Royal geranium (pelargonium): photos and names of varieties, home propagation by seeds, how to root cuttings of pelargonium, can it be planted on the street?

Royal geranium (pelargonium) is widely used both in indoor floriculture and as a decoration of garden landscape design.

It is explained by its demand for a spectacular appearance, an exquisite aroma and healing properties.

In the article, we consider the features of growing royal geraniums, find out how to plant a plant, how to care for it.

Pelargonium: what is this flower?

Royal geranium, as befits a lady of royal blood, is very capricious, and requires the creation of special conditions. The plant requires constant attention, careful care. But with proper care, the plant will thank the owner for a truly delightful flowering.

Royal geranium comes from southern latitudes: a plant from the humid and hot climate of South America fell into our indoor flower pots. Therefore, for the safe cultivation of a tropical flower, conditions similar to natural conditions are best suited.

Appearance

Externally, the royal pelargonium is a compact evergreen shrub reaching a maximum height of half a meter. Note that the bush is quite wide and sprawling, but the peduncles are placed on only one, main stem.

Royal geraniums have very large flowers: their diameter sometimes reaches 15 cm. Often, on large petals, the species have greenish spots that only give the general appearance of the plant a more picturesque appearance. During flowering, the shrub is literally dotted with flowers, sometimes resembling from one side a large bright ball.

Names of popular varieties, description and photo

Royal geranium boasts an impressive variety of wonderful decorative varieties - hereinafter we will consider the most popular varieties of them.

Aristo schoko

A variety characterized by magnificent luxurious dark red color of petals. A distinctive feature are brighter spots located at the base of the petals.

Barcarole

The variety looks very exotic, will become an adornment of any refined interior. The color of the petals in this case is bright, joyful, each tender, cast in silver, the petal has a contrasting rim around the edge. Common shades of petals: orange, pink, white, yellow.

Imperial

On a note. A variety ideal for interior design in a classic style. The geranium Imperial will also look great as an ornament of wedding compositions.

The plant is compact, has a small tender-beige petals with a pink base.

Note that breeders from around the world are breeding new varieties of this plant, and today the royal geranium boasts almost any shade of petals, their shape and size. In most varieties, the color of the petals is uneven: there are spots, lines that only give a greater charm to the appearance of the plant. The shape of the flowers is also often not easy: usually the petals go in several layers, are wavy, corrugated.

How to plant?

We learn the main points regarding the proper planting of royal geraniums.

Location and Lighting

Royal geranium in the conditions of our difficult climate is recommended to be grown indoors.

Reference. The culture does not tolerate rainfall, it is afraid of rain and wind, therefore, when cultivated in the open air, it is necessary to provide geraniums protection from negative weather factors.

Although the culture has a southern origin, however, direct sunlight is dangerous for it: under the influence of aggressive radiation, tender flowers wither, leaves dry out. Therefore, When growing pelargonium, be sure to take care of the shading of the flower.

The plant blooms in seasons - there can be several such seasons per year (3-4 months each). During the flowering period, it is highly advisable to provide pelargonium with additional lighting: the plant will respond to this with a more magnificent discharge of inflorescences.

Temperature

The best temperature for growing royal geraniums in the summer will be an interval from +22 to +25 degrees. In winter, the plant needs cooler air, since the development of geraniums at this time slows down, and future buds are being laid. In winter, the plant needs an air temperature of +12 to +16 degrees. Note that in the heat, the flower feels bad: its growth slows down, and flower buds cease to form.

The soil

The substrate for royal geraniums must be nutritious, contain in the required amount all the substances the plant needs. Phosphorus, potassium and manganese are especially important for pelargonium.

With too little nitrogen in the soil, geranium will quickly gain green mass, however, flowering may not please at all.

Large and wide pots are not suitable for growing this type of geranium. Since in this case inflorescences do not form, then the greenery grows at a rapid pace.

Important! Prefer compact containers of small diameter.

Care Features

Briefly consider the main points for caring for this exotic ornamental plant.

In order for the royal geranium to grow and develop safely all year round, it needs to create conditions that are as close as possible to the natural habitat. In the summer of pelargonium, more abundant watering is needed than in the cold season. Observe the pallet, and if water has accumulated in it, pour it out immediately: the measure will help to avoid decay of the delicate roots of the plant. Water for irrigation should be at room temperature, settled.

The main points for caring for this tropical beauty come down to the following recommendations:

it is impossible to dry the earth, it is necessary to provide pelargonium with regular watering;
the substrate should not be excessively dense and excessively wet;
geraniums should be warm, but not in direct sunlight.

Is it possible to plant a plant on the street?

It can be clearly stated that in the conditions of our Russian climate royal geranium can not be on the street year-round. This plant is best cultivated as an indoor. However, in the summer, the option of taking pots of geraniums to open verandas and balconies is possible. As soon as the autumn frost begins, the containers must be brought back into the warm room.

Disease

Royal pelargonium can be exposed to pests, and if improperly maintained, the likelihood of its disease is high. The plant is particularly susceptible to the following diseases: leaf rust, gray rot and powdery mildew (how to help royal geraniums if its leaves turn yellow and what to do with other diseases can be found here). Of the pests, nematodes, whiteflies and aphids are dangerous.

Breeding

Royal geranium can be propagated by both cuttings and seeds.

Seeds

If the first method is suitable for plant propagation during the year (but August and September are preferred), then seeds are recommended to be planted in spring.

The seeds of the plant are placed in a special earthen mixture with a predominance of peat, hard watered, and after a week you can already see the first shoots. When the first leaves appear, shoots dive on individual roots.

How to root cuttings at home?

To root the stalk of this plant, it is usually immediately dug into the ground. For germination, cuttings are not put in water, since royal geranium in this case usually rots. The cuttings placed in the prepared soil must be watered and protected from the sun. Over the course of a year, geranium forms a powerful root system, and then expels lateral shoots. Flowering plant will delight the next year after planting. Cuttings must be selected 5-7 cm tall with 2-3 true leaves.

Recommended! Sprinkle the base of the stem before planting with crushed charcoal to ensure a better survival of the cuttings.

It is undesirable to plant cuttings in too large a container, since in this case the plant most often grows weak.

After 3-4 leaves appear on the rooted cuttings, the stem must be pinched: the procedure will allow the bush to grow in width. Thus, you can enjoy a much more magnificent flowering of the plant (on how to prune royal geraniums and what other procedures are needed for magnificent flowering, read our material).

Royal Pelargonium (Geranium). Propagation by cuttings:

Useful video

Royal Pelargonium. Care Tips:

Conclusion

So, we found out what such a decorative home plant like royal geranium is, and found out how to care for this flower, whether it can be planted on the street. As you can see this kind of pelargonium is very capricious, and it requires thorough care: however, the beauty of a flowering plant and its wonderful aroma completely compensate for all the expended efforts.