Pelargonium April Snow is very popular among gardeners. The name of the culture translates as "April snow." It is characterized by decorative lush inflorescences. For a culture to grow and develop normally, it needs to be properly looked after.
Pelargonium April Snow - what kind of flower
The culture belongs to the genus Pelargonium from the Geranium family. This genus includes a large number of different plants that have grown under natural conditions or have been bred by breeders. Some lovers of flowers, unknowingly, call it April Snow geranium, it belongs to the zonal type.
The culture is characterized by lush inflorescences of a gentle shade
This variety of geranium was obtained in the Swedish nursery Sutarve. The plant belongs to the rosacea species. It grows rapidly, but at the same time maintains a compact structure.
The color of the petals of the culture depends on the growing conditions. With limited illumination, the petals acquire a white color. If the flower is in a sunny place, it becomes pale pink with a red border. The center of each bud is dark lettuce. Around are delicate petals.
It is interesting! Russian lovers of indoor flowers have a different name for the plant - there are such names on the Internet: April snow geranium, April dream pelargonium or April seam. Sometimes you can see people writing arctic snow pelargonium and looking for a description of this flower.
According to the description, April Snow Pelargonium is characterized by such features:
- dense and lush inflorescences, which include a large number of buds;
- different shades of petals - white, lettuce, pink;
- lush and low bush;
- tricolor buds;
- light emerald leaves of large sizes.
Important!The bushes of the plant are compact in size and grow in width. A flower pot can easily be placed on a narrow windowsill.
Bushes are compact in size
Features of the cultivation of this variety
Pelargonium April snow must be pinched. Otherwise, the stalk of culture will begin to reach up. With proper formation, the bush will become lush and neat.
For planting, it is recommended to use special soil. It can be purchased at the flower shop. Before planting, it is recommended to disinfect the ground - calcine in the oven or pour it with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
How to care for April snow at home
In order for April Snow pelargonium to develop normally and bloom magnificently, it must be properly looked after.
Illumination and temperature
Culture needs bright and diffused lighting. In winter, you may need additional lighting.
Almost all varieties of pelargonium need a high temperature. At the same time, + 17-18 degrees is enough for the April Snow culture. In winter, the parameters should be + 12-15 degrees.
Watering rules and humidity
The plant needs systematic soil moisture. However, it should be moderate. Culture has gentle roots. With excess moisture, there is a risk of rotting.
Important!In summer, watering should be quite plentiful, especially in drought. In winter, the amount of water must be significantly reduced.
The need for watering is reduced in such situations:
- growing in a plastic container;
- state of winter rest;
- first week after transplantation;
- decrease in temperature parameters, winter time;
- high humidity, lack of sufficient lighting;
- insufficient ventilation in the room.
In any case, the bush should be watered under the root. To better moisturize the soil, it is recommended to pour water into the pan. Do not allow excess moisture. This must be monitored by the state of the soil. If it is dry at a depth of 1 cm, water should be watered.
Top dressing and soil quality
To fertilize pelargonium, it is recommended to use combined formulations. They are sold in all flower shops. Feeding should be done exclusively in the summer. In winter, this should not be done.
Flower Tank Size
Culture does not require a large capacity. The faster a plant develops, the more space it requires. Therefore, the transplant is carried out in a looser pot.
Pruning and transplanting
It is recommended to form a bush systematically. At the same time, pruning should be cut and pinched. The plant needs to be cut at the end of February or at the beginning of March. As they grow, overgrown shoots should be shortened.
The plant must be pruned correctly, given the basic rules of procedure
Before transplanting, the soil must be disinfected. This can be done in many ways:
- bake in the oven or in a pan;
- to freeze;
- water the earth with a solution of potassium permanganate;
- pour soil fungicides.
To transplant a culture, you need to pull it out of the old pot, shake the ground and move it to a larger container.
Important! With disinfection, there is a risk of death of not only harmful, but also beneficial bacteria. Therefore, it is so important to monitor the state of culture and periodically feed it.
Features of flowering plants
Pelargonium April Snow is distinguished by lush flowering, so it has gained great popularity around the world.
- Period of activity and rest
Pelargonium of this variety can bloom almost the whole year. That is why it is popular with many gardeners.
- Types and shape of flowers
In one bud, 3 flowers resembling roses appear. Up to 20 buds can be present on 1 bush.
Attention! The brighter the lighting in the room, the more saturated the shade of the petals.
Pelargonium has lush flowering and high decorativeness.
Flower propagation methods
April Snow - pelargonium, which propagates well by cuttings. You can also apply the seed method. The procedure is carried out in the spring. This must be done with the arrival of heat. Rooting a culture will take some time.
Seed propagation
First you need to prepare and disinfect the soil. It should have a loose consistency. The seeds of the plant must be ground in the palms and soaked twice. First, they should be immersed in a solution of potassium permanganate for 1 hour. After that, keep the same period of time in the growth stimulator.
Then you need to make small indentations in the ground. Their size should be 0.3 mm. A distance of 5-6 cm must be observed between the holes. Place seeds in the recesses and carefully water the soil. Then cover the container with glass or film. It needs to be aired daily.
Important!When 2-3 small leaves appear on the sprouts, they can be moved to the pot. This method can only be realized by experienced gardeners.
Geranium can be propagated by seed
Propagation by cuttings
A simpler and more affordable way of breeding pelargonium is considered to be cuttings. Before carrying out planting, the soil must be disinfected.
From the shoots of healthy bushes, cuttings with a size of 7-8 cm should be cut. It is desirable to clean them from all leaves and dry them for several hours in the air. After that, place the plant in moist soil.
Almost all varieties of pelargonium are kept in water before rooting. However, when propagating the April Snow variety, this is strictly prohibited. Water will cause rotting and death of the cuttings. Therefore, it must immediately be rooted in the ground.
Growing problems, diseases and pests
Pelargonium hardly tolerates excess moisture. Therefore, when watering, you need to control the volume of water. Excess fluid provokes the development of fungal infections. In addition, the culture may be affected by viruses. The key symptom of such pathologies are dry and yellow leaves.
With the development of diseases, the leaves become stained and yellow.
With the development of a fungal infection, it is recommended to remove the foliage and treat the culture with fungicides. After that, it needs to be fed and transplanted into new soil. If the culture is severely damaged, the situation cannot be corrected. You can try to cut healthy branches, treat them with an antifungal drug and grow a new bush.
Attention! Pelargonium, which was affected by a viral infection, is forbidden to propagate. From the affected culture, it is necessary to cut off all the foliage and flowers.
Pests practically do not affect this culture. It has an intense aroma that repels parasites.
Pelargonium April snow is popular with many gardeners. This culture can be kept in a variety of conditions. To avoid problems when growing plants, you need to establish a regime of watering and timely fertilizer. Equally important is the treatment of bushes from diseases.
