Geranium (Pelargonium Zonale)

Description: Geranium is a great, long-flowering plant that grows very well in the room, a balcony or terrace, in the yard.

It came from South Africa. Brought in Europe back in 17-18 century. It is a perennial shrub, reaching 50-80 cm in height. Young shoots are thick and fuzzy and old - stiff. The leaves are kidney-shaped and long handles. The flowers are collected in a lock 20 together and also have long handles. Have a variety of colors from white to crimson in all shades.

In home gardening is grown mainly species Pelargonium zonale, currently there are so many varieties and forms that most do not even have name. One of the most popular example is Meteor - a bright red color, was created in France in 1889. Other known varieties with different shades of colors: Edelweiss with simple white flowers, Hohfeld - with simple pink flowers. Some geraniums are grown for their colorful foliage, such as varieties: Madame Salery - with white edges of the leaves, Empress of India - the leaves have white, brown and green stripes, Mak Machagon - with large broad leaves with orange edges and maroon circles, Pollock - with golden yellow leaves with carmine edges.

Care: Unassuming to the soil, but it is better to develop on a slightly heavy soil, well enriched. Thorough watering reduces flowering! Young tops and stiff stems usually do not take root.

Location: Bright, semi-shaded and even northern exhibitions.

Propagation: Propagated by stem cuttings in September, leaving to dry for several hours and then pinned onto in deeper vessels with rich humus soil mixed with sand or perlite. So cuttings overwinter in moderately warm room. In March, each plant is planted in a pot, wherein the sprout, and then transplanted in a permanent location. In the spring before transplanting, good old plants are circumcised by cutting side shoots.