Geranium ivy leaf care at home. Ivy-leaved ampelous pelargonium: how to grow and care for it at home. Reproduction of ivy-leaved pelargonium by seeds

An ampelous representative of the Geraniev family immigrated to us back in early XVIII centuries from the southern African continent.

Over the past decades, domestic breeders have managed to develop various varieties that are maximally adapted to our climatic conditions.

Today, ivy-leaved pelargonium is a common indoor flower, which pleases with beautiful inflorescences and a pleasant aroma.

Differences from ordinary geranium

Very often pelargonium ivy is mistakenly called geranium, on many sites you will find these two names used as synonyms. Initially, the confusion arose due to incorrect attempts by scientists to classify the plant back in the 17th century. To fully appreciate the differences between the two different flowers, it is worth considering the signs that indicate this:

Popular varieties

Varieties worth paying attention to:

ADVICE! Almost all varieties of ampelous pelargonium develop very quickly. It only takes a few weeks to grow lush bush, while the rhizome fully performs its functions even in cramped containers. Ivy-leaved pelargonium sheds its leaves and flowers if the root system still lacks space.

How to plant and propagate

Pelargonium can be propagated in two ways: seeds and cuttings. And. The first method is more painstaking and is used only by experienced gardeners. For convenience, the planting process should be divided into several stages:

ADVICE! After scarification, it is advisable to treat the soil and sorted seeds with a solution of potassium permanganate.

How to root pelargonium? Here step by step instructions propagation by cuttings:

the best period for this is the beginning of spring;
In order for pelargonium to reproduce well, only large and healthy shoots are selected, cut and dried for 24 hours;
the plants are transplanted to a permanent place after a month.

Soil preparation

As mentioned above, in order for the flowers to take root successfully, enough to buy universal primer in the store. But you can prepare it yourself.

Ingredients you will need to prepare your own soil:

turf land;
leaf soil;
humus;
peat;
sand.

The proportions of the components must be equal. A small pot can be used as a pot.

Complementary feeding and transplantation

hanging plant needs feeding only in spring summer period , namely nitrogen fertilizers after winter dormancy and pruning to restore the volume of the green crown and compositions containing large amounts of potassium and phosphorus for vigorous flowering. The frequency of feeding is once every 10 days. In autumn and winter, the flower does not require additional organic and mineral nutrition.

Ivy-leaved pelargonium is replanted in the spring.

To make rooting more successful, a number of simple procedures are performed:

the flower is removed from the old container along with a lump of soil on the rhizome, only those layers of soil that are easily removed are removed;
the roots are partially removed - only the part that has grown into the drainage;
The pots are thoroughly washed, the plant is placed in it, and new soil is added.

Advice! Dwarf varieties ivy-leaved pelargonium is replanted every year or every other year.

Home care

Unlike many decorative indoor plants pelargonium does not require painstaking care thanks to which it won the sympathy of gardeners. But still, in order for the flower to fully develop and please the eye, it is important to adhere to certain nuances:

ampelous representative of the Geranievs - light-loving plant Therefore, it is advisable to place flower pots on the south side;
optimal temperature in summer time– +22-25°C, in winter, when pelargonium goes into a dormant state – +15°C;
the plant practically does not suffer from drought, but Excessive humidity can have a detrimental effect on development;
The recommended frequency of watering is once every 10-14 days, for this it is better use a spray bottle.

How to prune ivy-leaved pelargonium

Ampelous pelargonium needs significant pruning for the purpose of rejuvenation. On the eve of winter, only the two lower leaves with axillary shoots are left, otherwise the stem will become completely bare, taking on an unsightly appearance.

In spring, bare branches and stems are trimmed, leaving the healthiest and youngest parts. To preserve the decorative appearance of plants, they promptly remove dried leaves and wilted inflorescences, and get rid of old woody shoots. It is recommended to resort to cuttings every 2-3 years.

This video explains in detail how to form a lush pelargonium bush by pruning:

Possible diseases

Common problems that may affect indoor plants:

fungal disease manifested by spotting on leaves;
root rot, which is a consequence of excess moisture;
a bacterial disease causes the plant to wilt;
rust on leaves, usually characterized by yellow spots.

To prevent the further development of a particular disease, it is necessary to normalize care; in some cases, it will be necessary to resort to treating pelargonium with special means.

Ampelous ivy-leaved pelargonium can become a real decoration for your home, balcony, or garden plot, if you follow simple care rules.

With the onset of warm weather, the streets of cities and small towns settlements, personal plots and balconies are transformed thanks to lush flowering very different ornamental crops. Ampelous pelargonium, as in the photo, with spectacular flowing shoots and inflorescences consisting of one and a half dozen flowers, occupies one of the first places among plants used for landscaping.

Like other types of pelargonium, the ampelous or ivy-leaved variety was first discovered in southern Africa, but the unpretentious and responsive plant quickly gained the love of gardeners in all corners of the world.

What is ampelous ivy-leaved pelargonium

Pelargonium is often called geranium, and both names are associated with birds. If the first word is translated from Greek as stork, then the second from the same language is translated as crane. Geranium is a frost-resistant plant that can easily overwinter in a garden or flower bed. What is ivy-leaved ampelous pelargonium from the point of view of a home phytodecorator? This is a plant with which you can create unique green interiors that do not require special experience in growing flowers. They are good for so-called hanging gardens. These include ampelous ivy-leaved pelargonium, the length of its shoots reaches almost one meter. It comes from southern Africa, where it flows down the hillsides.

The main differences between ampelous pelargonium and ordinary geranium

Not experienced flower growers Common geraniums and ivy-leaved ampelous geraniums are often confused. This big mistake, because the latter has its own characteristics of care. Those who do not know them can easily destroy the plant. So, what is different about ivy-leaved pelargonium?

1. The plant has thin hanging stems that can reach a length of 1 m; in ordinary geranium, the stems are short and stand straight.

2.A lot of flexible, climbing shoots grow around the stem of pelargonium ivy. They give the plant splendor and showiness.

3. The leaves of ordinary geranium are very soft, while the ivy-leaved variety has five-lobed leaves that are smooth and even glossy. They can be up to 6 cm wide.

4.The flowers of ivy-leaved pelargonium are larger and brighter.

Varieties of ampelous pelargonium

Today in stores and markets you can buy geraniums of the most different varieties, including ampelous pelargonium. Decorative leaves and flowers of bright and unusual shades on a window or balcony will delight not only the apartment owners themselves, but also their neighbors. And passers-by are unlikely to remain indifferent.

There are rosaceous pelargoniums with buds similar to pink and tulip-shaped ones, the flowers of which resemble tulip buds - they were bred by American amateur breeders in the middle of the last century. Star pelargonium is a rare species. It is characterized by curled flower petals. Carnation varieties look like garden carnations.

Royal geraniums are large in size and have flowers with a ruffled edge. The peculiarity of its color is that it does not have monochromatic shades of white, burgundy, purple and pink. The “Angel” variety resembles asteremeria in appearance. It was obtained through selection in the 30s of the last century. This variety is also classified as a royal variety.

Planting ampelous pelargonium

Plant ampelous geraniums in light, fertile soil with excellent drainage properties. The plant grows well in neutral, acidic and slightly acidic soils. Expanded clay should be placed at the bottom of the container to quickly remove excess moisture. Plant the flower closely, it grows better this way. However, a distance of one and a half centimeters should remain between the roots of the pelargonium and the walls of the pot. When grown in a pot, replanting is carried out every two years. spring time. In addition, transplantation should be carried out if the geraniums become too crowded in the container.

Selection of soil mixture and fertilizing for ampelous pelargonium

In order for ampelous geranium to please with its flowering for as long as possible, it is necessary to take a responsible approach to the choice of soil and fertilizing. It is best to prepare a mixture of peat, humus, sand, turf and leaf soil. All components are taken in equal quantities.

Since this plant is a mountain plant, it will require drainage. Expanded clay is ideal for this purpose.

Worth purchasing as a supplement potash fertilizers. They are used once every 10 days. Fertilization begins at the end of March and ends in the first half of November. Many gardeners use liquid fertilizers. For example, it could be iodine. So, add 1 drop per 1 liter of water. For one time, 50 ml of such a solution is enough. Organic fertilizers Not suitable for ampelous geraniums.

How to deal with pests?

It is not difficult to propagate ivy-leaved geranium at home. This can be done in two ways: seeds and cuttings. The seed method is a complex and painstaking path. It is usually chosen by experienced flower growers. Seeds are planted from February to mid-April.

The seeds are immersed in the soil to a depth of 1 cm.
After which the soil is well moistened, but not from a watering can, but from a spray bottle.
Seedlings need to be provided with additional lighting and placed in a warm place.
Next, you need to carefully monitor temperature conditions, it should stay in the range of 22-25°C.
Plant seedlings in permanent soil possible 3-4 weeks after sowing the seeds.

Propagation by cuttings is much easier under one condition: there is where to get these same cuttings. This needs to be done in early March.

Select healthy and large cuttings, cut them and let them dry for 24 hours.
Carefully treat the sections with charcoal powder.
Take disinfected soil and plant the cuttings at a distance of 2 cm, compacting the soil well.
After a month, the seedlings can be transplanted to permanent soil.

Peculiarities of reproduction of ampelous pelargonium

Pelargonium (geranium) ivy-leaved – evergreen shrub, which can be grown on balconies, in offices, in winter gardens, apartments, on terraces, open areas, in houses, like an ampel tree. Homeland of the plant - South Africa. Main feature geranium is that it has a hanging shape. The plant got its name from the shape of its leaves, which are the same as those of ivy. The long branches of geranium are curly and very flexible. They can reach a length of more than 1 m. soft leaves have a smooth base. Among gardeners, the plant is valued for its abundant, long-lasting flowering and unusual leaf shape.

This is not only a beautiful, attractive plant, but also hardy. It can be kept outdoors from April to October. The color of the flower can be very diverse: pink, beige, purple, orange, lilac, two-color, crimson, red, striped. Terry or simple flowers collected in umbrella-shaped plants. This type of geranium is considered universal due to the unpretentiousness of the flower and its endurance. The plant blooms in spring and summer.

Currently, about 75 varieties of ivy-leaved pelargonium are known.

Caring for ivy-leaved pelargonium

By providing the plant with proper care at home, it will reward the owner like a king - with an abundance of bright flowers.

Lighting. Since geranium is a light-loving plant, direct sunlight is not dangerous for it. Ideal for sunny locations. Tolerates drought well. If you provide the flower with additional lighting in winter, it is not necessary to trim the ground part. Lack of light harms geraniums. Pots can be placed on the west or south side.

Optimal temperature: 13-15 C – at winter time, up to 25 C – in summer. The plant tolerates dry air, but can die from a slight frost.

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Watering. Thanks to the dense leaves of geranium, they do not immediately wither, even if the soil is very dry. This type of pelargonium needs regular watering with settled water - especially in hot weather. We must observe moderation. Do not allow the soil to dry out. Care should be taken to ensure that the pots do not become stagnant, otherwise mold may appear. Stagnation can be prevented by making good drainage from expanded clay for the plant. The leaves are not adapted to moisture, so they do not need to be sprayed. Otherwise, rotting and serious illnesses are possible. In winter, watering pelargonium is reduced. The plant is watered only when the earthen ball has dried well.

Transfer. The flower can be replanted in flower pots or in cramped pots every 2 years. If the pot is out of season, you can only replace it top layer. In order for geranium to grow, develop, and bloom well, it needs a small pot.

Fertilizer. A plant like others decorative flowers, needs fertilizer. Pelargonium should be fed weekly during the flowering period with mineral complex fertilizer, which contains potassium. It is useful to water geraniums with milk diluted with water. You can use fertilizers such as Biomaster and Kemira-Lux.

Soil. Light loamy soil is useful, fertile soil, containing a large amount of potassium.

The earth mixture is prepared in the following proportions:

Lowland peat - 2 parts,
Sand – 1 part,
Sod land - 2 parts,
Leaf soil - 2 parts.

It is a good idea to add a soil loosening agent – vermiculite – to the soil. It can be purchased at flower shops.

Proper care when grown, it is the key to successful flowering of the plant.

Reproduction

At home, propagation of the ivy-leaved variety can be done: by cuttings, seeds.

Propagation by seeds is only possible for experienced gardeners. It is best to use propagation by cuttings.

Green cuttings must be dried for 24 hours, then they are dipped in coal powder, after which they are planted at a distance of 2-3 cm from each other. The soil on the sides is compacted. For rooting, cuttings can be placed in a mixture of peat and sand, or in wet sand, removing lower leaves. If there are buds or flowers at the top, it is better to remove them. The soil should first be disinfected in the oven. You can plant rooted cuttings in peat pots. The cuttings will take root within a month and will soon bloom.
The plant can be propagated by seeds from December to April to a depth of 5 mm. They will germinate in a warm place after 2 weeks. Careful watering is important when growing seedlings. Do not allow the soil to dry out or flood the plants. After 3 weeks, you can pick the seedlings. Pelargonium grown from seeds blooms within 5-6 months.

In order for ivy-leaved pelargonium to always have an attractive appearance, it is necessary to promptly remove faded inflorescences and yellowed leaves along with the flower stalks. It is important for the plant to maintain a symmetrical shape. The pot should be rotated every 10 days to ensure even lighting.

When providing the plant with proper care, it is necessary to treat it with retardants to obtain compact pelargonium.

How to properly form a pelargonium bush?

Diseases

In wet weather, the plant may develop gray mold, slugs, snails on a flower cap. It is better to remove damaged flowers.

When caterpillars appear, they should be destroyed by pollinating the pelargonium with an insecticide. It must also be protected from rodents.

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Ampelous pelargonium is one of the most favorite plants of gardeners; it usually decorates parks, balconies, terraces, open areas and spacious premises. She is appreciated for what she has beautiful flowers and leaves, and it blooms brightly and for a long time. Ivy-leaved pelargonium is loved by both experienced flower growers and pensioners who are poorly versed in the intricacies of caring for this fragrant plant. The plant is native to Africa, and it appeared in Europe only a few centuries ago. Care at home is not difficult; propagation is carried out by cuttings during the process of annual pruning. Cuttings give quickly root system and do not require special skills for rooting. Look at the photo of ampelous pelargonium and understand all the advantages of this plant for indoor floriculture:

What is ampelous ivy-leaved pelargonium?

Pelargonium is often called geranium, and both names are associated with birds. If the first word is translated from Greek as stork, then the second from the same language is translated as crane. The beaks of these birds resemble the fruits of this plant. As a rule, pelargonium is called a perennial that grows at home. And geranium is a frost-resistant plant that can easily winter in a garden or flower bed. What is ivy-leaved ampelous pelargonium from the point of view of a home phytodecorator? This is a plant with which you can create unique green interiors that do not require special experience in growing flowers.

The word ampelous in the name of the plant comes from the German ampel (flower vase), which in turn goes back to the Latin ampulla, which means “small flask”. In decorative hanging plants, shoots are flexible. They are good for so-called hanging gardens. These include ampelous ivy-leaved pelargonium, the length of its shoots reaches almost one meter. It comes from southern Africa, where it flows down the hillsides. It differs from vertically growing pelargonium in that its leaves are smooth, without fluff, five-lobed, three to six centimeters wide. Star-shaped and cactus-shaped flowers are collected in an umbrella-shaped inflorescence. It contains up to thirty flowers that bloom for five to six days. The flowers of the plant are the most different colors and shades.

Planting ampelous pelargonium and its subsequent care

Hanging baskets, flowerpots, flowerpots, window and balcony boxes are used for planting ampelous pelargonium flowers. Most often these light-loving plants decorate the sunny facades of houses, where they look both organic and beautiful. Ivy-leaved, or ampelous, pelargoniums differ from other species in that they have hanging or creeping shoots ranging from twenty centimeters to one meter in length. This type is widely used for decorating windows, loggias or balconies. Planting can be done in spring or early autumn. Subsequent care for it consists of timely watering and application of mineral fertilizers. It is easy to care for pelargonium at home; it grows normally under certain conditions. It is necessary to monitor fluctuations in temperature, light, and the amount of moisture in the soil. The temperature in the room where pelargonium grows is warm time year should be an average of 22-23 degrees, and in the cold season it should not be lower than 12-15 degrees. For planting, you need to prepare soil suitable for it: take approximately equal amounts of sand and humus soil, there should be a large amount of potassium in the soil, but there should not be a lot of nitrogen. The fact is that with an excess of nitrogen, the rate of flowering slows down, and the leaves, on the contrary, become larger. The seedlings are planted in a window box in one row, at a distance of about fifteen centimeters from each other. After the end of the spring frosts, they can already be placed outside, and in April-May and in the summer, pelargonium should be regularly watered, fertilizing with small doses of mineral fertilizers.

Watering the plant also requires certain conditions: the soil in the pot or box must be moderately moist. If there is more than normal, it will stagnate in the container and mold may eventually appear. Excess moisture can be removed by draining small holes in the bottom of the container. In summer they water more often, in winter - less often, once every one and a half to two weeks. At the same time, ampelous geraniums do not need to be sprayed, since moisture on the leaves can create areas of rotting on them. For good growth the plant needs fresh air, therefore, ventilation of the room is necessary, but drafts must be avoided. In winter, it is advisable to place pelargonium in such a way that it has additional lighting, while the ground part does not need to be cut off. But in the spring, pruning will give the pelargonium a truly luxurious splendor.

At room temperature, pots with plants should be kept as far as possible from heating devices. IN winter period Pelargonium should not be watered too often - once every one and a half to two weeks is enough. By the way, in winter it is more difficult to “please” pelargonium, since it needs light more. It is important to fertilize pelargonium on time. When caring for ampelous pelargonium, you should remember that from March to August, during the flowering period, the plant must be fed weekly. Mineral fertilizers, as already mentioned, should be used in low concentrations. Florists have long noticed that milk diluted with water is very useful for pelargonium. But some believe that geraniums do not need to be fertilized. It grows well in fresh fertilized soil, so in the spring it is better to transplant it into new pot with fresh soil, moderately fertilized. Such land can be purchased in specialized stores, or prepare the soil yourself. Recommendations on how and in what proportions to do this can be obtained from any specialist or experienced amateur.

Reproduction of ampelous pelargonium

Flower growers sometimes practice growing ampelous pelargonium from seeds, but they rightly consider this to be too troublesome, since many nuances must be taken into account. Therefore, it is preferable to propagate ampelous pelargonium from cuttings that have been previously dried for about a day. For propagation, dry cuttings, first dipped in coal powder, which acts as a growth stimulant, are planted in disinfected soil. Disinfection can be carried out with boiling water or kept in a hot oven for about ten minutes, and then cooled to room temperature. The distance between the cuttings is no more than two centimeters. The soil around them must be compacted. If all this is done in the spring, then in the summer the pelargonium will definitely bloom. But if there are no cuttings, then you can grow them from seeds, especially since they are sold completely freely. The most favorable time for sowing is the beginning of winter. Flower growers recommend sowing them to a depth of about five millimeters. soil for propagating ampelous pelargonium by seeds - up to 25 degrees. After just a few days, the seeds can sprout, but, as the experience of professional flower growers and amateurs shows, it is rarely possible to get a full-fledged flower from seeds. If a plant's stem becomes bare during the winter months, there is no need to rush to rejuvenate it by cutting it into cuttings. In this case, you just need to pin the top. After this, new shoots appear from the buds, and the plant blooms faster and more luxuriantly.

Varieties of ampelous pelargonium (with photo)

Today in stores and markets you can buy geraniums of various varieties, including hanging pelargonium. Decorative leaves and flowers of bright and unusual colors on a window or balcony will delight not only the apartment owners themselves, but also their neighbors. And passers-by are unlikely to remain indifferent. Over three or four centuries of selection, a wide variety of hybrids and varieties of ampelous pelargonium have appeared: variegated, dwarf, white and two-colored, with double flowers and others. They are grown not only for their bright, unusual flower colors, but also for their leaves, which have a unique aroma. Look at the photo at some varieties for indoor floriculture:

There are many species and varieties, the most common of which is zonal pelargonium, the varieties of which number several tens of thousands. This species got its name because of the so-called zones on the leaves that have a different color. Moreover, in winter, when there is little light, they disappear, and in the spring they appear again. There are rosaceous pelargoniums with buds similar to pink and tulip-shaped ones, the flowers of which resemble tulip buds - they were bred by American amateur breeders in the middle of the last century. Star pelargonium is a rare species. It is characterized by curled flower petals. Carnation varieties look like garden carnations. It is large in size and has flowers with a corrugated edge. The peculiarity of its color is that it does not have monochromatic shades of white, burgundy, purple and pink. The “Angel” variety resembles asteremeria in appearance. It was obtained through selection in the 30s of the last century. This variety is also classified as a royal variety. Photos of ampelous pelargonium of this variety can be found on Internet resources. Fragrant geranium exudes a strong aroma and, as a rule, has many small flowers in an inflorescence. When grown at home, it forms a small bush, the height of which can reach one meter. By following simple recommendations, you can grow without much difficulty. luxury flower that will decorate your interior. Moreover, according to folk beliefs, pelargonium has magical properties, can resist negative evil spirits and maintains the well-being of the family.

Flexible shoots of ivy-leaved pelargonium can hang freely from hanging planter or braid the proposed supports. Length of lashes at good care reaches almost a meter. Lush inflorescences of different shades give the ampelous culture a special decorative effect.

Description of the plant

Evergreen shrub with long creeping shoots. It is actively grown in apartments as an overhead crop; in the southern regions it is planted in open ground for vertical and horizontal gardening. The natural habitat of ivy pelargonium is South Africa. The name is due to the shape of the leaves, which is uncharacteristic for pelargonium - they resemble ivy foliage.

The shoots are very long, curly, and flexible. The leaves are soft, with a smooth glossy surface. Ivy-leaved pelargonium has gained popularity among gardeners unusual shape leaves and long flowering. The plant is quite hardy - from April to October it can be kept on the balcony.

It blooms with simple or double flowers, collected in umbrella-shaped inflorescences. There are many hybrid varieties with a variety of colors. There are specimens with pink, purple, crimson, white, orange and multi-colored flowers. Flowering occurs in spring and summer.

Some gardeners form beautiful standard trees from ivy-shaped pelargonium. The formation process is long and difficult. Only one of the strongest shoots is left, the rest are cut off. The shoot is shortened and tied to a straight or winding support. Regular pruning and pinching ensures the formation of a lush crown.

Caring for ivy-leaved pelargonium: what to consider

As a result of many years breeding work About 75 different varieties of ivy-leaved pelargonium were bred. Among them there are varieties with simple or double flowers of different colors. The content of all varieties is approximately the same. How to care for ivy-leaved pelargonium in a pot?

Lighting. Loves bright light and sun. It is not afraid of the open sun; it needs shade only on the hottest days. The duration and intensity of flowering of ivy-leaved pelargonium depends on the length of daylight hours. The need for light does not decrease even in winter - it is necessary to organize additional artificial lighting.
Temperature . The optimal temperature for keeping in summer is about 20-25°C. It can withstand heat with increased watering. In summer it feels good on the balcony. In winter, the temperature is maintained at 15°C. He cannot tolerate further drops in temperature - he begins to get sick and his growth is stunted.
Humidity. It is neutral towards dry air and does not require artificial humidification. Spraying ivy pelargonium is contraindicated. Moisture on the leaves leads to loss of their decorative properties and rotting.
Watering. In warm weather, water frequently, but do not allow moisture to stagnate - be sure to provide good drainage. Water only after the top layer of the substrate has dried. Closer to wintering, the frequency of watering is reduced. In winter, water occasionally, no more than twice a month to maintain light soil moisture.
Soil. The land for planting needs to be fertile. The soil composition includes humus, peat, turf and always sand. It is useful to add a little ash, perlite and charcoal.
Transplant. Replant annually or every two years. Best time for transplantation - early spring, before the start of active growth and flowering. The pots are not too spacious. There should be a space of no more than 2 cm between the walls of the pot and the roots.
Feeding. Feed weekly - used primarily mineral fertilizers. Preparations with high content nitrogen is added in very limited quantities. Sometimes you can feed with organic matter, but it is not recommended to get carried away with it.

Growing ivy-leaved pelargonium at home requires a dormant period. The flower is moved to a cool, bright and dry room. Content temperature 15°C. Watering is reduced and kept to a minimum - the soil should remain slightly moist. Fertilizers are not applied until early spring.

Trimming

The formation of ivy-leaved pelargonium involves timely pruning and pinching. This necessary measure to maintain the decorative appearance of the hanging crop and stimulate flowering. How to prune ivy-leaved pelargonium correctly?

The main pruning occurs in autumn. The shoots are pruned heavily - seven leaves are left. The basal shoots are not touched, only the axillary shoots are cut off. Dried and bare stems are also removed.

If during wintering the pelargonium has managed to grow, it is pruned again. Then, throughout the entire growing season, faded inflorescences and dried leaves are cut off, and the bushes are thinned out.

Caring for ivy-leaved pelargonium after flowering consists of removing faded peduncles, pruning and preparing for the dormant period. Feeding is kept to a minimum, watered less frequently, and the flower begins to gradually become accustomed to lower temperatures.

Reproduction methods

Most often, propagation of ivy-leaved pelargonium is used by cuttings. Less commonly propagated by sowing seeds. The advantage of the first method is the complete preservation of all characteristics of the mother plant variety.

Cuttings

Description . You can take cuttings of ivy-leaved pelargonium from March to the end of summer. The tops of the shoots are used as cuttings. The best option- pruning after flowering, combined with cuttings. Pelargonium ivy can only be rooted directly in the soil. Attempts to root in water lead to rotting of the cuttings.

Procedure

Select cuttings up to 12 cm.
The lower leaves are removed, the cut is treated with charcoal powder and dried for at least six hours in a shaded, well-ventilated place.
Loose soil with the obligatory addition of sand is used as a substrate. The cuttings are deepened several centimeters with a slight slope.
The soil is sprayed with a spray bottle and subsequently moistened as it dries.
Until rooting, keep in a bright, warm place. There is no rush to replant - wait for the root system to fully develop.

The cuttings do not need to be covered. They take root well without shelter. The main requirement is a constant temperature of 22-25°C. The growing point is pinched to stimulate lateral branching after several pairs of leaves have grown.

Seeds

Description . Only fresh pelargonium seeds germinate quickly. When purchasing, be sure to pay attention to the packaging date. You can plant seeds collected with your own hands, but the result may be unexpected - the varietal characteristics will not be preserved. Sowing begins in winter. You can use any lightweight nutrient soil, adding crushed sphagnum to it.

Procedure

A flat, wide container is filled with substrate, and the surface is moistened with a small spray bottle.
Seeds are planted to a depth of 1 cm.
It is better to germinate under glass to maintain stable soil moisture and uniform temperature.
The cover is removed daily to ventilate the greenhouse and remove excess condensation.
Keep warm - at least 22°C. Provide long daylight hours of about 12 hours. In such conditions, sprouts will appear within 10 days. In another month they can be planted in separate containers.

Ivy-leaved pelargonium retains its high decorative value for four years. Then the stems become less leafy, and much fewer inflorescences are formed. Therefore, it is recommended to take care of rejuvenation in advance - rooting cuttings to replace the old plant.

Common diseases

Like most hybrids, ivy-leaved pelargonium is susceptible to disease. The most common diseases, their symptoms and treatment are described in the table.

Table - Diseases of ivy-leaved pelargonium

Name of the disease	Characteristic manifestations	Treatment methods
Flower mold	The appearance of mold on flowers	- Timely removal of faded flower stalks; - treatment with Fundazol or Fitosporin-M preparations
Leaf swelling (edema)	- Leaf deformation; - formation of growths on leaves	- Trimming deformed leaves; - reduction of watering
Leaf spot	- Appearance of spots; - growth inhibition	- Use of fungicides; - reduction of air humidity
Pelargonium rust	- Brownish-red spots; - leaf fall; - pelargonium does not bloom	- Removal of affected leaves; - processing systemic fungicide; - isolation from healthy plants
Curly virus	- Pale yellowish spots; - leaf curl	- Pruning of slightly affected plants followed by treatment with a fungicide; - destruction of heavily affected plants
Blackleg	- Blackening of the root part of the stem; - weakening, death of the plant	Rooting healthy cuttings to replace a diseased flower
Gray rot	- Brown spots; - fluffy gray plaque; - leaf spotting	Treatment with Vitaros and Fundazol
Alternaria blight	- Brownish spots with a light center; - fluffy coating; - lack of flowering; - yellowing and drying of leaves	Spraying and watering with Ridomil Gold, Skor
Rhizoctonia rot	- Appear on the stems dark spots; - lack of flowering; - lethargy, yellowing of leaves	- Stop watering; - spraying with solutions “Rovral”, “Vitaros”, “Fundazol”

Common Pests

Pests - quite common problem cultivated pelargoniums. Provoking factors for their appearance are too high or low air humidity, excessive watering, proximity to infected plants. The main pests of ivy-leaved pelargonium and methods of combating them are described in the table.

Table - Pests of ivy-leaved pelargonium

Insect name	Characteristic signs	Ways to fight
Multi-clawed mites	Brown scab on the underside of leaves	- Processing soap solution; - treatment with fungicides “Kemifos”, “Antiklesch”, “Jet”
Spider mites	- Leaves turn yellow; - the appearance of yellowish specks; - braided with a thin web	- Treatment of affected areas mineral oil; - spraying with insecticides “Akarin”, “Vermitek”
Fungus gnats (larvae)	Rotting of the base of cuttings and seedlings	Young plants are treated prophylactically with the preparations “Grom-2”, “Aktara”, “Mukhoed”
Thrips	- The appearance of cork growths; - deformation of the growing point; - silvery coating; - spots and holes on the petals	Repeated use of insecticides “Alatar”, “Tsvetolux”
Aphid	- Sticky coating; - curling the tips of the shoots	- Washing with soapy water; - treatment with insecticides or infusion of tobacco dust
Caterpillars	- Gnaws on leaves; - black caterpillar feces	Treatment with insecticides “Zolon”, “Fitoverm”
Whitefly	- White butterflies; - pale yellow larvae; - yellowing of leaves; - sticky discharge	- Use of traps for adult insects; - use of insecticides “Aktara”, “Inta-vir”

Since caring for ivy-leaved pelargonium is quite difficult, beginners are advised to start their flower growing experiments with more unpretentious, disease-resistant plants. Ivy-leaved pelargonium remains decorative and blooms profusely only in favorable conditions.