Soil for indoor geraniums. Soil for indoor geraniums

For several decades, geranium or pelargonium has been very popular. The plant could be seen on the windows of ordinary people and aristocrats. Then popularity indoor geranium has declined, and many still call it “grandmother’s flower.”

She introduces herself as small plant with flowers collected in round paniculate inflorescences and leaves that are double and dark green in color. However, selection is moving forward. Behind Lately many varietal varieties of pelargonium have been bred. Thanks to this, even the most experienced gardeners will be able to find a plant to their liking.

The flower will take not only a place in almost any flower arrangements, but also has healing properties. With the help of geranium you can protect standing nearby crops from aphids.

Among the most common types are:

  • Geranium bordered or zoned- the most common type, there are about 70,000 varietal varieties. The leaves are dark green with a brownish edge, the flowers are double and simple;
  • Ivy-leaved- This is an ampelous variety of pelargonium. The leaves are smooth;
  • Angel- another ampelous type of pelargonium. However, the shoots of the Angel are shorter than those of the ivy-leaved geranium. Visually you can find similarities with a viola;
  • - less beautiful than the previous ones, but has a very pleasant aroma, which arouses the interest of gardeners;
  • Royal geranium considered the most beautiful variety of plant. Paniculate inflorescences can reach 7 cm in diameter. The colors of the flowers are extremely varied.

How to care for a plant?

This culture is unpretentious. Therefore, even the most inexperienced gardener can grow the plant. There is a very low probability that room conditions, geranium will not be able to take root.

Temperature and lighting

The optimal temperature for pelargonium is room temperature. IN winter time the temperature should not exceed 15 degrees. In this regard, it is advisable to place the plant on the coolest window or in the coldest room.

Pelargonium is a light-loving plant. And it is not afraid of periodic exposure to direct rays of the sun. The lack of sunlight will cause the leaves to be small and the flowering to be less beautiful and abundant.

Humidity and watering at different times of the year

Culture doesn't need too much humid air. And the plant is completely afraid of spraying. That's why when spraying nearby crops, it is important to avoid water droplets getting on the leaves of pelargonium.


Watering must be of high quality and regular. Under no circumstances should you overwater the plant. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to ensure good drainage. It is enough to control that the soil in which the geranium grows is constantly moist. In winter, water once a week or every 10 days.

What kind of soil and fertilizing is needed?

The soil must be fertile and rich in nutrients. You can make the soil yourself, or you can purchase ready-made soil at a specialized store. It should be loose and have good drainage. Need one like this soil composition (in equal parts):

  • Turf land;
  • Leaf soil;
  • Humus;
  • Sand;
  • Peat.

At the beginning of flowering and before it, it is advisable to apply fertilizers with a high phosphorus content. Geranium does not tolerate organic fertilizers. Standard fertilizers for flowering crops can be applied about twice a month. You can prepare the fertilizer yourself. It will require:

  • 1 drop of iodine;
  • 1 liter of water.

Flowerpot


The selection of a pot depends on the size of the root system of the seedling. Even mature plants usually require a pot whose diameter does not exceed 15 cm. It is advisable to choose baked clay pots, but they are more expensive than plastic ones. But also in plastic pot it will grow. The only negative is that the soil dries out quickly in a plastic container.

Geraniums do not need large flowerpots. This is due to the fact that it begins to bloom only after root system will fill the entire space.

The pot must have good drainage. Its layer should be about 3 cm. There must be a drain hole at the bottom of the pot.

Reproduction and transplantation

Geraniums are propagated in two ways:

  1. Cuttings;
  2. Seeds.

There is nothing complicated about propagation by seeds. Most seeds germinate great. And here your own seeds, which are collected from your own pelargoniums, will not give the same effect. This is due to the fact that hybrids lose the properties of the mother plants.

How to sow seeds?


  • The soil for geraniums should be loose and moist. You can use a mixture of peat, sand and turf soil. The seeds are sown in this soil and sprinkled with the same soil on top. The thickness of the layer on top of the seeds should not exceed 2.5 cm;
  • To avoid diseases such as blackleg, the substrate is recommended pour over a weak solution of potassium permanganate;
  • After sowing and burying the seeds the soil should be sprayed from a spray bottle;
  • After sowing The container should be covered with glass. It is necessary to periodically moisten and ventilate so that condensation does not form; the air temperature for good germination should be around 20 degrees;
  • When the first shoots appear the glass needs to be removed and the temperature reduced by several degrees;
  • When at least two leaves appear, seedlings must be planted in pots.

Propagation by cuttings

The process is also not particularly complicated. It is best to stock up on it in the spring, although you can do this throughout the year. The length of the cutting should not exceed 7 cm and be less than 5 cm. It must have at least two leaves. How to plant?

  • Fresh cuttings required dry for 24 hours, and before planting, treat the cut area with crushed coal;
  • The cuttings are planted in small pots, in which pour loose soil. Sometimes sand with large granules is used;
  • The soil is always must be hydrated;
  • Shelters cuttings are not required;
  • Optimal temperature for rooting about 20 degrees;
  • After rooting they need to be transplanted to a permanent location.

Geranium does not like the transplantation process, and what is the need for it? Unless when the roots begin to crawl out of the drain hole within a few days of the pot. Like planting, replanting must be done in early spring. At this time the growing season begins.

You should not replant the plant into a pot that is much larger in size than the one in which the geranium grew. It is enough if it is a couple of centimeters larger. Otherwise, you will have to wait a long time for flowering.

Diseases and pests

The most common disease is considered root rot, as well as root neck rot. These diseases are caused by excess moisture in the soil. As a result, the plant dies and cannot be saved.

Also often meets fungal disease- gray mold on leaves. Drying the soil can help prevent mold. Leaves affected by the disease must be removed, watering should be stopped and the plant should be sprayed with an anti-fungal preparation. And geraniums need to be exposed to the sun.

Among the pests we should highlight:

  • Whitefly- looks like a butterfly white. It settles on the underside of the leaves, sucking the juice from them. The pest must be collected and removed in time before it multiplies and destroys the pelargonium. If the condition is advanced, then you need to use anti-whitefly medications;
  • aphids- against aphids it is necessary to use an insecticide designed to destroy them.

Medicinal properties and contraindications

It’s not for nothing that many people call geranium a home doctor. For example, Pelargonium oil is used to relieve muscle fatigue and also helps eliminate pain in the spine. Compresses help draw out pus from wounds and also treat ulcers on the body.

In addition, the oil of this culture is used to treat runny noses and fight earaches. Pelargonium oil is great for coping with depression and just bad mood.


Leaf decoctions plants help effectively fight diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as gastritis. And infusions based on pelargonium roots are an excellent cure for hypertension.

An infusion of the leaves is also effective struggles with insomnia.

However, before using geranium in medicinal purposes You should definitely consult your doctor. This is especially true for pregnant women, young children, and the elderly. Also, those who suffer from constipation, stomach ulcers and chronic diseases should not take decoctions from the roots and leaves of the plant.

Thus, growing a plant such as geranium will not cause much trouble even for novice gardeners. And its beautiful appearance will delight you with abundant and colorful flowering. But the culture has not only its beauty, but also healing properties.

Perennial flower plantindoor geranium- good for home grown. Planted geraniums in a room look no less beautiful than in open ground. Most varieties of the plant have a pleasant aroma, and strong-smelling Geranium, for example, generally exudes the scent of a rose. In today's article you will learn in what soil to plant indoor geraniums and how to care for them at home.

Choosing soil for indoor geraniums

Planting indoor geraniums is simple when you know how to choose the right soil mixture, in what conditions to keep the flower, what it likes and what even such an unpretentious plant will not like.

The soil for indoor geranium should be:

  • Nutritious;
  • Loosened;
  • Not dense;
  • Do not retain water;
  • Neutral acidity;

When choosing soil for indoor geraniums, you can opt for universal mixtures for indoor flowers or choose an individual substrate.


In open ground, the soil for geraniums must be treated against pests, viruses, fungi and weed seeds. At home, it is easier to manipulate the components, which instills confidence in the quality of the resulting substrate.

In what soil to plant indoor geranium:

The ingredients are combined in a ratio of 1:1:0.5. The sand is pre-treated. The remaining components, at your discretion, can be shed with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or steamed.

A drainage layer is poured onto the bottom of the pot before laying the soil for indoor geranium. The pot must additionally have holes for drainage, otherwise the geranium will rot. For additional loosening, perlite or vermiculite is added to the soil for indoor geraniums, but there is no need to loosen the substrate too much.

Pour the treated soil mixture into the pot on top of the drainage layer. Often only sand is steamed or doused with potassium permanganate. Next, we replant the indoor geranium, sprinkling the edges with the remaining soil mixture.

How to care for indoor geraniums after planting?

The soil in which indoor geranium is planted is watered with Uniflor to accelerate the development of the root system in the new substrate. Feeding begins 2.5 weeks from the moment of planting. Before this, moderate watering is carried out. After 1-1.5 months, you can add “Uniflor-bud” to stimulate the formation of buds of indoor geranium. Usually it is replaced with phosphorus and potassium or a complex of mineral fertilizers.

Indoor pelargonium will spend the winter quietly on the windowsill without drafts. There is no need to water it. You can insulate the flowerpot if the window freezes. In the new season, after a dormant period, the transplanted indoor pelargonium is pruned so that the shoots do not stretch. The plant will bloom later - after 2 months - but its quality will please the grower.


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Pelargonium - unpretentious plant, however, it reacts negatively to incorrectly selected soil composition. IN flower shop can be purchased universal primer for geranium.

To choose the ideal soil for geraniums, pay attention to the following characteristics:

  • Soil looseness. Its breathability depends on this.
  • The ability to transmit and retain moisture.
  • Nutrient content (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium). In order for pelargonium to develop favorably, it is advisable to use moderately nutritious soil. In well-fertilized soil, the plant can begin to grow green leaves.
  • Soil acidity. For pelargonium, it is recommended to choose slightly acidic or neutral soil.
  • Mechanical composition of the soil. Squeeze some damp earth in your hand - suitable soil If it crumbles, if it is of poor quality, it will form a tight lump.

An important aspect is the composition of the soil. To ensure looseness and moisture permeability, high-moor peat is an indispensable basis.

Note! Its positive properties are beneficial only if regular watering and fertilizing.

Environmentally friendly fertilizer, dolomite flour, based on peat, saturates the soil with magnesium and reduces acidity. In inexpensive substrates, dolomite chips are replaced with chalk, but it is not a source of useful substances.
Additional components are vermiculite, perlite, charcoal, sand.

The flower should be replanted annually, since the soil for pelargonium must be constantly renewed.

Preparing the substrate for planting a flower

Preparing the substrate and planting pelargonium is a simple process if you follow some rules:

  1. Before preparing the substrate, you need to select a container for planting. If you reuse the pot, it must be washed and disinfected.
  2. Place good drainage at the bottom of the container. You can use expanded clay, pebbles, crushed stone, broken brick, etc. A quarter of the volume of the pot or flowerpot is allocated to the drainage layer.
  3. Next, you need to select neutral or slightly acidic soil. Important terms is breathability and water permeability.
  4. The substrate should contain: turf, leaf soil, peat, sand, charcoal. You can purchase soil mixture at a flower shop or prepare it yourself.
  5. A couple of weeks before planting the flower, you can sterilize the substrate. To do this, place the soil mixture in the oven at a temperature of 80C or in a water bath.
  6. To plant a flower, it is best to choose moderately fertilized soil. Once every few months you need to feed geraniums with liquid fertilizers.
  7. The last step is watering with distilled or boiled, settled water.

Drainage

In addition to drainage holes in the pot, geraniums vitally need drainage in the form of a layer of bulk materials. Usually a layer of 2-3 cm is placed at the bottom of the container. Materials for creating drainage can be as follows:

Note! Geranium does not tolerate stagnant water in a pot or flowerpot. Excessive watering leads to yellowing of the leaves, rotting and death of pelargonium. Therefore, the plant needs a high-quality drainage system.

Clay materials can be reused after replanting. Be sure to rinse and disinfect them with a manganese solution.

Important! Choose a material that is not susceptible to rotting and the spread of pathogenic bacteria.

Soil for geraniums at home

Geranium loves well-drained and loose soil. If it is not possible to buy high-quality soil, you can prepare the soil for pelargonium yourself. For this you will need: turf soil, leaf humus and river sand(8:2:1). Sand with a coarse-grained structure must be steamed or disinfected with a manganese solution. In order not to interfere with breathability, you need to be wary of excess sand in the soil.

Briefly about what pelargonium loves.

There is a lot of light, sun and air, but if the summer is very hot, then give her baths more often, washing the leaves and not touching the flowers. It's better to do this in the evening.

What kind of soil does pelargonium like?

Once the growing season has passed, pruning geraniums helps them stay healthy and dormant during the colder months. This way, the geranium will retain its vigor throughout the winter and come back to life when the temperature rises. If you live in a temperate climate where winters are not so cold that the ground freezes, you can let geraniums grow in the winter. In colder areas where the soil freezes and hardens, it is convenient to dig up geraniums and stick them in winter period. Cut back geraniums you allow to grow over the winter into spring.

There is no need to spray pelargonium; this has a detrimental effect on the petals.

In the warm season, it is better to expose it to fresh air, since it grows in its homeland in open ground, so it will only winter at home. It does not like heat, and it needs coolness only during the rest period.

Give it plenty of free space (it doesn’t do well when it’s choked out by nearby plants).

Your geraniums will continue to grow throughout the winter and long, woody stems will emerge. This aspect is not very attractive and therefore geraniums should be pruned as soon as they begin to new season growth. This helps the geraniums grow thick and beautiful as the temperature rises.

If you allow geraniums to grow outside during the winter, pick them up in late March or early April when temperatures begin to rise. If you allow geraniums to grow indoors during the winter, wait until the soil thaws. You can gradually acclimate them to the outside climate by taking them out on sunny and warm days and keeping them in again at night. Once the last frost has passed, you can replant them in the ground or leave them outside in pots. Observe the plant from all angles to identify areas that pose problems. However, it may take several weeks for new leaves and flowers to sprout.

  • Examine the plant.
  • Look for areas that don't have a lot of leaves, dead spots, or uneven spots.
  • If the center stem is still green, the plant will survive.
Removing dead flowers allows the geranium to put its energy into producing new flowers.

Water generously, ensuring good stock excess water, this way we will prevent waterlogging.

If the leaves and flowers of your pelargonium have changed their appearance, then this is the first sign that the plant is either overdried or receives more water than it needs. In addition, if pelargonium feels great, there are a lot of leaves and they are beautiful, but the plant does not bloom or gives little color, then this indicates that it is also waterlogged.

Additionally, keep your vision clear of the plant's stems, and this way you can better understand what you need to fix. This quick way keep your plant healthy and you don't even need tools. Trimming them will prevent the plant from wasting energy trying to keep them alive.

It is best to cut it out and allow the plant to produce new and stronger stems. Cut out healthy stems with flowers. In the spring, cutting back healthy flowering stems encourages the plant to produce more flowers. Follow the flower stem where it joins the main stem and use a pair of pruning shears to cut it flush with the main stem. This will activate the dormant buds and you will see new shoots in a short time.

How do you know if it's time to water a flower or if it's too early? Touch with your finger upper layer soil in a pot, if it is dry on top but wet below, then you need to wait another day or two to water it.

With the onset of cold weather, we bring the plant indoors. It overwinters either in a window, then we reduce watering somewhat, or in a cool place (not lower than 7 degrees Celsius), then we leave the soil almost dry, moistening it only occasionally.

If you don't want to make the pruning so aggressive, follow the stem with a flower up to 7mm at a node or ring around the stem in the geranium. A new flash will come out of this node. . Trim long, thin stems. Cutting these stems back almost to the base of the plant allows new buds to be produced from below, creating a denser, leafier form. Use scissors to trim the stems at the base, 7mm above the bottom node.

Features of growing a flower at home

Save the cuttings to propagate the plant! Be sure to write down which end of each cutting is best, because if they are planted upside down, the cuttings will not grow. Just make sure each one is cut 7mm below the knot.

  • Cut off the bottom end of the cuttings.
  • Keep the cut vertical and find the lowest knot.
  • Cut 7mm below the knot.
  • Long cuttings can be cut into several parts.
Geraniums decorate our terrace, balconies and gardens, we can say that geranium is the plant par excellence of summer.

Soil for pelargonium.

Compost, if it is very rich in nutrients, must be diluted with ordinary garden soil and coarse river sand, since if the plant receives a lot of nutrients, this will have a beneficial effect on the development of green mass, but will suppress flowering.

What do I need to know to plant geraniums?

There are many varieties, even man-made, of many colors. An ideal plant for those who live in dry regions and very hot summers. As you might imagine, geraniums need a lot of light, even in direct light. sunlight, so don't be afraid to place it on the balcony because it will produce flowers with complete safety; in fact, the more light there is, the more flowers will grow. However, to withstand sun and heat, geraniums need large quantities water; depending on the temperature, it is ok to water them daily or on alternate days, but remember that you do not need to flood the soil, but wet it.

Pieces of charcoal added to pots will help prevent root rot.

In which pots is it better to plant pelargonium?

The choice is small: either baked clay or plastic.

Plastic pots are inexpensive, beautiful and lightweight. But they dry out more slowly, which means that the plant may undergo rotting processes at the slightest mistake in watering. In addition, if such pots are dark in color, they will concentrate too much heat.

What and how to feed pelargonium

Excess water has disastrous consequences for plants whose roots eventually rot. A pot with holes in the base is a good ally; This releases excess water and ensures soil drainage. Speaking of soil, don't forget to enrich the sand with soft organic matter, peat or charcoal; Animal fertilizers are not recommended for this type of plant as they can be somewhat abrasive; However, it is recommended to use a liquid fertilizer based on potassium, nitrogen or phosphorus, as well as worm humus, which is the most natural.

Clay pots, on the other hand, are made from natural material, they allow air and moisture to pass through well.

The size of the pot also affects the growth of pelargonium. The roots do not require much space; they will not only develop better in close quarters, but will also rot less. In addition, the flowers will be more beautiful and bright. So, for one plant you need a pot with a diameter of no more than 15 cm.

How to grow our geraniums

It is advisable to enrich the substrate every two weeks and thoroughly remove the soil at least once a month. The simplest and effective method- using cuttings, since geraniums are captured immediately. To do this, you need to choose a stem that has leaves, which is not a problem since geraniums tend to grow abundantly and quickly. Cut the entire stem and plant in the pot with holes in the base in which we placed the enriched substrate. After two weeks, the cutting will take root and you will soon see the first buds.

What and how to feed pelargonium.

During the flowering period, the plant needs feeding. We start giving fertilizers at the end of February (until October), in spring and summer at least twice a month. It is better to use liquid fertilizers diluted in water for irrigation, as dry fertilizers can cause burns to the root part. We never fertilize a plant if it is too dry; we fertilize it only in slightly moist soil. Follow the indicated dosage, otherwise the plant, instead of abundant and long flowering, may simply get sick or die.

There is no need to do practice pruning in this type of plant; simply remove dead leaves and dead branches. You can also cut the outer shoots of the branch to encourage the growth of the same and get a leafy geranium. The most common situation is with a potted plant for windows, balconies and terraces, in which zoned, ivy and semi-hung zones enjoy the majority. Those of the thinking type and fragrant leaves are widely used as houseplants.

To make it easier to navigate when choosing a fertilizer, use this advice: all fertilizers have a different composition of components, but they all contain nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus.

If we want to achieve abundant green mass, then we give preference to those fertilizers that contain more nitrogen. If abundant flowering, and this is exactly what we expect from our pelargonium, then it needs more potassium and phosphorus.

This custom creates a number of conditions that must be taken into account. The volume of the pot or planter should be proportional to the size of the plant and therefore contain enough substrate so that the roots find a good environment to develop. Located in sunny exhibitions, the irrigation rhythm, which is always done in the morning or dying, will be carried out in accordance with the temperature, being able to be done daily in the harshest days of summer. Regular application of fertilizers should not be forgotten while the plant is active.

Planting from stolons or seedlings

Colorful geraniums are stunning flowers for gardens. The flowers, which are usually pink, purple, white or red, cluster in mid-spring until early fall when they are properly courted. Geranium roots will rot if left in water for a long time. Several types of geranium can be planted in 26cm pots, but smaller types flourish in 15 to 20cm pots. These flowers grow well when there are not many roots and need to adapt to the space to develop. Choose a vase made from a material that suits your needs. If you plan to move the plant from one location to another, avoid very heavy pots and stick to plastic containers. Clean the vessel. Dirty pots may contain bacteria or insect eggs that are too small to see with the naked eye. These hidden dangers can prevent a plant from reaching its full potential. Determine what method will be used to plant the flowers. Using plant daubers or purchasing seedlings from a garden center are the easiest ways to plant geraniums in a pot. There is also the possibility of using seeds. Select soil good quality. The soil is more Low quality can retain a lot of moisture, which will lead to root rot after planting the geranium. These flowers grow best in soils with better drainage, especially if they contain traces of organic materials. Geraniums need six to eight hours of direct sunlight to grow, but some types prefer some shade during the day. Fertilize geraniums once a month using liquid fertilizer. Lots of fertilizer will cause geraniums to produce strong, healthy leaves, but will also prevent flower development and keep the plant as healthy as possible. fewer flowers. You can use a slow-release granular fertilizer. Use it only once during the spring.

  • Choose a vase with holes in the base.
  • So drainage is essential for this.
  • Choose a vase that matches the size of the plant.
  • Place the vase in the sun.
  • Let the soil dry out after each watering.
  • Test the soil by placing your finger on top of it.
  • If it's dry, add enough water to not soak up the soil.
Remove dying flowers frequently.

The label usually indicates the percentage of elements. If you don’t find this on the package, then it’s better not to take this fertilizer.

Sometimes, instead of the words “nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium,” we see only capital letters: N.P.K., where N. is nitrogen, P. is phosphorus, K. is potassium. These letters are always accompanied by numbers that indicate the concentration of these substances. For example, N1, P1, K2. That is, there is less nitrogen and phosphorus in this fertilizer than potassium. If you see only numbers, without letters, then you should always read them only in this order: N.P.K. By the way, this is exactly the ratio of elements that our favorite needs.

Flowers that die wither and lose their color. Remove brown leaves and dried stems to minimize the risk of fungal diseases. Protect your flowers from harsh winters by moving them to a nicer location, such as the basement. When winter is over, apply the fertilizer and place it in indirect sunlight to re-set it. Choose plants that require geranium-like growth: intense sunlight and well-drained soil. Bacterial diseases can destroy geraniums, causing them to lose weight for no apparent reason. There is nothing that can cure this disease, and infected plants should be moved from the site to prevent contamination of other plants. Many species stop blooming when temperatures are very hot, but the flowers return in warmer climates.

  • Just water it if it starts to dry out.
  • Mix geraniums with other flowers to create a miniature potted garden.
  • The intense heat of summer can seriously damage geraniums.
Whether it's for the fragrant leaves with exotic scents or for the unexpected and subtle nuances that color its flowers, new geranium varieties are a box of surprises.

Do not take those fertilizers where the number near the letter N. will be higher than that of the letters P. and K.

Fertilizers that gardeners use to grow tomatoes are suitable for pelargoniums.

A few more words about lighting.

There is no beautiful pelargonium without light. Without light, the plant loses the brightness of the color of the leaves, and flowering is reduced. Therefore, in a dark room or shady garden pelargonium will not be able to show everything that it is capable of.

As for direct rays of the sun, they are harmful if the plant is indoors, behind glass. And in the open sun, pelargonium easily tolerates them.

Temperature regime.

On fresh air pelargonium easily tolerates high temperatures and direct sun (in room conditions she does not like the same temperature and the sun through glass). In spring it also needs warmth.

And during the dormant period it needs coolness (from October to the end of February). At this time, we rarely water it, and maintain the temperature at least 5-7 degrees Celsius (the veranda and attic are ideal for this). At this time, pelargonium leaves may turn red - this is the result of the action low temperatures and has nothing to do with the disease. When changing temperature regime from cold to warm, the color of the leaves will return to their original color.

If you want your pelargonium to winter in warm room, then we continue watering as in summer, but stop feeding.

Caring for a flowering plant.

When pelargonium flowers fade, the petals curl, wither, and some leaves turn yellow. This not only affects the appearance, but also weakens the plant and makes it more susceptible to disease. Therefore, at the first signs of wilting, it is necessary to remove all faded parts. This way the plant will bloom longer and will be more beautiful.

If you go on vacation and the flower is left unattended, then in addition to doing everything to ensure that it receives sufficient watering, remove all flowers from the pelargonium, even the buds. When you return from vacation, the plant will be covered in flowers.

Pelargonium, or geranium, does not like changing its place of residence too much. But there are situations when a transplant becomes necessary. How to do it correctly so that the relocated plant does not experience stress that can delay its development for a long time, or even lead to death?

For experienced florist Transplanting geraniums is not a very complicated operation. The main thing is to start it on time and prepare well. Newbies immediately have many questions:

When to replant?
- what kind of soil should I use?
- how to choose a pot?
- in what sequence should the transplant itself be performed?

When should geraniums be replanted?

There is an opinion that it is not at all necessary to replant geraniums growing at home - just pruning is enough. Moreover, this plant is not grown for more than three to four years, replacing bushes with new ones obtained from cuttings.

But if geranium grows in open ground, in the fall it will still have to be replanted in a pot in order to bring it indoors. In this case, they usually use a transshipment with a large earthen ball, which allows you to move the bush with minimal losses.

Other possible reason transplants - root disease, for example, from excessive moisture. Here, transshipment is no longer enough - the soil must be replaced. Everything has to be done urgently, regardless of the time of year, otherwise the plant may simply die.

Sometimes indoor pelargonium In the summer they are planted in open ground or in a flowerpot located outside. This is done no more than once a year.

And finally, the last reason is ordinary crowding, when a growing bush requires additional feeding area. It is better to carry out this operation in the spring, somewhere in March, before flowering begins.

Soil for replanting?

There are soil mixtures designed specifically for planting geraniums. Usually they are loose, fairly light, but fertile soil. But for indoor plants Ordinary garden soil with a little sand will also work. Another option is a substrate consisting of humus, peat, turf soil and sand, taken in equal parts. You can use ready-made Begonia soil by adding perlite or vermiculite.

But if you want to create special comfort for your pelargonium, it is better to use this recipe:

Humus - 2 shares;
- turf land - 8 shares;
- river sand - 1 share.

Choosing a pot

Correct selection of the pot is one of the conditions for successful transplantation. If it is too small, the roots will become crowded, the plant will be lethargic and may not respond even to fertilizing. The tips of the roots hanging from the drainage hole, like a washcloth, are a sure sign that it’s time to move the geranium to a larger container.

But a pot that is too large will not do this plant any good. The rapid growth of green mass, which will be produced by numerous shoots, will not allow it to bloom. Taking this into account, for replanting you need to prepare a pot that will be only 4 - 5 cm wider than the previous one. And in the case when geranium is planted in a balcony box, the distance between neighboring specimens should not exceed 25 cm.

A prerequisite is that any pot for geraniums, regardless of its size, must have enough big hole for water drainage.

Transfer procedure

First of all, pour it into the bottom of the pot. This could be a layer of expanded clay, crushed shards from old clay pots, broken red brick. In extreme cases, even polystyrene foam will do if it is torn into small pieces.

To ensure that pelargonium can be easily removed from the old pot along with the soil, it should be watered before replanting. Then carefully remove it, separating the earthen lump from the walls of the vessel, and place it together with this lump in a new container. The free space around the edges must be filled with a pre-prepared wet substrate so that no voids are formed. It will be possible to water in three days.

Geranium is a flower that is very popular among gardeners. It is sure to be in the collection of an aristocrat or on the windowsill of an elderly person. Nowadays the interest in it is not the same as before, but people still appreciate it for its many advantages.

Reference. Geraniums are attributed healing properties. It can even protect against insect pests.

It grows well at home or in the garden. Numerous varieties and varieties have been discovered, thereby giving the right of choice to everyone who wants to acquire a pot of it. She has great potential in medicine.

Why can’t you replant pelargonium into the first substrate you come across on the counter in a flower shop? The fact is that The fate of the plant depends on the composition of the soil whether it will bloom at home or not.

  • Turf. He is rich in nutrients, which are so necessary for the growth of indoor plants: palm, dracaena, monstera, ficus.
  • Leaf soil. They receive it in a simple way: in the fall, they collect foliage and put it in a stack. In the summer they constantly spill it with water, not forgetting to shovel it at least twice. Even after 2-3 years, begonias, cyclamens, camellias, myrtle, etc. are planted in it.
  • Peat– a mandatory mixture to increase soil acidity. It is collected from the swamp, placed in a stack, and shoveled from time to time to eliminate harmful substances.
  • heather land, it is harvested in heather thickets, and then added to pots with azaleas, orchids, gloxinia, etc.

What soil composition is needed?

Geranium is a plant that is not picky about soil. But you shouldn’t buy just any one. It is advisable to follow certain recommendations when selecting it. So, what kind of soil should this houseplant be planted in?

More often flower growers buy universal soil, adding the necessary components to it. Vermiculite, river sand and perlite are suitable. All components are mixed and then poured into a pot of geranium. The main thing is to make sure that there is no mold or insects in the soil.

Reference. The flower grows well in loose and well-drained soil. Can buy special land at a flower shop or prepare the substrate yourself.

Sometimes peat is added to the universal soil, which promotes the growth and development of the crop.

Preparing the substrate for planting a flower

  1. Before preparing the land, select a container. You can use a pot that has been used. In this case, wash it the day before the scheduled procedure and disinfect it.
  2. At the next stage, a drainage layer is placed in the pot. It is sold in the store. In principle, you don’t have to buy it, but use pebbles, polystyrene foam, ceramic shards or broken bricks for drainage. If in the future they will water with hard tap water, put pieces of dried pine bark at the bottom. It will acidify the soil and remove excess moisture from her.
  3. 1/5-1/4 of the pot’s volume is allocated to the drainage layer. Then they put the soil. If you prepare it yourself, take the following components: turf, humus, sand (8:2:1). It is advisable to sprinkle it after transshipment of the transplanted plant, trying to remove all voids.
  4. All that remains is to water the geranium with settled water and wait for the excess to drain into the pan.

Geranium is a flower that is successfully grown in warm countries right in the garden beds. IN southern countries the climate is favorable, and therefore it is a large spreading bush with a woody trunk. In the northern part of Russia the plant is not planted in open ground. They grow it in a container on the windowsill, but is any suitable for this purpose?

Experienced flower growers do not see the difference between clay, ceramic or plastic container. You can choose it based on your own preferences. If you take plastic, then only white so that it does not get too hot in the sun and the roots do not rot. A ceramic pot is also suitable for transplanting geraniums. Its volume depends on the pelargonium variety. A small sprout is grown in a 0.25 mm container, gradually increasing it. By 2-3 years, the plant should “migrate” to a 2-liter pot.

Zonal pelargonium is planted immediately in a 1.5-liter pot. As soon as she grows out of it, it is better to transplant her immediately into a 10-liter one.

How to replant?

with strong growth of the root system, when the flower is flooded and there are no buds. It is advisable to replant in the fall, before the plant enters the dormant stage. If you carry out the procedure in the spring, then only before its active growth.

  1. Before transplanting, prepare a tool (watering can, knife) and a pot. When using an old container, treat it with a chlorine-containing substance and then rinse it with water afterwards.
  2. Prepare high-quality drainage, positioning it so that ¼-1/5 of the pot is occupied.
  3. The geranium is taken out of the previous container, being careful not to damage the earthen ball. You can use a knife carefully if you need to separate the soil from the walls.
  4. After removing the geranium, inspect the roots, trying not to miss any traces of rot or strange spots. If they are present, remove them with scissors.
  5. Transfer the plant to new pot, filling all the voids in it with soil.
  6. After watering, put the pelargonium in the shade for 7 days.
  7. After seven days, they place it on the windowsill, where there will be no bright light, drafts or heat from heating devices.
  8. Fertilizing is applied for the first time 2 months after transplantation.

It is advisable to water geraniums abundantly and regularly. If you overfill it, water stagnation will occur, which will have a detrimental effect on the roots. Good drainage prepared according to the scheme above - keeping the soil moist without stagnation.

The plant is not fed immediately after transplantation.. After two months, fertilize the geranium without using fresh ones. organic fertilizers. Not blooming with standard fertilizer, but with buds - special fertilizers. The frequency of fertilizing is 2 times a month.

Read in detail about what is best to feed and when to use fertilizers for geraniums, and from here you will learn how to properly use iodine with hydrogen peroxide to feed the plant.

Video on the topic

Below you can find out how to plant geraniums and choose soil for it.

Conclusion

The most unpretentious crop is geranium. By following simple rules, it will delight the eye and decorate a window sill in an apartment or a garden in a country house.

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