Ampel geranium or pelargonium is the most popular plant among flower growers: beginners and professionals. This flower is great for decorating terraces, balconies, window sills, as well as outdoor areas. Ampelian geraniums adorn the streets. Pelargonium is a lush flowering plant with rounded dark leaves. Ampelous geranium, when proper care is done at home, quickly goes to the flowering stage.
In order for the flower to please its healthy appearance for a whole year, it needs to create conditions suitable for life. And for this you need to know what ampelaceous geranium is demanding (care and growing, pinching), the characteristics of each growth period.
Ampel Geranium
Summer care
Active growth of geraniums lasts from early spring to late summer. At this time, home care for pelargonium should consist of:
- timely watering. Humidify the flower when the top layer of the substrate gradually dries. In this case, you can overdo it, very often you can’t water, the flower will not be grateful for this. So always watering should be kept under control, observing the land;
- periodic top dressing;
- nipping new shoots and pruning.
Ampelic Pelargonium
Winter care
Pelargonium care in winter and summer is different. Unlike the warm season, in cold weather, ampelian geraniums relax.
Note! This time is very important for her, because how the winter goes on depends on how strong the flower will be during the period of active growth.
Proper care of geraniums in winter is:
- the location of the flower in a cool place (temperature about 5-12 ° C);
- diffused but bright lighting of the room;
- rarely water, about 1 time in 2 weeks;
- Pelargonium pots should be far enough away from batteries and other heat sources.
Pelargonium feels great both in the house and in the open. Therefore, ampelous geraniums are often planted in the ground. The requirements for a flower planted on the street remain the same as for home care. For lush flowering and healthy growth, she needs watering, top dressing and periodic pruning.
Ampel geranium on the street
Seat selection
The most important thing for planting geraniums on the street is the composition of the soil. It is successfully selected land that will give strength to the flower. The soil must be without stagnant groundwater, so the flower roots will be protected from decay.
For your information! Another important point - geranium does not like clay and loamy soil, so places with such soil for planting a flower will not work.
Lighting
Ampel geranium prefers very bright places. Thanks to the sun, pelargonium begins to bloom profusely, otherwise the buds fall and only the stems begin to grow. It is important to consider that, like many other flowers, ampel geraniums do not really like direct sunlight, so the place should be moderately lit and hidden from direct sunlight.
Temperature mode
During flowering, ampel geranium should be in a warm place. The best temperature for this flower is about 18 ° C. However, the plant is not afraid of cooling, so you should not worry about the winter period.
Important! Since pelargonium most often hangs down from the pot, spreading its leaves, you need to choose a place for the flower so that its branches do not deform from the wind.
The most common pests and diseases
Unfortunately, like almost every flower, geranium is also subject to some diseases, sometimes even pests appear on the plant. With improper care, geraniums can be affected by gray mold, viral mosaic, various harmful fungi or caterpillars.
Only chemicals sold in specialized stores will help solve the problem. But, in order to prevent this state of geranium, it is easier to care for it properly.
Note! The cause of infection can be excessive watering, inadequate lighting or improperly selected fertilizers.
During flowering, geranium needs to be fed. To help the flower during this period, you can use various fertilizers, which are poured into the soil throughout the spring and summer.
In this case, a complex of mineral fertilizers comes to the rescue. Also, gardeners sometimes use milk as a top dressing. But it is worthwhile to be careful, previously it, like other fertilizers, must be diluted with water.
Lush flowering of ampelous geraniums at home after proper care
Important! Organic fertilizing is not suitable for ampel geraniums.
For the purpose of fertilizing, substances such as phosphorus, potassium and magnesium sulfate, which also need to be diluted with water, are also used.
What is geranium pruning for? This question is most often asked by beginning gardeners, because the flower is already growing, why break it off? Pelargonium pruning is necessary so that the bush has a neat appearance. It also helps the flower not to spend extra power on stretching to an unnecessary length. Thus, the plant gives all its energy to flowers and lush leaves. In addition, pruning allows you to get cuttings for propagation of the flower.
Pruning
Important! Pruning can only be done in an adult bush. Young plants, this method of creating a flower shape can be harmful.
All about pruning and pinching pelargonium
The main difference between pruning and pinching is that the first option is considered a cardinal way to change the shape of a plant when whole branches are removed. This is necessary so that the flower forms in the form of a bush, otherwise, if pruning is not done and the flower grows as it wants, the branches will stretch, and the plant itself will let out a minimum number of flowers.
In the second case, only the tips of the stems are pinched, namely the growth points. The advantage of this method is that at the place of the pinch over time, not one, but several young shoots appear. In this way, you can achieve greater splendor and bushiness of the flower.
The most important thing when trimming and pinching:
- use the right tools. For pruning plants, only a sharp tool is suitable, which does not unnecessarily harm the flower;
- wash or disinfect hands before the procedure so as not to infect the flower with diseases.
You need to trim the plant before each wintering. Thus, geraniums will be able to maintain their strength in the cold period and bloom magnificently in spring.
Pinching, in turn, is a procedure that is best carried out at the end of winter or the beginning of spring, however, it is not forbidden to form a bush in the subsequent time when the plant is already blooming.
Important! If diseased shoots are present on the flower, then pinching them is useless. In this case, it is better to cut the branch. This will keep the rest healthy.
Growing a flower is always an exciting process, especially if the plant was not originally bought in a store, but planted on its own. Cultivation of geraniums can be carried out by propagating the plant by cuttings or the use of seeds.
Germination
Seed cultivation
For germination of geranium seeds, the most favorable is the period from December to April. The procedure consists of several stages:
- For the soil using a mixture of peat, sphagnum, garden soil and sand.
- Ready soil with seeds needs to be moistened and placed under a film to form a kind of greenhouse.
- Store a flowerpot with seeds in good light. The temperature in the room should be 22-24 ° C. Under these conditions, the seeds begin to germinate after about a week.
- After waiting 3 weeks, you can pick the sprouted seeds.
How to grow from cuttings
To propagate pelargonium by cuttings from the finished bush, you need to cut a twig. This is best done in the summer. The stalk can give roots in water or immediately in the ground. After rooting the sprouts and the appearance of several leaves, it is recommended to pinch. So the bush will gradually grow and become more magnificent. If you care for the cuttings in the right way, after a year the sprout will delight you with flowers.
Pelargonium transplant
Transplanting greatly affects flower health. It is best to spend it in early spring. This procedure is most often performed to increase the space for the flower. Thus, for a transplant, a pot is best suited, with a diameter of 1.5-2 cm larger than the previous one. Planting pelargonium requires accuracy and care, so you should be careful.
Important! Expanded clay needs to be put at the bottom of a new pot so that excess moisture does not remain, but evaporates.
Home ampelous pelargonium becomes one of the favorite flowers for housewives, not only because it blooms very beautifully, but also because of the undemanding care. In order for a flower to always remain lush and beautiful, you only need to be careful and observe simple but important rules for geraniums.
