Ampel geranium: characteristics, varieties, cultivation and reproduction

Ampel Pelargonium is an amazingly beautiful plant that leaves no one indifferent. Balconies, gazebos and even living quarters are decorated with such flowers. Bright and long-lasting flowering and pleasant aroma transform any space.

Growing ampelous pelargonium is a simple process. This will be discussed further. However, it is worth clarifying some of the nuances of the concepts. Pelargonium belongs to the Geraniev family. Although it is a separate genus, growers often refer to pelargonium simply as geranium. Therefore, for the convenience of the reader, this word will be used in the article.

Only one culture belongs to the ampelous species of pelargonium. This is the thyroid (ivy) pelargonium. She recently came to the houses and gardens of Russian flower growers. Prior to this, the culture lived only in its natural environment (in the tropics of Africa). All varieties of this group have flexible and rather long shoots. They form beautiful hanging cascades up to 1 m long. That is why they are often used to decorate hanging compositions and are grown in tall flowerpots in plots.

The leaves are harsh and have a relatively smooth surface. The color is usually green. Some varieties stand out for their interesting foliage color (light spots on a dark background). The leaves are quite large (up to 6 cm).

The flowers are collected in umbellate inflorescences, the size of which can exceed 9 cm. Each of them can have up to 40 buds. Flowers may look different depending on the variety. The petals can be simple or double. The shape of the flowers can resemble stars, lush peonies, roses.

The palette of shades is also varied. These are soft and bright pink, red, burgundy, lilac tones. Of course, there are also representatives of the flora with snow-white flowers in the assortment of varieties. The color can be monochromatic, or it can combine several different shades. The most common options are with a contrasting border on the petals. Flowering begins in spring and pleases crop owners until late autumn.

Today there are several dozen varieties of climbing geranium bred by breeders. Let's consider several popular options.

This climbing pelargonium grows up to 1 meter. Shoots are long, resilient. The leaves are smooth, large, and have a rich green color. Inflorescences combine up to 8 flowers. A spectacular blend of light pinks, dark pinks and reds creates a vibrant splash against a backdrop of dense foliage.

Abundant flowering continues until frost. The culture is unpretentious, it can be grown both indoors and in large flowerpots in the garden. The plant prefers bright light and moderate soil irrigation.

This luxurious plant has branched stems that form a voluminous, spreading bush. A ball of neat green leaves is almost completely covered with small flowers. Depending on the subspecies (Red, White or Rose), the petals are red, white or hot pink.

The culture is strong, withstands gusts of wind and rain. Can be grown in hanging baskets, boxes and other containers. Abundant and long flowering. The flowers are constantly being renewed.

This variety has more than one shape.Each variety is distinguished by its individual color. The culture reaches 50 centimeters. The petals are wavy, semi-double. The inflorescences are quite lush, forming a kind of sphere.

This purple-pink miracle fell in love with many flower growers. This variety often decorates balconies. It also looks spectacular in hanging pots. The petals are large, semi-double. The flowers are lush, reminiscent of mini-peonies. The leaves are green, have a slight waxy bloom.

This variety is distinguished by its variegated large foliage in green and light green tones. The leaves are wavy, have a beautiful shape. Due to this, the plant looks spectacular even during the dormant period. When it comes to flowering, the bright pink petals make the crop even more spectacular. Each bud includes 5 petals. Thin reddish streaks can be seen against the pink background.

A very graceful variety. Large snow-white flowers resemble roses in shape. A light greenish or purple tint in the center of each flower gives the culture even more expressiveness. The foliage is dense, green. Such a delicate living decoration will transform any veranda or loggia.

A very bright and "smart" variety. The plant is small, so growers often use the method of placing several bushes in a row. The stems are not very branched. However, the appearance of flowers completely transforms the culture. White petals with a contrasting crimson border are very effective.

This variety has an unusual flower shape. Like bright fuchsia butterflies, they stand out against the lush green foliage. The variety is very popular due to its fast growth and long flowering. Ideal for decorating loggias.

A very popular variety. A compact bush with green leaves is decorated with large double flowers. The color of the petals is crimson with a lilac tint. In shape, the flowers are similar to lush roses or small peonies.

It is impossible not to mention this original variety. It got its name for a reason. Curly variegated leaves really resemble the color of a crocodile. Golden patterns on luscious greenery are not the only advantage of the plant. Pink-coral flowers effectively complete the look.

Caring for ampelous geraniums at home is simple. It is only necessary to provide favorable conditions for the development and flowering of culture, and also to observe some rules.

Good lighting is essential for pelargonium. The best solution would be to place the plant by a south-facing window (if the flower is grown at home). On a balcony or terrace, light is usually abundant. The flower is not afraid of direct rays of the sun, so it can hang outside.

The optimum temperature in the summer is from 20 to 26 degrees. At the same time, the culture can easily withstand the heat, but with timely watering. In winter, it is desirable to provide the plant with cooler conditions (from 10 to 15 degrees). The culture will not survive wintering in the garden, so it is necessary to bring the container with the flower into the shelter.

Planting should be carried out in nutritious soil. It should be loose, preferably with clay in the composition. A mixture of peat, sand, humus, leafy and sod land is also suitable (all components are taken in equal proportions). Pelargonium tolerates drought, but waterlogging is destructive for it. Therefore, it is important to remember about drainage. For this, expanded clay is quite suitable.

The capacity should be small. Too large a pot will negatively affect the volume of the plant and the number of flowers.

When caring for pelargonium, watering rules cannot be ignored. Soil moisture should be moderate. The procedure is carried out when the topsoil dries out. Moisture should not get stuck.In winter, the crop is watered even less. You do not need to spray it.

This event is held in the spring. Frequency - once every 2 years. The indication for the procedure is a strong growth of the root system. If it is still placed in the container, the plant is left in place. In this case, they simply replace the topsoil. When replanting a plant as it grows, the capacity should be increased by no more than 2 cm.

In the active period of the crop life cycle, the soil should be additionally enriched with nutrients. Fertilization is also necessary after pruning. Liquid mineral preparations are a good choice. It is better to purchase complex products containing:

• phosphorus and potassium - for long and lush flowering;
• nitrogen - for the growth of greenery (while the amount of the element should be small, otherwise it will negatively affect the formation of buds).

If a grower floods a flower, he may face decay of the roots. Root rot is fought by removing damaged parts and treating the culture with special preparations. Usually use "Fundazim" or "Fundazol".

Fungal infections can be prevented by adhering to the watering regimen. If, nevertheless, a problem does appear, appropriate drugs from specialized stores also come to the rescue.

Culture pests are also familiar. The most common threats are mealybugs, spider mites and whiteflies. The folk methods of struggle include processing the plant with soapy water. However, insecticides are much more effective.

The best time for the procedure is autumn. It is during this period that the culture prepares for rest. Cut off long and bald shoots. This is necessary for the rejuvenation of the plant. It also helps to preserve its decorative effect. The bush will become lush again after a couple of weeks.

If during the winter period the growth of the flower was too active, spring pruning is carried out. This will give the plant a neat appearance and stimulate abundant flowering. It is also recommended to do stem pinching several times per season. This is to help them actively branch.

The culture can be propagated in two ways: by seeds and cuttings. Let's consider both options step by step.

The best method is the cultivation of geranium seeds. Such a culture turns out to be more resistant to adverse external conditions and diseases. Sowing is carried out in January. The seeds are spread on the prepared soil. It should be disinfected and moistened in advance. Then the seed is sprinkled with a small amount of soil. The plantings are moistened with a spray bottle.

Cover the container with a transparent material. Three times a day, the shelter is removed for a minute. Landings must be ventilated. The required temperature level is from 20 to 25 degrees. When 2-3 leaves are visible, the sprouts dive. Seedlings are placed in a place with a temperature of 16 to 18 degrees. Plants are planted in permanent containers at the age of about 2 months.

Despite all the advantages of the seed method, the method of propagation by cuttings is more popular among flower growers. There are certain advantages here too. The young flower retains all the external features of the mother bush. In addition, you can not spend money on the purchase of seeds, taking an existing plant as a basis. Young stems with healthy leaves are chosen. Cut off the tops. They should have two pairs of leaves. The best time to start the process is February-March or July-August. Sections are treated with powdered charcoal.

The cuttings are left in the air for several hours. Then they are planted. Better to take a peat-sand mixture. Planting depth - maximum 4 cm. The required temperature is from 20 to 23 degrees. Planting should be watered periodically (in moderation).Young flowers are transplanted in about a month. It is then that the roots appear. The desired diameter of the container for one plant is from 7 to 10 cm.

Consider some tips, which experienced florists share with beginners.

• When choosing an adult flower in a store, you should give preference to specimens with unopened buds. The plant should look good. Spots on the green parts of the flower, lethargy, sparse foliage - all these are signs of a culture disease.
• In the autumn-winter period, it is better to let the flower rest. Do not disturb him with unnecessary care measures. Watering should be less, feeding is not needed at this time. Keep the plant cool and bright. Install additional artificial lighting, if necessary. Otherwise, you can forget about dense foliage and abundant flowering.
• Ampel plants are ideal for balconies. Gracefully hanging stems with bright inflorescences are appropriate both on glazed loggias and on open mini-balconies. When choosing a container for planting, it is not necessary to take a hanging planter. You can stop at the box. If you take a container about 25 cm wide, you can plant several plants in a row in it. It is worth planting in a checkerboard pattern. In this case, the distance between the specimens should be about 15 cm. This can be a laconic group of flowers of the same variety or an original composition of several varieties of geraniums. The choice is limited only by your imagination.
• Perennial flowers should be accustomed to new conditions gradually. Do not expose plants that are not ready for this immediately on the street. Indoor specimens can be moved to fresh air only with the onset of warmth. In this case, it is necessary to carry out the hardening procedure. At first, a few minutes on the street is enough. Then you can gradually increase the time. And only after the culture adapts, you can leave it in a new place until the onset of autumn days. Otherwise, the flower will undergo severe stress, which will affect its health and appearance.
• Outdoor plants require little maintenance. The main thing is not to forget about watering (in the absence of precipitation) and additional food in the summer. Such specimens are fertilized once a week along with watering.

Keeping ampelous geraniums is not too difficult. You just need to give the plant a little attention and care. In return, it will give you beauty and comfort.

For more information about the ampelous geranium, see the following video.