Geranium - a flower that fascinates with its beauty. In order for the plant to please the eye with lush flowering and greenery, it is necessary to put some effort. Sometimes it becomes insulting that the flowering is short-term in some varieties.
Experienced growers know that among the many species there are those that bloom for a long time. These include the blood-red geranium called "Max Fry".
Botanical description and history
"Max Fry" is a dwarf perennial dicotyledonous plant. from the geranium family. Belongs to the genus of geraniums. A distinctive feature is the fleshy, long rhizome. The growing season is long. In one season only 1 generation of leaves can appear. The height of the stem is about 20 centimeters. It is covered with thousands of long hairs. It often happens that in the fall the foliage and stem become red.
The leaves are located on oblong bristly petioles. Divided into 5-7 shares. The lower part is covered with small white hairs. Bracts of a geranium in the form ovoid with a brown shade. The buds are located on 1 or 2, and nectaries and petals on 5. The fruit is fractional, splits into one-seeded parts.
Flowering occurs in summer, and fruit ripening begins in July and ends in September. It is propagated by seeds, but the vegetative method is also common.
Its popularity, "Max Fry" received in the XVI century. Habitat - Western Europe. For its simplicity in the care, the plant has received positive feedback from experienced gardeners. It can do without a transplant for 15 years, while abundantly bear fruit and bloom.
Appearance
Leaves are light green geraniums. They create a spherical shape of a bush. The height of the sphere does not exceed 30 centimeters. The stems do not stand for foliage, so smooth forms are obtained. The plant covers many flowers. The main color is pink with dark veins. Due to the large number of them, flowering outwardly looks spectacular and decorative. In diameter, the flower can reach up to 3 centimeters. When the bud blossoms, a fruit resembling a crane's beak forms in its place. Inside are the seeds.
Popular varieties and their photos
Max Fry
Belongs to the blood red geranium. It also includes: Striatum, Alan Blum, Canon Mills.
Alan Blum
Groundcover flower It has a small size. The main feature - at the time of flowering pleases with a rich bright pink color.
Striatum
A small bush, reaching a height of no more than 15 centimeters, and in diameter about 25-30 centimeters. When the Striatum expands, it becomes like a cushion covered with light pink flowers. On the petals there are pronounced streaks.
Canon Mills
Perennial. The grade which is remembered by a two-color shade, pink and lilac. Contrast striped patterns run along the entire petal. Foliage - bright green. Differs in its frost resistance.
Landing rules
Difficulties in planting "Max Fry" can occur due to long roots:
- The pit for planting delves deep, but not very wide.
- Between the bushes should be a distance of 30-35 centimeters.
- Before the procedure, it is recommended to sleep in the hole nutrient mixture.
- Then, carefully place the root system in it and cover it with soil.
- Be sure to make watering.
Lighting and location
Flower like a well-lit place. However, an excessive amount of direct rays of the sun is not welcome. If you plant in the shade, the flowering should not be expected, will only increase the green mass. Often, "Max Fry" is used as landscaping roofs and houses. Allowed to plant one plant and in groups with others.
Soil requirements
Geranium is completely undemanding to the ground. Grows in almost any garden area. It is undesirable to have a lot of organic matter in the soil. Ideally, sandy or loamy loose soil will be suitable. Feels good in subacid, acidic, neutral earth.
Care
- Watering. Immediately after the plant has been planted, it is plentiful and often watered. Over time, the number of such procedures is reduced. In hot days, the frequency increase. The lack of moisture is manifested by drooping foliage.
Weed. Young geranium need to weed regularly. When she grows up, it will not be necessary.- Fertilizers. Does not require fertilizing, but you can make mineral fertilizers in the spring.
- Removal of dry buds. To pet for a long time to bloom, it is necessary to remove the faded buds. In their place, new ones are formed.
- Shelter. Since the Max Fry variety is resistant to frost, it does not need to be covered for the winter.
Weed. Young geranium need to weed regularly. When she grows up, it will not be necessary.Diseases and pests
There is no tendency to disease. Easily cope with attacks of pests. Stability due to volatile production and essential oils.
- If the humidity is high and the sun's rays are deficient, there is a chance that the flower will fall ill with powdery mildew. The Bordeaux liquid will help to cope with the disease.
- Persisting strong moisture for a long time leads to rot. The bush will have to be removed, since it cannot be saved.
- When brown spots appear, it is urgently necessary to treat the fungicide solution.
Breeding features
There are 2 breeding methods:
- Rhizome division. In early spring or late summer, geranium bushes are divided into parts. Each part must have a spine and a kidney. If the procedure is performed in the first months of autumn, then it is not necessary to delay it, otherwise the geranium will not have time to get accustomed to frost.
- Reproduction by seeds. Sowing do spring. The first shoots are already visible in May. The development of young seedlings is fast. Bloom only after 2 years. The disadvantage of this method of reproduction is that the daughter flowers do not always inherit the signs of maternal. That is why the Max Fry variety is advised by many to be grown using rhizome division.
Geranium varieties "Max Fry" will be a great solution for flower growers: it is distinguished by unpretentiousness, while the owners are pleased with their flowering for more than a month. In the fall, it will delight you with its brown leaves, and in winter you don’t need to worry about its condition.
