Secrets of caring for geraniums: what to do with faded flowers and whether to trim the plant?

Of the many indoor plants, geranium is distinguished by lush and bright flowering.

It adds color to the gray everyday life, pleases the eye and causes delight.

The plant can bloom for a long time, since with proper care, new inflorescences will appear one after another.

Next, find out what to do with faded inflorescences. And also, does the African beauty need a rest period in winter.

Home beauty

Geranium appeared in Russia in the 18th century, although it was discovered by botanists of the Old World much earlier. Oddly enough, but they brought this marvelous plant from South Africa.

In those days, the flower, being wild and unpretentious to weather conditions, grew in forests and fields. It was called the "crane nose" or "crane".

This was due to the great similarity of its fruits and the beak of the crane. And already in the 17th century the name was changed in accordance with the Latin synonym "geranium". Today geraniums can be seen on the windowsills of every home.

This plant, being bright and beautiful, also has useful properties - it perfectly cleans the air of microorganisms and has a beneficial effect on the human body.

On a note. Some botanists argue that a specific aroma of geranium drives away flies and mosquitoes in the summer months.

If you provide the plant with a sufficient amount of light, then the flowering period will last as long as possible - new inflorescences will arise and bloom from early spring to mid-December.

Bright and variegated buds will bloom gradually, so flower brushes will look attractive and bright throughout the flowering period.

Flowering features

As with most indoor plants, the winter period for geraniums is a dormant period. At this time, the plant is gaining strength in order to release new inflorescences with buds in the spring.

On those beautiful days, when the geranium blooms, it needs to provide optimal conditions. A flower loves the sun, but not direct sunlight - they can leave burns on the leaves and ruin young buds.

A light shadow can also be beneficial - the flowers will become brighter. During the flowering period, the plant needs watering and additional fertilizing with fertilizers, since it gives all its strength not only to create new leaves and shoots, but also to set new inflorescences.

Watering should be plentiful, but not frequent. Geranium can tolerate a little drought more easily than survive with high humidity.

Important! Flowering can continue for eight months, and during this period in no case can pruning or pinching be done - the process of bud generation will be disrupted.

The flower will stop tying inflorescences and flowering will be interrupted. Geranium loves sunny window sills, and when buds open, light is simply necessary. Indeed, it is during this period that the plant needs additional lighting - the photosynthesis process takes place in the leaves.

So that new inflorescences are fastened and tied up, it is necessary to remove already faded brushes. Why?

• They take vitality from the plant.
• Their removal activates the process of nucleation of new inflorescences.
• They lost their aesthetically pleasing appearance.
• If they are not removed, a thin stem without leaves will stretch up, spoiling the shape and appearance of the flower.

What to do with her after?

What to do with faded flowers of geranium further and what care for it, after its flowering? When the flowering of geranium has stopped, and there are no new inflorescences, prepare the plant for a period of rest - for winter. First, the pot should be placed in a cool, but well-lit room with a temperature of +10 to +12 degrees.

After a couple of weeks, the flower can be screwed into the room. Watering must be reduced, as low temperatures and increased moisture can cause root decay.

In winter, when the geranium takes its rightful place on the windowsill, it is necessary to provide it with additional lighting - daylight hours for the plant should be 12 hours. For what?

1. Leaves and shoots will remain bright green.
2. Provides a constant appearance of young stems.
3. During this period, the plant is preparing to set new buds.

To make wintering comfortable for geraniums, drafts should not be allowed. Despite the fact that the plant normally tolerates low temperatures, it is not worth cooling it too, as this can lead to death.

To achieve a beautiful and uniform crown, every 3-4 days you need to turn the pot one quarter towards the window pane - so that the light evenly falls on all sides of the bush.

Do I need to cut geraniums after flowering?

Reference. Before wintering, immediately after flowering, it is necessary to prune the geranium. During the winter months, the plant will be able to regain strength, give new leaves in place of the cut stems and in the spring will delight the hosts with more lush and thick inflorescences.

It will not be superfluous to fertilize fertilizers after trimming. A flower, like any living creature, needs constant attention, care and care (for how to care for geraniums so that they bloom, read here).

It is important to monitor your flowering favorites, not only in those days when they are beautiful and decorated with flowers, but also when they need peace, light and warmth. After all, the upcoming flowering in spring directly depends on how good care will be in winter.

Watch the video: How to Deadhead a Geranium (December 2024).