Pelargonium fragrant: home care

Pelargonium fragrant is a well-known plant possessing a mass of useful properties that are effectively used in folk medicine. The evergreen shrub comes from South Africa (the Cape of Good Hope) and was cultivated for artificial purposes because of its decorativeness and for the sake of obtaining essential oils found in the leaves of the plant and its stem. In a warm climate, Pelargonium fragrant, often referred to as geraniums due to the similarity of the leaves of both plants, is grown on an industrial scale.

Description of Pelargonium scented

Pelargonium fragrant - absolutely unpretentious in the care of a flower, quickly rooted and easily multiplying. The stalk of the plant is densely branched, lignified at the base, a little less than a meter in height. The top leaves, the range of color of which varies from pale green to dark shades, are located alternately, the lower ones are opposite; Stalks are hairy. Uniformity is often diluted with impregnations of red or Burgundy color. Decorates the leaves of the pelargonium frill along the edge or deep cuts. Flowers are collected in umbrellas and please the look of various colors: purple, red, pink, white. The plant has a weakly expressed aroma, the fragrant pelargonium with the smell of lilac is very beautiful.

The qualitative growth of pelargonium fragrant depends on such factors as:

• good lighting;
• Timely regular watering;
• warm climate;
• Pruning;
• topping;
• Absence of spraying.

Lighting

Pelargonium fragrant, care at home for which is not particularly difficult, it feels comfortable on warm and light windowsills; Most of all the plant is suitable for southern windows. The plant very much loves the direct rays of the sun, with their lack, ceases to please others with their flowering or blossoms very poorly. Pelargonium is well cultivated in hanging baskets and pots. These flowers like a warm climate, direct sunlight, good drainage.

Content temperature

In winter, the most comfortable temperature for Pelargonium is + 8-10 ^о С of heat, in summer + 25-30 ^о С. And in this period of time the plant is recommended to be kept in the street conditions or on the balcony.

The room in which the flower is located is required to be ventilated regularly, ensuring the influx of fresh air.

Watering

In watering Pelargonium fragrant loves moderation: excess water can cause decay of roots and wilting of leaves. In winter, the supply of moisture is required to be reduced at times - the plant will easily bear its deficiency. Spray pelargonium is not necessary, since the flower does not suffer from dry air at all. This procedure can be done except in the summer, at a very hot temperature.

Top dressing

Two months after the transplantation, pelargonium is recommended to be fed twice, at intervals of two weeks. Improvement of flowering will be caused by liquid mineral fertilizers (with a maximum of phosphorus and a minimum of nitrogen); The organic raw material the flower digests poorly. Especially the feeding is actual during the period of active growth.

Trimming

In order to ensure lush flowering, pelargonium needs to be cut every year, leaving shoots with 2-4 nodes. Incidentally, remove yellowed and dried leaves. To carry out these manipulations, you need to use a sharp knife, hands to tear off the leaf is not recommended, because the decay of the lacerated edges may begin. Places of slice it is desirable to sprinkle with charcoal.

The soil

The most comfortable is Pelargonium scented, the medicinal properties of which are appreciated by folk medicine, will feel in soil rich in nutrients. It can be a hand-made composition made of peat, sand and garden soil. It is necessary to lay a good drainage layer on the bottom of the landing tank. In order to provide oxygen access to the root system, the earth is periodically required to loosen.

For the cultivation of pelargonium the most suitable is a small pot: if the capacity is too large, the plant blooms not so brightly and abundantly. The lush form of the crown of pelargonium can be given by making a pinch in February or March (removing the growth point). Young plants are recommended to have an annual transplantation, to adults - as the roots of the flowerpot are fully braided.

Reproduction

Vegetatively and seeds - there are two ways in which Pelargonium multiplies. Care at home (photo) is simple, if planted properly. In the vegetative method, the green apical cuttings, which have at least 3 leaves, are cut at the end of the winter or summer season. The cut is made just below the knot, at an angle. Cuttings must be dried for several hours; Before planting, it is recommended to treat the cutting sites with a growth stimulant and charcoal. In the planting container, it is necessary to place a substrate of identical parts of peat, turf and sand. The container with the plants is placed in a place where diffuse bright light penetrates; The soil is constantly sprayed. Rooting takes place within 15-20 days. Then strengthened seedlings are required to be planted according to individual capacities. Pelargonium fragrant will begin to bloom tentatively in 5-7 months from the moment of rooting.

When growing pelargonium by seeds, their sowing takes place in December-February. As a primer, peat in its pure form or in conjunction with sand will do. Seedlings will appear in three weeks. All this time the soil needs to be regularly moistened, and young plants to create a greenhouse effect by covering the container with film or glass. In a separate container pelargonium is transferred after the appearance on it of three leaves. Prishchipku better done with the number of leaves at least 6. The first flowering of a young plant occurs about a year later.

Problems in the cultivation of pelargonium

• Pelargonium fragrant (photo) does not bloom. The reason for this may be the wintering of the plant at high temperature and bright light.
• The base of the stem turns black. Perhaps pelargonium is affected by root rot.
• The edges of the lower leaves dry; Leaves turn yellow. This sign indicates a lack of moisture in the soil. It is required to water the plant more often.
• Withering of the lower leaves, their yellowing and rotting. Frequent watering, not allowing time to dry the soil. Leaves are required to be cut off, and the cut places should be treated with a powder of crushed coal.
• On the leaves there are swellings. This indicates an excess of moisture in the soil. Pelargonium must be watered two days after the top layer dries.
• Gray rot. Stagnated water stagnation in the substrate.

Of worms, pelargonium is preferred by whitefly and aphid.

Useful properties of pelargonium

It is believed that Pelargonium fragrant - a flower of health, protection and love; She is able to lift the mood and get rid of the negative. If the pink flowers of pelargonium bring love to a person, then White gives the joy of motherhood. Fresh leaves of Pelargonium are used to aromatize water when taking bath procedures or in the last water when rinsing hair. Pelargonium essential oil, which increases mental activity and physical performance, is widely used in soap making, perfumery and cosmetic production. This remedy is an excellent antidepressant, helping in the fight against the state of fear and anxiety, restoring the emotional state and auspicious aura.

Pelargonium essential oil is optimal for sensitive skin; It has regenerative properties, it helps in the fight against rashes, scaling, burns, inflammations. Carrying out long-term aromatherapy will help in normalizing blood pressure.

Pelargonium fragrant: medicinal properties

Photo conveys the beauty of the flower of the room, which is present in the apartments of many amateur flower growers. High pressure will remove two sheets of pelargonium, tied to the wrists. In this position, it is recommended to sit around pelargonium for about 15-20 minutes.

From migraine will help get rid of 2 sheets of pelargonium, folded into a tube and placed in the ears.

From insomnia and increased nervous excitability can get rid of, using a decoction from the crushed sheet of pelargonium, filled with a glass of boiling water and infused for 20 minutes. To drink such a drug is recommended twice a day before meals for 50-100 ml.

Skin diseases can be cured with infusion from the crushed leaves of the plant. To do this, a tablespoon of raw material is required to fill a glass of boiled water, hold it for 5-7 minutes in a water bath, strain, wring out and bring boiled water to the original volume. Take three times a day on a tablespoon.

Toothache will help to remove a sheet of pelargonium, which in a carefully mashed state is required to attach to the focus of pain.