The pelargonium, a plant with bright colors and an intoxicating scent, is one of the most loved flowers for decorating balconies and gardens. With its dazzling petals that turn red, pink, purple or white, pelargonium is an explosion of beauty that attracts everyone’s attention. But do you know how to best take care of it? And above all, have you ever thought about multiplying it to create a pelargonium in a bush? Here’s how to do it.
Pelargonium, also known as geranium, is an ornamental plant that conquers for its beauty and versatility. Originally from southern Africa , pelargonium has spread all over the world thanks to its incredible ability to adapt to different climates and environments. This plant has dense foliage and brightly colored flowers that make any space more cheerful and welcoming . It is perfect for embellishing balconies, terraces or gardens with a touch of color and elegance.
But what exactly is pelargonium? It is a plant belonging to the Geraniaceae family, characterized by fleshy leaves and flowers grouped in showy inflorescences. There are different varieties of pelargonium, each with its own aesthetic peculiarities and cultural requirements.
One of the main reasons for the success of pelargonium is its ease of growing and care . This plant does not require special care and is resistant to common garden flower diseases. However, there are some fundamental indications to ensure correct cultivation of pelargonium.
To keep your pelargonium healthy, be sure to place it in a sunny location but protected from direct wind. Water the plant regularly, avoiding water stagnation in the saucer . Also, it is important to fertilize pelargonium during the flowering season. But let’s figure out how to make any pelargonium grow into a bush.
How to care for a pelargonium
Pelargonium is a much loved plant for its beauty and resistance. However, like all plants, it requires proper care to thrive. Here are some tips on how to care for a pelargonium.
First, it’s important to choose the right soil for your pelargonium . This plant prefers well-drained, nutrient-rich soils. Make sure the pot or flower bed you grow it in has good drainage, and use potting soil specifically designed for flowering plants .
Another fundamental thing is the correct watering of the pelargonium. Avoid watering it too often, as it does not tolerate overwatering. Wait for the soil to dry out slightly before watering again. Then make sure you place your pelargonium in a sunny spot. These plants love direct sunlight and need it to thrive and produce abundant blooms.
Don’t forget about regular pruning of your pelargonium as well. Remove faded flowers as they appear and prune dry or damaged parts of the plant to stimulate new healthy growth.
By following these simple precautions, you can guarantee a long life for your beloved pelargonium on the balcony or in the garden. And take care of him carefully, avoiding small mistakes that can compromise his growth. And in addition to the main care, let’s discover how to transform any pelargonium into a bush.
The main techniques for processing any pelargonium
The main techniques for multiplying a pelargonium can be very useful for having more plants of this beautiful floral variety, and making it a nice bush. There are several methods that can be used, depending on your preferences and available resources.
One of the most common techniques is cutting . To make it, simply cut a portion of the stem of a healthy, strong plant, making sure to include some leaves in the section taken. Then, the cutting is placed in a pot with fresh , well-drained potting soil, keeping the soil slightly moist until roots begin to appear.
Another effective technique is that of grafting. This method requires more skill and attention because it consists of combining two different plants, taking the shoot or upper part of a desired plant (the rootstock) and grafting it onto the trunk or base of another plant (the graft ). It is important that the two parts fit together perfectly so that the graft can adhere correctly. And the result that will emerge will be truly amazing, in fact for this technique, it is also possible to use two geranium branches of different colors.
Finally, there is also the possibility of propagating pelargoniums by dividing the tufts. This method can be done in the spring or early summer when the plants are still young and vigorous. Just gently separate the tufts from the mother plant with the help of a sharp knife or a pair of clean scissors , and bury them in another pot. Remember to always use compost suitable for this type of plant, and to make a draining layer on the bottom of the pot.
Five minutes, pelargonium in a bush
Five minutes can make the difference between a simple pelargonium and a stunning bush of colorful flowers. If you have a pelargonium on your balcony or in your garden and want to turn it into a real eye-catcher , then follow these simple steps to multiply it quickly.
The main technique for obtaining more pelargonium plants is taleggio. Take a healthy plant with well-developed branches and cut off some of its side twigs. Make sure each branch has at least 3-4 nodes , as this is where the new roots will grow from.
Then we take our cut sprigs and gently remove all the leaves from the bottom half of the branch . This will ensure that all of the plant’s energy goes into growing the roots instead of feeding the leaves. Now let’s fill a small pot with moist soil and make a hole in the middle to insert our sprig without damaging the upper nodes . We cover the bottom of the stem well with soil and apply light pressure around it to stabilize it. Don’t compress the soil too much, otherwise the roots will suffocate.
Finally, let’s place our new seedling in full sunlight but avoiding direct exposure to intense rays during the hottest hours of the day. Being fragile, and the sun too strong, you risk burning it completely. So keep it constantly hydrated by vaporizing water on the upper part of the plant , this must be done when it is positioned in the shade and the internal soil does not have a high temperature.
Now that you have mastered this simple technique, all you have to do is turn the pelargonium into a bush.
