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It ’s a common fact that the plants you own may not be the actual genus they ’re named for .
This is doubly true for the repeated ivy geranium , which is neither a lawful ivy ( genus Hedera ) nor true geranium ( genus Geranium , unremarkably known as hardy geraniums ) .
alternatively , this beautiful works isPelargonium peltatum(pe - lar - GO - neeum , pel - TAY - tum ) , a member of the Geraniaceae family and part of a genus commonly relate to as geraniums due to once being considered the same genus .
Native to South Africa , it ’s sometimes also referred to as trailing geranium due to its creeping habit .
Depending on the country , it may also be cite by their common names :
Trailing Geranium Care
Size And Growth
The precise size of ivy geranium can change base on whether it ’s pot , indorse , or used as terra firma cover .
As a oecumenical formula , it rarely grows more than 1 ’ to 2 ’ feet tall and will trail anywhere from 3 ’ to 5 ’ feet .
It will get large in the ground than in container and will unremarkably take 1 to 3 years to attain its adult size .
What sets these plants apart are the fleshy 5 - lobed leave , which are 2 ” to 3 ” inches across and boast a pointed lobe exchangeable to that of common ivy works .
These leafage can order greatly from bright green to gray - park , can be self-colored or bicolor , and either be hairless or haired .
Flowering And Fragrance
There ’s no denying that common ivy geraniums are grave bloomers for their growth substance abuse .
Each umbel - similar efflorescence bears between 2 and 10 bloom which are scentless and symmetrical .
The petal are in general ½ ” column inch long and ¼ ” inch astray , varying in colouration from lavender to knock , violent , or white .
While an all - year fuckup in its homeland , domesticated specimens will normally flower only in summer .
Light And Temperature
The ideal lighting for this ivy works is full Sunday in the morning and light specter in the afternoon , especially in hot regions .
mottled light or bright indirect sun will also bring well .
Moderate humidity levels of 40 % – 50 % percent are sodding for ivy geraniums , but too much humidity or strong humidity can lead to fungal contagion .
South Africa is a temperate nation , and your ivy geranium is thus rather heat - tender .
Avoid temperatures above 80 ° degrees Fahrenheit .
When potential , it prefer daytime temperatures of 65 ° to 75 ° degrees Fahrenheit and dark temperatures of 55 ° to 60 ° degrees Fahrenheit .
When overwintering , be certain to keep it in temperature above 50 ° degrees Fahrenheit or give it ample protection from frost .
The plant grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 10 but can be grow in zones 8 and 11 if protected from temperature outside its comfort zone .
Watering And Feeding
Ivy geranium needs about 1 ” inch of body of water per workweek .
Using the soak - and - dry method , this is easy to monitor and even up .
This plant is a light tributary , and you have three options when it comes to fertiliser .
For indoor plant , you’re able to stick with a balanced 10 - 10 - 10 liquid houseplant fertilizer every 2 weeks in springtime through summer .
or else , you could apply a mix with high atomic number 7 in bounce for more growth , then switch to a high phosphorous mix for summertime to encourage more blooms . More onfertilizing Geranium industrial plant here .
A third option , principally for out-of-door plants , is to use organic compost instead of commercial fertiliser .
Again , cut back in winter so the plant can go dormant .
Soil And Transplanting
Good drainage is all important , so augment your soil with perlite or coarse Baroness Dudevant as needed , especially in clay soils .
It tolerates a soil pH of 6.5 to 7.5 , but augmenting garden soil with some organic compost will usually keep the pH closer to 6.5 .
Most potting mix will influence for this plant , although you may wish to shoot for for one that ’s specifically for geranium .
Your chase geranium has to be repot every 1 to 2 years , although the process may seem a little backward .
With most plants , you should avoid do by the root ball too much . But with this industrial plant , the root are the best part to handle .
This is because the plant has fragile stems but tough root , so it ’s secure to loosen the dirt from the container edges and slew the plant out on its side .
Just think , the root can still be damage if handled roughly .
Give it fresh land and graduate to a container one size of it larger if it ’s becoming theme - oblige .
Grooming And Maintenance
There ’s not a draw of upkeep required for these plants , although there are a few items of note .
First of all , the stem tend to be brickly , so judge to invest them where they wo n’t be damage .
you’re able to pinch back these stem to encourage fuller growth .
While pruning is n’t necessary , some owners like to prune back their trailing Geranium by half if it becomes too leggy .
Finally , while these plants are self - cleaning , deadheading to encourage more bloom is still a vulgar practice for many growers .
How To Propagate Cascading Pelargonium?
The two most common propagation methods for these plants are through seed and stem cutting .
The latter is often the method of choice for cultivator who do n’t plan to winter their out-of-door plant .
Ivy Geranium Pests Or Diseases
These plants are generally easy to care for and are gently frost - tolerant , although they can not handle dense frosts .
They ’re not very heat tolerant , which can lead to bleaching of new leafage .
Depending on whether your trailing geranium is indoors or outdoors , it may be susceptible to a miscellany of pests , many of which are draw in to sickly plants .
These let in :
also , several common diseases can affect this plant , most triggered by improper upkeep .
While consuming a single foliage or petal is usually harmless , ivy geranium are considered mildly toxic to cats and dog if consumed in amount .
They are considered non - toxic to mankind , sawbuck , and livestock .
Pelargonium Peltatum Uses
As an ornamental plant , English ivy geraniums are popular in beds , borders , container , hang baskets , rockery , and window corner .
