Royal pelargonium: care and cultivation at home. Caring for royal pelargonium

If you turn to specialized literature, you can find out that royal pelargonium is also known under a number of other names - royal geranium, grandiflora pelargonium. For scientists, the more familiar name of the plant sounds like Regal Pelargonium, Pelargonium grandiflorum. Pelargonium is a member of the Geraniaceae family and can grow up to 25–50 cm in height.

However, this plant is best known as indoor flower what can explain it long period flowering and ease of care. Reproduction is simple and effective royal pelargonium, since cuttings are most often used for it.

Characteristics and description of the flower

Until the mid-18th century, Europe was unfamiliar with geranium, however, everything changed when the first samples of this plant were delivered from South Africa. It became the basis for developing new varieties from cuttings.

Along with other species, breeders managed to create royal pelargonium grandiflora, the main decoration of which is their large flowers.

These plants usually grow as compact shrubs, which are mostly hybrids. When grown at home, they are obtained in the form of small, dense bushes and fragile, highly branched stems.
Depending on the variety, pelargonium may have various shapes and leaf sizes. The petioles of geranium do not differ in length from the leaf blades. Many varieties of pelargonium grow round sheets, decorated with slightly lobed edges.
Geranium flowers grow on an elongated, thin stem, which is covered with spherical umbels. It often has single flowers of large sizes and bright colors.
The variety of pelargonium you grow affects the color of the flowers, which can be white or any shade of pink and red.
When grown in room conditions you can get fairly low-growing pelargoniums that do not exceed 25−50 cm in height. The upper part of the leaves is jagged and has a rough texture, and the edges have a sharp wavy shape.

Types and varieties of royal pelargonium flowers

The flowers are different simple, funnel-shaped, reaching a diameter of 5−8 cm. At the ends of the stems or young branches, about 10 cone-shaped flowers grow.

The petals usually have a darker shade in the inner area, often in the front part dark lines form. If you provide the plant with appropriate care, you can enjoy pelargonium flowers from early spring until the very end of summer.

Features of care

When growing royal pelargonium at home, it is necessary to create favorable conditions for it, without which it is impossible to ensure its normal development.

This plant feels most comfortable in light, airy spaces. Individual owners are not limited to growing geraniums at home. If necessary, they can be planted in the garden, on a balcony or terrace that has shelter from precipitation.

They are often installed on the windowsill. But in this case you will have to take care of creating good ventilation, since the plant needs not only optimal temperature regime, but also air humidity.

In general, in terms of illumination, geranium has the following basic requirements:

Ensuring maximum illumination, in summer period Partial shading is required.
If the plant is grown outside the house, then in the chosen place it is necessary to provide shelter from precipitation.
Be sure to provide protection from direct sunlight.
In winter, pelargonium should be grown in a well-lit and cool place where the temperature is maintained at a low temperature - no higher than 10-14 degrees Celsius. In this case, it will be able to form bud ovaries.

Watering royal geranium

For normal growth of royal pelargonium, you need to ensure regular and proper watering . In summer it should be carried out twice a day - in the mornings (at about 10 o'clock) and in the evenings, when the sun sets. In winter, it is enough to water the plant once a day.

There are certain features when caring for royal pelargonium hybrids. Since they are more accustomed to elevated temperatures compared to zonal geraniums, during watering they slightly increase water consumption.

When watering adult bushes, adhere to the scheme - no more than 50 ml at a time. The amount of water used should be enough to slightly wet the soil.

Should avoid excess moisture, since in such conditions the likelihood of rot development and infection increases. This often explains the reluctance of royal pelargonium to bloom at home.

Required temperature

When growing royal pelargonium, it is necessary provide optimal temperature within 18−25 degrees Celsius.

To avoid these unpleasant situations, it would not hurt for every gardener to have a hygrometer, thermometer and weather station.

Plant sleep period

In the dormant stage, which lasts for royal pelargonium from October to March, it is necessary to prevent overdrying earthen coma. The plant itself requires almost no care at this time of year.

Even before pelargonium enters the dormant stage, you need pick off the flowers on it, buds and weak leaves. When pruning, it is necessary to remove shoots by one third of the length.

This measure will not only give the plant more freedom, but will also help it receive more air. Another advantage of pruning is increased resistance to diseases and pests. Watering should be carried out only at those moments when it is required taking into account the situation.

In the dormant stage, royal pelargonium is grown at a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius. However, some gardeners may be prevented from properly caring for the plant in winter due to lack of space or time to do so. In this case, proceed as follows:

the plants are removed from the pots, then the leading shoots are shortened, the root ball is cleaned of dirt, and the roots are cut;
at this stage life cycle each plant is wrapped in newspaper and wrapped in film;
Finally, all that remains is to tie it and hang it in the basement.

This method will undoubtedly appeal to many, since throughout the winter no need to care for the flower. People remember pelargonium in March, when it is taken out of its packaging and replanted back into pots.

Geranium pruning and fertilization

During the entire growing season, once every two weeks it is necessary to bring in liquid fertilizers . From October to February, the plants are in the dormant stage, so fertilizing is not required at this time of year.

Once again I would like to repeat that compact bushes of royal pelargonium bloom most profusely compared to overgrown ones. New branches often form on old, already lignified shoots.

If geranium has been grown for many years, then pruning it once a year is sufficient. Moreover, the time of the event does not matter.

How does geranium propagate?

Regardless of the variety of royal pelargonium from which you want to get new bush at home, recommended use the cutting method. To do this, you need to prepare cuttings in the first weeks of summer or autumn, which are cut below the internodes at an angle of 45 degrees.

If the escape belongs to dwarf variety, then it must be separated by about 5 cm, and for large ones - 10 cm. Having ready-made cuttings on hand, you need to tear them off lower leaves and flowers.

Flower propagation process royal geranium at home it follows a slightly different pattern than in the case of other varieties. It is not recommended to allow high soil moisture, as this can lead to rotting of the plant.

For this reason, you should be very careful with the cuttings: when there are several days left before planting, you should refrain from placing them in water.

More effective measure is to dry them for two hours. However, first you need a place to cut handle charcoal and "Kornevina".

To obtain new geranium bushes at home, you will first have to prepare small diameter pot. You can use shards to fill the bottom of the pot as drainage.

It is not recommended to plant cuttings in wet or excessively dry soil, so in such a situation, immediately after planting, watering can be carried out only along the edge.

What to do after landing

The popularity of the royal geranium cuttings method can be explained by the fact that harvested shoots quickly take root. Usually 3-4 weeks are enough for the first shoots to appear. This is a sure sign that it is time to increase watering a little.

However, here you need exercise utmost care, since there is a danger of soaking the substrate.

When another 4 weeks have passed, the young bushes of royal pelargonium begin to harden in the sun, and subsequently care for them is carried out according to the same scheme as for adult specimens.

After waiting for them to form a well-developed root system, you can transplant the geranium into soil prepared from compost.

Transplanting pelargonium

Even with the appearance of many flowers and leaves, the royal geranium itself often remains quite compact. The resulting root shoots seek additional space to grow in drainage hole, and when they succeed, they score it.

This is one of the common reasons, explaining why pelargonium does not bloom at home. For geraniums, replanting can be carried out no more than once every two years, always using fresh earthen substrate.

First, you need to clear the rhizome of old soil by gently shaking it. Next, long, thick roots and shoots are pruned in order to remove half of them. Then the geranium is returned to the old pot, which was previously filled with fresh soil.

Pests and care errors

The greatest danger to royal geranium is the disease " blackleg" It can be identified by the fact that the stems turn black at ground level. But you need to be very careful, because this disease can quickly affect the entire plant.

It usually occurs due to waterlogged soil or high humidity. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary for royal pelargonium create optimal conditions development, and they require the provision of relatively dry air.

Rust is also a problem for geraniums. The harm from it manifests itself in yellowing of the leaves and their subsequent death. Geranium shoots and flowers are not protected from this disease.

Therefore, if you notice potential signs of rust on the leaves of a flower, immediately need to be cut off, which is an effective preventive measure against this disease.

Royal pelargonium does not sound very familiar to many, although this is not surprising, because this is the official name of geranium.

Hidden underneath is a rather beautiful plant, which can become a spectacular decoration not only in the apartment, but also on garden plot. However, proper care behind her suggests creation of favorable conditions for growth, otherwise it will not be easy to even wait for pelargonium to bloom.

Royal geranium, otherwise called pelargonium, received such a majestic name for a reason. This plant is distinguished by its amazing beauty, elegance and grace. However, it also requires royal care. Unlike its counterparts of other varieties, this representative of the flora needs specific care and constant attention. If you don't give the flower what it needs, lush buds You can't wait.

The beautiful royal is a native South America where the climate is humid and hot. That is why it feels great in warm rooms with high humidity. To Europe amazing flower were brought only at the end of the 18th century. In the shortest possible time, it gained immense popularity among gardeners. Since that moment, breeders have been carrying out continuous work, as a result of which more and more new varieties of royal pelargonium are being born. It's hard to name exact amount species known today.

At home, this noble representative of the flora grows to a height of 60-80 cm. Growing taller bushes is not considered advisable, since flowers appear only at the highest points of growth. If geranium reaches 1 m in height, it completely loses its decorative qualities. However, if you are a fan of experimentation, you can try growing a 1.5 m tall bush in open ground. It will become an excellent backdrop for short garden inhabitants.

Description of the royal plant

home distinctive feature royal geranium - gorgeous inflorescences. They can reach 25 cm in width. But to achieve such splendor, it is necessary to provide proper care for the plant. The more fertilizer with potassium and phosphorus you apply in preparation for flowering, the larger the buds will be. Typically, medium-sized inflorescences are found - about 15 cm.

All royals have oval spots in the central part of the petal. They are darker and more saturated than other areas. There are both classic and double royal pelargoniums. The latter look more advantageous. The shades of the buds amaze with their diversity. There are specimens of yellow, dazzling white, purple, red, pink and even orange flowers.

The petals of plants can be either flat, concave, or slightly wavy. Rare varieties of ruffled flowers royal plant. The leaves are serrated, oval or round in shape. Their surface is usually rough and quite pleasant to the touch. The shade of the leaves depends on the general condition of the royal individual. If the flower is healthy and provided with everything necessary, its foliage has a rich emerald color. The central trunk and all shoots are tightly covered. And if the plant feels unwell, the foliage fades and parts of the bush become bare.

Unlike other varieties of geranium, the royal individual has a rather short flowering period. As a rule, it does not exceed six months. The indoor plant blooms in early spring.

Royal pelargonium (video)

What maintenance conditions does the flower need?

Like all representatives of the nobility, the royal geranium presents high requirements to the conditions of detention. To a pet felt comfortable, 4 basic rules should be followed.

Royal geranium absolutely does not tolerate either waterlogging or drying out of the soil. In addition, it suffers from direct sunlight and winds. Therefore, experienced gardeners strongly do not recommend planting this flower in the summer. open ground. Unlike his relatives, he will not be happy with such hardening. The only thing you can do in the summer is to take the pelargonium directly in a pot onto the balcony or garden. It is important to ensure that the plant is in partial shade and does not stand in a draft. Geraniums living on a windowsill need shading in the summer. If this is not done, sunburn may form on the leaves.
Another rule that a gardener should write down in his diary: the royal specimen should not experience a lack of light throughout the year. Unlike zonal geraniums, which accumulate sunlight over the summer for the entire coming year and winter well even in rooms with poor lighting, the royal plant cannot live in the dark. With a lack of lighting, it stretches upward and also does not have the strength to lay buds for the next flowering. Therefore for lush flowering For fastidious beauty, flower growers are advised to purchase special fluorescent lamps.
In order for geraniums to begin to bloom, care must be taken to maintain a special temperature regime. In winter, the plant feels great at 12-15°C. In such conditions, it lays buds for flowering next season. If the temperature is elevated and exceeds 24°C, the flower begins to experience discomfort. IN best case scenario it stops blooming, or at worst, stops growing completely.
When caring for a royal specimen, special attention must be paid to watering. It is necessary to select the intensity of soil moisture taking into account the temperature regime. In summer, watering should be moderate and regular, in winter - sparing and quite rare. Experienced gardeners It is recommended not to pour the liquid from above, but to pour it into the pan. This is due to the fact that royal geranium does not tolerate soil compaction quite well. For watering it is better to take rainwater, or clean, settled liquid.

When and how to replant a plant?

Unlike its fellow plants, which endure annual replanting to and from the garden, the royal specimen is not a fan of such movements. It’s better not to disturb him with a transplant again. You only need to change the pot if it has grown root system no longer fits in the old one. Until this point, you can limit yourself to only periodically adding fresh soil to the container.

It is recommended to replant pelargonium once every 2 years. If this procedure is not completed in time, the plant may not bloom or there will be very few flowers on the bush. It is better to transplant as early as possible. Optimal time- beginning of February. Afterwards, the flower begins to form buds and blooms.

The soil for the royal individual is no different from the soil that is suitable for other representatives of the species. You can prepare it yourself by mixing in equal parts:

turf land;
peat;
deciduous soil;
river sand.

Care must be taken to create a drainage layer. Otherwise, the plant risks dying due to stagnation of water at the roots. Expanded clay, crushed stone, and crushed sand can be used as drainage. Ceramic pots are best suited for growing hydrangeas. They ensure uniform distribution of air and maintain a suitable temperature of the earth ball. After transplantation, attention to the flower should be increased.

What fertilizers does geranium need?

Royal geranium needs fertilizer during active growth, bud formation, flowering. Nutrients must be added every 2 weeks from late March to mid-November. Better to use liquid fertilizers, For example, good remedy is an iodine solution. To prepare it, add 1 drop of the substance to 1 liter of water. About 50 ml of the prepared composition is carefully poured over the walls of the pot. When removing a larger volume of fertilizer, there is a risk of damage to the root system.

You can also use store-bought ones to feed the plant. mineral fertilizers. However, it is important to ensure that nitrogen does not predominate in their composition. Otherwise, the stems and leaves will actively grow, but there will be noticeably fewer buds. It is better to choose mixtures with a high content of phosphorus and potassium. They will ensure long and abundant flowering.

It is not recommended to use fresh organic matter as fertilizer for geraniums. The royal plant simply does not accept such feeding.

When and how is pruning done?

Improper pruning is one of the most common mistakes made by beginners when growing royal geraniums at home. Most gardeners believe that the optimal time for this procedure is the beginning of spring. However, this opinion is wrong. It is better if pruning is carried out immediately after flowering has completed, that is, at the end of August or beginning of September. If you treat the bush in the spring, it is unlikely to bloom next season.

It is optimal if pruning is carried out in 2 steps with an interval between sessions of 1-1.5 months. In this case, the royal person will experience less stress and will endure the procedure more easily. After removing excess parts of the plant, be sure to pamper the geranium with fertilizers.

If pruning is done correctly and on time, young shoots will begin to appear on the geranium in the fall. They must be pinched over 4-5 pairs of leaves. In this case, new stems will grow even more actively. Professional flower growers who create excellent exhibition specimens carry out an average of 3-4 pinchings per season. As a result, by spring the decorative bush takes on a compact shape and blooms profusely. The number of pinchings for amateur gardeners largely depends on the conditions under which the plant is kept. Don’t forget: in any case, the last procedure must be carried out no later than the beginning of February. If within winter period the bush has become very elongated; it will be better if, instead of final pinching, the overgrown shoots are pruned.

Proper care of geraniums (video)

Plant propagation methods

Cuttings are the simplest, most effective and common method of propagating royal geraniums. For it, you can use the tops with 3-4 pairs of leaves obtained during pruning. However, you need to know that cuttings of this plant cannot be rooted in water. In conditions of high humidity, they do not grow roots, but only rot.

To propagate a bush, you need to create cut points with charcoal, dry it a little and immediately plant the cuttings in the ground. Optimal soil composition: a mixture of equal parts of perlite and peat. It is recommended to immediately plant young plants in separate pots; you can also use peat cups. This will prevent the mass death of green pets if care and reproduction were carried out incorrectly.

After about 1-2 months, the plants will take root completely, after which they can be transplanted into a nutrient mixture consisting of turf and deciduous soil, sand and peat, mixed in equal parts. There is no need to cover the cuttings with jars or polyethylene; it is enough to keep them in a warm room with moderate lighting, ensuring timely watering.

For lush flowering and full growth during the growing season, young bushes must be fed periodically. It is better to use mineral fertilizers with low nitrogen content. During flowering, which, if properly cared for, occurs approximately 6-9 months after rooting, it is recommended to use fertilizers for flowering indoor plants. You can purchase them at any specialized store.

The royal specimen, unlike other types of pelargonium, does not like to reproduce by seeds. Usually, when using this method, the characteristics of double and semi-double quality of the most beautiful mother varieties are not transmitted. However, if you are a fan of experiments, be sure to try growing wonderful geraniums from seeds. You may be able to create a new look.

Why doesn't royal geranium bloom?

Amateur flower growers who have become owners of a beautiful royal geranium are looking forward to the moment when the beautiful green pet blooms. However, they often have to experience disappointment: instead of the most beautiful large inflorescences, the fastidious royal geranium produces only abundant foliage, and the rapidly growing shoots stretch out and spoil the whole appearance. Why is this happening? Most likely, when caring for the plant, the basic rules were violated:

the bush suffers from lack of lighting or due to incorrectly selected temperature conditions;
the flower lives in a pot that is too large;
applied fertilizers have an unbalanced composition;
the transplant was not carried out on time;
pruning was performed in violation of basic rules or was completely absent.

All reasons for the lack of flowering can be eliminated quite easily. Once this is done, the wondrous royal will delight yours with lush blooms.

What diseases and pests are dangerous for geraniums?

Like any others houseplants, royal pelargonium is susceptible to diseases and pests. Typically, illnesses attack a green pet due to violations of the conditions of detention. However, if you constantly monitor the plant and take timely measures, dangerous consequences the invasion will be avoided.

If your indoor beauty's leaves have turned yellow, she may be suffering from a lack of moisture or deficiency. nutrients. The same symptom indicates that the pot is too crowded and even overfeeding with nitrogen fertilizers.
The leaves have become limp and drooping, and mold or mildew has formed on them. brown spots? Look for the reason in excessive watering. Excessive moisture can also cause the appearance of depressed dark spots on the stems.
The falling of the lower foliage, the exposure of the stem and the stretching of the top of the bush are clear signs that the green pet is suffering from a lack of lighting. If an incorrectly selected temperature regime is added to this, you may not expect lush flowering of geraniums.

Sick and depressed plants become easy prey for pests. Royal pelargonium can be attacked by whiteflies, aphids,. Action must be taken immediately after uninvited guests discovered. It is necessary to isolate the affected plant from other indoor pets and treat its leaves with a soap solution. If this does not help, spraying with insecticides is required.

Royal pelargonium is a flower that can easily be grown at home. It is often confused with geranium. The main difference between pelargonium and geranium is that the latter has all the petals same size. The care and propagation of this plant is quite simple.

Royal pelargonium: plant features

Besides the fact that a flower has petals different shapes(the lower 3 petals are longer than the upper 2), it has several main features:

The flowers of this plant reach 15 cm in diameter.
Variety of colors. Today there is a wide variety of colors of this type.
The size and number of flowers depends not only on timely watering, but also lighting. This factor must be taken into account when planning plant care.
The flowering period of this plant lasts much less than that of other species. In addition, the plant may not bloom at all if you choose the wrong care for this flower.
You can grow pelargonium both in the garden or on the balcony, and at home. It is worth noting that growing a flower on a windowsill is the safest and most comfortable for the plant, since it is sensitive to soil and air humidity.

Flower propagation also occurs in a special way. In order to know how to care for this plant, you need to know the basic favorable conditions for its existence.

How to propagate and transplant pelargoniums?

It is recommended to replant pelargonium at least once every 2-3 years. If you replant too often, the flowering of the plant will slow down. The optimal time for transplantation is spring. It is worth noting that during this same period it is advisable to carry out reproduction.

The note! When replanting a flower, it is also necessary to trim the shoots and remove dry leaves and stems.

It is necessary to replant pelargonium into a small pot where the roots will be a little cramped. It is advisable to prune and replant pelargonium for the first time in the fall. During this period, weak shoots need to be pruned. In spring, dry leaves are removed from the stems and the shoots are pruned. This must be done so that the flower grows faster. Pelargonium stops pruning 6-7 weeks before flowering.

Reproduction (cuttings) of pelargoniums

Propagation by cuttings begins with cutting off stems 7-11 cm long. After which the cuttings are planted in the ground.
Important! The stems need to be planted in the ground after they have been lying on the ground for 2-4 hours. outdoors. As soil, it is necessary to use a mixture containing peat and sand in equal proportions.
In order for the stems to take root, you need to put a plastic bag on the pot with the cuttings.
It is necessary to water the soil in the pot with cuttings periodically, maintaining constant humidity.
After independent roots appear in the plant, it can be transplanted into a separate pot.

Thus, replanting a plant with cuttings at home is quite simple.

Secrets of rooting geraniums

Diseases

If you don't know why your plant isn't blooming? Or why strange spots appear on it and it dies, make sure that the flower is properly cared for.
The main common manifestation of plant disease is rotting of the root and drying of the lower leaves of the plant. In order to protect a flower while it is blooming, it is necessary to provide it with good care, accompanied by a sufficient amount of light and water.

As a rule, yellow leaves appear on a plant when it blooms with insufficient watering, as well as when it is exposed to direct sunlight.

A large amount of water can lead to dropsy or rotting of the root.

Based on the above, you can determine why your pet is not blooming. Remember, flowering depends on how well you care for the flower.

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Royal pelargonium is the most beautiful plant, which attracts attention with its charming flowers and incredibly beautiful blooms. People also call this geranium royal, English grandiflora, domestic and noble. This type of pelargonium is unpretentious in care, but requires attention and special conditions cultivation, which is important to observe if you want to grow truly lush beauty on your windowsill.

Description of the flower

Pelargonium grandiflora is bush about 60 cm high, which is distinguished by herbaceous erect stems, rich green leaves and large inflorescences with a diameter of up to 25 cm. Royal pelargonium flowers can reach 7 cm in diameter. They consist of petals, which, depending on the variety, have a variety of colors and shapes. Simple or double buds have smooth or wavy edges. Their color can be monochromatic or bicolor, when there are contrasting inclusions inside the flower.

At good care for the royal geranium you can achieve it continuous flowering within three to four months. Blooming flowers of the plant have many shades– from white to dark purple. Depending on the variety, the leaves can be large or small, but they all have the same shape. Each rough leaf has small serrations.

Caring for royal geraniums

A flowering plant loves light, so best place there will be a stand for it near the south window. You can place a flower pot directly on the windowsill, but only on east or west windows. Direct Sun rays geraniums will not harm, but on too hot days, burns may form on the leaves.

On northern window sills and in the shade, royal pelargonium will not be enough Sveta. In case of insufficient lighting, the leaves on the bush become small, and the buds may not appear at all, which, in fact, will be the answer to the question of why the royal geranium does not bloom.

The room where the flower grows must be regularly ventilated, but so that there are no drafts. In the warm season, a pot with a bush can be placed on an open balcony or in the garden.

Vida regala is truly an aristocratic flower. During the flowering period, it looks like a very lush and bright ball. It is not easy to grow this flower at home. Care, feeding, pruning and propagation require scrupulousness and precision technology. Experts advise how to do this correctly step by step, based on the photo.

Royal geranium: plant description

Unlike classic varieties of pelargonium, the royal one has a wider bush. Peduncles are located at the level of the shoots, and not above them. In addition, the flowers are larger, reaching 15 cm in diameter ( average- 5-7 cm). By appearance and in color they resemble pansies. Blooming, the flowers tightly cover the bush, forming bright pillow in the form of a ball.

Botany classifies geranium as perennial plants. At favorable conditions it can grow and bloom in summer on the veranda or balcony, and not just on the indoor window sill.

Royal geraniums can have flowers of different shades

The flower varieties determine the color of the buds: from white to deep purple. Moreover, the petals are not only smooth, but also terry, with a wavy or corrugated texture. Unlike other varieties, they do not have the characteristic aroma of pelargonium.

Attention! The peculiarity of royal geranium flowers is that the shade of the upper petals is much brighter and more saturated than the lower ones. This property is used by decorators and flower growers.

The leaves of royal pelargonium are the same in all varieties:

in shape - smoothed, maple-shaped;
there are jagged edges;
the coating is rough.

The flower does not grow higher than 50 cm. Its compactness allows it to be placed on a loggia or hung in a flowerpot. In spacious containers, pelargonium feels uncomfortable and may not even bloom.

What conditions do royal pelargonium need for normal development?

The plant is considered capricious and requires increased attention from its owners. The main difficulties of caring for it:

Does not tolerate excessive moisture or drying out of the soil.
Does not tolerate direct sunlight and does not like drafts. On open balcony or veranda, choose a place that is not blown by the wind. The optimal placement of the flower is a little sun in the morning and partial shade in the afternoon.
Royal geranium needs intense light throughout the year. Without it, it does not grow and does not lay buds. You can use special luminescent sources for indoor plants.
To extend flowering time, you need to regularly pick off wilted flowers.

Attention! Temperature conditions are very important for this variety. IN winter months, when forming buds, it needs coolness - a strict thermal range of +12...+15°C. If it is hotter, the plant will not bloom and may even wither.

How to prune royal geranium

This variety of pelargonium requires mandatory pruning twice per season: in spring and autumn. The procedure has a positive effect on the development of geranium:

Royal geraniums need to be pruned twice a year.

extends flowering time;
stimulates the growth of shoots and inflorescences;
improves the absorption of nutrients;
opens the plant elements to air and light;
helps geraniums withstand cold weather.

Pruning requires preparation of pelargonium. First, bring her into the room if she was on the balcony. Then proceed like this:

If necessary, transplant the geranium into a winter container.
Leave the plant for a couple of weeks to acclimatize, otherwise you will put it in a state of stress: the leaves will turn yellow and fall off.
Think about what shape you are going to give the bush. Evaluate what and how you will cut.
Remove dry and yellow leaves. It is better to get rid of fading greenery.
Prepare for the procedure. To work, use scissors, a sharp knife or pruning shears. The instrument must be sterilized in any way. Hands should be washed with soap.
Start pruning.

In general, the procedure is performed according to the same algorithm. While working, keep the following points in mind:

correct removal of shoots - above leaf nodules;
be sure to cut off branches that grow towards the center of the bush or cross each other;
It is better to remove the ends of the branches after 4-5 buds - this will free up space for young peduncles;

Royal geraniums can be placed on the balcony in summer

treat the cut areas with crushed charcoal, ground cinnamon or alcohol - this will heal faster;
The process of healing and normalization of plant life will be accelerated by a small portion of nitrogen fertilizer.

Advice. To form a rounded plant shape, pinch the tops of the shoots. This is done with bare hands - just tear off the desired process.

Propagation of royal geranium

Florists recommend propagating flowers by cuttings at home. In autumn or spring from an adult plant sharp knife a cutting is cut, no more than 10 cm in length (the cut is made at an angle of 45°). Then two leaves are cut off at the bottom of the branch and placed in water for 7-10 days. During this time, roots will appear on the cuttings. Now it can be rooted in a small pot with a light substrate. The soil is prepared by mixing ordinary land with sand in a 1:1 ratio.

Advice. The mixture should be disinfected for 2 days before planting.

The plant should remain in a temporary pot for 2 months. At this time, it is important not to miss the period when the cutting begins to grow. At this point, shorten the top of the sprout by 1 cm to give free rein to the side shoots. Water young geraniums so that the soil does not dry out, but the water does not stagnate. After two months, the plant will be ready for transplanting into a permanent container.