Pelargonium zonale red

Pelargonium zonale - Red

These are subshrubs and herbaceous plants from the Geraniaceae family, which have many hybrid forms. They naturally occur in tropical and subtropical areas, primarily in South Africa. Pelargonium is used as an ornamental flower, but also in cosmetics, as a dye plant, or for flavoring dishes. They form 4 large basic groups. Large-flowered pelargoniums (P. grandiflorum) are characterized by their large flowers (from white, through pink-red, to almost black, but also multicolored). They have lobed leaves with finely toothed edges. Ivy-leaved pelargoniums (P. peltatum) originate from peltate pelargonium and also have various forms with single or double flowers on long flower stems. A creeping stem is characteristic for them. They are used to beautify balconies. Zonal pelargoniums (P. zonale) have beautiful variegated leaves and flowers. Scented pelargoniums contain essential oils in their leaves, therefore they have a strong specific scent. They have light green leaves, deeply cut and small flowers, from white to purple color.

The abundance and persistence of flowering is legendary. Trailing geraniums are suitable for decoration on balconies, windows and terraces. They are undemanding to grow and are also resistant to pests. They bloom abundantly throughout the summer until October.

How to Grow Pelargoniums

• The location must be sufficiently bright and sunny in spring and summer. In late autumn and winter, we then place geraniums in a cooler room with temperatures between 10-15 degrees Celsius. We water geraniums daily, especially when they are in full sun. In winter we reduce watering, we don't fertilize the plants at all and allow them vegetative rest. In spring we remove dead parts and weak shoots from the plants. We cut back other overgrown shoots to a length of 15-25 centimeters.

• Seeds are usually sown from January to February. We use purchased substrate designed for sowing and propagation. We sow seeds on the surface of the substrate. They germinate in light, so we must also provide them with enough light. Sowings are very sensitive to maintaining suitable temperature - ideal temperature is 20-24°C day and night. They usually germinate within 7-14 days. After germination we transplant plants into individual pots. We plant pelargoniums outdoors after the last frost.

• It is suitable to use special substrates for pelargoniums. Generally they require nutrient-rich substrate.

• Regular fertilization from late spring to early autumn is necessary. The most advantageous method of fertilization is to water plants with heavily diluted extract from good compost or chicken manure. It is also possible to use special fertilizers designed for geraniums. We apply fertilizer every week.

• Geraniums grown from seed are more resistant especially to viruses. Viruses manifest in various shape and color anomalies of leaves (yellowing, ring patterns, deformation) and flowers. Overall stunting of plants is apparent. The only protection is immediate removal of affected plants.

  Leaf edema appears in trailing geraniums. The cause is excess water in the soil or high air humidity. It manifests as enlargement of surface cells and formation of small green swellings. Protection is preventive - ensure balanced watering without waterlogging of the substrate.

  Bacterial rot and wilting is the most serious disease of geraniums. Symptoms first appear on older leaves in the form of small oily or translucent spots, which gradually enlarge, merge together and dry out. Leaves gradually die from the oldest upwards. Affected plants must be destroyed. After removing infected plants, treat the crop with 0.2% Kuprikol 50 or Cuprocaffaro. We treat two to three times at seven-day intervals.

  Pythium root rot of geranium manifests as blackening of the stem base and root rot. Black-brown spots may appear on stems. The disease mainly affects plant cuttings. Diseased cuttings must be continuously removed. Remaining healthy plants are treated with irrigation of 0.05% Polyversum (4 l/water/m²) or 0.25% Proplant (2-4 l/water/m²).

  Rust only occurs on zonal geraniums. Yellow small spots first appear on leaves, on whose undersides raised brown spore deposits form, often arranged in circles. With stronger infestation, leaves dry out and fall off. Heavily infested plants must be destroyed, and for lighter occurrences, spraying with broad-spectrum fungicides based on sulfur or zinc helps.