Sometimes the leaves of indoor plants begin to turn yellow and dry. Illiterate care often becomes a provocateur. In this article, we will consider all the possible reasons and tell you what to do. But first, a few words about the plant itself.
Pelargonium, which we grow at home (mistakenly calling it geraniums), is a beautiful and unpretentious indoor plant in growing. It fits perfectly into the landscape design of the garden plot, as it feels good in street conditions. It is a wonderful decoration of the house, a vivid reminder of the summer. Sometimes the foliage of the “geranium” turns yellow at the edges. Gradually, the green dries, falls off, the appearance deteriorates greatly.
If you do not take care of the flowers in time, then they will die. For this reason, you need to study the standard mistakes in growing “geraniums” so that it always pleases with its appearance.
The main reasons for the yellowing of the leaves in “geraniums”
The main reasons for the appearance of yellowness:
- breeding conditions are violated;
- the capacity is incorrectly selected;
- excess or deficiency of fertilizers;
- illnesses;
- irregular watering.
For any reason, all yellow leaves must be removed, then correct the deficiencies in the care of the plant. If this does not help, a transplant into a new soil will be required. In this case, all roots need to be washed with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
Errors when caring for room geraniums
Illiterate care is the main reason that yellow leaves appear in geraniums. This plant is unpretentious in growing, but the basic rules for its development must be respected. Knowing common mistakes, it’s easier to understand what your favorite indoor flower needs.
Wrong capacity
The choice of a pot for pelargonium must be approached very carefully. Some novice growers in vain believe that the roots need a lot of space. But this is not suitable for all plants.
Indoor geraniums in a tight container will quickly fill the entire space with roots and the plant growth will slow down. As a result, the leaves will begin to turn yellow and dry. Using a very large flowerpot is also not an option. In a spacious pot, pelargonium will begin to intensively build up the root system, giving this process all its strength. For this reason, flowering will be delayed.
Over a large area, there is a risk of stagnation of moisture, which will lead to the development of rot.
Lack or excess of lighting
Pelargonium photophilous flower. It is better to place it on the windowsill, where there is enough light. A yellow fringing forms on the leaves in the shade, they will begin to dry out. But the direct rays of the sun are also fatal to pelargonium. Brown burns appear from them.
Too plentiful watering
Indoor geranium is a drought tolerant species, this should be considered when leaving. It is enough to water once a week. During hot summers, the frequency of hydration can be increased. The plant does not tolerate excess moisture. A characteristic feature is the appearance of yellowness on the foliage.
Lack of regular watering
Indoor geranium whimsical regarding watering. It does not tolerate a lack of moisture, it is bad for waterlogging. It is necessary to find a compromise: water the soil when it dries by 2.5 cm. If this is difficult to follow, then mulching the soil is a good option. For this, pine bark, peat, crushed stone, tea, moss, marble chips are suitable. The time between watering will increase, there will be no risk of the spread of rot, it will be possible to prevent yellowing of the leaves.
Incorrect soil
For the roots of the pelargonium to grow well, you need a special loose fertile earth mixture. It can be bought at the store. The soil collected in the yard or forest may be unsuitable for indoor geraniums, and will cause poor development and lack of flowering.
Also read the article on varieties of pelargonium and proper care for it.
High humidity
Not only the root system, but also the leaves are sensitive to excess water.
Do not spray on a plant from a spray bottle. This will adversely affect the color of the green, it may turn yellow.
Heat
Best indoor geranium grows at a temperature of +20 ° C. High degrees give yellow on the leaves. This is especially often the case in winter, when heating radiators heat the air near the windowsill on which the plant stands. With cooling, the development of pelargonium slows down, flowering is delayed. She is preparing for the withering away.
Lack of fertilizer
Active growth and rapid flowering require good nutrition. For this we need iron, phosphorus, potassium. Nutrients must be added regularly once a month. You can buy a universal mixture for indoor flowering plants with a low nitrogen content.
We recommend that you read an article about why pelargonium may not bloom in you.
Herbicide
With yellowing and drying of the leaves, room geraniums are likely to get chemicals, such as weed control preparations, on the plant. Pelargonium is sensitive to household hygiene and cosmetics - air fresheners, hair sprays.
Drafts
Often indoor geraniums are placed on window sills. Not surprisingly, this beautiful plant is always pleasing to the eye. But regular airing harms the appearance of pelargonium. The leaves begin to turn yellow and dry, gradually everything falls off. Correct the situation by choosing a place without wind.
Poor drainage or lack thereof
To drain excess moisture from the root system, the pot must have a drainage layer. In its absence, the process of decay begins, which gradually destroys the entire plant. Its beginning can be determined by the leaves. They begin to turn yellow for no apparent reason.
Diseases and Pests
If with good competent care, the leaves of the geranium still turn yellow, then the cause may be diseases of indoor plants.
Gray rot
Pathogen: Botrytis cinerea (Botritis gray). Lives in soil from one to two years. It spreads in the wind, with land, water, and other infected plants.
Causes:
- moisture stagnation:
- high humidity;
- excessive spraying;
- a large amount of nitrogen in the soil;
- poor ventilation.
The disease is characterized by damage to the foliage. Plots with velvety deposits and brown spots form on it. Most of all, the disease affects the lower leaves.
Ambulance: treatment with fungicides (Fundazol, Vitaros).
Rhizoctonia rot
Pathogen: Rhizoctonia solani. Infection occurs through the soil.
Causes:
- excessive number of top dressings;
- exceeding the permissible temperature of the content;
- excess moisture;
- light deficit;
- poor ventilation
- a difference of 6 ... 8 ° C between the temperature of the soil and the surrounding air.
The disease affects the roots and stems of the plant, indented spots appear on the stem. A fungus begins to spread along them (to a height of no more than 25 cm).
Ambulance: cessation of irrigation and treatment with fungicides (Fundazol, Vitaros, Rovral).
Alternariosis
Pathogen: Alternaria alternata. Infection occurs through the soil, especially under greenhouse conditions (warm and humid).
The reason is high humidity.
Yellow and brown spots with a light center appear on the leaves. With high humidity, they are covered with dark velvet. Most often, the disease affects zonal pelargonium.
Ambulance: treatment with fungicides (Skor, Ridomil Gold, Rovral).
Verticillus wilting
Pathogens: Verticillium dahliae and albo-atrum. Lives in the ground up to 15 years. Infection occurs through damaged roots, when rooting cuttings.
The disease is especially active in the summer, with warm weather and rapid drying of the soil.
Starts with yellowing of the lower leaves. In the future, the disease covers the entire plant. In a severe case, pelargonium must be thrown out along with the ground.
Ambulance: maintaining proper soil moisture and treatment with fungicides (Fundazol, Vitaros, Rovral).
Rust
Pathogen: Puccinia pelargonii-zonalis. It is transmitted through other affected plants with water and through the air.
You can determine the onset of the disease by brown points on the stem. Then the leaves begin to turn yellow. Gradually they all fall off.
Ambulance: reducing air humidity, stopping spraying, getting rid of diseased leaves, treatment with fungicides (Topaz).
If yellowing room geraniums need to inspect the plant, it may have been attacked by parasites. They rarely affect pelargonium, since a strong specific smell repels them.
Pelargonium is usually annoyed by whiteflies. She lives and lays larvae under a flower. If the pest colony grows to a large size, then the leaves turn yellow or become brown. You can see the whitefly with the naked eye. It is up to 3 mm in size with white wings.
When the geranium leaves begin to turn yellow and curl inward, this is an invasion of aphids. Getting rid of her is difficult, but real. To do this, all affected parts of the plant are removed, and then they are treated with Fitoverm or Mospilan.
We recommend reading an article about why leaves can curl and dry near room geraniums and what to do about it.
Mr. Summer resident informs: ambulance for geraniums and prevention
Indoor geranium with yellowed leaves can be saved. Tips for quick relief of pelargonium:
- when transplanting, inspect the roots for rot, disease damage, if damaged, wash with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, completely change the soil;
- in autumn and winter, a flower pot is placed further from the radiators; it can be taken out onto a glazed balcony (if the temperature there does not drop below +12 ° C);
- watered with soft water, defend it for a long time and add a pinch of citric acid or lemon juice (3-4 drops);
- constantly inspected for damage by insects, fungi, timely take measures to get rid;
- choose the soil in the store, it is a universal soil for indoor plants;
- when the air is dry, they do not moisten pelargonium from the atomizer, it is best to put a cup of water or wet expanded clay next to it;
- regularly fed, as the flower is sensitive to the absence of nutrients (choose complex fertilizers in the store);
- so that pelargonium bloomed magnificently, pruning is done in the spring, leaving several shoots;
- if the plant extends in one direction, the pot is turned to the sunny side with different sides;
- before watering, loosen the soil, the root system of the pelargonium needs oxygen;
- in winter, they carefully watch so that the leaves do not touch the cold glass, from this they dry, turn yellow and fall prematurely;
- on a hot summer day, on the sunny side, the window is obscured by a sheet of paper or a piece of gauze;
- if the window sill is cold in winter, to warm the roots, lay a kitchen stand under the pot made of wood, a towel, a woolen cloth in several layers under the pot;
- if there is no drainage layer in the pot with geraniums, and the transplant will not be soon, then regularly pierce the earth in several places with a hot spoke;
- in winter, they cover the batteries with a damp thick towel, this will get rid of the increased room temperature and too dry air for pelargonium on the windowsill;
- A good pot for room geranium is a ceramic pot. Porous clay passes air, excess water evaporates faster, air enters the root system.
Green beautiful leaves of pelargonium indicate plant health and proper care. A discoloration indicates illness, pests, or bugs.
