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Geranium is one of the most common decorative plants in gardens. You can find different species but, in all cases, it is a very aesthetic plant due to the numerous and showy flowers that are, which can range from more common colors such as red, pink and white, to less common ones such as purple, yellow or even orange. It is a plant that also has benefits in natural cosmetics, so its oil is very common in the treatment of skin problems or ailments caused by bumps and bruises.
If you want to know what are the geranium care and also some of its main characteristics, keep reading Green Ecologist because in the following lines we show you a complete and practical guide for the care of these plants.
Geranium care
The scientific name of geranium is Geranium, whose original name comes from the Greek. This name is that of the genus of plants that encompasses all species of geranium, but there is a great variety of them, as well as their relatives of the genera Pelargonium Y Sarcocaulon, among others, that all of them belong to the family of geraniaceaeGeraniaceae). Some of the best known species are:
- Geranium columbinum L.
- Geranium dissectum L.
- Geranium dolomiticum L.
- Geranium lucidum L.
- Geranium molle L.
- Geranium nodosum L.
- Geranium phaeum L.
- Geranium pratense L.
- Geranium pusillum L.
- Geranium pyrenaicum Burm.
- Geranium robertianum L.
- Geranium rotundifolium L.
- Geranium sanguineum L.
- Geranium sylvaticum L.
- Pelargonium angustifolium L'Hér. ex Harv. & Sond.
- Pelargonium graveolens L'Hér.
- Pelargonium cotyledonis (L.) L'Hér.
- Pelargoniumídos (L.) L'Hér.
- Pelargonium citrosum Voigt ex Sprague
- Pelargonium insularis
- Pelargonium hortorum L.H. Bailey
- Sarcocaulon camdeboense Moffett
- Sarcocaulon ciliatum Moffett
- Sarcocaulon crassicaule Rehm
- Sarcocaulon currali Heckel
Once some of the most commonly seen species have been introduced into homes and parks, we will explain to you in a practical way the geranium care:
Light and location
Geraniums are plants that need too much sun. Regardless of the type of geranium in question, it is essential that they are located in full sun, both during the summer and winter months. Likewise, during the coldest periods it is important that they are adequately protected from low temperatures and especially from frost. In this sense, it is recommended that, in the case of living in a place where winters are especially cold, geraniums are brought indoors during these periods of colder temperatures, so in these places it is better to always have them in a pot. Once inside the house, it is essential to place them near a window with plenty of light.
Irrigation
Regarding irrigation, it is important water them often, especially during the summer months, when evaporation from the soil is greater. In general, they support damp soils well, although it is recommended not to flood the pots to avoid the possibility that their roots can rot.
Pass
On the other hand, it is also important to bear in mind that geranium is a plant that needs frequent fertilization if the geranium flowers, as well as the plant itself, are to be strong and look bright. To do this, it is best to dilute a little natural compost suitable for geraniums in the irrigation water every 15 days or once a month.
Pruning geraniums
The geranium plant it needs pruning with some frequency. There are two times a year when pruning the geranium plant is going to be especially important, which are at the beginning of spring and fall early to mid. In spring to get the plant to gain strength with a view to the new flowering season, and in autumn to remove the remains of branches and dried flowers.
Likewise, it must be taken into account that the geranium flower it usually dries up after a few days. When this happens, it is important that these dried flowers are pruned independently of the rest of the plant, as it will be the best way for the geranium plant to concentrate all its strength on new flowers and grow healthy and strong.
Geranium diseases
The pests on geraniums they are very characteristic. On the one hand you can find pests caused by worms, insects and arachnids.
It is common to find defoliator caterpillars, which are easy to recognize, both by their size and by the bitten leaves that they leave after eating. On the other hand, you can also find ants, aphids, whiteflies and spider mites, which are pests in geraniums that can kill them quite quickly, so it is important to apply some type of organic insecticide as soon as they are detected. that can damage geraniums irreparably.
Geranium meaning
To know the meaning of geranium, first you have to think that it is in the word Geranium where its main meaning originates. Although there are different interpretations about the meaning of his name, since in Greek it could mean literally "that beautiful flower", Most of the interpretations that are made today affirm that his name means"crane”. This meaning of the geranium would come from its fruit, by whose shape it would be reminiscent of the crane's beak, which would be the origin of the name in Greek, from where it would have passed to Latin and, finally, to Spanish.
Regarding the language of flowers, that is, the cultural meaning that we give them, we find that geranium can have different meanings, according to the color of your flower:
- Red: I prefer you or I like you.
- Dark red or garnet: melancholy.
- Rosa: affection and harmony.
- White: purity and happiness.
- Yellow and orange: joy and positivity.
Geranium essential oil
One of the uses of geranium is found in its essential oil, which has properties similar to rose oil but being that of geranium much cheaper as its production is cheaper. The geranium essential oil It has different uses, among which it is worth highlighting being a good facial tonic to care for and treat the skin for conditions such as acne or atopic skin.
Likewise, when applied directly to the skin after a blow or bruise, it has the ability to reduce pain and inflammation. Finally, geranium essential oil is also an excellent tonic that is used to moisturize the skin, and that can be used both on the face and on the rest of the body.
More specifically, among the properties of geranium essential oil and its benefits and uses we find:
Properties (edit)
- Analgesic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antibacterial
- Anstyseptic
- Astringent
- Haemostatic
- Stimulates circulation
- Tonic and restorative
- Spasmolytic
- Vulnerary
- Nervous or relaxing
- Febrifuge
Benefits and uses
- Facilitates relaxation.
- Relieves muscle aches and neuralgia.
- Helps stop minor bleeding.
- Improves menstrual and premenstrual cramps.
- Improves circulation.
- Relieves pain from varicose veins.
- Relieves tired legs.
- Reduce fatigue.
- Helps lower fever.
If you want to read more articles similar to Geranium care, we recommend that you enter our category of Cultivation and care of plants.
Bibliography- Allaway, Z., Leendertz, L., Hendy, J., Jarrín, T., Rodríguez, X., (2011), Encyclopedia of Gardening. Ideas to grow practically everything. Royal Horticultural Society, Barcelona, Spain, BLUME.
- Cebrián, J., (2012), Dictionary of medicinal plants, Barcelona, Spain, Integral RBA Libros.
- Worwood, V. A., (2022), Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, Madrid, Spain, Gaia Ediciones.
