Forming a beautiful geranium: when and how to properly trim a plant, how to care for it?

Lush, bright, fragrant flowers of geraniums can not fail to attract attention. Fans of indoor plants dream to transform pelargonium so that on the windowsill there was a beautiful richly flowering bush.

In order for geranium to please its owners with large buds, it is necessary to timely trim and nip. How to carry out this procedure correctly consider in detail with all the subtleties.

What is pruning?

Pruning geraniums is an indispensable process for lush flowering. Despite the fact that this exercise is not difficult, there are certain points that should be considered in order not to destroy the plant.

The main rule of pruning is its regularity, do not allow excessive growth of the stems.

Why is done and what gives?

It is worth noting that Geranium species are many, they are divided into:

• dwarf;
• tall;
• ampelous;
• with upright stems;
• shrubs.

And each of them needs a separate approach to care.

The regular formation of the pelargonium bush, started right after planting, will help:

• to stimulate the growth and development of lateral shoots, and as a result of new buds;
• give the flower a beautiful and compact look;
• help the plant to bloom magnificently and for a long time;
• get quality cuttings for further reproduction.

If you leave the geranium unattended, then for the season the stems stretch out, foliage will remain only at the top. The specificity of pelargonium is that without external intervention it does not produce side shoots, despite the fact that there is a sleeping kidney in each internode. If you cut geraniums in time, the sleeping buds begin to wake up, and the peduncles are laid.

Fundamental rules

There are certain rules for cutting pelargonium:

• the formation of the bush is carried out twice a year - in spring and autumn;
• the procedure should be a sharp sterile instrument;
• it is obligatory to process sections with antiseptic compositions;
• competent, aftercare.

Step by step instructions, how to properly and when to prune the plant?

Before you begin the process of pruning, you need to carefully consider the plant and think over the form you need to get in the end. Then prepare the tool and antiseptic and you can proceed.

Features of the spring procedure

The algorithm for doing spring pruning geraniums is as follows:

1. Peel dry and yellowed leaves, cut off the curves, injured shoots.
2. All weak side layers are removed without regret, you should leave only strong and healthy.
3. From the remaining stems remove all lateral shoots that are below.
4. If the stem is strongly stretched, then it should be shortened by cutting off the top.
5. If the stems are crooked, they are cut off completely, leaving only 10 cm of the stem from the ground. After some time, young leaves and shoots will appear on the spot of stumps.
6. Apply a disinfectant to the cuts (ground cinnamon, brilliant green, charcoal).

Pruning geraniums in the spring can slightly shift the flowering, as the plant will have to recover. It should also be borne in mind that when carrying out such a procedure it is impossible to cut more than 20% of the shoots for lush flowering. If you hold a local pruning, then geranium will bloom only next summer.

We offer to watch a video about spring pruning geraniums:

Is it possible to cut it in the fall?

Yes, you can and even need to prune the plant in the fall. Many novice growers do not know what time to begin pruning in the fall. The first thing you need to watch geranium, as soon as pelargonium ceases to form new flower stalks, and existing ones begin to fade - it's time to trim, which should be done as follows:

1. Remove from the plant all wilted inflorescences, stems and leaves that have dried or damaged. Thanks to this procedure you will make your work more simple. Then you should inspect the plant and remove all weak and damaged shoots, and those that stretched should be shortened. This will allow the plant to maintain strength for further growth and flowering.
2. Before you decide on the cut, you need to understand that new shoots are formed from dormant buds.
3. In the autumn time, pelargonium can be cut to 1/3, while you should not think that it will be too hard for a plant. Over the long winter, it will gain strength and release many new lateral processes.
4. But one trimming is not enough, during the rest period, young shoots should be pinned after each 4 internodes. Only in the spring you get a bushy geranium, which will release a lot of flower stalks and please with a head of buds.

Pruning and pinching is carried out until December, at which time a period of rest passes, during which pruning for pelargonium is painless. Then you should leave the plant alone until spring. It should be noted that in the period when the daylight is very short, geranium will be very difficult to endure any interference.

We offer a visual video on how to cut geraniums in the fall:

A photo

Then you can see the photos of the plant:

Useful secrets

How to cut geranium for lush flowering? This question is asked by many flower growers. But do not forget that the duration and frequency of flowering is directly dependent on the plant variety and on the conditions of care and of course on the correct pruning. Want a lush plant in the spring, spend a competent pruning in the fall.

• If in winter the plant did not have enough light and the stems were very long, then at the end of February they should be shortened by 2/3. And in the spring to begin to nip new side layers.
• If the plant has branched heavily during the winter, then in the spring only those side stalks that are knocked out of the total mass of the bush are removed - you should not carry out global pruning;
• Do you want to get a lush plant in the spring - in the fall, leave only hemp 7-10 cm and constantly care for geraniums, timely pinching. In this case, pelargonium should stand in a well-lit place so that the side stalks do not stretch out.
• We draw your attention to the fact that geranium flower stalks are formed only from young shoots, therefore, as soon as the bud begins to dry, it is removed and the stem is pinched.

What to do to flower was fluffy?

The quality of pruning depends on the good condition and the vigorous flowering of geraniums, therefore, pruning is carried out with a sharp blade or knife, which must be disinfected, the algorithm for performing the following:

1. Experienced growers are advised to pruning with a sharp blade or clerical knife. It is not necessary to use scissors, because in this process the stem is squeezed and receives additional injuries in the form of cracks.
2. The slice is made above the node from which the leaf grows, facing outward - if the leaves are turned inside the bush, the shoots will interfere, each other will grow, while the plant density will be increased, and this may cause diseases and insects.
3. If you want to remove a young sprout, you can simply pin it with clean, dry hands directly from the main stem, trying not to damage the main layer.
4. Be sure to handle the cutting sites, otherwise the plant may be affected by rot. You can apply crushed coal, cinnamon or brilliant green.

Forming a stem tree from a bush at home

If there is a desire to make a compact stem tree from a bushy geranium, it is worth making the correct pruning - remove the side layers. Set support, which tie the main stem in several places.

Garter central stem should be carried out very carefully, as in pelargonium it is very fragile. It is necessary to fix the stem so that the support helps it to withstand the weight of the growing crown. Some gardeners simply wrap the trunk and support with a soft cloth.

The main stem is cut at the level of the support, it can be 2-3 cm higher, it all depends on the last sleeping bud at the top. After pinching, intensive branching will begin. On the top, 5-7 strong layers are left - they will be the basis of the future crown.

After every fourth leaflet, pinching is done on each new stalk. Over time, the result of such an intensive formation forms a beautiful miniature tree, but you need to understand that it will bloom only a year later, after the formation of the crown. If you want the plant to lay buds, two months before the proposed flowering pruning and pruning stop.

Care

Care after pruning should be more thorough so that the plant has the strength to recover. Geranium is placed in a room with a temperature of + 15-18 degrees, reduce the number of waterings to a minimum so that the flower does not rot. Illumination at the same time should be maximum, but without direct sunlight. For the growth of a large number of greens, fertilize with nitrogen fertilizers.

As soon as the wounds from the slices are tightened, you can move the plant to a warmer room, it is better to install a pot of geranium on the southern sill, or to arrange additional lighting.

It must be remembered that geranium is a light-loving plant that does not tolerate heat and stuffiness, therefore the room in which it should be constantly ventilated.

Constantly cutting pelargonium is necessary not only for the formation of the bush. If excess, dried and unhealthy processes are removed, free space is formed. Thinned bush is well ventilated, the threat of infection with fungal diseases is significantly reduced. The type of plant becomes the most accurate and attractive. The mass of greenery becomes small, while the number of inflorescences and their quality increases.

Watch the video: How To Prune Leggy, Overgrown Geraniums Joy Us Garden (May 2024).