Amazing elegant beauty distinguishes a group of zonal pelargonium called rosebud. The graceful flowers of the culture, gathered in lush inflorescences, so remind half- blossomed small bush roses that this similarity formed the basis for such an unusual name.
Rosetal pelargoniums, or simply rosebuds (Rosaceae), are spectacular densely-double hybrids, striking with an abundance of flowers, combined into large luxurious inflorescences, delicate and requiring attention. The characteristics of the plant, varieties and the necessary care will be discussed in this article.
Meet Pelargonium Pelargonium
Pelargonium, like many species of the Geranium family, is believed to balance the psychological climate in the family and is one of the most domesticated cultures. Its exquisite beauty attracts the attention of venerable collectors and novice gardeners. Grandiose selection research has created many varieties and hybrids of this culture. All of them are united by very impressive inflorescences from double flowers, of which there are so many that their petals often do not open in full.
But not only flowers are admirable. Zonal pelargoniums are also distinguished by the bright decorativeness of the leaves, along the green field of which, repeating the outlines of the figuredly cut edge, a contrasting border passes.
Pelargonium pelargoniums are shrubs up to 0.6-0.8 m high with fragmentally colored, dense, pubescent leaves and decorative inflorescences that firmly sit on peduncles. A fairly high unpretentiousness of the culture allows you to grow it at home as a potted plant, take it to the balcony or plant it in a flower bed for the summer. It blooms throughout the summer season, and with the onset of autumn, they dig it up, cut it and arrange it in a cool room with a temperature of +12 ... +14 ˚.
Pelargonium reticulum: care
It should be noted that this species is slightly more capricious and demanding in care than the rest of its brethren.
To provide competent care, the gardener needs to know about the features of agricultural technology.
Lighting and watering
Indoor rosebuds cannot stand direct sunlight, losing their decorative effect and getting leaf burns, but garden varieties are loyal to the sun and bloom excellently in open flower beds. All rosaceous pelargoniums are very sensitive to prolonged cooling, and temperatures below + 10 ° C are already considered uncomfortable. This is not surprising, because the African savannah is recognized as the birthplace of the plant, and it is initially thermophilic.
Reasonable moderate watering with warm water is another condition that dictates the flower grower a rosebud. It is hygroscopic, but constant overmoistening will cause putrefactive manifestations in the roots, so before watering the plant, you should examine the soil under the bush to make sure the next watering is necessary.
Indoor varieties require hygienic procedures, and once a week the plant is sprayed or shower him, after which the leaves get wet with a napkin.
In winter, rose-like pelargoniums relax, stop growing, lose leaves and bare stems. At this time, the plant is occasionally watered, feeding is stopped and they try not to disturb it.
Top dressing
The active spring-summer period induces the rosebud to grow rapidly, requires the necessary nutrition. They feed the culture with complex mineral fertilizers every 2-3 weeks. Particular emphasis is placed on phosphorus-potassium preparations, which give the plant strength during budding and flowering.
Breeding
Rose-cows are propagated exclusively by cuttings. Seeds of rostrum pelargonium do not inherit varietal traits of maternal culture, which is why breeders use them in their studies to develop new varieties.
Cuttings are cutted at any time of the year, but it is preferable to do this during the period of maximum activation of the plant - from March to July. Semi-lignified (not green!) Cuttings are cut from the uterine plants, each of which should contain 3-5 internodes. Leaves are removed by about 9/10, leaving only petioles with a small part of the leaf, the sections are dried in air for 30-50 minutes.
Cuttings are vulnerable to pathogenic microorganisms, therefore, experienced flower growers recommend planting them in a land mixture from acquired special soil with vermiculite in a ratio of 1: 1. Seedling containers are disinfected before planting, filled with prepared soil, and cuttings are planted. Particular attention is paid to watering, moderate and regular. Rooted cuttings after 3-4 weeks.
Transfer
Potted pelargoniums grow rapidly and require transplantation. It is carried out in the spring, before the plant begins to intensively develop. The container for the plant should be 2-3 cm wider than the previous diameter, and fresh soil should be nutritious and breathable. An earthen mixture is well suited, which includes such components: turf land, humus, peat, river sand and perlite (4: 2: 2: 1: 1) - or purchased soil with a neutral reaction.
After the transplant, the plant is watered and moderate soil moisture is maintained for several days. The emergence of new shoots is a sign of successful rooting in fresh soil. Next, crop the crop, form a bush and stimulate flowering. This procedure is carried out carefully: cut off at the very base, if there is a young shoot, or leave the stems 5-15 cm (they are guided by their own ideas about the shape of the bush). After pruning, the crop needs high-quality lighting (not the sun!) And careful watering, since in the absence of leaves, evaporation is minimal and less moisture is required. With excessive water supply, the crop may “suffocate”.
Varieties of perennial pelargonium
Of the many rose-roses, it’s hard to choose the most beautiful. We list a few of the most popular varieties, popular and pleasing with luxurious touching:
• Applebloss rosebud - a magnificent variety of rosaceous pelargonium, characterized by bright white flowers with a purple-pink border and a green core, collected in a tight large inflorescence.
• Denise is the undisputed favorite of many exhibitions and a favorite of flower growers. Variety with huge flowers with delicate peach color, with a pink border on the edge of the petals.
• Albina - a compact culture with large snow-white with a slightly greenish shade of petals double flowers.
• Pelargonium roseaceous cultivars of Beverly Park - a beautiful variegated bush with terry salmon-pink flowers.
• Natalie - an exquisite variety with semi-double flowers of a salmon hue with a wide white border on the petals.
It is impossible to convey the elegance of a culture such as rose pelargonium. Photos showing the rosebuds fully convey the beauty of the plant, but the living flower decorating the house or garden is truly a fabulous sight.