Geranium is a beautiful flower with lush, colorful flowers that are loved by flower lovers. However, sometimes we may find ourselves with not enough geraniums flowering, affecting the viewing effect. In order to make geraniums produce more flowers, we need to master some key maintenance techniques. Below, I will explain in detail how to make geranium blossom through proper maintenance.
1. Understand The Growth Habits Of Geranium
Geraniums are native to southern Africa and prefer warm, moist, sunny and well-ventilated growing conditions. It has a certain cold resistance, but is not resistant to cold and heat. Geranium grows in spring and autumn, when the temperature is favorable for the growth and flowering of the plant. During the summer, geraniums enter a semi-dormant state, with slow growth and reduced flowering. Therefore, we need to develop conservation strategies according to the growth habits of geraniums.
2. Choose The Right Basin Soil
Pot soil is the foundation of geranium growth, and choosing the right pot soil is crucial for the growth and flowering of the plant. Here are some suggestions for basin soil selection:
Basin selection: Choose a good breathable basin, such as a plastic basin, pottery basin or porcelain basin. The size of the pot should be determined according to the size of the plant, to avoid too large or too small POTS affecting the growth of the plant.
Soil Preparation: Geraniums like loose, fertile, well-drained soil. We can use a mixture of leaf rot, garden soil and sand soil in a ratio of 2:2:1. Such soil has enough fertility, but also has good permeability and water drainage, which is conducive to the growth of geranium.
3. Reasonable Watering
Watering is an important link in geranium maintenance, and reasonable watering can promote the growth and flowering of the plant. Here are some suggestions for watering:
Watering principle: Follow the principle of “see dry see wet, pour through”. That is, wait until the surface of the basin soil is dry and then water it, and water it thoroughly at one time until there is water flowing out of the bottom of the basin. Avoid basin soil water, so as not to cause root rot.
Watering frequency: Spring and autumn are the peak seasons for geraniums, and the soil needs to be kept moist, but not too wet. Generally, water can be poured every 2-3 days. Summer temperatures are high and water evaporates quickly, but geraniums are in a semi-dormancy state and their need for water is reduced. At this time, watering frequency can be appropriately reduced, watering once every 4-5 days, and avoiding watering during the high temperature period at noon. Winter temperatures are low, plants grow slowly, and the need for water is reduced. At this time, you can reduce the watering frequency and keep the basin soil slightly wet.
4. Scientific Fertilization
Fertilization is the key to geranium growth and flowering. Reasonable fertilization can promote plant growth and improve flowering quality. Here are some tips for applying fertilizer:
Base fertilizer: When planting geranium, an appropriate amount of decomposed organic fertilizer can be applied to the bottom of the basin as a base fertilizer to provide lasting fertility for the plant.
Topdressing: During the growth period, apply a thin liquid fertilizer every 15-20 days, such as compound fertilizer, cooked cake fertilizer water and so on. These fertilizers are rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other nutrients, which can promote plant growth and flowering. During the flowering of pregnant buds, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, such as potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution, should be added. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizer can promote flower bud differentiation and flowering, making flowers more colorful and luxuriant.
Foliar fertilization: In addition to root fertilization, foliar fertilization can also be carried out. Every 10 days or so, spray plant leaves with 0.1%-0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution, can promote leaf photosynthesis, improve plant stress resistance, make flowers more colorful.
5. Sufficient Light
Light is an important factor in geranium growth and flowering. Sufficient light can promote the photosynthesis of plants, improve the growth rate and flowering quality of plants. Here are some tips on lighting:
Light needs: Geraniums like a sunny environment and need at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day. During the growth period, the plant should be placed in a place with sufficient light, such as a balcony, window ledge, etc
.
Summer shade: summer temperature is high, the sun is strong, and long-term exposure to the sun will cause plant leaves to burn, affecting growth and flowering. Therefore, it is necessary to properly shade the plants in summer, such as building a sunshade net and moving the plants to a well-ventilated semi-shade place.
Winter light: the winter temperature is low, the light time is short and the intensity is weak, which is not conducive to the growth and flowering of geranium. At this point, you can place the plant in a sunny place indoors, such as near a window. If the indoor light is insufficient, you can also use plant light to fill the light.
6. Proper Pruning
Pruning is an important part of geranium maintenance. Proper pruning can promote the growth and flowering of the plant. Here are some tips for pruning:
Peeling core topping: In the flourishing period of plant growth, it is necessary to timely peeling core topping treatment. That is, the young leaves and buds at the top of the plant are removed to promote the growth and development of lateral branches. This will increase the number of branches in the plant, making the plant fuller and more compact.
Thinning branches: For the growth of too dense branches, to be timely thinning treatment. That is, cut off some branches to increase the ventilation and light transmission inside the plant. This will reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases and promote the healthy growth of the plant.
Pruning sick and weak branches: For sick and weak branches, dead branches and barren branches, etc., timely pruning treatment should be carried out. That is, cut off these bad branches to prevent them from consuming too much nutrients and water, affecting the growth and flowering of the plant.
7. Pest Control
Pest control is an important work in geranium conservation. The occurrence of diseases and pests will seriously affect the growth and flowering of plants, and even lead to plant death. Here are some tips on pest control:
Preventive measures: strengthen ventilation and light transmission, keep the soil moist but not wet, and regularly spray fungicides and insecticides for prevention. These measures can reduce the incidence of pests and diseases.
Disease control: Geranium common diseases are gray mold, leaf spot and so on. For gray mold, 50% carbendazim wettable powder 800 times liquid can be used to spray control; For leaf spot disease, 75% Chlorothalonil wettable powder 600 times liquid can be sprayed for control. Spray once every 7-10 days, 2-3 times in a row.
Pest control: Geranium common pests are aphids, red spiders and so on. For aphids, 2000 times liquid of 10% imidacloprid wettable powder can be used to spray control. For red spider, you can use 20% mite death net wettable powder 2000 times liquid for spraying control. Spray once every 5-7 days, 2-3 times in a row.
8. Precautions
Avoid standing water: Geranium roots are intolerant of waterlogging, so water should be avoided when watering the basin soil, so as not to cause the plant to rot.
Temperature control: Geraniums like a warm environment and grow at a suitable temperature of 15-25 ° C. Keep plants indoors in a warm place during the winter to protect them from freezing.
Change the pot in time: As the plant grows, the nutrients in the pot soil will gradually decrease. Therefore, the pot soil needs to be replaced every 1-2 years to provide sufficient growth space for the plants.
Conclusion
Through the above reasonable maintenance techniques, we can make geranium produce more flowers. These techniques include choosing the right soil, watering properly, fertilizing scientifically, getting enough light, pruning properly, and pest control. In the conservation process, we need to formulate specific conservation strategies according to the growth habits and growth environment of geranium, pay close attention to the growth state of the plant, and adjust the conservation measures in time. I believe that under our careful care, geranium will be able to blossom and bring us endless beauty and joy.
