The birthplace of the geranium or pelargonium plant and where it comes from

Geranium is considered the most popular and famous plant in indoor floriculture. Beginning hobbyists appreciate it for its unpretentiousness and ease of reproduction. There are a huge number of different varieties. Geranium is an annual or perennial, reaching a height of fifty centimeters. The highlight of the plant is the leaves of a rich green hue, reminiscent of the color of young grass, and large bright flowers collected in inflorescences. The leaves emit a pleasant aroma of lemon and mint. In this article we will talk about the homeland of the plant, find out its scientific name and differences from another species - pelargonium.

Pelargonium care

As was said at the very beginning of the article, geranium is very undemanding in care, which is why gardeners love it. Care represents the fulfillment of the following conditions:

Watering

It all depends on the speed at which the top layer of soil dries out.

Geranium tolerates drought much better than excessive moisture, so it is important not to “flood” it, otherwise the bush will die

Typically watering is carried out about three times a week. By the way, it must be done carefully, trying not to get on the leaves of the plant itself. Spraying geraniums is also undesirable.

Landing location

Geranium is very photophilous, so its flowering directly depends on the amount of sunlight it receives. South-facing, well-lit windows are suitable for growing pelargonium.

Room temperature

This factor is not particularly important in the summer. In winter, the temperature should not fall below 10 0 C. The main thing is to protect the plant from drafts.

Loosening

It is recommended to carry out this operation periodically so that air flows to the roots and the earth does not turn into one monolithic piece. In order to loosen the soil, it is not at all necessary to have a special rake: you can use an old fork or stick.

Top dressing

Geraniums are fed during flowering and before flowering with phosphorus-containing fertilizers. Under no circumstances should you apply organic fertilizers; geraniums simply cannot tolerate them.

Bush formation

It involves rejuvenating pruning of an adult plant and the formation of young plants. In the first case, up to five buds are left on each shoot, from which new branches will appear in the future.

In the second case, the technique of pinching the tops with fingers is used for better tillering. All these operations are recommended to be carried out at the end of winter - beginning of spring.

Transfer

It is carried out not annually, but once every 2-3 years. It is best to replant with a clod of earth without exposing the roots.

Typically, this operation is performed when indoor pelargonium noticeably slows down its development. But this does not mean that the new pot has to be huge. You can increase its diameter by the thickness of your index finger.

Differences between colors

Despite some similarities, there are quite a few differences between the plants:

• resistance to cold;
• flower shape;
• features of care;
• use in horticulture;
• appearance.

Appearance

If you look closely at the flowers, the differences will be noticeable to the naked eye:

1. Geranium flowers consist of 5 or 8 petals and have a symmetrical shape, located mostly singly, less often in inflorescences. In pelargonium, symmetry is observed along one axis - the upper petals are larger and the lower petals are smaller.
2. Geranium looks like a wildflower and looks simple, while pelargonium has a luxurious, royal appearance and pleases the eye with lush flowering.
3. Geranium flowers are found in various shades, except scarlet. Pelargonium is never blue.
4. Geranium can often be found growing in open ground, while pelargonium is planted mainly in pots.

Geranium branches consist of 5 or 8 petals, single or sometimes collected in inflorescences.

Care

Caring for geranium and pelargonium is also required differently.

Features of caring for geraniums include:

1. There is no need to dig up or insulate the flower for the winter, as it is resistant to cold. You only need to remove the wilted greenery of the plant once a year.
2. The soil must be highly permeable; plants can be planted in small groups. Geranium is a ground cover plant and quickly spreads across the land allocated for it, covering large areas.
3. Additional feeding of flowers is not required;
4. Planting in shady areas, partial shade, and even arid shade is possible;
5. The root system is strong and branched, which allows the plant to receive the necessary nutrients and moisture from the depths of the soil;
6. Garden varieties of geranium are perennial and regrow after wintering.
7. By removing drying inflorescences, flowering can be prolonged.
8. Geraniums should be replanted periodically to extend their life.
9. It propagates vegetatively and by seeds, but takes root best when its seedlings are planted.

Caring for pelargonium will be completely different from that of geranium, since it is mainly grown as an indoor flower; in garden conditions, the plant grows for one season (annual):

When grown in the garden, the plant must be dug up and transferred to boxes for winter storage, or thrown away. The flower must be stored in limited lighting and an ambient temperature of 5-7 degrees.

1. A sufficient amount of daytime sunlight is necessary for flowering. This should be taken into account when placing the pot, and choose a place for it where the shade lasts less than half a day.
2. The plant should be fed regularly (peat, clay, sand, special fertilizers).
3. Watering should be moderate.
4. Regular feeding is required.
5. The air temperature in the room with the flower should not fall below 12.
6. The root system is small, fibrous.
7. With a lack of lighting, pelargonium flowering stops. Due to excessive watering, root rot is possible, which is externally manifested by changes in the leaves of the plant.
8. The soil in the pot should be loosened monthly to provide oxygen to the roots.
9. The flower pot should be spacious with a wide drainage layer, the soil should be loose, and neighboring flowerpots should be placed at a distance from the pelargonium. So as not to interfere with its wild flowering.
10. In winter, you can stop watering, as the plant tolerates a lack of moisture well.

Application

Considering that geranium and pelargonium have different requirements for conditions of maintenance and care, their use is also significantly different.

Geranium is planted mainly in gardens, in different areas and in small groups, since when planted over a large area, it looks untidy due to dissected leaves and small flowers.

Geraniums are planted:

• as a ground cover perennial plant that is unpretentious in care;
• for background filling of voids in a flower bed;
• for covering difficult and shady areas of the garden;
• for landscaping slopes (thanks to strong and tenacious roots).

Pelargonium is much less common in the garden due to its tenderness and instability to frost; it is planted:

• in gardens as an annual plant;
• in pots as an indoor flower;
• for landscaping open balconies and terraces.

Preparing the substrate for planting a flower

1. Before preparing the land, select a container. You can use a pot that has been used. In this case, wash it the day before the scheduled procedure and disinfect it.
2. At the next stage, a drainage layer is placed in the pot. It is sold in the store. In principle, you don’t have to buy it, but use pebbles, polystyrene foam, ceramic shards or broken bricks for drainage. If in the future they will water with hard tap water, put pieces of dried pine bark at the bottom. It will acidify the soil and remove excess moisture from it.
3. 1/5-1/4 of the pot’s volume is allocated to the drainage layer. Then they put the soil. If you prepare it yourself, take the following components: turf, humus, sand (8:2:1). It is advisable to sprinkle it after transshipment of the transplanted plant, trying to remove all voids.
4. All that remains is to water the geranium with settled water and wait for the excess to drain into the pan.

Problems when growing a flower

• yellowing and falling of the lower leaves. Reason: lack of lighting, improper watering. Lack of sunlight causes leaves to turn pale. Drought causes the tips of the leaves to dry out, and excessive moisture causes them to rot. If this happens, the conditions of detention are adjusted: the plant is given additional light or watering is adjusted;
• redness of the leaf margins. Reason: frozen. Solution: move to a warmer room;
• lack of flowering. Reason: insufficient lighting or low temperatures. Solution: adjustment of conditions of detention;
• disease (gray rot, root rot) or exposure to pests: nematodes, aphids, whiteflies and mites. To avoid the development of diseases, it is necessary to ensure the correct conditions of detention.

All about diseases and pests

Geranium is resistant to adverse conditions

, as well as most diseases and pests, but sometimes this flower suffers from some ailments.

• Gray rot
  is a disease that affects the leaves of a plant with brown spots. To stop the spread, you must immediately remove all affected leaves and stop watering, then thoroughly treat the flower with an antifungal agent.
• Root rot
  - develops as a result of excess moisture in the soil. The reason is too much and frequent watering, as a result of which the earthen ball remains wet. If you accidentally flood a geranium with water, it is recommended to immediately replant the flower; if the roots are already damaged, it will not be possible to save the plant.
• Aphids
  are one of the few pests that are resistant to the specific odor of pelargonium. It can be found on the lower surface of the leaves. The best remedy against aphids remains spraying with insecticides for indoor plants.

Care and cultivation

Growing indoor geraniums is not difficult; they love warmth and sunny color. It is recommended to add fertilizers, mainly phosphorus, to the soil. Loves abundant watering; with a small amount of water and sunny color, the flowers will be very few and small in size. Geranium does not like stagnant water, so it is necessary to have holes and drainage in the pot.

To propagate geraniums, you can use the cutting method.

In summer, the flower can be taken outside, but preferably in a lighted and sunny area. The plant is resistant to diseases and insect pests. This is due to the presence of essential oils, which are harmful to many insects. It is recommended to promptly remove wilted flowers and yellowed leaves.

Pelargoniums are propagated by cuttings; to do this, the tips of the shoots and growth are cut off. The height and shape of the plant is formed by pruning; all parts can then be used to create cuttings. Then the cuttings are placed in a glass or jar of water until roots appear. The soil for planting should be loose and soft. Planted cuttings take root within 2-3 weeks. All seedlings take root in 25 days.

During the period of transplanting and rooting seedlings, it is necessary not to over-moisten the soil, otherwise the seedlings may die. Another method of propagation is by seeds. But it is more complicated and requires skill and experience from the gardener. Seeds are planted in loose soil to a depth of 1.5 cm. Water generously and keep the container in a dark place. Plants planted in this way in the spring are able to bloom by mid-summer.

When grown, geranium is unpretentious to the composition of the soil, but accepts watering well, and the pot must be equipped with drainage. When replanting, garden soil or any soil mixture can be suitable. It should be remembered that the flower will grow most comfortably in small pots; it is better not to choose spacious ones. For good growth, you can add a little peat to the ground.

Geranium is considered the most popular and famous plant

in indoor floriculture. Beginning hobbyists appreciate it for its unpretentiousness and ease of reproduction. There are a huge number of different varieties. Geranium is an annual or perennial, reaching a height of fifty centimeters. The highlight of the plant is the leaves of a rich green hue, reminiscent of the color of young grass, and large bright flowers collected in inflorescences. The leaves emit a pleasant aroma of lemon and mint. In this article we will talk about the homeland of the plant, find out its scientific name and differences from another species - pelargonium.

Where are you from?

First, let's figure out where this houseplant comes from. Found in the wild in New Zealand, Australia, California and Madagascar

. The plant is native to India and South Africa. It was from these regions that the plant came to European countries. One day, sailors who found themselves in South Africa became interested in an interesting plant with bright inflorescences. The British brought the plant to Great Britain, where breeders began to develop new varieties.

They began to decorate houses and gardens with it as soon as it arrived in Europe. Basically, this plant could be seen in the homes of nobles. Ladies of those times fell in love with the beauty and decorated their outfits with her, decorating headdresses and the neckline of luxurious dresses.

When did it come to Russia?

Rustenia arrived in Russia in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and immediately gained wide popularity among aristocrats. They began to decorate their luxurious houses with an unusual flower. Some species were never domesticated by humans; they spread into the wild, settling in meadows, swampy areas, and forest areas, persistently fighting unfavorable weather conditions.

Difference in care

Geranium and pelargonium do not require super-skills and extensive experience from the gardener; they are quite unpretentious. Both plants can grow well in loose, fertile soil; pelargonium prefers a neutral or acidic substrate.

Species that naturally grow on rocks love light sandy soil, while species that live in meadows develop well in heavy soil with clay.

Pelargonium close-up

Geranium and pelargonium grow well indoors with partial shade , although they love good lighting, but without direct sun rays. Caring for them is basically the same. The only difference is that pelargonium is cared for in an apartment, and geranium is cared for in a garden.

Pelargonium is placed on the windowsill, providing it with a comfortable temperature. She came to apartments from hot places, so she requires greenhouse conditions. If the plant does not have enough light, it stops blooming or blooms small flowers. Water the pelargonium as the top layer of soil dries. It is impossible to over-moisten, otherwise it will lead to rotting of the root system. For pelargonium, a small pot filled with nutritious soil and equipped with high-quality drainage is enough.

Geraniums are most often grown in the garden. She is unpretentious, so she is very popular. You don’t have to fertilize it or weed the weeds around it: they don’t bother it.

It is watered infrequently; special attention is paid to it if the summer turns out to be poor in rain. Despite the fact that the flower will develop without fertilizer or weeding, it is still worth paying a little attention to these aspects of care. Minimal fertilizing and weeding will help the flower become more lush and healthy. They plant it in sunny places and do not cover it for the winter, because it tolerates frost well. This is the fundamental difference between the two types.

Varieties of geranium

Forest geranium grows in the wild.

Real geraniums have differences from indoor plants; they live in open ground and easily tolerate winter. Popular colors of geraniums are white, purple, blue and violet. The main types of geranium found in Russia:

meadow;

swamp;

blood;

Central European;

Southern European.

The special shape of the seeds determined the name of these plants. It resembles the head of a crane, and the Latin name “geranium” corresponds to it. Therefore, in everyday life among domestic gardeners and abroad, the plant is called crane grass.

The number of species, including not only flowers, but also herbs and subshrubs, is about 400 varieties worldwide. And pelargonium-geraniums, native to South Africa, number about 200 species. Garden varieties of geraniums are widely used for growing in flower beds or in the country. The most popular ones for growing at home are white and pink geraniums.

There are many varieties of fragrant geranium, some with the scent of lemon, wormwood, and almond. But plants with a pleasant aroma have one drawback - a small number of dull flowers. But their leaves are beautiful and large.

White geranium is most popular among indoor plant lovers.

White geranium is beautiful and unpretentious to growing conditions. The most popular and world-famous variety is Royal. Other types of white are destiny (translated as fate or destiny). The flower is a small shrub with a woody shoot, reaching a height of just over half a meter. Its leaves are large, with jagged edges; the flowers are bright, up to 5 cm in size. One stalk can have up to 20 flowers with 5 petals.

A beautiful and popular plant is rose geranium. Pink, red and white are varieties of pelargonium domesticum, only different in color. Plants are often single-shoot, with beautiful velvety leaves and bright flowers. The most beautiful varieties of this species are rightfully considered Symphony and the large-flowered variety Enzette Perle. It is distinguished by long and abundant flowering, subject to simple care rules.

general description

The number of geranium varieties today is approaching 400. Flowers adapted for life at home are unpretentious and can delight you with their flowering throughout the year.

The leaf blades are green, velvety, asymmetrically dissected, in most cases palmately divided or palmately lobed; varieties with 3-5 pinnate leaves are less common.

The flowers are collected in inflorescences and consist of five round, almost identical in size corolla petals. The color can be pink, white, purple, blue, as well as purple and red.

The fruits are a box with preserved sepals, visually reminiscent of a crane's beak; it opens in an unusual way - from the bottom to the top.

Many years ago, the healing properties of geranium were discovered; its leaves helped to heal open wounds and abscesses due to their strong anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects.

In its historical homeland, the flower was often used to quickly treat runny noses and migraines; in addition, the plant had a calming effect.

Indoor plants and their homeland - the tropics

The tropics are located in the equatorial zone. The most common tropical landscape is evergreen forest, called jungle. The climate of the tropical zone is characterized by slight fluctuations in year-round temperature, a large amount of moisture both in the air and in loose fertile soil. Plants found in the jungle have different relationships to sunlight. This is explained by their multi-tiered nature in the tropical forest, where there is always partial shade under the dense crowns of trees. Plants from the tropics are moisture-loving, shade-tolerant, preferring loose, fertile soil. They need to be fed frequently and, in most cases, shaded from the sun.

Article on the topic: How to grow cyclamen from seeds

Economic importance and application

Fragrant geranium essential oil is extracted from the leaves of the plant. Reunion Island is the largest supplier of essential oils in the world [ source not specified 3038 days

].

Pelargonium sidoides root extract

used in medicine for infectious diseases of the ENT organs. This is obviously due to the antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective abilities of the Pelargonium sidoides root extract and, in particular, to the proanthocyanidins it contains

Some species are popular indoor plants.

The USDA states that Pelargonium plants are toxic to pollinators, including Japanese beetleworm, due to the fact that they contain quisgalic acid, which is an agonist at the AMPA and mGluR glutamate receptors.

Composition of soil for geraniums at home, features of choosing the size of the pot

Geraniums are planted in moderately nutritious soil, neutral or slightly sour. Heavily fertilized soil in a pot for home pelargonium will result in leaves growing abundantly without flowering. Planting pelargonium in light garden soil with river sand and peat is an ideal option for a potted plant at home. The same soil mixture is suitable for sowing, and it is better to plant cuttings in a mixture of peat and sand (preferably spilled with a weak solution of potassium permanganate) or perlite.

There must be drainage at the bottom of the pot, for example, pebbles. This prevents water stagnation and root rotting. The size of the pot is selected according to the volume of the root system. The larger the container for the plant, the more powerful the bush grows, and as a result, it will bloom less. In a small pot, pelargonium can bloom well and for a long time. Several rooted cuttings can be planted in a large container. The plant needs to be replanted at the moment when the roots have mastered the entire provided volume.

You can grow pelargonium at home in plastic or clay pots. The second option is preferable, since in synthetic containers you will have to water it very carefully and often loosen it. The soil dries slowly in them, they do not allow water and air to pass through. Every year you need to replace the top layer of soil in pots with a new one, and in the second year it is better to replant homemade pelargonium.

Feeding with iodine and peroxide

For lush flowering, geranium can be occasionally fed with iodine. It is very easy to make such fertilizing, and the result will not take long to wait. After 3-4 procedures, the first changes will appear.

The composition is simple to prepare: 1 drop of iodine must be diluted in a liter of water. You can also add 1 ml of hydrogen peroxide there.

From May to September, such root feeding is carried out once every 3 weeks.

You can also prepare another composition from peroxide that will perfectly disinfect the soil, improve the structure and protect against pests. You need to dilute 20-25 ml of hydrogen peroxide in 1 liter of water. It is worth considering that geranium is very sensitive to such feeding, because the latter can burn the root system. It should be used rarely and very carefully.

How to distinguish two flowers?

A geranium flower has five or eight petals. Most often, single flowers bloom, but in some varieties they are collected in inflorescences. Pelargonium growing at home has an unusual corolla structure: the upper petals are larger than the three lower petals, resulting in an irregular shape of this part of the flower. Pelargonium flowers produce large inflorescences.

Geranium has a wide palette of shades in which flowers can be painted, except for scarlet, and pelargonium flowers never bear colors with blue notes.

Geranium is considered a garden plant that has gained great popularity among gardeners.

The most common varieties are “Georgian”, “Oxford”, and “magnificent”. Pelargonium is loved by home gardeners; it blooms flowers throughout the year. In the summer, it can be placed on a balcony or veranda, but in winter it must be returned indoors.

Flowers are often confused, believing that they are the same plant. However, these two flowers are completely different plants with fundamental differences, so you need to be able to distinguish them from each other.

Many gardeners are confident that they grow geraniums on their windowsills. However, only a few people know that the houseplant is called pelargonium (and this is not the same thing). In this article we will tell you how geranium differs from pelargonium.

Although geranium and pelargonium are not usually distinguished, from a scientific point of view, they are completely different plants. How did it happen that people believed that two different flowers were the same thing? The fact is that in the 18th century, the scientist Carl Linnaeus, while developing his classification of plants, mistakenly classified both of these flowers as one species, and it was his classification that flower growers accepted. But another scientist, who presented his classification around the same time, came to the conclusion that pelargonium and geranium are not the same thing, and it was this approach that appealed to the scientific community. Thus, some people mistakenly call a plant with a completely different name geranium.

So, the scientific name of geranium is Geranium, and those flowers that are usually grown indoors are called Pelargonium. These plants not only have a different name, they even differ in appearance, since they belong to different biological species.

What is the difference between geranium and pelargonium?

There is a lot of confusion in the floriculture industry regarding geraniums and pelargoniums . Some people think that they are the same plant, others believe that "pelargonium" is the scientific name of the plant. This is a big misconception. In fact, geranium and pelargonium are two completely different flowers with significant differences.

They belong to the same family, this is the greatest similarity. The family has five genera and eight hundred plant species. The most numerous is geranium, and the most common is pelargonium. They have similarities in external features. They have very similar fruits that resemble the beak of a crane or stork. "Pelargos" is translated from Latin as "stork", hence the name "pelargonium".

The stems of both plants stand straight, and the leaves, dotted with small hairs, are arranged alternately. Geraniums emit a pleasant smell and do not require special care - they are unpretentious.

Plants are characterized by having different genetic properties, so they cannot be crossed. Pelargonium is native to the southern regions, and geranium came to us from the northern latitudes. This difference is significantly reflected in flowering: geranium blooms flowers even at twelve degrees Celsius, while pelargonium requires greenhouse conditions for this. Pelargonium grows well at home, in flower beds and on balconies, and can exist in gardens where it does not need to be covered during the winter months.

History of the origin of geranium

In its natural habitat, this plant can be found in South Africa. The culture prefers to grow in hot and sunny climates. Despite the fact that geranium is a heat-loving plant, it has easily adapted to the territory of the European continent.

The history of growing this flower dates back to the 16th century. It was at that time that trade with African countries developed. For Russia, this flower became known after Peter I traveled through Europe. The Dutch architects brought with them several bushes of indoor flowers, including geraniums.

The origin of this name is associated with the prophet Mohammed. Once upon a time, geranium was a simple weed that no one paid attention to. But when the prophet descended from heaven to earth, and his cloak was wet from sweat, he threw it onto the grass. Geranium wrapped the cloak closer to the sun so that the moisture would evaporate from it as quickly as possible. The Prophet Mohammed saw this and thanked the culture, giving it an unforgettable aroma and a luxurious umbrella of inflorescences.

The meaning of the flower could be determined by the shade of the inflorescences. For example, pink geranium attracted family well-being and love, white geranium attracted childbirth, and red geranium protected from evil spirits and evil spirits. The petals of this plant can also attract a husband to the house, helping to build family relationships. For this purpose, young unmarried girls carried dried flowers in a linen bag with them everywhere. In the family, this plant helped women get rid of their husband’s drunkenness, and also returned him to the family.

Poems were written about geranium; famous classics mentioned it in various stories. Plants were grown for healing and to decorate the garden and home. Some varieties can adapt to outdoor conditions, while others prefer to grow only indoors. However, they all respond gratefully to the care of their owner.

Signs and beliefs

Geranium can have a positive effect on the surrounding area and people. For many, it is associated with old grandmothers and Soviet times, when the flower adorned every windowsill. Our grandmothers believed that the plant has truly unique properties. However, even now it does not lose its popularity.

Its appearance in the house also guarantees practical benefits: the flower eliminates negative odors from the air and rids the apartment of small parasites.

The plant saves families from scandals and quarrels, creating a harmonious atmosphere in the house. A specific aroma helps to cope with a stressful situation and relieves excessive irritability. The nervous system comes into order under the influence of a miraculous plant, thanks to which a person no longer has bad dreams, and insomnia goes away. Many believe that it is an excellent amulet that protects against the evil eye and damage.

A variety of beliefs are associated with geranium, in which our ancestors especially strongly believed. Previously, girls carried dried flowers with them, sewn into a bag, so that the guy who liked them would pay attention to them. The girls believed that they helped the birth of reverent love. It is believed that the plant has a positive effect on the family budget.

Flowering geranium close-up

The proximity of geraniums to azaleas is especially beneficial - together they attract calm and tranquility into the house. Promote the development of creative abilities in children.

White geraniums symbolize purity, innocence and sincerity. They protect family happiness from misfortunes and failures. Married couples who want to have a child should immediately purchase white geranium: it will help them become parents.

Red symbolizes passionate love. Single girls who dream of meeting their soulmate should make friends with them. Red geranium will help preserve beauty and youth. Pink plants are presented to girls who cannot get married for a long time.

Country of origin of indoor geranium

South Africa has presented flower growers with many unique plants, and pelargonium was no exception. The culture was brought to Europe in the early 17th century by sailors exploring the coast of the Cape of Good Hope.

Wild specimens of geranium are part of the Cape flora, represented by a wide variety of clivias, chlorophytums, sansevierias and other local “inhabitants”.

Geranium grows mainly in African savannas on rocky slopes, rock outcrops and sandy soils.

This choice of growing area affected the love of indoor pelargonium for warmth and the characteristics of the soil, which should be moderately nutritious and loose.

Pelargonium came to Russia in the 18th and 19th centuries, where the bright inflorescences instantly made the culture popular.

The plant was kept in the estates of aristocrats, but later the unpretentious flower spread to many Russian houses. Certain varieties of geranium have settled in the wild, becoming an adornment of fields and forests.

Breeding work to develop new varieties of indoor geranium began simultaneously with the emergence of interest in the flower and continues to this day.

As a result of the work of hybridizers, many specimens adapted to the peculiarities of our climate were obtained, the decorativeness of which reached a completely new level.

Double, semi-double and simple inflorescences of snow-white, rich scarlet, pink, lilac, coral and almost black colors have become the main advantage of the varieties.

The most beautiful blooming indoor flowers photos and names

In nature, there are many domestic crops grown on windowsills. This section presents flowers with bright inflorescences that do not stop blooming almost all year round.

Begonia

Not a capricious houseplant that blooms all year round. Begonia blooms with lush inflorescences all year round with proper care. The flower loves light and is undemanding to soil and temperature conditions. In the summer it is taken out onto the loggia without harm to health. Transplanted by cuttings. To make the crop lush, it is pruned.

Abutilone

Thanks to its leaves, the home flower received the name “indoor maple” among gardeners. The plant is not whimsical; it requires constant, careful watering and good daylight. The best soil for flowers is deciduous humus with sand, turf, and mature manure. For abundant flowering, abuliton is fed with superphosphates and saltpeter. Will require pruning in spring. Propagated by cuttings.

Hibiscus

A picky indoor shrub that grows in houses up to 2 m. It blooms from spring to autumn with large flowers of whitish, bright red, and pink colors. The plant is sun-loving. In summer it requires good watering. In winter, the culture is kept at a temperature of 16-17C. Propagated by cuttings. Suitable soil: humus/peat, turf, a little sand. In spring, the flower is pruned to form a bush shape.

Anthurium

The plant is divided into decorative deciduous crops and flowering ones. Blooms in light red, crimson, red. Loves light and thermometer division not lower than 18C, moderate watering. Flowers do not mind irrigation. They are planted by cuttings and cutting off the side stems. The substrate must be drained.

Clivia

The indoor flower is characterized by dark green leaves. During flowering, a long stalk with yellow-orange buds is formed on it. The plant tolerates shade. With fertilizing, clivia will bloom even in a dark room. The crop is propagated by root “babies”, separating them from their parents and planting them in a substrate of sand, turf, or leaf soil.

Indoor roses

An ornamental plant that prefers plenty of light does not tolerate overheating. House flowers come in a variety of colors. After acquisition, the crop is immediately transplanted into nutrient soil. In favorable conditions, the rose blooms all year round with a short break.

The flower takes watering well; it is important not to let the soil dry out. Feed indoor roses every two weeks

Prune the plant by removing faded buds, dry leaves and branches.

Pelargonium

Blooms with bright exotic balls (dormant period November-February). The plant's homeland is South America. In total there are from 280 to 350 species. The essential oil of the flower kills harmful bacteria and helps purify the air in the house. The culture is not fussy to care for and loves light. Water pelargonium sparingly without over-watering. To prevent the flower from stretching, it is trimmed into a neat bush. Propagated by seeds and cuttings.

Kalanchoe

The most amazing indoor flower. Considered a succulent. Homeland is Madagascar, Australia, southern Africa. All varieties of Kalanchoe are grown in pots. The plant is sun-loving. Temperatures for growing Kalanchoe in summer are 20-25C, in winter - 15-18C. Water the plant rarely, but abundantly. Feed with fertilizers for cacti. After flowering, prune. Reproduction occurs by seeds, cuttings, “babies”.

Saintpaulia

Another name for the flower is Uzambara violet. Refers to perennial herbaceous plants. Small exotic indoor flowers tolerate shade and are unpretentious. Blooms almost all year round. East Africa is considered the birthplace of the plant. Today, the originators have developed many varieties and types of flowers that differ in external characteristics. The best conditions for growing crops: temperature 16-24C, humidity 60-70%, no draft. Water the “queen of flowers” ​​moderately (you can put it in the tray of a flowerpot). Spraying is contraindicated. Propagated by small bushes.

Reproduction

All types of geraniums reproduce in 2 ways:

• vegetative;
• seed.

Usually, when flowering, geranium seeds are scattered over long distances. If you are going to grow geranium from seeds at home, it is better to do this in March or April, and later do picking and planting in pots.

You can buy seeds in stores; their seedlings grow without any problems and produce a large number of seedlings. You can also wait for your indoor geraniums to bloom and sow the seeds that have already been collected from them. But it is necessary to take into account that with such sowing, certain hybrid varieties of geranium lose the properties of the mother plant.

usually recommended to sow geranium seeds in a container with moist soil to a depth of 2-2.5 cm . After this, you can even spray the crops with a solution of potassium permanganate from a spray bottle to prevent various diseases, and then cover with glass. It is necessary to constantly moisten the planting and maintain the temperature at 18-22 ºC. After germination, the glass must be removed and the temperature reduced to 16-20 ºC. Within a month or a month and a half, the seedlings will have leaves, which means they can be planted in pots.

In garden conditions, it is better to sow geranium as a ready-made bush, for example, after 2 years of growing from seeds. In this case, it is advisable to plant the bushes at a distance of 30-40 cm from each other. Geranium is easily propagated by division - by separating the rhizomes from the main bush. This method of propagation can be carried out in the spring, before the shoots grow leaves.

But the end of summer is the most favorable way for division , since during this period the plant is at rest. At the same time, you need to pay attention to the renewal buds - they must be in good condition. Such bushes without division usually live for about 10-15 years, which is their peculiarity. They decorate the flower garden for a long time until dead parts appear in the center. After this, the geranium can be divided and planted in newer soil.

Geraniums can also be propagated using cuttings. This process is the most labor-intensive of all, but if used correctly, you can get more than 10 finished plants from one well-developed bush.

1. To do this, you need to prepare several containers with clean water, which must stand for at least 3 days.
2. After this, carefully cut off branches 4-6 cm long, without flowers, with 2-3 leaves, and carefully place them in water. In this case, the cuttings should be immersed in water no more than halfway.
3. Within 10-12 days, the cuttings can already take root, after which they can be transplanted into pots with prepared soil.

You can also plant freshly cut cuttings in soil with a pre-prepared substrate . You can purchase it at a specialty store or prepare it yourself. The pots should be equipped with a special drainage drain on the bottom, and the cuttings themselves should be planted so that 2/3 of the stem remains outside. It is not necessary to strengthen the cuttings in any additional ways or create a greenhouse effect for them. The indicator of successful planting will be the first leaves of the plant.

Important! The most favorable period for growing geraniums is the time of spring pruning. It is the cut stems that will become the material for seedlings.

We invite you to watch a video about planting geranium seeds:

We invite you to watch a video about cutting geraniums:

Types of begonia

Begonia can be divided into two main types:

• blooming,
• deciduous.

This means that some types of begonias do not bloom at home; they are bred for their gorgeous, large leaves with bright, rich colors.

The leaves attract attention due to the interesting veins that have contrasting colors in some species.

Flowering begonia species delight owners with beautiful panicles with branches. Flowers can be double or smooth and have different shades.

There is a difference in caring for deciduous and flowering begonias: flowering ones require feeding. And deciduous ones are often more unpretentious and can grow in the most difficult lighting conditions.

Ivy-Leaved Pelargoniums

Plants with long, thin stems and tough, ivy-like leaves covered with a thick cuticle that helps reduce moisture loss during drought.

The varieties of this group originated from the ivy-leaved pelargonium (Pelargonium peltatum); they differ in the size of the leaves, the color and shape of the flowers, the degree of terry, there are varieties with variegated leaves. They are divided into:

• true ivy-leaved pelargoniums (Ivy-Leaved Pelargoniums) - this includes varieties and hybrids in which there are practically or completely no signs of zonal pelargoniums.
• hybrid ivy-leaved pelargoniums (Hybrid Ivy-Leaved Pelargoniums) - this includes varieties in which the characteristics of both zonal and ivy-leaved pelargoniums are clearly visible.

Benefits of geranium

But geranium is not only a beautiful, but also a useful plant. Substances are released from its leaves, they clean and disinfect the air. The smell that comes from the plant has a beneficial effect on the nervous system. It is believed that geranium can give good and sound sleep. Therefore, it is recommended to place the plant in bedrooms.

Geranium contains tannin, flavonoids, essential oils, etc. Even in ancient times, priests, sorcerers, and healers were interested in this plant. This flower drove away evil and protected a woman during pregnancy.

Geranium is endowed with medicinal properties. It is often compared to plantain, which is often used in medical practice. If a person is injured, it is recommended that he apply the sheet to the affected area. As a result, the bleeding will stop, the wound will not rot, and will heal quickly.

In addition, geranium has other properties. It was used to eliminate poisons, relieve stress, and relieve headaches. An oil is extracted from this plant, which is valued by doctors. With its help, back in ancient times in their homeland, plants strengthened muscles and relieved pain in the spine. They also made a compress based on oil; it was applied to the wound so that it would heal faster, and in this way the pus was drawn out. For a runny nose and pain in the ears, oil was dripped. They also mixed it with whiskey, this drink was drunk, after which the headache went away. This even lifted my mood and made my depression disappear.

An infusion was made from the inflorescence or leaves. Honey was added to it, after which a medicine was obtained, which was used to wash the eyes, which had festered. A decoction of the leaves of the plant has great benefits. It was used to treat stomach diseases. This drink will be especially valuable for gastritis and diarrhea.

To prepare a decoction, you first need to grind the leaves of the plant. They will need to take one tablespoon, add a glass of boiling water to it. The mixture should be heated in a water bath for five minutes. After this, the decoction is considered ready. It should be consumed 3 times a day, a spoonful half an hour before meals.

Even geranium roots have medicinal properties. They are used to prepare an infusion that raises blood pressure. To prepare it, you need to grind the root. It is poured with boiling water. The mixture should stand for about 8 hours. The strained infusion is drunk before meals throughout the day.

An infusion of the leaves can help relieve poor sleep as it has a calming effect. The geranium leaves themselves relieve inflammation and restore cells.

Even in ancient times, in the homeland of geranium, it was used for medicinal purposes. But today this flower is grown in different countries, so every person who has this amazing plant in their home can take advantage of its healing properties.

In addition, geranium is also used as a talisman. The plant is also believed to have magical properties. But that's just a theory

One thing is certain, geranium is able to purify the air, which is important in the current course of life.

Description

It’s worth starting with what can generally be called a cactus. You yourself most likely know that the characteristic thorny plant can theoretically take on completely different forms. Considering the confusion that sometimes occurs in biology, it is not surprising if some species that are commonly considered cacti are not actually cacti, and vice versa. So, according to the modern biological classification, cacti or cactaceae are a whole family of plants classified as Carnationaceae, the approximate number of species in total reaches about two thousand.

Interestingly, the word “cactus” is of ancient Greek origin, although, looking ahead, these plants do not come from Greece at all. The ancient Greeks used this word to call a certain plant that has not reached our times - at least modern scientists cannot answer what is meant by this term. Until the 18th century, what we now call cacti were called melocacti. Only in the classification of the famous Swedish scientist Carl Linnaeus did these plants receive their modern name.

Now let's figure out what is a cactus and what is not. It is wrong to confuse the concepts of cactus and succulent - the former necessarily refer to the latter, but the latter are a broader concept, that is, they may include other plants. Cacti, like all other succulents, have special tissues in their structure that allow them to store water for a long time. Actually, cacti are distinguished by areoles - special lateral buds from which spines or hairs grow. In a real cactus, both the flower and the fruit are, as it were, a continuation of the tissues of the stem; both organs are equipped with the above-mentioned areoles. Biologists identify at least a dozen more traits that are characteristic only of this family, but it is almost impossible for an ignorant person to see and evaluate them without the appropriate instruments.

If you can mistakenly call many prickly plants a cactus, which in fact are not classified as such, then sometimes you can completely fail to recognize a representative of cacti in green spaces that are in no way similar to the typical indoor version. Suffice it to say that a cactus (from a biological, not a philistine point of view) can turn out to be a deciduous bush and even a small tree. Or it can consist of almost one root with a barely noticeable above-ground part. The sizes, accordingly, can vary dramatically - there are tiny specimens several centimeters in diameter, but in American films you have most likely seen multi-meter branched cacti weighing several tons. Naturally, all this diversity is not grown at home - only those species that meet two basic requirements are usually chosen as indoor plants: they must be pretty and relatively small. Moreover, everything also depends on the region - in some countries species that are practically unknown in our country can be grown on a large scale.

Popular varieties and types

Despite the lush green color of the leaves, the most attractive feature of the plant is its bright inflorescences. Geraniums do not have red flowers, while pelargoniums have this as their preferred color.

In specialized stores you can find plants with variegated leaves and inflorescences obtained by crossing different species.

The most popular varieties of pelargonium are:

1. Royal. One of the first varieties used in Europe to decorate flower beds was royal pelargonium. It has large double flowers, on the petals of which there is a noticeable dark spot.
2. Zonal. The most famous variety of indoor geranium, distinguished not only by its lush flowering, but also by the variegated color of its leaves. There are varieties with three-color leaves, but more often they have a border of burgundy, silver or blue. Flowers can be regular, semi-double or double.
3. Fragrant. The name demonstrates the main feature of fragrant pelargonium - its feathery leaves exude a strong and pleasant aroma of lemon and mint. Breeders have added notes of apples, ginger and even pine to them. These plants most often produce pink and lilac flowers.
4. Angel. The flowers of this variety resemble pansies and come in purple, white and pink. There are also two-tone colors or petals with contrasting spots.
5. Lemon. Lemon pelargonium has unusual leaves. They are of complex shape, dissected, due to which they appear terry. When touched, they release a strong lemon aroma, which relieves migraine pain and calms the nervous system.
6. Ivy leaf. This geranium is often planted on balconies, as it hangs beautifully from boxes and blooms throughout the warm season. Small leaves are compensated by a large number of shoots and large inflorescences.

Beauty from Africa - captivating pelargonium

Pelargoniums are members of the Geraniaceae family. Unlike garden geraniums, pelargoniums are heat-loving plants that came to us from a mild climate and are naturally found in the subtropical zone. South Africa is considered the birthplace of all pelargoniums.

It is the origin that determines the heat-loving nature of plants: despite the fact that pelargoniums are used in landscape design, they are not crops that can overwinter in open soil in regions with harsh winters. Pelargoniums require protection for the winter by moving them indoors. Pelargoniums are competitors of bright annuals and plants with a completely different scope of use from garden geraniums.

Pelargoniums are herbaceous evergreen subshrubs and perennials with fibrous compact rhizomes, forming bushes from 30 to 60 cm in height. It is no coincidence that strong, woody shoots of pelargoniums are not visible under the mass of leaves: sloppy and bulky, they can spoil the entire appearance of the plant in a neglected state.

Among pelargoniums there are also species with more delicate stems. The leaves on long petioles of all pelargoniums seem exquisite. In some species they are round, in others they are kidney-shaped, in others they are feathery. A solid edge is more common than a jagged edge, and the wavy almost always creates a more elegant effect. Lacy or whole, pelargonium leaves always look festive, thanks to the bright shades of color, with different zones and stripes that repeat the shape of the leaf itself, and a velvety, special edge.

Pelargonium flowers rarely bloom one at a time. They are collected in 2-3, and sometimes in several dozen flowers in apical umbrella-shaped inflorescences on thin pedicels. The special texture of the petals emphasizes the asymmetrical structure and shape of the individual petals - from oval or round to almost elongated lanceolate.

Beautiful veins appear on the bright, delicate petals of pelargonium, and in most varieties, contrasting dark spots also appear on the two upper or two lower petals. The color palette of pelargoniums includes unique shades of pink and red, including unique fruit, watercolor and two-color options.

The aroma of pelargonium is definitely familiar to everyone. Modern honeycombs of pelargonium are characterized by a rich palette of aroma shades, which transform the simple sweet-spicy-floral aroma of “geranium” into an almost perfume masterpiece. Lemon, orange, cedar, nutmeg aromatic notes of individual varieties of pelargonium enchant. And each type of plant smells differently.

Pelargonium flowers rarely bloom one at a time; they bloom magnificently and for a long time. ast2009

Pelargonium varieties

There are many varieties of pelargonium; from 200 to 400 species are distinguished. There are several classifications of geranium flowers, based on the name of the variety or appearance: double, non-double, rosaceous, miniature, variegated, star-shaped, cactus-shaped, fragrant, unique, angels. Main varieties:

1. Royal geranium (Pelargonium grandiflorum) arrived in Europe from South-West Africa. Belongs to a shrub species. It reaches a height of about 80-90 centimeters. The leaves are round and smooth, sometimes dissected, slightly lowered down. The color is two-tone white interspersed with red streaks. On average, from 1 to 3 flowers are formed on a peduncle. Royal geranium flowers are up to 15 centimeters wide. The shape of the petals can be terry or corrugated. Flowering time is spring and summer.
2. Fragrant pelargonium, which should not be confused with fragrant geranium, belongs to a variety of shrubs, its height reaches 30 centimeters. Umbrellas consist of 5-10 flowers. What flower is the fragrant geranium? The color of the flowers is pink or dark pink, white. Blooms in summer. The plants produce aromas similar to cinnamon, lemon, and apple. More than 150 varieties have been bred that emit unusual odors. Most often, fragrant geranium leaves are used for long-term storage of things to achieve a pleasant smell. Often grown in gardens. It is used on an industrial scale to obtain essential oil.
3. The unique plant was born after crossing the royal species with shiny geranium. The flower received this name because it could not be classified in any way; all its components were so unique that it was called that - unique. The shape of the leaves is dissected. Color: dark green. The inflorescences are red in color with a white center.
4. Ivy geranium (Ice Rose) is named after the appearance of its leaves. The flowers are double and semi-double in shape, the leaves are smooth. Color: pink, white, lilac, red. The color depends on the variety. Blooms in summer.
5. Zonal pelargonium differs in its flowering period, since it can bloom all year round. The colors of the flowers are bright, double or semi-double in shape, containing many petals (more than 8). The leaves are round in shape and bi-colored, the edges are brown and the core is green.
6. Miniature pelargonium (golden-leaved) - belongs to the zonal variety. It got its name for its small size, but the size of the flowers is large. The color is white with a pink tint. The leaves are light green in color, double and semi-double in shape. Blooms in summer. Doesn't take up much space on the windowsill. Propagated by cuttings. Does not require pruning to create fullness.

Pelargonium at home

However, pelargonium grows not only behind glass, but also serves as decoration for balconies and even garden beds. Growing on the windowsill, it pleases the human eye with its beautiful flowers, and also releases bactericidal substances into the air that destroy harmful microorganisms that multiply so actively in our apartments. Essential oils contained in pelargonium leaves have a beneficial effect on human health, calm the psyche, reduce blood pressure and normalize heart rate, and support depression and menopause. Pelargonium leaves help well as a compress for radiculitis, otitis media, osteochondrosis, and migraines.

Varieties of some pelargonium have a pleasant aroma, carrying apple, orange, lemon and other pleasant fragrant motifs, which makes it even more beloved, and there is no need to talk about the splendor of the inflorescences and the variety of their colors. It is impossible to list all the color schemes, it is only worth noting that there is no real yellow or blue pelargonium.