Why the royal pelargonium does not bloom, but gives only foliage at home: what to do for proper care and how to make the plant bloom?

It happens that the long-awaited acquisition of a luxurious flower is overshadowed by various problems. Most of all, the lack of flowering can upset.

In this article, we will examine in detail the various causes of this phenomenon, why they occur and, of course, we will find out ways to eliminate them. I hope that in the end your royal pelargonium will give you its magnificent flowering. You can also watch a useful and informative video on the topic.

Description

Royal Pelargonium, or in another way home was bred by English breeders. Large-flowered and glomerular varieties became the progenitors. Royal Pelargonium is not a variety, but a variety that has a huge number of varieties.

The main difference of the noble beauty is her large flowers collected in an umbrella, flowers 5-7 cm in diameter. Some varieties have fringed edges of the petals. Coloring is very diverse from white and pale pink to burgundy and purple. In the color variety, only blue-blue and yellow shades are absent.

Most varieties of royal pelargonium have dark spots on the two upper petals, as well as dark veins along the remaining petals. This feature makes it look like a viola (pansy). The leaves of the Queen of Pelargonium are also special - their edge is not outlined by smooth waves, but has a toothed structure. The bush is compact from 40 to 60 cm. There are varieties with small flowers and a bush up to 30 cm small. They are called angelic pelargoniums.

ATTENTION: A striking feature of this flower is its peculiar pungent smell, however, some varieties exude the aroma of an apple or a rose, or do not smell at all.

Flowering features

As soon as the plant awakens from hibernation, it begins to accumulate energy for flowering. The buds are laid, in which the reproductive organs of the flower begin to form. An umbrella grows from a bud with flower buds. When the plant becomes ready for propagation, the buds open. After pollination, the flowers wither.

Flowering is an important stage in the process of plant propagation. At this time, the largest amount of energy is consumed for the entire life cycle of the flower. Metabolic processes occur at an accelerated rate, the plant consumes and processes a large amount of nutrients.

When and how much does this process take?

Unusually the beautiful and lush flowering of the royal pelargonium is offset by a relatively short flowering period. If ordinary pelargonium blooms from the arrival of spring until late autumn, then our aristocrat pleases with her beauty only from 3 to 5 months a year. Estimated flowering time is from April to August.

Royal pelargonium is very capricious in contrast to the usual zonal variety, it often happens that, if some conditions are not met, flowering does not occur. Therefore, if you had such a nuisance, carefully read the rules for caring for the capricious queen and take into account your shortcomings.

Prerequisites and rules for care

Strict observance of all conditions of detention is a very important aspect in the care of the royal pelargonium:

Temperature mode very important and has different requirements at different times of the year. In winter, the plant needs low temperatures from 12 to 15 degrees. Maintenance in such conditions makes it possible to remain at rest to restore strength. In the warm season, when pelargonium is in the active stage, the usual room temperature from 18 to 22 degrees is suitable for it. A very hot atmosphere can be detrimental to geraniums. And, of course, the absence of drafts is important.
Air humidity - the factor is no less important. Overdried air near radiators, as well as very high humidity can trigger the appearance of various diseases. Average values from 40 to 60% are optimal for the normal life of the royal pelargonium.
Lighting in winter, for natural reasons, it becomes less intense, which is what is required for this beauty. She needs a small daylight with soft diffused lighting. Bright long-term lighting can bring down the biorhythms of the flower and interfere with the rest period. During growth and flowering, pelargonium is very fond of sunlight, it feels great on the most lighted window sills. Lack of light during this period leads to elongation of shoots and fading color of leaves.
Priming for pelargonium, a fertile loose, slightly acidic or neutral reaction is suitable. Loamy and clay soils, soil with an acid reaction are categorically not suitable. In the lower part of the pot must be present drainage layer of brick chips, expanded clay or small stones.IMPORTANT: It is necessary to monitor the temperature of the earth in the pot in cold weather, it may differ from the air temperature by several degrees. This often occurs on cold window sills. Put a piece of thermal insulation material under the pot to correct the situation.
Pot should correspond to the size of the root system of the plant. It is important to transplant pelargonium in time, when it is crowded, and the roots have already braided the entire earthen lump. In this case, the plant will not have enough nutrition, and there is also a risk of root decay. Too big a pot will also not bring you happiness. A flower planted in a large pot may not bloom for a long time, because it directs all its forces to the development of space by its roots. When transplanting, you need to choose a capacity 2-3 cm larger in diameter.

In addition to providing all the conditions of detention described above, the flower must be properly looked after. Let's consider how.

To carry out competent watering. In winter, to a minimum, only so that the earth in the pot does not dry out. In summer, more frequent and plentiful watering, but, in no case, do not flood. The safest and most competent option is to water through a pallet. In flower shops they do this: pour a drainage layer into a deep pan and pour water, and put a container with a flower on top. So the roots never rot, the soil will always be sufficiently moist, and the humidity around the flower will be optimal.
For flowering plants necessary fertilizing with complex mineral fertilizers. From the end of February, when the plant awakens from hibernation, it is necessary to begin to fertilize. Every 3-4 weeks, you need to make a solution of mineral fertilizer for flowering plants with a mandatory potassium content, as the main element. When the plant goes into the stage of active flowering, dressing can be carried out more often than 1 time in 2 weeks.TIP: During dormancy in winter, during rooting of cuttings and after transplantation, feeding pelargonium is not recommended.
Timely transplant to renew the soil and provide a suitable capacity for grown roots - an important aspect of care. This is best done in the fall once a year. Many gardeners plant ordinary pelargonium for the summer in the open ground. Royal Pelargonium is a very delicate plant and may not survive the effects of strong winds, the scorching sun and showers. Therefore, if you want to put her on the street, then place the container with the queen in the gazebo, on the veranda and other most protected places.
Pruning will help balance the aboveground and underground parts of the plant, and give strength for flowering. Do it in the fall after the completion of flowering. They remove side shoots, shorten the main shoots, remove excess leaves and peduncles. Sometimes the plant continues to grow greens in the winter, then in the spring it is cut again so that it does not give only foliage.
Pinching makes the bush more magnificent, more shoots appear on it, internodes are reduced, which means there will be more flowers. Make a pinch in the spring, when the plant begins to grow actively. In young plants, the stem is cut off over a second pair of leaves.

Watch the video on the proper care of the royal pelargonium:

Reasons for the lack of flowers?

The reasons may be as follows:

The flower lacks nutrition.
Too much capacity selected for landing.
The roots are damaged. This can be either mechanical damage, or decay, or infection.
The defeat of pelargonium pests. It can be whiteflies or aphids, less often other insects.
The plant is sick. Most often, among the diseases of pelargonium, gray rot is found.
Due to non-compliance with the conditions, there is no rest period.
Non-compliance with the rules of care, especially improper watering.

How to make a plant bloom?

Of course, first of all, it is necessary to provide all the necessary conditions of detention. If the plant rested during the winter, all measures have been taken for this, but spring is ending and there are no flowers, proceed as follows:

Inspect the entire plant for diseases and pests. If there are insects, destroy manually or treat with insecticides. Ill plants are treated with systemic fungicides, for example, Topaz, Fundazol, Vitaros, Rovral and others.
If the plant looks bad, but there are no signs of illness on the leaves and stem, then carefully remove it from the pot and inspect the roots for damage and rot. Remove the affected areas and plant pelargonium in new soil.
If the plant looks healthy and strong, you can try to transplant him into the street. It is better to place it in protected places - on balconies, a veranda, in an arbor.
If the flower is completely healthy, apply mineral fertilizers, and continue to do this every 10-14 days.
Carefully ensure that all conditions of detention are respected, and provide proper care.

Conclusion

Our capricious queen does not tolerate neglect and requires special attention to herself. Therefore, it must be taken care of with meticulous accuracy, fully complying with all the rules. I think that flower lovers will agree with me that it is worth it, because it was not for nothing that it was called royal pelargonium. I wish you lush flowering!