15 ° C. The plant does not tolerate direct sunlight, so it is necessary to plant it in partial shade.
Ideal places for plant growth will be lawns, flower beds and garden plots.
Soil requirements
The soil for planting magnificent geraniums must be neutral or acidic, peat and sand must be present in the soil, as they favorably affect the growth of the plant (as mentioned above, you can simply add a mixture of these components to the pit during the planting of geraniums).
In the autumn, humus and other mineral fertilizers should be added to the soil.
How to care?
The plant has a positive attitude to wateringTherefore, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the soil in detail and prevent its drying out. Nevertheless, if for some reason the plant has not been irrigated for several weeks, then it will still survive, since it is resistant to various temperature extremes.
Gorgeous geranium blooms well in the summer, but requires special care from autumn to spring. At this time, it is preferable to enter the plant into a dormant state without watering or fertilizing.
For greater flowering, in the spring should be clipped the tops of plants. After plucking, the tops should be preserved and rooted, for the reproduction of flowers. In the period after planting, the soil should be mulched to reduce the number of loosening.
This plant loves a loose environment and light soil. Therefore, after each watering, loosen the soil near the roots of the plant. Plant care includes periodic pruning of the flower, in particular, wilted buds should be removed.
Thanks to this pruning, flowering will last much longer. Autumn should remove the yellowed leaves. The plant does not like transplantation, and even without it it is able to grow in the same place for 10 or even 15 years.
Pest and Disease Control
Magnificent geraniums, like any plant, are susceptible to various diseases and pests. Among the most common plant diseases, the following are distinguished:
- Rot. This kind of disease can occur due to improper care. It appears in the form of brown spots on the surface of the plant. To combat this disease, you should remove the affected areas of the plant or treat them with special drugs.
- Tomato wilting. It appears in the form of annular spots. To overcome this disease, you need to use drugs containing chemical elements. If the damage to the bushes is too strong, then the best option is to completely remove the plant by burning, subsequent cultivation of the soil where this plant grew is mandatory.
Among the most common pests, the following are distinguished:
- Aphid. To overcome it, you should use special tools aimed at combating these insects.
- Whiteflies With them, a remedy called Spark fights perfectly.
- Caterpillars. The only way to remove them is to manually collect them.
Propagation Features
As noted above, the plant can not be propagated using seeds, so the only method is the separation of the rhizome, which is carried out in early March or late August.
At the same time, it is possible to divide the rhizome only when the magnificent geranium has reached the age of 5-7 years.
In order to split the bush it is necessary to chop off the necessary part of the bush with a rag or shovel along with the rhizomeand then deeply bury, the root should be at a depth of not less than 20 centimeters. At the bottom of the pit where the bush is buried should be placed manure or compost. The plant is watered.
Agrotechnics growing plants
During the cultivation of magnificent geraniums, only manual work can be used. When planting, you will need various garden accessories, such as a pruner, shovel, watering can and others.
The magnificent geranium is a plant that attracts attention not only with bright flowers, but also with unusual foliage. It is not too whimsical in growing and planting.
It can grow in any part of the area, which is explained by resistance to changes in weather conditions. With minimal care and watering, it will quickly grow and delight the eye from mid-spring until the end of summer.
Not particularly prone to disease, but easily cured in case of their onset. When fertilizing does not require much effort, likes peat and river sand.