Content
Geranium ashy Ballerina is an unusually beautiful plant. Designers highly appreciate its flowers and use the culture in all landscape areas. This variety is notable for its good winter hardiness, which makes it accessible for planting in the temperate Russian climate.
History of origin
Although Ashy Ballerina is a common geranium, there is little information about its breeding. The Geranium family includes more than four hundred species. Only a tenth is suitable for planting in the middle zone. The plant has characteristic features characteristic of other representatives, but at the same time it has the main advantages of selection.
Description of garden geranium Ballerina
Himalayan geranium Ballerina is a dwarf variety reaching 14 cm in height. The compact bush is suitable for growing at home. Its width ranges from 35 to 40 cm.
Thin stems are covered with a durable plant sheath. The crown is made up of “toothed” leaves, divided into several symmetrical parts. They have a grayish color, which is why the variety got its name.
There is slight pubescence on the leaf blades
The flowers have a delicate lilac color.On the petals you can distinguish many patterns that look like veins. Buds begin to form in early summer, the opened flowers fall off by August. Their diameter barely reaches 4 cm.
Ash geranium Ballerina inhabits river banks, meadows, and spaces under tree canopies. Some specimens can be found at higher elevations. The plant is beautiful in all aspects: before flowering, the bush is decorated with soft green leaves, and as the buds appear, the composition only adds to its decorativeness.
Advantages and disadvantages
As can be seen from the description and photo, pelargonium Ballerina (highfield s ballerina) is highly decorative. It requires almost no care and fits perfectly with other plantings.
The crop does not fade in the sun and is easy to trim
Pros:
- compactness;
- winter hardiness;
- no need to arrange a shelter;
- possibility of cultivation in all regions of the Russian Federation.
Minuses:
- does not grow well in deep shade.
Planting geranium Ballerina
Geranium ash Ballerina prefers to settle in open areas. When choosing soil, take into account that the crop develops best in neutral or slightly acidic soil. Before planting, it is recommended to mix it with sand and peat.
When buying ash geranium Ballerina, you need to look at the strength of the roots. They must have a solid structure. It is better to choose specimens with good branching of the underground part. The material is purchased in April or early May. Store in the refrigerator for some time, not forgetting to soak the package with moisture.
They are transplanted into open ground when it becomes warm outside and the soil warms up.The planting hole is made deep (based on the diameter of the roots). A distance of 30 cm is maintained between adjacent plantings.
If it is necessary to replant, ash geranium Ballerina is stored in the refrigerator, placed in a bag with ventilation holes. You can use wooden boxes and put them in the basement.
When the buds appear, the ashy Ballerina is transferred to a pot or greenhouse
Care for geraniums Ballerina
Ash Ballerina is one of the most unpretentious plants. In this regard, geranium is perfect for a beginner. There is no need to weed - weeds do not grow next to the fragrant variety. There is also no need for a haircut, but it is advisable to remove old flowers: in the future, this stimulates the ashy Ballerina to form new buds.
When grown in open ground, water until the plant gets stronger. Then the procedure can be stopped, the roots themselves will find the necessary moisture. The only thing is that you will have to water it in the summer. In other seasons, irrigation is not necessary.
If organic matter was added during the planting process - compost mixtures or peat, there will be no need to fertilize in the next year. If you want to increase the number and splendor of flowers, you can use mineral fertilizers. In the spring, nitrogenous substances are added, and in the summer, phosphorus-potassium mixtures are added.
Reproduction methods
Geranium Ballerina (highfield s ballerina) can be propagated by seeds, root cuttings, or by dividing the root shoots.
Beginners should use the division method as a guide. Ash geranium Ballerina should be slightly dug up and a bunch of roots should be separated with the sharp edge of a shovel.It may be strong if the plant is mature. In this case, you need to be extremely careful.
Division can be carried out in any spring month
Propagation by root cuttings is identical to division. The gardener needs to trim the part of the bush with roots and a growing bud. The main thing is to inspect the geranium before doing this. If there are dry shoots on the Ash Ballerina, they must be cut off to speed up adaptation to the new area. Work is carried out in the spring or autumn. You can also transplant it into a pot in the summer.
The variety of garden perennial geranium ashy Ballerina can be propagated using seed material. However, the procedure is complex and not suitable for beginners. Before this, you need to carry out stratification, that is, harden the seeds in the refrigerator or cellar.
Raw materials are harvested in spring, autumn or summer. After harvesting, the fruits are dried in the shade. They must be handled with care, otherwise the seeds will fall out of the shell. If you don’t want to bother with reproduction, you can wait for the ashen Ballerina to do it herself. Geranium literally shoots seeds, so in order not to neglect the garden, the process will have to be controlled.
Conclusion
Geranium ash Ballerina is a representative of a large family of more than 400 species. Among others, the plant is the least demanding for care and planting, which makes it easy to grow for beginners.
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