What kind of pot is needed for geraniums: choose the right size and find out what soil the flower loves

The further development of this magnificent houseplant, its growth rate and flowering quality will depend on choosing the right geranium pot. In this article, we will consider in detail the question of choosing a good pot for this flower.

We will tell you how to properly prepare it for planting, given the characteristics of the root system of geraniums. We will determine the suitable soil mixture and the frequency of watering. You can also watch a useful and informative video on this topic.

Description

Perhaps you can’t find a more popular home plant than indoor geraniums. This magnificent representative of the plant kingdom was so fond of people thanks to simple care, endurance, large and beautiful flowers (about the rules for caring for room geraniums at home and in the garden, read here, and from this article you will learn about how to care for home geraniums in winter and is it possible to transfer a garden flower to the basement). Geranium breeds well, and plant leaves thinning the refreshing aroma of mint and lemon.

ATTENTION: In addition to aesthetic pleasure, geranium plants have strong bactericidal properties and are widely used in folk and traditional medicine. Geranium blooms almost year-round!

Root system features

Geranium grows in almost all corners of the planet, it can be found even in the tropical zone and on the mountains. Such a wide distribution, the plant received due to its good ability to adapt to different types of soil. What is provided by developed roots.

Most types of geraniums have a branched root system. At the ends of the roots there are special thickenings that serve as an additional compartment to contain excess moisture. During periods of drought, the plant draws water from them, which allows geraniums to maintain life for a long time in the absence of regular rains.

Certain types of geraniums, such as bearded iris, have chosen a different way of forming the nutritional system. Rhizomes are densified and located closer to the soil surface, they are stretched at a considerable distance from the plant, which allows them to adapt to a variety of vegetation conditions. Such a root system does not decay with excessive waterlogging and will tolerate short-term drought, evenly distributing moisture throughout the root network.

There are also species whose roots, if necessary, form small tubers that actively absorb moisture, and with it useful substances. Nodules perform two useful functions at once, during periods of water shortage, they feed the plant from their own reserves, while at the same time being reproductive organs. If the mother plant, unable to withstand the harsh external conditions, dies, its tubers maintain vital processes and a new geranium can grow from them.

Geranium plants found in mountainous areas have a core root with minimal branching. With the external similarities of this family, we see how different ways they evolved, such differences directly depend on the habitat of the flowers.

What soil does a flower like?

Geranium is not a timid plant, and errors in the use of land are permissible, which, however, should not be abused. Geranium loves loose, fertile and well-drained soil, with an acidic, slightly acidic or neutral pH. Ready mixes of land for geraniums can be purchased at flower shops.

You can buy a ready-made substrate for flowering indoor plants or universal soil, adding to it:

vermiculitis;
washed river sand;
peat;
perlite.

TIP: The mixture must be carefully moved and make sure that there are no lumps, mold or traces of insect activity. To ensure good aeration to the roots, expanded clay or broken bricks should be placed on the bottom of the pot.

How to water?

In summer, it is recommended to water the plant abundantly, but make sure that the land completely dries out between watering cycles. Checking the dryness of the soil is quite simple, for this it is necessary to immerse a finger on the ground for 1-2 phalanxes, your sensations will be enough to determine moisture.

If you still have doubts, just follow the rule: in irrigation of geraniums, it is better to not add water than to pour it. The fact is that geranium comes from arid Africa, its roots and leaves are adapted for the accumulation of excess moisture and its rational consumption during periods of drought. Constant dampness will lead to rotting of the roots, and fungal destructive plants can form in the ground.

By the fall, the amount of watering should be reduced, but do not allow excessive drying of the land.

Choose material and size

To date flower shops abound with a huge variety of different pots for plants. But not all of them alone are suitable for comfortable growing geraniums, as each type of pot has its own advantages and disadvantages.

First you need to decide on the material from which the pot will be made.

Plastic pots They are durable, light in weight, low in price, and production features make it possible to give them various shapes and colors, so products made from this material look better in the interior.
Clay pots well meet the requirements of the plant. Moisture in such pots will evaporate faster, which will prevent root decay, and clay leaches salts harmful to the plant from the soil. True, the pot will turn black over time. Clay products have a porous structure, which provides additional aeration allowing the roots to breathe.

Watch the video on choosing a pot for room geranium:

Which pot of geraniums will be most comfortable?

The dynamics of plant growth and the characteristics of its flowering will directly depend on the size of the pot. If you choose a container of small size, you can count on bright and long flowering, small pots are suitable for young shoots. Large containers force geraniums to intensively develop their root system, the advantage of this approach will be the abundant growth of greenery. The optimal solution would be a pot diameter, which varies from 12 to 14 centimeters, and the height does not exceed 15 cm.

IMPORTANT: If you have only a large pot or box, the way out is to plant 2-3 cuttings of geranium in it, it is important to plant them from each other at a distance of about 5 cm for the pot, and 20 cm for the box.

The roots of the plant gradually fill the tank of any volume, therefore, we strongly do not recommend initially choosing large containers, as transplant the plant subsequently in the tank even more. And it will be harder to control the height of the flower.

Changing the house for geraniums is not required often. About once every 10-12 months, a plant is transplanted, or when the flower becomes clearly crowded - this is determined by the density of greenery. Make sure that the new pot is 2-3 cm larger than the previous one. Do not choose rectangular pots. Water will accumulate in the corners, which will impair ventilation and can lead to mold.

Transplanting a flower from such a container can easily damage the roots. The pot must be stable, especially if the cat likes to sit on the windowsill or you have small children. The pallet is usually included in the kit of the pot, but if you have to buy it separately, make sure that the product is wide with high sides. It is important that the bottom of the pot has drainage holes, and the pot itself was opaque, the roots really do not like the effect of ultraviolet radiation.

Preparation for landing

When firing clay pots, substances harmful to the plant are formed in their pores. We recommend that before using clay containers, soak them in clean, plain water, about 1-2 hours. Water well flushes toxins and cinder, eliminating odors from the pot. The neutralized pot must be well dried at room temperature, and it will be ready for use.

If you decide to use a clay container in which plants were previously grown, rinse it thoroughly in warm water using a hard brush, and then boil it using baking soda. Next, just rinse with water, and the pot will be back in order. New pots made of plastic, before first use, must also be thoroughly washed in warm water and soap. Sometimes a plastic coating remains in a plastic dish, which can inhibit the growth of geranium roots.

Conclusion

A plant pot can be compared with the foundation of a building, the strength and durability of the building will directly depend on the foundation laid correctly. Choosing a good pot that fully meets the needs of the type of plant grown, in our case room geranium, we get a guarantee of the correct development of the flower.

Do not save too much on this important component of plant life. Otherwise, subsequent problems with geraniums can turn into unnecessary expenses and your time and money wasted.

Fortunately, to date, flower shops abound with choice, and having our advice in the arsenal, it’s easy for you to choose a solid pot for your green pet. And most importantly, just like the pot! We wish your plants good growth and magnificent flowers!