Geranium is an interesting ornamental plant that can be grown both at home and in the garden. If you need an option for the street, then forest geranium fits perfectly.
But in order for it to grow and develop properly, it is necessary to become familiar with the rules of caring for this plant.
How exactly you need to care for forest geraniums and how to multiply it will be discussed in this article.
Botanical description and history
The plant belongs to the geranium family.
Forest geranium is not only a garden culture, as it can grow even in conditions of wild nature, where the climate is temperate.
You can meet her on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, in Belarus, in Central Asia. The homeland of the forest geranium is the southern regions of England. It was the Dutch and English breeders were able to bring numerous varieties.
Difference of a plant from a meadow crane
If we talk about forest geraniums, then she prefers to grow in partial shade under trees and shrubs, which cannot be said about meadow geranium, for the successful growth of which light is needed, and partial shade cannot stand. There is also a difference in the flowering period: the meadow blooms in early June, and the forest bloom in May.
Description of the spring view
The plant has an attractive appearance.which it is obliged to dense leaves and bright inflorescences. Sheet plates are located on the handle, dissected and may have a different color. The flowers are large, regular shape, have 5 petals. On one peduncle can be 1-3 flowers. Color is blue, pale pink, red, burgundy.
Popular varieties and photos with them
Of all the variety of geraniums, the following most popular species can be distinguished. You can also see how the flowers look in the photo.
Album
Differs in a long and lush flowering, the highest decoration, so that will be able to decorate the shady corners of the garden;
Mayflower
Flowers varieties have a bluish color with light lilac shades, but its core is lighter than the edges of the corolla.
Where and how to plant?
Before proceeding to the landing event, you need to:
- determine the landing time;
- choose a place on the site;
- pick up planting material;
- prepare the primer.
Planting is necessary in the autumn or spring.when the temperature of the earth will be 15-18 degrees Celsius. Place for planting should be selected according to the characteristics of the type of planting material.
It is necessary to plant forest geraniums in the wells with a distance of 30 cm. For planting, you can use parts of rhizomes, seeds and seedlings. After planting, carefully water the ground and grind it with sawdust.
Lighting and location
It is necessary to grow forest geranium in the penumbra, under the trees. But even on a consecrated place it will grow no worse, unless there is direct sunlight.
Soil requirements
Crane Canyon grows well and develops only in loose and well-moistened earth, with a neutral pH.
You can prepare the soil with your own hands, if in equal proportion to combine these components:
- humus;
- sod land;
- sand;
- peat.
How to care?
Watering
Forest geranium can grow in regions with warm climatestherefore, flower suffers drought well. Over-wetting is not recommended, otherwise the roots will rot. For irrigation, use separated water. Spraying is not recommended, as it will harm the velvety leaves of the plant.
Fertilizer and dressing
A flower can grow in the same soil for 2 years, but during this time the earth is depleted, washed out and loses nutrients. To achieve abundant flowering geraniums, it is necessary to use fertilizers.
The plant responds positively to formulations containing phosphorus.. Make them during the formation of buds and during flowering. Early in spring and before flowering geranium is desirable to feed with nitrogen-containing preparations. Throughout the summer, you can make organic.
Homemade formulations can be used to feed the geranium. It is very effective to make a top-dressing made from sugar. It is necessary to take 20 g of the product and dilute in 1 liter of water. Use the solution for watering once a month. You can add yeast to sweet water and leave for 1 hour.
Pruning and shaping the bush
In the fall, geranium must be cut not only for lush flowering, but also for reproduction. Pruning done at home, will preserve the decorativeness of the bush and prevent the trunk from being pulled out.
Procedure:
- For a start, it is important to properly prepare the tool. For cutting use a sharp knife that must be pre-disinfected.
- Cut along the slant from the center to the outside of the flower, 1/3 or 2/3 of the entire height of the plant.
- In the fall pruning is carried out to obtain young shoots. For these purposes, the cutting must contain at least 3 internodes and leaflets.
- To spring bush was more dense, to perform a cut on the leaf node.
- To reduce the density of the plant, make a cut under the leaf node.
- The cut must be treated with activated carbon powder.
- After this treatment, the plant to feed.
Common diseases and pests
The plant may be affected by the following diseases and pests:
Rust. This disease can be identified by the presence of brown-rust spots on the leaves. If you do not start treatment, the leaves will dry up and disappear. To combat the problem used fungicides.- Gray rot. It manifests itself in the form of a gray-gray spots and plaque that cover the entire plant. Disease develops due to increased humidity in a room with poor ventilation, without heating and good illumination. Use such drugs: Vitarol, Fundazol, Rovral.
- Alternaria. This disease can be recognized by brown spots that occur along the edges and surface of the leaf plate. In the center they have a light shade. To eliminate the disease, it is necessary to improve the growing conditions of the plant and carry out treatments with fungicides Scor, Ridomila Gold.
- Verticillary wilting. It is also a leaf disease. During its development, yellowness appears on the lower part of the leaf, from which the sheet plate fades and dies. Fading can stems and inflorescences. To prevent the disease, it is necessary to treat with Trichodermine and prevent overdrying of the soil.
- Root and stem late blight. It leads to decay and rotting of the flower. For treatment, it is necessary to reduce watering and treat with Previkur or Ridomil.
Rust. This disease can be identified by the presence of brown-rust spots on the leaves. If you do not start treatment, the leaves will dry up and disappear. To combat the problem used fungicides.The most dangerous pests of forest geranium remain:
- aphid;
- caterpillars;
- whitefly;
- termites.
The following drugs are used to combat parasites:
- Marathon - effective against aphids and whitefly.
- Monterey - used to combat caterpillars.
- Messenger - means is used for prophylaxis in order to prevent plant contamination with many diseases.
Breeding features
Reproduction of forest geraniums is carried out in three ways: rhizome, seeds and cuttings.
Rhizome
It is necessary to dig up the rhizome of a mature plant, divide it into parts and immediately plant it in the soil. You can store it in a container with sand in a cool room until spring.
Seeds
Forest geranium seeds multiply rarely, as this method is suitable only for experienced gardeners. But the main disadvantage of the method is that flowering begins only in the second year.
Procedure:
- Lay the soil purchased in the store or cooked at home in a suitable container. You can use plastic cups.
- Place the seeds on top of the moistened substrate, placing them at a distance of 2-3 cm.
- Cover the container with polyethylene and wait for the sprouts to appear. They are formed after 7-10 days.
- As soon as 3 leaves are formed on the sprout, remove the film and pick it, planting young seedlings in separate pots.
Vegetative
For this method of reproduction it is necessary:
- Cut the cuttings up to 10 cm in length. Dry the slices for 2 hours and then dip them in water.
- Keep the roots in a dark container.
- Place the cuttings in a warm room for 2-3 weeks.
- Water change every 3 days.
- Once the roots are formed, then plant the plants in the ground.
Forest geranium is distinguished not only by its beautiful appearance, but also by its fastidious care. This is explained by the fact that in the forests it grows by itself, without needing outside help. Yet additional care will bring the natural conditions of flower growth closer and make it more resilient to diseases.
