For a long time flower growers did not pay enough attention to garden varieties of geranium, despite all their attractiveness and tenderness.
At the moment, these plants are widely spread in flowerbeds and rose gardens. All this is due to the fact that the geraniums are quite unpretentious in the care, but at the same time very unusual and incredibly beautiful. And the hard work of breeders in breeding new varieties gives us all to enjoy the diversity of geraniums. This article will describe in detail the geranium of Robert.
Botanical characteristics and history
This species is representative of annual plants.. Presented in the form of erect shrub with rather sprawling shoots. The stems also grow straight, reaching a height of about 20-30 centimeters, all of them are covered with a hard pile consisting of red glandular hairs. It is because of this pile that the stalks appear a bit reddish and fluffy.
This plant is of natural origin. It grows in deciduous forests and ravines of Central and Eastern Europe, as well as in some regions of Russia, giving preference to damp and shady areas. You can find geraniums Robert on the wet stones of the Caucasus and alpine meadows of the Himalayas. Sometimes it can grow in crevices of moss covered trees.
Appearance Description
Diamond-shaped, well-cut leaf plates of a light green color come out of the root outlet. On each peduncle one bud is bloomed, the color of which is light pink. The flower itself is small in size - only a couple of centimeters in diameter. Petals have a slightly rounded shape.
Geranium Robert is characterized by a specific aroma.which is quite pronounced. Opened buds stand from June to July. After the flowering process during August, seeds ripen and crumble, which provide the plant with self-seeding. The following year, almost all the seeds sprout and cover the area with a kind of carpet.
In the autumn period, the plant acquires an unusual shade - orange-green, which adds some sophistication to geraniums.
A photo
Here you can see photos of geraniums:
Landing: rules, tips and instructions
Choice of location and lighting
Since the habitat for Robert's geranium is broadleaf forests, this plant is more prone to penumbra. It is important not to allow direct sunlight on the flower's surface - this can be detrimental to it. It is better that the sun illuminates geranium in the morning or evening hours, and in the heat it is in partial shade.
A strong wind and small temperature drops will not damage the plant, as it is intended for growth in open ground and hardened by weather phenomena.
Soil requirements
In order to achieve full growth and development, you need to ensure that Robert's geraniums are well loosened, which should be more nutritious. It is necessary before planting to take care of the drainage layer, which will protect the plant from stagnant moisture. Since swampiness in combination with low temperatures can destroy even the most seasoned flower.
How to care?
- In early spring, the soil should be well loosened and fertilized with wood ash.
- Immediately after planting, the geranium is watered abundantly and often so that the roots will be taken.
- In the future, the soil is moistened as needed - usually once every two or three days. After watering, you need to loosen the ground again so that a dry crust does not form, which will interfere with air circulation. Watering should be competent - you should not bring the soil to dry.
At the end of spring you need to quite often and carefully weed the area where Geranium is planted so that the unwanted grass does not clog the first shoots of the ornamental plant.
- Once a season you need to cut off the old shoots to update the whole plant. This will allow the plant not only to rejuvenate, but also, perhaps, to begin re-flowering.
- It is desirable to maintain the average air temperature throughout the development of Robert's geranium, on very hot days, spray the flower so that its ground parts do not dry out.
- Humidity should also be maintained at the average level.
- To prolong flowering, you need to fertilize the plant every two weeks. For this you can use both purchased drugs and home-made products.
Common diseases and pests
Garden plants are very hardened and therefore rarely amenable to disease. The most common ones are powdery mildew and boring spotting.
- Mealy dew - A healthy plant is affected from other diseased flowers, through contaminated soil, or through insect vectors. If the disease is at the level of damage only to individual leaf plates, it is enough to get rid of them, and treat the rest of the healthy part of the plant with an antifungal drug.
But with the running stages, the sick geranium of Robert needs to be quarantined away from all the other colors, remove all the damaged parts, and spray the rest with colloidal sulfur (it can be sold as a powder or a ready solution). Well helps in such situations a solution of Bordeaux mixture (0.5%).
- Brown spot. The cause of the occurrence is a fungal infection. Especially often found in wet and damp weather. Such a disease is best prevented than cured. For this you need time to remove weeds and wilted parts of the plant itself. There is also a need to ensure that a good drainage layer is maintained throughout the entire development.
It is very important to prevent stagnation of water and the formation of wetland. In the case of geranium damage by brown spot, diseased areas are removed, and healthy ones are treated with fungicide preparations.
Often, processing alone is not enough.. Therefore, experienced growers spend them several with a break of one week.
Of the pests on geranium Robert can attack aphid (including whitefly), caterpillars, mites. In this case insecticidal solutions or the same soap or aerosols with special oils will come to the rescue. Have proven themselves as effective such drugs: Spark, Commander or Aktelik.
Breeding features
Geranium Robert breeds with seeds. At the end of flowering, the seeds ripen in a box, which after self-dispersing throughout the site and giving an annual abundant flowering. In some situations, it is hard to get rid of such a plant, it multiplies so widely and quickly that it sometimes turns into annoying weeds.
This variety of geranium is very resistant to bad weather, especially to severe frosts, which makes it practically "indestructible".
Robert Geranium has the ability to grow rapidly, which subsequently prevents the growth of weeds.
How to plant seeds?
Collected seeds can be sown immediately after they are harvested.. Then by winter the first shoots will appear. But the best thing to do is closer to the beginning of winter. In this early spring, when the danger of severe frosts is over, you can get the first seedlings and plant them in open ground. But if you did not have time to do this before spring, then you can plant seed in April, but then the shoots and flowering will linger a little.
Instruction:
- Prepare the substrate from peat, humus and compost. All this is taken in the same amount.
- In a container with the soil sow the seeds.
- Cover with glass or transparent film. Keep it until the first leaves sprout.
- As soon as at least four leaf plates have grown on the seedlings, they are dived in separate containers, which should be about 6-7 centimeters in diameter.
- Strong flowers move to open ground.
Robert Geranium is great for growing on rocky terrain. At home, it is often used on alpine slides or else in those places where you need to cover the bare area.
Decorative and unpretentiousness in growing makes Robert's geranium very popular among gardeners, both beginners and professional. And the ability to self-seeding makes this plant not only attractive, but also accessible to many.
