Pelargonium silk enchants many flower growers with its beautiful and long flowering. Therefore, she often becomes a guest in the homes of florist lovers and professionals.
The flower requires special care and attention, which will allow you to enjoy a healthy plant and its wonderful aroma. Types of plants, the rules of flower care and other nuances of its cultivation will be discussed in the article.
Botanical description, history and price
Pelargonium, which retains its green appearance throughout the year, was brought from the southern territories of Africa. Its flowers look and shape resemble the head of a stork, observers gave it the name Pelargonium, which from the Greek pelargos means a stork. The flowers themselves are now planted in open ground or grown in pots on window sills.
Pelargonium silk is distinguished by terry flowers, it was bred by Russian breeders, and the variety became the first recognized in the world market. The price of a plant ranges from 100 rubles per rooted cutting to 800 rubles per adult shrub that blooms regularly.
Description of appearance and features
Pelargonium silk is a prominent representative of the pelargonium zonal family, therefore it has a long and abundant flowering. The shoots are grassy and form a small shrub. Flowering is dense enough, often called terry. Flowering may vary in color from pastel to bright red.
Common species and their photos
Aurora
Selection received life thanks to Musina Irina. Blossom is painted in peach-pink color, and double flowers, gathered in inflorescences, form chic hats. If you put the pot in a cool enough place, then on the edge of the flowers a light white rim will be noticeable.
Moira
The first selection of Russian breedersbright green leaves are perfectly combined with apricot-colored flower petals.
The species was bred by Klemova Irina and recognized by the world community.
Apple tree
The color of the flowers is close to that of the blossoming apple tree, the flowers are of delicate white color with a slight pink tint.
Swan
Flowers have a dense texture, and the flowers are painted white with a purple under tone. The plant has rather dense stalks, and leaves possess bright green saturated color.
Lagoon
The variety has folded petals and large caps of flowers.painted in peach color.
Where to plant the plant and how?
For the growth and healthy appearance of the plant requires additional care and specialized soil. For this you need to use a special primer.
The plant must be renewed every five years by replanting a young cutting.
The soil should be in equal parts of peat and sand, and the soil needs to be updated also once every five years, if not required earlier.
When pelargonium silk grows it needs to be transplanted into a larger pot, but you should not immediately expand the space available to the flower. Therefore, every six months, transplant the plant so that it can maintain a healthy look and please the eye.
Lighting and location
Sanctification should be sufficient, but you should not put the gentle rays of silk under direct sunlight, it can lead to burning of the leaves. Also, do not put a pot near heating appliances or drafts, this will lead to temperature differences.
Soil requirements
Pelargonium silk gives preference to neutral groundin which can feel quite comfortable. A suitable option would be the soil, which contains a sufficient amount of sand, providing air and water throughput.
If the plant is still young, then peat or perlite, which can lighten the soil, will be an excellent addition. In a flower or hardware store, give preference to a mixture made specifically for pelargonium. Acquired soil in equal parts can be mixed with peat or soil, such details are indicated on the packaging by the manufacturer.
How to care?
For proper care of the plant, you must comply with the following conditions:
Temperature. The optimum temperature for the growth and development of a flower is from 17 to 23 degrees, if it drops to 12, then the probability of flowering becomes minimal.- Watering. The plant should be watered as the soil dries out, but in no case should it be poured. Pelargonium can survive any drought well, but with an abundance of water, fungal diseases begin to form.
- Top dressing. As soon as the spring season begins, you must enter the feeding. For young plants need to use nitrogen fertilizers, and for adults, containing potassium in the composition.
- In winter, the plant leaves for the winter, so you need to minimize watering and not to make mineral fertilizers. Otherwise it may lead to rotting of the roots of the plant.
Temperature. The optimum temperature for the growth and development of a flower is from 17 to 23 degrees, if it drops to 12, then the probability of flowering becomes minimal.Common diseases and pests
All diseases of the plant usually appear with improper care and lack of attention:
- If the flower ceases to bloom, and the leaves begin to stretch upwards, then this indicates that the pot stands along with the lack of sunlight.
- Leaves, painted in yellow, indicate a violation of the irrigation system. Review the schedule and restore watering.
- If the leaves begin to turn red, then the flower is in a fairly cold place. It is necessary to rearrange it or revise the temperature regime content of the flower.
- If a gray color appears on the leaves and inflorescences, then it is worth reviewing the humidity and dampness in the room.
Pelargonium also suffers from pests and bugs, among which the most common are:
- White fly. Butterflies of small size, which are located on the back of the sheet. Insect is a carrier of viral infections. And feces are the soil for the development of the fungus, causing damage to the plant. In order to get rid of the pest, you need to completely remove it from the leaves, and after a week, completely treat it with insecticides.
- Mealybug. On the presence of a pest says soot mushroom or sugar secretion on the leaves and inflorescences. Prevention of the appearance of an insect is the prompt removal of dried leaves and flowers. To get rid of the pest, you need to treat the systemic insecticide once a week, and before that with soapy water, destroy all parasites by wiping the leaves with a cloth or cotton pad.
- Aphid. The pest usually appears after the plant leaves the wintering period. Deformed flowers, twisted and yellowed leaves with sticky secretions indicate the presence of a pest. The plant in this case should be treated with insecticide.
Breeding features
Pelargonium silk can breed in several ways, among them:
Cuttings. Remove cuttings better in the warm season, when the plant is in a period of active growth.- Carefully cut off the apical part of the shoot, oblique cut.
- The stalk is left in the water for several days until the roots appear.
- Landing is carried out in the soil, obtained using a mixture of equal parts of peat and sand.
- Seeds. Florists do not often use this method, because the species characteristics are not preserved in this way. Seeds are left for some time in warm water, and then planted in the same soil.
Cuttings. Remove cuttings better in the warm season, when the plant is in a period of active growth.A variety of varieties that differ in flowering and leaf shape will help everyone to choose a flower that fits perfectly into the overall interior of the apartment. A properly selected care will preserve the healthy appearance of Pelargonium silk and allow it to regularly bloom and delight the owner of lush flowering.
Develop your own flower care system and regularly inspect it for diseases and pests, then the plant will live a long and beautiful life.
