Latin name for room geranium. Pelargonium. Rules for sowing seeds
Geranium room
Geranium is the most famous houseplant. This plant is easy to care for and propagate it will not be difficult. There are many varieties and types of geraniums.
Geranium is an annual and perennial with stems about 50 cm high. The leaves of the plant are a bright dark green color. Geranium flowers are very beautiful and large, in some species they are collected in inflorescences. And geranium leaves have a refreshing, mint and lemon scent. There is a pattern on the leaves, which happens in the form of a border white color or bands of different colors.
And now geranium is the most favorite indoor plant among the rest. In almost every family on the windowsill you can see this beautiful, unpretentious, hardy flower.
Geranium also grows wild. It can be seen in the meadows of the Caucasus and Europe, in the southern mountains. Almost all types of geraniums have average requirement in moisture. In order for geranium to grow normally, it needs constant watering and loosening of the soil. The best soils for geraniums are acidic, neutral and slightly acidic soils. The main condition for the growth of each type of geranium (except marsh) is the absence of stagnant water. Geraniums are frost resistant.
Geranium blooms very beautifully. Umbrellas of flowers are located on a thin stem, and the leaves are very similar to a human palm. If the geranium has little light, it will reduce its flowering itself, and the flowers and leaves will become faded.
Geranium care and reproduction
Care. In order for geraniums to grow well, you need to create the right flower garden. And only in this case, dense geranium bushes will not allow weeds to grow. In May - before they appear bulk leaves- weeding of geranium flower beds should be done. Also in May, you need to loosen the soil, add fertilizers to it, you can also add ash. Further care is regular watering. When the flowers begin to fade, be sure to cut off the faded shoots. Geraniums, in which the leaves do not hibernate, need to cut off the above-ground shoots in September. Some types of geraniums need garters.
Reproduction. Geranium reproduces in two ways: vegetatively and by seeds. Each species bears fruit well. When the fruits ripen, the seeds spread throughout the field, which makes it difficult to collect the seeds. If the seeds are harvested in August, then they can be sown immediately in the ground (in this case, the seeds will have time to form seedlings before the start of frost). However, the best time to plant seeds is winter, because that's when the soil has already experienced frost. In May, many shoots will appear, and after a year you can see seedlings.
Quickly appeared seedlings must first be planted in a nursery. When the bush is already fully formed, it can be transplanted into a flower garden with a distance of 40 cm from bush to bush.
But still, the simplest and easiest way to grow geraniums is to divide the bush. This method is the most successful for varietal geraniums. The division of the bush is carried out either at the beginning of spring or at the end of summer (the second option is most suitable). In summer, it is much easier for a plant to shake off the roots from the soil and calmly plant it in another place. The gardener should look at the renewal buds, because if they are loose, rotten and parched, then a transplant is not necessary. During September, young roots will form on the delenki (they will overwinter with the plant). Many geraniums, with a few exceptions (Robert's geranium and others), are perennials. If the bush is not transplanted and does not divide, then it can please the gardener in the flower garden for about 12 years. And after 12 years, the geranium will show signs of aging, for example, dead parts will appear in the center of the bush. Therefore, without waiting for the aging of the plant, it is better to divide the bush 10 years after planting and transplant it to a new place.
The benefits of geranium
Geranium has mass useful properties for a person. For example, a plant releases bactericidal substances into the air. And these substances destroy different kinds microbes, including
AT medicinal purposes use grass, flowers, roots and leaves of geranium. Preparations from this plant contain gallic acid, starch, pectin, tannins and gum, due to which they have a tightening effect on the human body. Geranium is an obstacle to the secretion of fluids in the body. The plant is used for pharyngitis, nose and other bleeding as a hemostatic agent.
Geranium helps to get rid of, relieve fatigue, normalize the nervous system. Geranium tea is taken in case of bowel disorder or dysentery.
Essential oil of geranium
Taking the leaves of perennial geranium, geranium essential oil is obtained by steam distillation. The aroma of the oil is oily, warm, floral, slightly reminiscent of the aroma of a rose. The essential oil is light and fluid, colorless. Geranium treats inflammation of the ear, nose and throat, which is why it was called the “ear-nose-throat doctor” in the old days.
Geranium essential oil is a real antidepressant. It increases physical and even mental activity, relieves a person of feelings of inferiority. Geranium oil restores the skin after burns, different kind frostbite. They can treat rashes and dry eczema.
The oil has a property that normalizes blood microcirculation in the heart and blood pressure. It is used as a strong pain reliever. And also essential oil is successfully used to eliminate neuritis, radicular syndrome and neuralgia.
Geranium - oil for women! This is true, because this oil normalizes the hormonal process in the body, helps with premenstrual syndrome, relieves pain during menstruation. The oil also gets rid of. The same oil is used for inflammation of the mammary glands.
Geranium oil should not be used for more than 14-20 days. Never use it on an empty stomach!
Geranium diseases
Rarely, but still, geranium suffers from brown spotting and powdery mildew. So that the plant does not suffer from powdery mildew, it must be cut off after the flowering period (due to this, the new shoots will be stronger than the old ones). If the plant is sick with brown spotting, then you need to cut off the diseased leaves and burn them. fungal diseases do not have a strong effect on the state of the plant itself.
Geranium treatment
Due to its enormous healing abilities, geranium is very often used in traditional medicine. An infusion of the leaves of the plant helps with sore throat. A geranium compress is applied for osteochondrosis and sciatica. Geranium helps to cope with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and heart.
A decoction of herbs and geranium roots. He prepares easily. We take 1 tablespoon of dried geranium, pour 200 ml of boiling water and put on fire for 5 minutes. Then we cool everything and filter. The resulting volume of the broth must be brought to the original by adding boiling water. It is recommended to use the remedy 1-2 tablespoons at the time of eating 3 times a day. This decoction is taken for inflammation of the upper respiratory tract.
Geranium juice for cataracts. If the cataract is initial stage, then geranium will help here. To do this, you just need to drip 1 drop of geranium juice into the corner of your eye every day. This juice will not only preserve, but also improve vision for many years to come. With suppuration and clouding of the eyes, this juice will also come to the rescue.
Honey water with geranium. If the eyelids become inflamed with this water, you should wash your eyes early in the morning and in the evening. It is very easy to cook it. To do this, take 10 pieces of geranium leaves and grind them. Next, take a glass of water and pour the leaves, add 1 teaspoon of honey to them. We mix everything well and leave it overnight on a full moon - so that the light from the moon is on the glass. With this water, we wash the eyes with inflamed eyelids.
Treatment of geranium otitis media
Otitis in both adults and children will help cure geranium. To do this, take 5-10 grams of geranium leaves, and mash them into a soft gruel. Now here we add 40-60 grams of flour (rye or oatmeal) and 1 tablespoon of camphor alcohol. Next, you need to knead the stiff dough, roll it up and wrap it around the ear with outer side. And inside the ear you need to drip 1 or 2 drops of geranium juice. Next, the ear should be covered with compress paper and insulated with cotton wool. At night, do not forget to fix the compress with a bandage. And after three or four such light procedures, you will forget about the sore ear.
Contraindications to the use of geranium
Pregnant women should not take geranium, in whatever form it may be. Also, geranium is forbidden to be taken if there are chronic diseases. Geranium is contraindicated for the elderly.
Expert editor: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna| Phytotherapeutist
Education: A diploma in the specialty "Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the University named after N. I. Pirogov (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Moscow University of Peoples' Friendship (2008).
Pelargonium- belongs to the geranium family. The birthplace of pelargoniums is South Africa, where there are about 350 natural varieties of plants of this family.
Pelargonium is a perennial herbaceous plant with straight or creeping stems. The leaves of the plant are various shapes(depending on the variety) - whole, lobed and deeply dissected.
The aroma of pelargonium flowers and leaves is specific, slightly sharp, but with medicinal properties. Geranium oil is used in aromatherapy to relieve nervous tension for recuperation and healthy sleep. In addition, the smell of this plant repels moths and mosquitoes.
indoor floriculture
The most widespread in culture are hybrids and varieties:
Large-flowered Pelargonium (Pelargonium grandiflorum)
Pelargonium grandiflora- semi-shrubs and shrubs, in which the shoots quickly become woody. The leaves are green, serrated at the edges, with a slight aroma. The flowers are very large (up to 5 cm), with dark specks on the petals, there are pink, red and white colors.
Pelargonium zonale (Pelargonium zonale)
Pelargonium zonal- a plant with straight stems, semi-lignified below. The leaves are light green, softly pubescent, with a brown border around the edges.
Zonal Pelargoniums are very hardy and are grown indoors, on balconies and outdoors, where they bloom from May to October. The plant can be formed in the form of a lush tree. The life span of zonal pelargonium reaches 20 years or more.
Pelargonium ivy (Pelargonium peltatum)
Pelargonium ivy- a plant with hanging or creeping shoots. The leaves are dense and shiny, reminiscent of ivy leaves in shape. The inflorescence consists of 8-15 flowers of medium size. At proper care may bloom all year round. Used to decorate balconies and as potted plants.
Pelargonium feels good in bright places, but can also grow in partial shade. The ideal option is to place the plant on a south window or balcony. For the summer, pelargonium can be taken out into the garden to a bright place or planted in open ground.
In spring and summer, the plant needs regular abundant watering and top dressing. Suitable complex mineral fertilizers for flowering plants that need to be applied once every 10-14 days. Spraying and washing the leaves does not require. In the summer, it is kept at room temperature.
In winter, geraniums need to provide peace. To do this, it must be kept cool (at a temperature of 8-12 ° C), it can be placed on the windowsill closer to the glass. Watering is reduced, fertilizing stops completely.
At the end of winter, pruning is useful, which will subsequently provide more lush bloom and make the bush compact.
Of the pests, pelargonium can be affected by whiteflies, mites (spider and cyclamen), aphids and weevil. Leaves affected by insects should be washed green soap, especially carefully from the underside. From herbal preparations, you can use an infusion of garlic.
It is more difficult to deal with the whitefly, as it multiplies quickly. To combat it, it is necessary to regularly (every 6-7 days) wash off eggs and larvae from the leaves. If this does not help, then once every 3 days you need to treat the leaves with an aqueous solution of nicotine sulfate or Nurell-d.
Weevil larvae infect the roots of pelargonium. If the root system has not suffered much, then the plant can still be saved. It is necessary to water the soil with an insecticide solution (inta-vir, fufan, etc.), and also treat the leaves. Then you need to transplant the pelargonium into fresh soil.
Not favorable conditions content (lack of light, excessive air humidity, excessive watering) can cause rotting of the roots and root neck of plants. With a lack of moisture in pelargoniums, the lower leaves turn yellow and fall off. The cause of reddening of the edges of the leaves may be low temperature, therefore, in frosty weather, you need to move the pot with the plant away from the glass.
Rust can appear on geranium leaves, in which the leaves first become covered with yellow spots, then dry out. The affected leaves of the plant must be removed, as well as provide fresh air and reduce humidity.
When a plant becomes ill with a black leg, its stem darkens at the base. Sick geraniums must be destroyed. To prevent this disease, it is necessary to use sterilized soil and prevent its waterlogging.
Gray rot on pelargonium leaves appears with excessive watering. Infected leaves must be removed to prevent the spread of the disease.
To combat all fungal and bacterial diseases the plant is treated with fungicides (topaz, phytosporin-M, etc.).
reproduction
Pelargonium is propagated by seeds and cuttings. Plants grown from seeds bloom more profusely than those propagated from cuttings. In addition, they get sick less. Sowing seeds for seedlings is carried out in January - February in a small bowl. Seeds must be spread on moistened ground, lightly sprinkled, then cover the pot with glass or film. Crops need regular watering, drying out of the soil is unacceptable, their frequent airing is desirable. It is necessary to maintain the temperature in the room within 20-24 °C. Seeds germinate in one or two weeks. When 2-4 leaves appear on young plants, the seedlings need to dive, and it is better to plant them at the same depth at which they grew before the dive. Plants are grown at a temperature of 16-18 ° C for 1.5-2 months, then they are transplanted into another dish. Young geraniums will bloom in mid-summer.
When pelargonium is propagated by cuttings, flowering will come even faster. Cuttings are cut in early spring or late summer. It must be borne in mind that they take root poorly at high temperatures (above 25 ° C). The tops of shoots 5-7 cm long are cut into cuttings, which are wrapped in the shade during the day. To prevent the cutting from rotting, its cut is dipped in crushed coal. Plant cuttings in light soil with a sand content of at least 1/3 part. After planting, it is necessary to water abundantly, then it should be watered less so that the cuttings do not rot. When the plant has roots, it is transplanted into a pot.
Pelargoniums require nutritious soil. You can take a mixture of garden soil, sand and peat in equal parts. The pot must have good drainage so that water does not stagnate in the roots of the plant. The soil in pots should be regularly loosened to ensure air access to the roots.
Pelargonium must be replanted every 1-2 years in early spring, the pot for these purposes should not be large, since the roots of the plant are small. The optimal diameter of a pot for a young geranium is from 12 to 14 cm, height is 15 cm. If you plant a plant in a larger container, many shoots and leaves will develop, and the buds may not start at all.
Video.
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Homeland of the geranium plant
Homeland of the geranium plant. When wondering what is the birthplace of the geranium flower, it is impossible not to recall its history. After all, only in it can you find the answer to this question. Having two names, and the second name of this flower is pelargonium, it has a very interesting story. South Africa is considered its homeland, or rather the ancestor, which united Australia, India and South Africa.
Homeland of the geranium plant
Geranium is a name of ancient Greek origin, in translation it means "stork". Presumably, he received such a name due to some similarity with a bird with a long beak. And at different peoples its names are similar, for example, among the Germans it became the “stork nose”, and the British call it the “crane”.
Homeland of room geranium
In its current form, geranium was brought out by an English gardener - breeder George Tradescan. After all, initially samples of this flower were brought to England by sailors from India. The pinnacle of his creations among geraniums is the royal geranium. Having rid the king of insomnia with her soothing aroma, she became the king's favorite. And in our time, this feature of the aroma of geranium inflorescences is often used. By placing such a flower in your bedroom, you can get rid of insomnia.
Due to its appearance, the flower has gained immense popularity in England. The ladies-in-waiting decorated their hats and necklines, and the men placed it behind the cuff of the sleeve.
Geranium came to Russia, assisting Peter the Great in the treatment of an ingrown nail. Thanks to this, he received universal recognition by doctors, and then Russia's own recipes for its use appeared.
Naturally, having such a rich history, the flower could not help but be surrounded by myths and legends. Here, for example, is a legend that explains the Russian folk name for a flower - “crane”. It says that flocks of cranes have been nesting in the Vogul rocks for a long time. Once hunters shot a female crane. The crane, which had been circling for three days over the place of the death of his girlfriend, folded its wings and rushed like a stone onto the rocks. And soon, in the place where the lifeless body of the crane lay, fragrant flowers appeared, the fruits of which resembled crane beaks.
In Germany, the legend has a naturally Germanic connotation. The shoemaker, who loved to knock over more than one glass of schnapps, was returning home, imagining how he would now get from his wife. Suddenly he noticed a lovely flower under his feet. Picking up the plant, the shoemaker presented it to his wife as a gift. Inhaling the fragrance of the flower, the wife forgot how much she wanted to scold her husband. She put the flower in the water. A few days later he gave roots, and he was transplanted into a pot. From that time on, peace reigned in the house. The shoemaker stopped drinking, and naturally his wife no longer scolded him.
Thus, it is quite difficult to determine the homeland of geraniums. Being brought from South Africa in the wild, it was modified by English breeders to its current form. And already in this form pleases us with its appearance and aroma.
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What is the origin of the violet plant?
Those who identify lilac forest flowers with house violet, we want to say right away that these are completely different types of plants. The indoor variety is called "Saintpaulia" and is very different in its structure and properties. As already mentioned, the birthplace of Saintpaulia is East Africa. The history of its discovery can be called romantic and noble: back in 1892, one of the governors of the state, Adalbert von Saint-Pol, was walking with his bride at the foot of the Usambara Mountains, and noticed unfamiliar people between the stones purple flowers. The young couple liked them, and the seeds of the future were sent to the governor's father, a collector and flower grower, and then registered and named after the discoverer. 
In Europe, the beauty of this flower was quickly appreciated, and after it was first presented at the international flower exhibition in Belgium, the violet instantly scattered around different countries. At the beginning of the next century, the seeds of this plant came to America, where they also gained popularity. And the residents of the United States the new kind I liked it so much that in one of the states a society of flower growers was organized, who were engaged in breeding a beautiful flower. Maybe because of this, today only in America several thousand species of this plant are officially registered.
To date, there are about 8 thousand species of flower in the world, and breeders continue to bring out new saintpaulias, delighting their fans.
At first, in mass breeding, the inflorescences had shades close to natural - lilac, purple, blue. But later, breeders managed to bring out the reddish-purple color of the houseplant, and then the fluffy double flowers. Later came pink, white, ruffled and edged inflorescences, yellowish flowers, and flowers with variegated foliage. 
Violet came to us only in the middle of the last century, and it was the simplest variety, with small purple flowers, since there was nowhere to take varieties of imported origin. But domestic experts were happy to start breeding Saintpaulia, and very soon the first society of violet lovers was created in Moscow.
Where does it grow
Every grower has his own perfect recipe composition of the soil growth of this amazing flower. Under natural conditions, Saintpaulia can be found on the slopes of the Uzamba Mountains. This plant loves when the composition of the soil is well moistened, and therefore prefers places near streams, rivers and waterfalls. Different types can be found in different places Tanzania, in the domestic open spaces "in the wild" Saintpaulia, unfortunately, you will not meet. 
For good growth and the development of Saintpaulia, it is necessary that the composition of the soil be loose and that air can circulate freely, allowing the roots to breathe. The composition of the soil is soddy land, leaf humus, sand and moss. The earth from coniferous forest, with a small proportion of earth leafy. Of course, in order to achieve the ideal composition, you will have to experiment a little, but the final result is definitely worth it. Decorating your home with delicate violet inflorescences is a great solution for any interior.
Video "Reproduction of Saintpaulia"
On the recording, a well-known collector of Gesnerievs, Olga Artyomova, talks about how she propagates Saintpaulias at home.
Homeland of the geranium plant
Geraniums are popular not only among indoor plants, but also among park plants, horticultural crops, as they look perfect on window sills, and in flower beds, and on lawns. These plants belong to the geranium family, and in wild nature they can be found in forests, swampy areas and clearings. But, despite the fact that everyone is familiar with geraniums, nevertheless, not everyone knows about the places of its origin, and its homeland is South Africa and India.
The second name of the plant is crail, but many believe that geranium is the same pelargonium. But in fact, such an opinion is a delusion, and although the difference between plants is insignificant, it still exists.
So in this moment there are more than 400 species of geraniums that are scattered throughout the world, and they can be found both in the form of herbs and shrubs. On average, the height of the plant reaches 40-60cm. Its leaves have soft hairs and various cuts. And the flower itself has a 5-leaf outstretched calyx and the same number of rounded corolla petals. The color of the plant is white, blue, purple and purple.
As already mentioned, South Africa and India are considered the place of origin of geraniums, although there is an opinion that this information is not reliable. But then where did the geranium come from? There is one assumption that the plant is home to an ancient continent that once united Africa, Australia and India, but, unfortunately, it is no longer possible to find out this secret to the end.
Despite its secret, which only geranium knows. Many other mysterious events and legends are also associated with this flower. For example, one of them explains why geranium is sometimes called crail.
Once, when a female crane was shot by hunters, her "friend" could not bear such a loss. First, he circled over the place of her death for three days, and then suddenly he himself threw himself on the stones, folding his wings. After some time, flowers sprouted at the place of his death, outwardly resembling crane beaks. As you guessed, it was a geranium. Also given plant attributed magical power fill the house positive energy, comfort and kindness. And it has already been noted that if there is a geranium in the apartment, then as a rule, serious quarrels and scandals will no longer occur in your family.
Geranium: the birthplace of the plant
Geranium is known to us as unpretentious indoor plant, which pleases with bright numerous flowers from spring to the very snow. Not everyone knows that there is another type of geranium that grows quietly in the open field. The frost-resistant "sister" can be found in the garden, in the forest or in the swamp. Botanists divided them into two varieties, one of which is called "geranium", and the other was given the name "pelargonium". It was she who became the pet of almost everyone who breeds flowers. Both genera belong to the same geranium family and have the same origin.
The geranium plant is native to South Africa. AT different parts The Republic of South Africa is adjacent to several types of climate: Mediterranean, tropical, subtropical and temperate. As a result, the flora turned out to be very diverse and colorful. Unusual representatives of the plant world have been transported from here ever since the 16th century. merchant ships of the Old World began to moor to the shores of Africa.
Navigators often stopped at the Cape of Good Hope during long journeys. At that time, Europeans were interested not only in the culture of the local population and trade with them, but also in animals and vegetable world mainland. Naturalists immediately noticed the bright and varied flowers growing freely under their feet, and took their specimens home for further breeding. Among the plants was geranium. Breeders became interested in unusual and beautiful flower and began to actively engage in its adaptation to new living conditions. Gradually, it spread throughout the world, perfectly adapting to the climate in which it found itself. Therefore, today it is so unusual for us to hear that the homeland of the geranium plant was a hot country.
The first mention of geranium appeared in Europe around the 17th century. In Russia, it appeared at the beginning of the 18th century, and in the 19th century. became a houseplant in every aristocratic home. Some types of geraniums remained "wild", grew in forests, meadows, swamps, calmly enduring harsh climatic conditions. Others "turned" into indoor thermophilic beauties. So a species of domestic geranium stood out, which was called pelargonium. Over time, he became completely different from the meadow "sister". Today, these two flowers are very different from each other, despite the common ancestry.
Breeders have bred many varieties of geraniums. They differ in color and shape of flowers. There are about 400 species of this plant on earth. In nature, it can be found in New Zealand, Turkey, Madagascar, other species grow in Russia.
Currently, many varieties of geraniums can be seen in the homeland of the plant, in Africa. There it looks like our usual indoor pelargonium.
We will tell you more about it in more detail. home pelargonium is divided into two main types:
- bush (these are lush, low plants);
- ampelous (ivy-leaved pelargonium with long shoots creeping like a vine).
Among the bush pelargoniums there are flowering varieties with bright lush inflorescences and fragrant, which are valued for their fragrant leaves.
Bush geraniums are the most popular among flower growers:
- zonal (with a border along the edge of the flower);
- royal (with large flowers).
Geranium Care
The geranium plant is native to South Africa. Many indoor crops, such as chlorophytums, clivias, sanseviers and others, originated from there. Being heat-loving and light-loving, once in Europe, and then in Russia, they could only survive at home.
For several centuries, geraniums have adapted well to our changing climate, but just like their southern relatives, they love the sun and warmth. Therefore, deciding to breed this flower, find the brightest place in the apartment for it. Windows should face south or southwest.
In the summer, you can decorate a balcony or veranda with pelargonium. This plant loves the direct rays of the sun and will delight you. large quantity colors. In extreme heat, it is advisable to cover it a little.
Temperature regime
Indoor geranium grows well at 20 - 25 ° volume, in winter it is better to place it in a cooler place. She will feel great at 10 - 15°.
Pelargonium loves moisture, although it should not be poured. The optimal frequency of watering is once every two days. For favorable growth the flower needs drainage from expanded clay or pebbles. It will absorb excess moisture, which means that the roots of the plant will not rot and will not get sick.
In winter, geraniums are almost not watered, at this time she "sleeps" until spring.
Do I need to repot geraniums
This plant does not like to be disturbed in vain, so transplanting can only be puzzled when roots are breaking through from the drainage hole. Land for planting can be used ordinary garden. Do not let the geraniums grow high, in this case the number of flowers will be reduced. It needs to be cut periodically, then the bushes will be lush, and many inflorescences will appear on them.
If all these conditions are met, your geranium will bloom from spring until late autumn. Propagating the plant at home is very simple: just cut off a small twig with a few leaves from the top in the spring and put it in a glass of water. When the roots appear, it can be planted in a small pot.
The benefits of geranium
Centuries ago, people discovered that geraniums have medicinal properties. With the help of a compress, abscesses were removed from its leaves and wounds healed. It turned out that it has an anti-inflammatory and regenerating effect.
It was for the treatment of patients that geranium was used in her homeland. She disinfected wounds and protected from infection. Very often it was used as a folk remedy for colds and headaches.
It has been noticed that fragrant geranium is able to calm the nervous system and improve a person's mood. No wonder this flower was grown in almost every home. It was believed that this plant brings peace and prosperity to the family. Pelargonium was cherished not only as a decoration of the house, but also as a talisman.
Homeland of the geranium plant and popular types of flower
This beautiful and useful flower, which came to our country from Europe back in the 17th century, very quickly gained unprecedented popularity. However, the birthplace of the geranium plant is hot South Africa and India smelling of spices. Most botanists agree that this flower was distributed even on the ancient supercontinent Gondwana, which united India, Australia and Africa.
It wasn't until the late 16th century that geranium was brought to Britain from South Africa. It should be noted that it was at this time that Europe became the center of breeding and cultivation rare species edible and ornamental plants. This was facilitated by the development of new exotic lands in Africa and India by English and Spanish sailors. The birthplace of geraniums, the varieties of which we know and grow today, is Great Britain. In those distant times it was popular to bring interesting representatives of flora and fauna to expand the catalogs of royal gardens and menageries, as well as to satisfy the needs of wealthy breeders.
The huge Geranium family includes two genera of plants. The first representative is pelargonium, which can be found on the windowsills of many in our country. The second genus is the geranium itself. This flower is suitable both for growing at home and for planting in the front garden in open ground. Many novice and experienced flower growers often confuse pelargonium and geranium: the birthplace of the plant, appearance and the conditions of their maintenance are almost identical, but still not the same. The first genus has about 280 species, and the second - more than 430, but every year new representatives of this homely beauty appear thanks to the tireless work of breeders from all over the world. To distinguish one plant from another, you need to carefully study the flowers: in geraniums they will be radially symmetrical, collected in small semi-umbels and almost regular in shape. But the inflorescences of pelargonium have bilaterally symmetrical zygomorphic flowers.
Popular types
The homeland of the geranium plant is India, the most popular varieties come from there. It is also found in Africa. Let us dwell in more detail on several common plant species that are the most beautiful representatives of this family.
Geranium quadrangular - a bush 30-70 cm high. Flowers appear in spring and summer (depending on the planting date) and outwardly resemble a butterfly. South Africa is the birthplace of the quadrangular geranium plant. The color of flowers can be from pale cream to light pink. The plant prefers well-lit window sills and temperatures not lower than +10 o C. In spring and summer, geraniums are watered abundantly, and the cool season is moderate. As soil is suitable nutritious soil with good drainage.
Geranium curly is an excellent variety for growing at home. This shrub reaches a height of 30-60 cm and has a very branched leaf system. The homeland of the curly geranium plant is South Africa (Cape Province). The flowers have a bright color from pink to deep purple, and rather short legs. The first buds appear in July, and the complete wilting and maturation of microseeds occurs at the end of August. 
Any selected variety of pelargonium or geranium requires fertile soil, high-quality watering and a bright, well-ventilated place in the house or on the site. Despite the resistance of the plant to various diseases Root rot should not be allowed.
Geranium is a picky plant that is grown indoors. The bush blooms with beautiful bright flowers, from early spring to the very cold. In addition to a houseplant, geraniums may be of a different species that grows in open soil. Since the plant has a high resistance to frost, it is able to grow in swamps, forests or on garden plot. This type has become the most favorite among flower growers, as it does not take much time for care.
Origin of geranium
The country of origin of geraniums is South Africa, in this country the climate is diverse, as a result of which an unusual variegated color of the plant was obtained. A lot was transported from this country unusual plants on various incoming ships.
During a long voyage, ships moored at the Cape of Good Hope, while sailors who noticed bright flowers geraniums, recruited them home. Gradually, the plant adapted to the conditions of stay in other countries, and thus spread throughout the world.
You could first hear about geraniums in European countries in the 17th century, and in Russia it became popular in the 18th and 19th centuries.
which plant was grown in every house of aristocrats. Some species of this plant have remained in the wild, growing in meadows, forests or swamps, they are not afraid of the harsh climate. And some types of geraniums have remained thermophilic, so they are grown in room conditions such as pelargonium. Despite one kind, wild and indoor geranium have a strong difference.
With the help of breeders, it was produced a large number of varieties of geraniums that differ in color and flower shape. In the nature of this plant, there are about 400 species that are distributed throughout all countries. Today, a lot of geranium species are located in its homeland, that is, in Africa, it looks like an ordinary room pelargonium.
edge home look is divided into two varieties, the bush form has lush, and low bushes. ampelous plant has long shoots that creep like vines.
The bush species blooms brightly, and has a pleasant aroma, their leaves are valued for this. There is a geranium with large flowers, as well as with a pronounced border along the edge of the petals.
Proper Care
Since the plant is native to South Africa, it loves warmth and light, so the flower is grown indoors. After many centuries, the plant has become accustomed to our climate, but it needs to provide good lighting and warmth. When growing geraniums, they put them in the brightest places, it is better if they are windows with south side.
In summer, the flower can be taken out into the air, placed on a balcony, veranda or in the garden. The bush loves the bright sun, and actively blooms, but if the heat is too strong, then it is slightly shaded.
It is very important to observe the correct temperature, the room should be from 20 to 25 degrees. And in winter, it is better to rearrange the plant in a room with cool air from 10 to 15 degrees Celsius.
Water the bush once every two days, while not flooding the plant. To create favorable conditions for the development of the bush, a drainage expanded clay layer is laid on the bottom of the tank. This is done so that moisture does not stagnate, due to which the roots of the plant can rot. AT winter time the plant almost does not need watering, the procedure is carried out extremely rarely.
It is forbidden to apply fresh organic matter as fertilizer. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium agents are used for top dressing. In order for flowering to be active, potassium is usually added. For fertilizer can be purchased already ready mixes in specialized flower shops. Usually use the compositions "For geraniums" or "for flowering plants." In extreme heat, it is better to refuse to apply bait to avoid stressing the plant. Before performing the procedure, the plant is moved to a shady place. If the soil is dry, then liquid top dressing is not used. In order not to burn the root system, first water the bush, and then proceed to the introduction of fertilizer. These actions are performed about twice a month in spring and summer.
soil for geraniums
The question arises, what kind of soil to use for growing such a plant? Usually geranium is not picky about the soil composition, but some conditions must be observed. The soil should be loose, with drainage, this is the main rule.
The composition can be purchased ready-made, in special flower shops, any mixture for flowering plants is suitable for this. Professional flower growers take the usual universal soil, and add vermiculite or perlite to it. During the use of such a substrate, it is necessary to carefully examine it for the presence of mold, and various bugs, in their absence, you can start planting. In order for the plant to actively develop, peat must be present in the soil.
If it is not possible to purchase in the store special compound, then the soil can be prepared with your own hands, for this they take two parts of humus, one sand, and eight soddy soil.
The plant should not be transplanted just like that, the procedure is performed when its roots look out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the container.
mlu can be used the most common, from the garden.
Geranium should not grow tall, otherwise there will be few flowers on it, so it is periodically cut off. After such an action, the bush becomes lush, and there are a lot of flowers on it.
If such conditions are met, then the plant will delight the eye with bright flowers from the beginning of spring until the very late autumn period.
Bushes propagate at room conditions is not difficult, a small branch is cut from the top, on which a few leaves remain, and placed in a container with water. After the roots appear, the plant is planted in a container with earth.
What are the benefits of geranium?
It has long been observed that geranium brings medicinal benefit. The plant is able to heal wounds and remove abscesses, for this they make compresses from the leaves. That is, the plant has anti-inflammatory properties.
In its homeland, this plant was used as a disinfectant for wounds and protection against infectious bacteria. The plant is also used for colds and headaches. The smell of this plant acts as a sedative, and improves not only the mood, but also the well-being of a person. According to signs, the plant brought well-being and good luck to the house, which is why it was so important to grow a flower at home.
Subject to all the conditions for caring for the plant, it will please with abundant beautiful flowering. It must be remembered that the bush loves the sun and warmth, so its origin is from the warm country of Africa.
Geranium care
The geranium plant is native to South Africa. Many indoor crops, such as chlorophytums, clivias, sanseviers and others, originated from there. Being heat-loving and light-loving, once in Europe, and then in Russia, they could only survive at home.
For several centuries, geraniums have adapted well to our changing climate, but just like their southern relatives, they love the sun and warmth. Therefore, deciding to breed this flower, find the brightest place in the apartment for it. Windows should face south or southwest.
In the summer, you can decorate a balcony or veranda with pelargonium. This plant loves the direct rays of the sun and will delight you with a large number of flowers. In extreme heat, it is advisable to cover it a little.
Temperature regime
Indoor geranium grows well at 20 - 25 ° volume, in winter it is better to place it in a cooler place. She will feel great at 10-15°.
Watering
Pelargonium loves moisture, although it should not be poured. The optimal frequency of watering is once every two days. For favorable growth, the flower needs drainage from expanded clay or pebbles. It will absorb excess moisture, which means that the roots of the plant will not rot and will not get sick.
In winter, geraniums are almost not watered, at this time she "sleeps" until spring.
Do I need to repot geraniums
This plant does not like to be disturbed in vain, so transplanting can only be puzzled when roots are breaking through from the drainage hole. Land for planting can be used ordinary garden. Do not let the geraniums grow high, in this case the number of flowers will be reduced. It needs to be cut periodically, then the bushes will be lush, and many inflorescences will appear on them.
If all these conditions are met, your geranium will bloom from spring until late autumn. Propagating the plant at home is very simple: just cut off a small twig with a few leaves from the top in the spring and put it in a glass of water. When the roots appear, it can be planted in a small pot.
The benefits of geranium
Centuries ago, people discovered that geraniums have medicinal properties. With the help of a compress, abscesses were removed from its leaves and wounds healed. It turned out that it has an anti-inflammatory and regenerating effect.
It was for the treatment of patients that geranium was used in her homeland. She disinfected wounds and protected from infection. Very often it was used as a folk remedy for colds and headaches.
It has been noticed that fragrant geranium is able to calm the nervous system and improve a person's mood. No wonder this flower was grown in almost every home. It was believed that this plant brings peace and prosperity to the family. Pelargonium was cherished not only as a decoration of the house, but also as a talisman.
plant homeland
Back in the 17th century, geraniums were brought to our area from Great Britain. Some people began to believe that this country is the birthplace of this amazing flower, but this is a wrong opinion. Geranium is southern plant, and came to Europe from South Africa and India. It was brought in by the British. In the UK, other varieties of this plant began to be bred, which today many people grow at home. Geraniums decorate window sills, plant a plant in the garden.
Most of the geraniums are plants that have adapted to dry weather, so they have learned to accumulate great amount moisture in their thick stems.
In the homeland of this plant, there are severe weather. Most of the days of the year the scorching sun shines there. Often, droughts are replaced by heavy long rains that flood the land for several days.
About 10% of all geranium species grow in other areas.
This plant can be found:
- In Madagascar
- In Australia
- In California
- In New Zealand
As soon as geranium was brought to Europe, it began to be used as a decoration in houses, on windows, especially often this could be seen among the nobles.
Ladies in ancient times used inflorescences to decorate the neckline, hats. After some time, the plant gained popularity, so ordinary people began to breed it.
flower history
As already mentioned, geraniums originally grew in South Africa. But, often, sailors who visited various places were interested not only in culture, infrastructure, but also in plants that appear in a particular area. Therefore, such a flower as geranium could not go unnoticed. Naturalists drew attention to the amazing inflorescence that they contemplated in such a warm climate. After that, they had a desire to adapt the plant to new living conditions. So geranium began to spread to different parts of the world, it adapted to the diverse climate in which it fell. Because of this, people are now surprised by the fact that the birthplace of geraniums is a country where the weather is hot almost all year round.
The flower reached Russia somewhere in the 18-19th century. Some types of geraniums remained to grow in the wild, while they calmly endured cold weather. But many varieties of plants began to decorate people's rooms.
As a result, breeders developed geraniums, who began to breed different varieties. Each plant has a different color, shape. But even in its homeland, geranium continues to please the eye, in appearance it is the same as a houseplant.
Geranium care
The care of this home plant is directly related to the birthplace of geraniums. Her countrymen are chlorophytums, sanseviers and other plants. Geranium loves warmth and light, so she could only survive at home. Many years have passed since the plant was first brought to Europe, so during this period it managed to adapt to new conditions. But, nevertheless, people who decide to plant geraniums at home should choose a place that is well lit. Windows should be south facing.
In summer, geraniums can easily be on balconies. The plant will please with its beauty if it is placed where there will be direct rays of the sun. But do not overdo it. In extreme heat, it is better to hide the flower in the shade.
The soil of the geranium should be moist, but, again, you need to remember the measure. Water the flower should be once every 2 days. In order for the plant to grow well, drainage should be made of pebbles. With it will go away excess moisture so the roots will be safe, they won't rot.
But in winter, you can do without abundant watering, as the plant is dormant until spring.
Geranium does not require frequent repotting, it should be done only when the roots will make their way out of the hole. The plant does not require special soil, it is enough to apply ordinary land. The number of flowers may decrease if the geranium grows tall. Because of this, it is recommended to systematically prune branches. From this, the bush will become splendid, and there will be many inflorescences.
If you follow all these rules, geranium will delight with its beautiful flowers. But the reproduction of the plant is generally simple. To do this, the torn branch is placed in a container of water. It can be planted when the first roots are visible.
Geranium is considered the most popular and famous plant
in indoor floriculture. Beginning lovers appreciate it for its unpretentiousness and ease of reproduction. There are a huge number of different varieties. Geranium is an annual or perennial, reaching a height of fifty centimeters. The highlight of the plant are the leaves of a rich green hue, reminiscent of the color of young grass, and large bright flowers collected in inflorescences. Leaves issue pleasant aroma lemon and mint. In this article we will talk about the birthplace of the plant, find out its scientific name and differences from another species - pelargonium.
Where are you from?
First, let's figure out where it comes from home plant.Found wild in New Zealand, Australia, California and Madagascar. The plant is native to India and South Africa. It was from these parts that the plant came to European countries. Once sailors who ended up in South Africa were interested in an interesting plant with bright inflorescences. The British brought the plant to the UK, where breeders began to develop new varieties.
She began to decorate houses and gardens as soon as she got to Europe. Basically, this plant could be seen in the dwellings of nobles. The ladies of those times took a fancy to the beauty and decorated their toilets with her, decorating the headdresses and decollete of luxurious dresses.
When did you get to Russia?
It arrived in Russia in the eighteenth - nineteenth century and immediately gained wide popularity among the aristocrats. They began to decorate unusual flower their luxury homes. Some species were never tamed by man, they spread in the wild, settling in meadows, swampy areas, in forest areas, staunchly fighting against unfavorable weather conditions for them.
Problems in growing a flower
- yellowing and falling of the lower leaves. Reason: lack of lighting improper watering. Flaw sun rays causes blanching of the leaves. Drought causes the tips of the leaves to dry out, and excessive moisture causes them to rot. If this happens, the conditions of detention are corrected: the plant is illuminated or watered;
- reddening of the border of the leaves. Reason: cold. Solution: moving to a warmer room;
- lack of flowering. Reason: insufficient lighting or low temperature readings. Solution: adjustment of conditions of detention;
- disease damage ( gray rot, root rot) or exposure to pests: nematodes, aphids, whiteflies and mites. In order to prevent the development of diseases, it is necessary to provide right conditions content.
Useful properties of geranium
It not only decorates the apartment, but also has many useful properties. It contains flavonoids, essential oils, tannins, carotene, starch, fructose, pectin, manganese, iron and other substances. The properties of miraculous geraniums were interested in even in ancient times, it attracted the attention of healers, sorcerers and priests. With its help, they fought evil and protected pregnant women.
It was used to eliminate headaches, stress and pain in the spine. It is able to fight bacteria and viruses, stop blood, relieve pain and swelling, heal wounds, and have a positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract and heart.
With a runny nose, juice from the leaves is instilled into the nose, when coughing, they drink an infusion of the leaves and gargle. Ear diseases are treated by laying a fresh leaf in the ear canal. There are a large number of recipes for its use for medicinal purposes.
Signs and beliefs
Geranium is able to have a positive impact on the environment stop and people. For many, it is associated with old grandmothers and Soviet times, when a flower adorned every window sill. Our grandmothers believed that the plant had truly unique properties. However, even now it does not lose its popularity.
The plant saves families from scandals and quarrels, creating a harmonious atmosphere in the house. The specific aroma helps to cope with stressful situation and relieves excessive irritability. Nervous system comes into order under the influence of a miraculous plant, thanks to which a person no longer dreams scary dreams and insomnia goes away. Many believe that it is an excellent amulet that protects against the evil eye and damage.
A variety of beliefs are associated with geraniums, in which our ancestors believed especially strongly. Previously, girls carried dried flowers with them, sewn into a bag, so that the guy they liked would pay attention to them. The girls believed that they help to give rise to reverent love. It is believed that the plant has a positive effect on the family budget.
Geranium bloom close up The neighborhood of geraniums with azalea is of particular benefit - together they attract peace and tranquility to the house. Promote the development of creative abilities in children.
White geraniums symbolize purity, innocence and sincerity. They protect family happiness from misfortunes and failures. Married couples who want to have a baby should immediately purchase white geranium: She will help you become a parent.
Red symbolizes passionate love. Single girls who dream of meeting a soul mate should make friends with them. Red geranium will help preserve beauty and youth. pink plants are given to girls who cannot get married for a long time.
Another scientific name for geranium
In Latin, the name sounds like this - "geranium". It comes from the word "geranion" or "geranios", which means "crane" in translation. The name was given to the plant for a reason: the fruits that are tied on it look very similar to the beak of a crane. The British and Americans call geranium "cranesbill" - "crane".
What is the difference between geranium and pelargonium?
There is a lot of confusion in the field of floriculture regarding geraniums and pelargoniums.. Some think they are the same plant, others believe that "pelargonium" is the scientific name for the plant. This is a big misconception. In fact, geranium and pelargonium are two completely different flowers that have significant differences.
They belong to the same family, this is the greatest similarity. The family contains five genera and eight hundred species of plants. The most numerous is geranium, and the most common is pelargonium. They have similarities in external signs. They have very similar fruits that resemble the beak of a crane or stork."Pelargos" is translated from Latin as "stork", hence the name "pelargonium".
The stems of both plants stand straight, and the leaves, dotted with small hairs, are arranged alternately. Geraniums publish nice smell and do not require special care - they are unpretentious.
Plants are characterized by the presence of different genetic properties, so they cannot be crossed. Pelargonium is native to southern regions, and geranium came to us from northern latitudes. This difference significantly affects flowering: geranium blooms even at twelve degrees Celsius, and pelargoniums require greenhouse conditions for this. Pelargonium grows well at home, in flower beds and on balconies, it can exist in gardens where it does not need to be covered during the winter months.
Care difference
Geranium and pelargonium do not require super skills and great experience from the grower, they are quite unpretentious. Both plants can grow well on loose fertile lands, pelargonium prefers a neutral or acidic substrate.
Species that grow naturally on rocks love light sandy soil, while species that live in grasslands thrive in heavy soil with clay.
Pelargonium close up Geranium and pelargonium grow well indoors with partial shade., although they like good lighting, but without direct sunlight. Their care is basically the same. The only difference is that pelargonium is cared for in an apartment, and geraniums in a garden.
Pelargonium is placed on the windowsill, providing it comfortable temperature. She came to apartments from hot places, so she needs greenhouse conditions. If the plant does not have enough light, it stops blooming or blooms small flowers. Pelargonium is watered as the topsoil dries. It is impossible to over-moisten, otherwise it will lead to rotting of the root system. Pelargoniums need a small pot filled with nutritious soil and equipped with high-quality drainage.
Geranium is most often grown in the garden. She is unpretentious, therefore very popular. You can not fertilize it and not weed the weeds around: they do not interfere with it.
It is watered infrequently, special attention is paid to it if the summer turned out to be not rich in rains. Despite the fact that the flower will develop both without fertilizer and without weeding, it is still worth paying a little attention to these aspects of care. Minimal feeding and weeding will help the flower become more lush and healthy. They plant it in sunny places, do not cover it for the winter, because it tolerates frost well. This is the fundamental difference between the two types.
How to distinguish between two flowers?
A geranium flower has five or eight petals. Most often single flowers bloom, but in some varieties they are collected in inflorescences. Pelargonium growing at home has an unusual structure of the corolla of the flower: the upper petals are larger than the three lower ones, due to which it forms irregular shape this part of the flower. Pelargonium flowers produce large inflorescences. Geranium has a wide range of shades that can be dyed with flowers other than scarlet, and pelargonium flowers never wear colors with blue notes.
On the left is a pelargonium flower, on the right is a geranium Geranium is considered a garden plant that has gained great popularity among gardeners.
The most common varieties are "Georgian", "Oxford", "magnificent". Pelargonium is loved by home flower growers, blooms flowers throughout the year. In summer, it can be placed on a balcony or veranda, but in winter it must be returned indoors.
Flowers are often confused, believing that this is the same plant. However, these two flowers are completely different plants with fundamental differences so you need to be able to tell them apart.
Geranium is known to us as an unpretentious indoor plant that pleases with bright numerous flowers from spring to the very snow. Not everyone knows that there is another type of geranium that grows quietly in the open field. The frost-resistant "sister" can be found in the garden, in the forest or in the swamp. Botanists divided them into two varieties, one of which is called "geranium", and the other was given the name "pelargonium". It was she who became the pet of almost everyone who breeds flowers. Both genera belong to the same geranium family and have the same origin.
The geranium plant is native to South Africa. In different parts of the Republic of South Africa, several varieties of climate coexist: Mediterranean, tropical, subtropical and temperate. As a result, the flora turned out to be very diverse and colorful. Unusual representatives of the plant world have been transported from here ever since the 16th century. merchant ships of the Old World began to moor to the shores of Africa.
Navigators often stopped at the Cape of Good Hope during long journeys. At that time, Europeans were interested not only in the culture of the local population and trade with them, but also in the flora and fauna of the mainland. Naturalists immediately noticed the bright and varied flowers growing freely under their feet, and took their specimens home for further breeding. Among the plants was geranium. Breeders became interested in an unusual and beautiful flower and began to actively engage in its adaptation to new living conditions. Gradually, it spread throughout the world, perfectly adapting to the climate in which it found itself. Therefore, today it is so unusual for us to hear that the homeland of the geranium plant was a hot country. The first mention of geranium appeared in Europe around the 17th century. In Russia, it appeared at the beginning of the 18th century, and in the 19th century. became a houseplant in every aristocratic home. Some types of geraniums remained "wild", grew in forests, meadows, swamps, calmly enduring harsh climatic conditions. Others "turned" into indoor thermophilic beauties. So a species of domestic geranium stood out, which was called pelargonium. Over time, he became completely different from the meadow "sister". Today, these two flowers are very different from each other, despite the common ancestry. Breeders have bred many varieties of geraniums. They differ in color and shape of flowers. There are about 400 species of this plant on earth. In nature, it can be found in New Zealand, Turkey, Madagascar, other species grow in Russia. Currently, many varieties of geraniums can be seen in the homeland of the plant, in Africa. There it looks like our usual indoor pelargonium. We will tell you more about it in more detail. Home pelargonium is divided into two main types: Among the bush pelargoniums there are flowering varieties with bright lush inflorescences and fragrant ones, which are valued for their fragrant leaves. Bush geraniums are the most popular among flower growers: The geranium plant is native to South Africa. Many indoor crops, such as chlorophytums, clivias, sanseviers and others, originated from there. Being heat-loving and light-loving, once in Europe, and then in Russia, they could only survive at home. For several centuries, geraniums have adapted well to our changing climate, but just like their southern relatives, they love the sun and warmth. Therefore, deciding to breed this flower, find the brightest place in the apartment for it. Windows should face south or southwest. In the summer, you can decorate a balcony with pelargonium or. This plant loves the direct rays of the sun and will delight you with a large number of flowers. In extreme heat, it is advisable to cover it a little. Indoor geranium grows well at 20 - 25 ° volume, in winter it is better to place it in a cooler place. She will feel great at 10-15°. Pelargonium loves moisture, although it should not be poured. The optimal frequency of watering is once every two days. For favorable growth, the flower needs drainage from expanded clay or pebbles. It will absorb excess moisture, which means that the roots of the plant will not rot and will not get sick. In winter, geraniums are almost not watered, at this time she "sleeps" until spring. This plant does not like to be disturbed in vain, so transplanting can only be puzzled when roots are breaking through from the drainage hole. Land for planting can be used ordinary garden. Do not let the geraniums grow high, in this case the number of flowers will be reduced. It needs to be cut periodically, then the bushes will be lush, and many inflorescences will appear on them.
Temperature regime
Watering
Do I need to repot geraniums