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  3. Geranium (Pelargonium)

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Plant:

Geranium (Pelargonium)
Image of Geranium (Pelargonium)
Flowering
Spring and summer. Along the Gulf Coast and in southern Florida, some pelargoniums bloom throughout the year.
Adaptation
Throughout the United States.
Soil
Well-drained rich soil or potting mix.
Water
Water enough to keep the soil moist but not saturated. For container gardens, Add water until it starts to drain from the bottom of the container.
Planting
Spring, when all danger of frost is past, or any time of year in southern Florida or along the Gulf Coast.
Fertilizer
Feed with an all-purpose plant food.
Handling
Remove old flower clusters to encourage continuing bloom.
Light
Full sun or light shade.
Related problems

Bacterial Leaf and Stem Blight -

Image of Bacterial Leaf and Stem Blight
Bacterial Leaf and Stem Blight

Black Stem Rot -

Image of Black Stem Rot
Black Stem Rot

Greenhouse Whitefly - Pelargonium (Geranium)

Image of Greenhouse Whitefly - Pelargonium (Geranium)
Greenhouse Whitefly

Root and Stem Rot - Pelargonium (Geranium)

Image of Root and Stem Rot - Pelargonium (Geranium)
Root and Stem Rot

Rust - Pelargonium (Geranium)

Image of Rust - Pelargonium (Geranium)
Rust
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Bacterial Leaf and Stem Blight -

Image of Bacterial Leaf and Stem Blight
Bacterial Leaf and Stem Blight
Description
Small dark spots appear on the undersides of geranium leaves. These spots enlarge and appear on both sides of the leaves. Spots turn brown or black. Large areas of the leaf may die in angular patterns surrounded by veins. Affected leaves turn yellow and may drop. The stems and leaf stems turn black and shrivel. Plants may die.
Analysis

This disease is caused by a bacterium (Xanthomonas pelargonii) that infects leaves through wounds and natural openings. Once inside, it kills the tissues rapidly. The bacteria spread down the leaf stems into the main stem, killing tissue as they move. They may even spread into the roots. Martha Washington geranium is not affected.

Solution

Destroy infected plants. Avoid getting water on the foliage of geraniums. Do not touch the foliage of diseased plants and then the foliage of healthy plants. Make cuttings only from uninfected plants. Discard soil from diseased plants. Clean any tools used for trimming plants with rubbing alcohol before using on geraniums.

Close

Black Stem Rot -

Image of Black Stem Rot
Black Stem Rot
Description
Dark lesions form at the base of the stems. These lesions enlarge and turn black and shiny. The blackening progresses up the stem. The leaves wilt and drop, and the plant may eventually die.
Analysis

This common disease of geraniums is caused by a fungus (Pythium species) that lives in the soil. Black stem rot is favored by wet, poorly drained soil. The fungus attacks the stems at the soil level, then spreads upward. The stems decay and the foliage wilts, shrivels, and eventually dies. Black stem rot is spread by contaminated soil, transplants, and tools.

Solution

Remove and destroy infected plants. If they have been growing in containers, throw out the potting mix in which they grew. Wash and disinfect contaminated tools and pots. Plant healthy geraniums in well-drained soil and let them dry out between waterings.

Close

Greenhouse Whitefly - Pelargonium (Geranium)

Image of Greenhouse Whitefly - Pelargonium (Geranium)
Greenhouse Whitefly
Description
Tiny white, winged insects feed mainly on the undersides of leaves. Nonflying, scalelike larvae covered with white, waxy powder may be on the undersides of leaves. When the plant is touched, insects flutter around it. Leaves may be mottled and yellow. In warm-winter areas, black mold may cover the leaves. The plant may grow poorly.
Analysis

Trialeurodes vaporariorum The greenhouse whitefly is a common insect pest of many garden and greenhouse plants. The four-winged adult lays eggs on the undersides of leaves. The pinhead-size larvae are flat, oval, and semitransparent, with white waxy filaments radiating from the body. They feed for about a month before changing to the adult form. Both larvae and adults suck sap from leaves; larvae do more damage because they feed more heavily. Adults and larvae cannot fully digest the sugar in sap, excreting the excess in a fluid called honeydew that often drops onto leaves below. A sooty mold fungus may develop on honeydew, causing leaves to appear black and dirty. In warm-winter areas, the insect can be active year-round, with eggs, larvae, and adults present at once. The whitefly cannot live through freezing winters. Spring reinfestations in cold areas come from migrating whiteflies and from infested greenhouse-grown plants placed in the garden.

Solution

Apply an insecticide labeled for this pest, following label directions.

Close

Root and Stem Rot - Pelargonium (Geranium)

Image of Root and Stem Rot - Pelargonium (Geranium)
Root and Stem Rot
Description
Leaves turn yellow, wilt, and die. Stems may be soft and rotted, and the plant may be pulled out of the ground easily. The roots are dark and rotted.
Analysis

This disease is caused by any of several different fungi, also known as water molds, that live in the soil. These fungi thrive in waterlogged, heavy soil. Some of them attack the plant stems at the soil level, while others attack the roots. Infection causes the roots and stems to decay. This results in wilting, then leaf yellowing, and eventually the death of the plant. These fungi are generally spread by infected soil and transplants, contaminated equipment, and splashing or running water.

Solution

Allow the soil around the plants to dry out. Remove and discard severely infected plants. Avoid future root rot problems by planting in well-drained soil.

Close

Rust - Pelargonium (Geranium)

Image of Rust - Pelargonium (Geranium)
Rust
Description
Yellow spots appear on the leaves and stems. Reddish-brown spore pustules develop within the spots on the undersides of leaves. These pustules may be arranged in concentric circles. Severely infected leaves may turn yellow and drop prematurely.
Analysis

This plant disease is caused by a fungus (Puccinia pelargonii-zonalis). Wind and splashing water spread rust spores to healthy plants. After a leaf has been wet for 5 hours, the spores germinate, forming a spot and, several days later, a pustule. Rust generally does not kill the plant, but heavily infected plants may drop some leaves. The fungus survives only on living plant tissue and fresh plant debris. Wet conditions favor the development and spread of this disease.

Solution

Pick off and destroy infected leaves. Clean up plant debris. If possible, avoid wetting the foliage. Water early in the day to allow foliage to dry out quickly.

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