April Snow is the second most popular Pelargonium variety after Lady Gertrude.
It is the favorite of most flower growers due to its unpretentiousness and beautiful appearance, it is also valued among novice breeders.
This article will discuss how to properly care for a beautiful woman with her airy marshmallow buds.
Botanical description and history
April Snow Pelargonium was bred by the Swedish nursery Sutarve, which is still Europe's leader in the selection of geraniums and pelargoniums.
The species refers to zonal rose-flowered pelargoniumshaving aerial inflorescences with a large number of petals. Umbrellas of a plant consist of a set of small buds of dense roses of a non-uniform color: at the base of the petals I have a warm green tint, smoothly turning into beige, and at the ends - soft pink.
It has medium-sized dark green leaves with a brown vein in the middle: the bush is exactly the same as any geranium, short, dense and branched, so any desired shape can be made from it.
Features of the plant
The accumulation of roses on the plant fully justifies the name of the variety: they look like a small lush snowdrift. Under the sunshine petals shimmer in different colors, from which Pelargonium seems even more unusual and beautiful. And, in spite of the fact that there are not so many roses, at the same time they are very small in size, the cap of the plant still looks very luxuriant and volume.
Variety April Snow suit lovers of diversity: if you grow one process in the home, and the second - on the street, then everything will immediately become clear. The one grown at home will have small white flowers like porcelain; those who grew up in the open will surprise with massive and lush hats of roses. The main purpose of growing this crop is exclusively decorative.
Where and how to plant?
- Location April Snow is no exception and, like other varieties, prefers copious amounts of diffused sunlight. And, if you choose the right place, she will feel as comfortable as possible even on the street. At home she needs to allocate a place on the lighted sill.
- The soil. This variety of Pelargonium prefers a very loose, drained and nutritious soil in which it will be guaranteed to develop correctly and blossom in time.
Substrate can be purchased in a specialized store, which is called: "For pelargonium." It will accurately contain all the necessary minerals in the right amount, as well as it is guaranteed to be disinfected, which means it is completely safe.
If you wish, you can make the ground yourself. For this you need to mix the following components in certain proportions:
- Peat - 1 part.
- Humus - 1 part.
- Sand - 1 part.
- Sod - 1 part.
Important! When self-fabricating the soil, it is necessary to sanitize it in order to avoid possible contamination of the plant with any diseases.
Experienced growers recommend changing the soil for April Snow annually: in the spring, and, if necessary, changing the pot to a larger size than the previous one.
- Choosing a pot. The best choice is the one that is 1 - 2 cm in diameter more than the last. The large size of the container may adversely affect the flowering of the plant.
How to care for the plant?
Lighting. This variety of Pelargonium is very light-loving, so the main rule to follow is the more light, the better. Therefore, it is recommended to place the plant on the northern or western window sills in the house / apartment. You can even on the balcony, if there is maintained an optimum temperature.- Temperature. The plant does not like heat or cold, so it is important to provide a moderate temperature. At 15 - 18 degrees the plant will bloom in full force, and at 12 - 15 degrees to rest according to its life cycle. At this temperature (15 - 18 degrees), it can bloom even in the middle lane and Siberia.
- Watering. Like any other varieties of Pelargonium, this one is also very sensitive to excess moisture in the substrate. That is why it is important to adhere to regular, but moderate watering.
Recommendation. In order to prevent in advance the possible rotting of the extremely delicate roots of the plant, it is necessary to periodically loosen the soil (this will ensure its breathability).
In summer and spring, it is necessary to water with plenty of water as the top layer of the substrate dries, and in winter and autumn - much less frequently and with less water.
- Fertilizer. Pelargonium April Snow needs mineral supplements, which include potassium and phosphorus. It is necessary to produce fertilizer approximately once every 2 weeks. And in the winter, when the plant comes to a period of rest, you do not need to feed at all.
- Rest period (wintering). This period in this variety Pelargonium lasts from 3 to 3.5 months: approximately from November to February. And at the end of winter, when light day increases, the plant begins to wake up, preparing itself for flowering.
If Pelargonium spent its growing season on the street, you need to bring it into a room with a cool temperature of 12 - 15 degrees and low humidity. To further plants do not get the fungus, you should not have containers with them too close to each other in winter.
Lighting. This variety of Pelargonium is very light-loving, so the main rule to follow is the more light, the better. Therefore, it is recommended to place the plant on the northern or western window sills in the house / apartment. You can even on the balcony, if there is maintained an optimum temperature.The likelihood of new flowering increases if the plant spent a period of rest in a cool and well-ventilated area.
Common diseases and pests
- Excessive watering of Pelargonium is fraught with a fungal disease called "Blackleg". This is a dangerous root rot that is almost impossible to cure. As a rule, it appears at the very top of the stem, so you can get rid of it by cutting off the infected upper part as quickly as possible so that it does not infect the rest of the plant.
Soft bubbles on the leaves They talk about excessive watering. They are the harbingers of rotting roots, so you need as soon as possible to dry the soil (loosen) and correct the irrigation regime.- Aphid and whitefly - frequent pests on the flower, and you can get rid of them with the help of insecticidal preparations. Periodically you need to look at the leaves for the presence of aphid and whitefly larvae.
Soft bubbles on the leaves They talk about excessive watering. They are the harbingers of rotting roots, so you need as soon as possible to dry the soil (loosen) and correct the irrigation regime.Breeding features
All Pelargoniums reproduce either by seed or cuttings. The reproduction of this culture is generally a difficult process, if it occurs at home, therefore most gardeners consider the seed method as something impossible, and the overwhelming amount uses only the second (grafting).
The breeding algorithm of Pelagonia April Snow using cuttings:
- Cut 6 - 7 cm of the upper part of the parent plant. There must be at least 3 knots on this handle.
- Allow some time for the cut to dry; it can be treated with crushed activated charcoal.
- Root the cut part in the ground.
- After 2 - 4 weeks, the cutting should take root, after which it is transplanted into a full-fledged individual pot.
It is not recommended to root the stalk in water, as it rots even earlier than it takes root.
It is not difficult to grow a healthy and flowering bush of Pelargonium April Snow, because caring for him does not require difficult manipulations, which can only be experienced gardeners. You just need a little patience and care, and then everything will turn out!
