Lemon geranium is a tall plant, with pointed leaves and a pronounced citrus scent. Among its fellows, this species has the smallest size of foliage, therefore it is ideal for growing in containers or on a window sill in flowerpots. Lemon Crispum is also used in cooking to add an exotic flavor to dishes. The flower is well known in traditional medicine.
Appearance Description
Lemon geranium is an evergreen shrub. Its dimensions reach about 70 cm in height and half as much, 30-35 cm in width. The flower has a woody base, stems juicy and green. But over time they woody at the bottom. The shape of the leaves resembles a heart with carved edges. They are arranged in pairs on each side of the trunk and tend upwards. The entire surface is covered with small villi.
How does bloom?
Indoor aromatic plant blooms relatively little and rarely. Flower growers prefer it for its decorative appearance and delicate smell. However, with proper care, geranium can please light-green or white flowers. Their size is about 2-2.5 cm in diameter. Inflorescences may appear in groups of 2-3 pieces or singly.
A photo
Here you can see photos of geraniums:
Where and how to plant it?
Indoor geranium is considered a frivolous flower.. Despite the fact that it is a native of warm countries, it easily tolerates cold winters of temperate latitudes. The most suitable place for a plant is a spacious room with lots of light and fresh air.
Herbalists advise to have a flower in the bedroom, as Pelargonium graveolens improves sleep. Also, it cleans the air from germs and unpleasant odors, so the second option is the location of the kitchen. In summer, the flower can be taken out into the street, but hidden under a canopy from direct sunlight.
When choosing a place for lemon geranium, you should consider possible allergic reactions. It is not necessary to place the plant in a room where small children sleep.
For the full development of geranium, it is important to choose the right pot. For an adult plant, a suitable size is 20-25 cm in diameter and 3-4 cm in height. It is preferable to choose clay as a material for the landing capacity.. In a plastic flowerpot, the root system decays. Capacity should be updated as the plant grows. If the flower does not have enough space, it begins to die.
Lighting and location
Lemon geranium is a light-loving flower, but can grow even with little light in the back of the room. On the lack of coverage, it will immediately make it clear to the owner with her appearance. If there is little light, the leaves will turn a light green color. The plant itself will reach up, shoots will be thin and long. To correct the situation, it is necessary to put a flower in the sun for about 6 hours. That is how much time a day you need geraniums for full growth.
In the room geranium is better to have on the windowsills on the west or east side. At the same time, the place must be completely protected from possible drafts. It is not recommended to place the flower under a stream of hot or cold air, that is, directly near the heating devices or under the air conditioner.
To stimulate flowering need to use additional artificial lighting.
Soil requirements
For planting and transplanting lemon geraniums, choose a special or universal soil.. It can be purchased at a garden store or do it yourself. It is important that the soil mixture meets the following standards: it has a good drainage layer, is moderately loose, rich in mineral components.
The optimal composition for geranium are the following components, taken in equal proportions:
- coarse fractional river sand;
- peat;
- charcoal;
- humus;
- sod land.
An equally important role in the further growth of Pelargonium graveolens is played by the acidity of the soil. It does not tolerate a decrease in pH to 5.5, in which case it stops feeding. The ideal ratio of acidity is pH 6.5.. The soil should be neutral or slightly acidic.
It is necessary to regularly loosen the ground in the pot for unimpeded access of air to the root system.
Home care
Geranium with lemon scent takes root well at home. It does not require constant attention to itself, however, it is recommended to observe some rules when growing.
- Maintaining comfortable microclimate parameters in the room: air temperature + 20-25 ° С. Humidity 50%.
- Watering needs abundant and regular. In the summer - every day, in the winter 1-2 times a week. Water should not stagnate in the pot, drain excess liquid in the pan.
- Spraying with water is not advised; as a result, yellow spots may appear on the leaf surface.
- Do not change the lighting, frequent changes are undesirable.
- Be sure to air the room everyday.
- Annually carry out transplantation, preferably in the early days of spring.
Perform pruning Pelargonium graveolens should be after winter sleep. Pinching can be done additionally in the autumn, this will give the crown pomp, branching, will stimulate growth. Some growers cut off the buds, not allowing the plant to bloom. After all, when flowering lemon scent of geranium weakens, becomes less pronounced.- For flowering need a cold wintering with the air temperature in the room + 12-15 ° C.
- Do not forget about dressing. You should choose special tools for geranium, for example, “Gilea”, “Mr. Color”. Dilute with water strictly following the instructions. "Gileya" - 2 caps of the drug per liter of water, "Mr. Color" - 1 cap per 1 liter. Before fertilizer should moisten the soil. It is desirable to feed the geranium in the spring and autumn period, it is enough 1 time in 7-10 days.
- Water taken exceptionally clean, filtered or thawed.
Perform pruning Pelargonium graveolens should be after winter sleep. Pinching can be done additionally in the autumn, this will give the crown pomp, branching, will stimulate growth. Some growers cut off the buds, not allowing the plant to bloom. After all, when flowering lemon scent of geranium weakens, becomes less pronounced.Water temperature for irrigation should be + 30 ° С.
Common diseases and pests
Lemon geranium is sufficiently resistant to various diseases.. Most often, trouble occurs due to improper care. The result is that the plant:
- the leaves turn yellow;
- rots the root system;
- yellow or white spots appear;
- fading green mass;
- no bloom;
- red color appears at the ends of the foliage.
Such symptoms can be easily eliminated by optimizing the parameters of the content and adjusting the principles of care.
Sometimes gray mold disease occurs in lemon geranium. Get rid of which you can, if you cut off the damaged shoots and process the flower antifungal drugs. These drugs are also used before wintering the plant for prevention.
Due to the intense smell and thick leaves, the flower of this variety is almost not affected by harmful insects. Only white flies and sometimes aphids can cause inconvenience, but they can be easily removed with soapy water or insecticides.
Breeding features
Lemon geranium is bred in seed, vegetative ways. But at home mainly used the method of cutting.
- This happens by cutting the top of an adult plant with at least three leaves.
- Then germinated in containers with water until the roots.
Sprout slowly but rooted. Cuttings, as a rule, are cut in the late fall or early spring.
If the bush has grown, you can and should be divided. The optimal period for this is spring, when a plant is being transplanted and the soil is renewed.
- Geranium is extracted from the pot.
- Remove excess land.
- Examine the kidneys.
- The site with healthy kidneys is separated and transplanted into another container.
Thus, the cultivation of lemon geranium on your windowsill is not difficult. If you also consider that in addition to the aesthetic properties, the plant has a mass of healing qualities. Such a flower will definitely be in demand and beloved in your home.
