Pelargonium Lady Gertrude is a popular garden culture that has delicate and attractive inflorescences. The plant is characterized by expressive buds resembling roses. The culture is characterized by rapid growth and unpretentiousness in care.
Pelargonium Lady Gertrude - what kind of flower is it, to which family belongs
The culture was bred by European breeders. They were faced with the task of achieving flowering plants in summer and autumn. At the same time, scientists tried to get a new type of pelargonium of small height with unusual flowering. It took them 25 years to do this.
The flower has beautiful pale pink inflorescences.
For selection, ivy and hybrid varieties of geraniums were used. As a result, it was possible to obtain geranium varieties Lady Gertrude. It is rarely found on sale, but is often grown by experienced growers.
Brief description, history of origin or selection
Pelargonium Lady Gertrude is a hybrid that has many features. The plant has an underground rhizome, on which thick and thin fragments alternate. The culture is characterized by a small number of peduncles, which are gradually covered with large pink petals. As they bloom, they take the form of a rose.
Lady Gertrude has large decorative leaves. At the same time, the bush itself is compact in size. It tends to grow in width, but at the same time quite dense. Due to this, they give pelargonium any form.
Additional Information! A key feature of this pelargonium is the late onset of flowering. This variety is considered one of the most attractive. Moreover, it is easy to grow.
A distinctive feature of the variety is considered late flowering
Growing pelargonium Lady Gertrude, how to care
In order for the culture to develop normally and please enjoy lush flowering as long as possible, you must carefully study lady Gertrude Pelargonium variety description and ensure optimal conditions.
Illumination and temperature
A flower pot is not recommended to be placed in direct sunlight, as this can cause a burn of the crop. It is best to put it on the east window. If necessary, you can use phytolamps.
Important! The plant should receive the bulk of the light in the morning. With excess sun, the plant becomes weak and lags in growth. After lunch, the pot is moved to partial shade.
Pelargonium can develop on the western window. Daylight hours should not be longer than 8 hours. In summer, it is worth observing the temperature regime at the level of +25 ℃. For winter, an indicator of +15 ℃ is suitable. In this case, the temperature should not fall below +10 ℃. Geranium does not withstand extreme heat. Raising the temperature parameters to +30 ℃ can cause the death of the culture.
Watering rules and humidity
The culture needs moderate humidity. The substrate should not dry out. It is recommended not to overmoisten the soil in the pot, as this is fraught with rotting of the root system.
Watering the plant is necessary as the topsoil dries. In spring and summer, the bush is watered more often and abundantly. In winter and autumn, the amount of moisture is reduced.
Spraying pelargonium is not required, it is able to accumulate moisture itself. Drops that fall on foliage and flowers can cause the appearance of unattractive stains and even cause rot.
Important! For irrigation, soft and standing water is recommended. The fluid must have room temperature.
Top dressing and soil quality
During the growing season, the plant needs the use of minerals. During flowering, potassium and phosphorus based formulations are used. At the same time, nitrogen substances are contraindicated, since they negatively affect the formation of buds.
In summer, fertilizers are recommended once every 2 weeks. In winter, Lady Gertrude does not need to feed pelargonium.
The plant does not need to make organic products. Florists are advised to use only mineral preparations. In rare cases, chicken droppings are acceptable.
For abundant flowering, the crop needs to be properly fertilized
Flower Tank Size
Small plants are chosen for the plant. The pot should be 1-1.5 cm larger than the size of an earthen coma. Otherwise, the bush will actively grow roots, which will create difficulties with flowering.
Pruning and transplanting
Cut the crop in the fall. During this period, shoots are shortened by a third. This helps to activate the formation of shoots. Cropped fragments are used for rooting.
Important! Young cultures are transplanted annually. Pelargonium older than five years of age is moved to a new place with an interval of 2-3 years.
Features of flowering plants
Pelargonium flowering of this variety begins later in comparison with other plant species. Usually the first buds appear in mid-July. Flowering lasts until mid-autumn.
Period of activity and rest
From mid-October, pelargonium begins to prepare for a rest period. Preliminarily recommend cutting dry flower stalks and stop fertilizing. In winter, the plant stores its strength for the next year. It should not be moved to a new place.
At the same time, they reduce the number of irrigations, avoiding prolonged drought. The daylight hours are reduced by 1-2 hours.
In mid-spring, the flower is removed from the dormant period. Watering is quicker. Use phytolamps to correct lighting. At the end of spring, culture can be transplanted and fed.
Types and shape of flowers
Pelargonium Gertrude has beautiful terry inflorescences of light pink color. As they bloom, the buds become like a rose. Thanks to this, the bushes look attractive.
With proper care, the culture blooms beautifully
Ways to propagate a flower when it's best done
Pelargonium is recommended to propagate by cuttings. This method helps maintain hybrid performance. Sometimes the seed method is also used. Most often it is used for breeding.
Propagation by cuttings
After trimming bushes, usually there are many branches. To cultivate the culture, choose the strongest and most healthy shoots that can be rooted. It is necessary to remove the lower leaves from them.
Then the planting material is placed in water or a substrate. It is permissible to add a growth stimulant to the water - rootin or a similar drug. When planting in the ground, the branch is deepened by 3 cm and carefully watered. Top cover the plant with a glass jar. The appearance of new leaves on the handle indicates its rooting.
Seed propagation
A more complex way of propagating pelargonium. Planting material is recommended to be harvested after flowering is completed, when seed stalks replace the peduncles. They are torn off and gently sprinkled with seeds. Then soaked for a day on a pale solution of potassium permanganate. This will help activate growth processes.
Then the seeds are placed in the soil for geraniums and covered with a bag or glass. Thanks to the creation of the greenhouse, sprouts can be stimulated. When the sprouts grow to 3-4 cm, they are planted in new containers.
Important! The collected seed material is stored in a cool place for 5 years. He is not in a hurry to land in the ground.
Growing problems, diseases and pests
With a nutrient deficiency, the leaves of the pelargonium become covered with yellow spots. If the color becomes red, this indicates a lack of magnesium or too low temperature settings.
If bloating occurs on the foliage, infection with spider mites can be suspected. If it becomes stained, this indicates aphid attacks. White plaque on the leaves indicates the development of powdery mildew.
The development of diseases is accompanied by the appearance of various spots on the foliage
How to deal with them
Fungicides are used against fungal infections. Equally important is the correction of agricultural activities. In attacks of harmful insects, insecticides are used.
Pelargonium of this variety is considered a beautiful crop, which is very popular among experienced gardeners. To achieve success in growing plants, provide him with full and high-quality care. At the same time, it is important to water, trim, and feed bushes in a timely manner. Equally important is the protection against diseases and pests.
