Geranium (lat. Geranium), or pelargonium is famous for its unpretentiousness in care. The flower has gained great popularity among gardeners and florists. Pelargonium is grown not only in the house, but also in gardens and parks. Its leaves emit an unusual smell, even at the slightest touch to them. In order for the plant to please with its well-groomed appearance and lush flowering, it is important to figure out whether it is possible to spray geranium with water and how to properly irrigate.
Signs of lack of moisture or overflow
Does geranium love water? This question is asked by most beginner gardeners. The plant likes moderate watering. Overmoistening of the soil leads to rotting of the root system. This is reflected in the appearance of the flower. The leaves begin to turn yellow, peculiar water pads appear, wilting and lethargy of all organs is observed. Gray mold is found on the leaf blade.
Healthy Blooming Geranium
Important! If not only the leaves, but also the stem began to rot, this means that an irreversible process has begun - the decay of the root system. Save the plant will not succeed.
Geranium better tolerates a lack of moisture, however, if you do not water the flower for a long time, the leaves will begin to dry along the edges, dry spots will appear. As a result, the plant will discard foliage and will not please with its beautiful bright flowering.
Is it possible to spray indoor geraniums
Fragrant and bright leaves do not need additional moisture. They tolerate dry air well, because they have the ability to accumulate water in their cells during irrigation of the root system. Therefore, spraying is undesirable. When moisturizing, it is important to ensure that water does not get on the leaf blade of the plant. This will only bring harm to the flower.
Geranium - watering: water requirements
It is strongly not recommended to use cold tap water for irrigation. It contains chlorine and lime, which can cause irreparable harm to the plant. Water should be at room temperature and, ideally, 2 degrees cooler. Warm, settled water is well absorbed by the root system.
How often to water a geranium in a pot
Water for this plant is needed to maintain life, so just moisturize the root system as the upper layers of the soil dry.
The period of active vegetation
In the growing season begins the active development of the plant. The number of irrigations is increasing. The earth needs to be moistened as it dries. If the soil has dried 1 cm in depth, then it is time to introduce warm, standing water (1 time in 3 days).
Additional Information. During the period of active growth and development, as well as with increasing ambient temperature, the frequency of irrigation is increased (1 time in 1-2 days).
During rest
The end of autumn, winter and the beginning of spring is the dormant period of a flower. At this time, the plant needs water only when the soil dries to a depth of 1-1.5 cm. This means that in the cold season, pelargonium needs to be watered once every 5-7 days.
Methods of watering geraniums at home
In order for the plant to receive enough moisture, you need to know how to water pelargonium at home. There are several ways to water geraniums.
Wick watering
This simple and reliable method of watering the flower will save time on caring for the plant. But if the procedure is not carried out correctly, you can destroy the flower.
Wick watering plants
Advantages of wick watering:
- You can forget about manual watering for 2-3 weeks. A flower autonomously takes as much water as it needs. The roots do not suffer from waterlogging and drought. Time to care for geraniums is significantly reduced.
- Adding fertilizer to the water, you can get the most magnificent and bright flowering. The number and size of buds are increasing.
- During the growing season, the plant is less susceptible to temperature changes. Young plants actively grow and develop. The number of rotting cuttings is reduced.
Wick irrigation technology is simple. When transplanting geraniums, drainage holes are made at the bottom of the pot and a lace is threaded through them. It is important to dilute the soil with peat so that moisture can pass more easily to the organs of the plant. In the container (it is more convenient to use a plastic flower pot), settled warm water is collected, but not to the very edges. The wick is lowered vertically into water.
Note! The wick should be made only of synthetic material. Natural fabrics quickly rot in the ground, which interrupts watering.
Through the pallet
Easy and easy way. It is often used in order not to waterlog the soil. A large bowl or basin is used as a pallet. The main thing is that you can install a pot of geraniums on top and at least 5 cm remain to the walls of the pallet.
Watering geraniums through the pan
Positive aspects of the method:
- the possibility of overflow of water is reduced to zero;
- the root system will not rot;
- the soil is better saturated with oxygen.
Important points:
- Only one pot of plants is installed on the pallet. This reduces the risk of transmission of disease. If you put more than two pots, and one of them contains contaminated soil or a diseased flower, the infection can be transmitted.
- So much liquid is poured into the pan so that it covers the fourth part of the pot. Leave for 30-40 minutes. When the soil darkens, the water is drained.
The method can be greatly simplified and water can be added to the pan in which there is a pot of pelargonium. It’s convenient to use a watering can. Watering in the pan is necessary as the soil dries. You can check this with the index finger. If the earth is dry when deepening by 1-1.5 cm, then it is time to water the flower.
How to water geraniums on top
This method is used by florists for all tropical indoor plants. The main thing to remember is that watering is the essence of watering. You need to do it with a watering can. During operation, it is important to ensure that water does not get on the leaves.
Watering in combination with top dressing
In the period from spring to early summer, as well as during flowering, geraniums need fertilizers. For top dressing, several means are used that will give strength to the plant and contribute to growth and development.
For lush flowering, top dressing is applied along with watering
Feeding for geraniums:
- Iodine. In a liter of water, 1 drop of the drug is added. Geranium is pre-watered with ordinary water, after which 40-50 ml of the prepared iodine solution is added along the edges of the pot.
- Ammonia. Dissolve 1 tsp in a liter of water. alcohol. The day before fertilizing, water the flower.
- Hydrogen peroxide. In a liter of water, stir 2 tbsp. l facilities. Pour the flower with plain water, then fertilize with a solution.
- Epin. Great for feeding. Dilute according to the instructions and pour the flower with a solution under the root.
- Succinic acid. In a liter of water, 1 tablet is diluted. Watering is done at the root. After this, it is advisable to sprinkle the leaves.
- Boric acid. In a liter of warm water, stir 0.5 g of the product. Water at the roots. With this solution, you can spray the foliage.
Perform such feeding is not necessary often. Enough 1 time in 3 weeks.
Frequent watering errors and their consequences
The main thing is not to go too far with watering. It will be easier to save the plant after a long drought than with rotting of the root system as a result of waterlogging. It is recommended to introduce liquid with a watering can so that water does not fall on the foliage.
Geranium is a beautiful and fragrant plant. The key to success in caring for a flower is proper watering.
