Ivy Pelargonium (Geranium) is one of the most common varieties of indoor plants that does not require special care and is easy to hold.
How to choose the right place, conditions, correct watering, protect against diseases and find a special approach to pelargonium - let's take a closer look. In this article, the method of propagation by cutting is studied in detail.
Botanical description
Nearest ivy (or ile) relative pelargonium - geranium. For the first time, specimens of this plant were found in South Africa and brought to Europe at the end of the 17th century. Despite the fact that Pelargonium and Geranium are often mistaken for one flower with a synonymous name, these are two completely different plants, however, coming from the same family - Geranium.
This species got its name due to the characteristic smell, curly form and leaves that seemed flattened. Ever standing stalks reaching a length of 70-100 centimeters - a beautiful decoration of such a majestic flower.
Description of appearance and features
This plant is characterized by:
- Enough long stems capable of reaching 100 centimeters in length.
- Massive riding, striking variety of shades. And during the flowering period the bush is covered with abundant flowers, similar to the king's crown, decorated with colored constellations. Each individual "crown" has about 50 flowers.
- Coloring that can be varied - red, pink, white, blue, lilac, burgundy, etc.
- Fluffiness of flowers with more than six round-shaped petals.
The peculiarity of ivy-shaped pelargonium is that because of its simplicity, this flower is awarded not only to decorate gardens and exterior window sillsbut bloom on wide thumbs in the house.
Common Ivy Geranium Varieties and Photos
The most common types of ivy-shaped pelargonium are:
Pink Rosebud (Pink Rosebud)
Pink Rosebud, or, as they are also called, rousbad, is a kind of pelargonium with terry petals, resembling a rose. Huge inflorescences capable of long flowering and differ from roses by the absence of fragrance. Growing from their relatives are not particularly different.
Pac Mexica Nealit (Mexico Neolithic)
Very unusual decorative variety. It is appreciated for terry and dense inflorescences of pink-lilac color, from the center of which a white pattern diverges. With good lighting, it seems as if the flower emits neon light. The flowering period begins in mid-May and ends in late September.
How to plant and root a plant?
Each flower and plant needs its own conditions for planting and rooting. Ivy pelargonium is no exception. Planting at home is not difficult, it can be done in two ways: by seeds and cuttings.
If you have chosen the path through the seeds, then have patience and be prepared to go through a very painstaking and difficult road. Usually this option is chosen by more experienced gardeners. Planted seeds in the period from February to early April.
- Seeds are immersed in the soil to a depth of 1 centimeter.
- Then well moisten the soil from the spray.
- A box of seedlings clean in a warm and well-lit place.
- The temperature should not fall 22 degrees Celsius and exceed 25 degrees.
- Planted seedlings in a permanent ground 3-4 weeks after planting (depends on the shoot).
You should know! Ivy pelargonium grown from seeds blooms much more abundantly and more colorful.
Cutting is much easier, especially if there is where to get those same cuttings. Doing such work is necessary in early March.
Choose large cuttings, free of defects and damage, cut them off and let them dry for a day.- Slices carefully treat with coal powder. It dries and disinfects the plant.
- Plant cuttings into the cultivated soil at a distance of 2-3 centimeters, carefully compact the soil.
- A month later, after such a procedure, seedlings can be planted on a permanent ground.
Choose large cuttings, free of defects and damage, cut them off and let them dry for a day.For comfortable growth of ivy-shaped pelargonium, not only the correct fit is necessary, but also the location, lighting, soil. About this we now talk.
Flower location and lighting
After buying ivy-shaped pelargonium, the first step is to choose a location for the flower. Since this type of plant is very thermophilic, it will prefer to sit in the sun. The ideal option would be a windowsill on the south side of the house, and when landing on the street - not shaded areas.
Soil condition
The roots of pelargonium are very gentle, therefore, the selection of the soil should be treated with special care. The land should be loose, nutritious and moisture-intensive. It is impossible that the soil is very dry, it can lead to a lot of unnecessary diseases. But excessive humidity is also unacceptable.
Attention! With frequent watering the plant can get sick and die.
Additional plant nutrients are necessary during the period of active development and flowering. In winter, it is better not to use fertilizers. Make such supplements should be every two weeks. Do not resort to organic feedings.
Home care
To ivy pelargonium did not lose their flowers and had a magnificent crown, it must be cut every year. During pruning, its shoots are either removed completely or shortened to 2-3 nodules. In addition to pruning, the plant also regularly requires the removal of dried leaves and stalks.Dry leaves and stems should not be plucked, you need to use scissors to avoid rotting and infection of the flower.
Cut points, as far as possible, can be treated with crushed activated carbon.
- The optimum temperature for flowering of ivy-shaped pelargonium is 20-25 degrees, but the plant itself feels great on hotter days, does not fade and continues to bloom.
- In summer, such a flower is best kept outdoors, with the open air and letting you enjoy the sun. You should not immediately put a flower under the scorching sun, for a start you need to let it acclimatize.
To ivy pelargonium did not lose their flowers and had a magnificent crown, it must be cut every year. During pruning, its shoots are either removed completely or shortened to 2-3 nodules. In addition to pruning, the plant also regularly requires the removal of dried leaves and stalks.Diseases and pests
After the summer came and the plant was relocated to the open air, its health becomes susceptible to attacks of various pests and diseases. What to do and how to avoid such problems?
First you need to understand what served as a "blow" for the plant. More often infection of the flower is manifested in the lethargy and dullness of the leaves, brown and yellow spotsdryness With such symptoms, it is worth thinking about the health of the plant and alert.
The most common diseases of ivy-like pelargonium are:
- Fungus Botrytis.
Usually, this is caused by excessive moisture. The fungus manifests itself in the form of brown spots and the formation of a gray cannon on the leaves. Rapid spread leads to leaf fall. With such a fungus, it is necessary to cut off all the infected areas and transplant the flower into another pot, sprinkling it with fungicides.
Root rot The cause of rot is also an overabundance of moisture. Subsequently, the rot spreads from the bottom upwards throughout the stem. Such an infection is characterized by brown and black color. To avoid further spread of the rot, the soil should be replaced with a more loose soil, so that the water in it could not stagnate.
- Bacterial diseases.
This type of disease does not lead to the death of a culture, but it does deal a serious blow. The stalk partially darkens and fades. The treatment consists of frequent spraying and weeding.
- Ticks.
Appear in the form of yellow specks on the leaves and stem. The reasons for this visit may be dry air and high temperatures. Treat such a defeat with soap and mineral oil. If the process is too much started, then chemicals such as Ditox, Lightning and others may come to the rescue.
- Aphid.
Aphids can be identified by special signs: the leaves of the flower begin to curl. These sheets must be cut off and the rest washed with soapy water. Also, tobacco dust, Iskra and others are saving from aphids.
- Thrips.
Manifested in the form of growths from the back of the sheet. Leads to leaf deformation and the appearance of yellow spots. Preparations Biotlik, Aktara, etc. help prevent thrips.
Root rot Why does not bloom?
Buying ileum pelargonium in the store, they often assure that it blooms profusely and pleases the eye every season. Believing the words of the sellers, you bring the flower home and soon notice that the flower does not bloom, but only climbs up.
One of the reasons may be the wrong composition of the soil. For the cultivation of this type of plant is well suited sandy soil. Pelargonium will not bloom in the peatland, due to poor air permeability. If your ivy-like pelargonium is in peat ground, then it should be transplanted. With poor permeability of moisture and air, the root system can rot and lead to loss of a flower.
Another reason may be the wrong location of the plant. If the flower lacks abundant light and sunlight, then what kind of flowering can you talk about? Help pelargonium "live" and give it a piece of heat.
Reproduction by cuttings
Ivy pelargonium, like all other types of this culture, has long been loved by the people. It is not surprising, because it is unpretentious and quite simple in the care of the plant. And how many colors there are! Everyone wanted a “piece” of such beauty for themselves.
Propagation by cuttings is one of the simplest methods of division. beautiful plants. To make such a procedure, you need to know the following:
- The first step in growing ivy-shaped pelargonium from cuttings is cutting long shoots into shorter (5-10 centimeters). Leaves can not be removed. On the handle do two slices: under the kidney and above it.
- After all this, put the cutting in an opaque container. Pour water no more than 5 centimeters and regularly change it (1 every 2-3 days). The container should be opaque, because the roots are very fond of darkness.
- Expose the cuttings on the windowsill and wait for the appearance of the roots (from 5 to 15 days).
- Here it is necessary to focus attention that planting ivy-like pelargonium is better not in the ground, but in a special pill saturated with microelements and consisting of peat. Such tablets are designed for better rooting of the plant.
- After all the work done, the plant can be transplanted into permanent soil.
In the video we will visually review the cutting process:
Considering all the nuances of this type of plant, watching his health and not forgetting about watering, you can enjoy plenty of ivy pelargonium flowering. The flower will delight with its bright inflorescences, forcing your guests to admire this wondrous beauty day after day.
