Fragrant geranium enjoys a well-deserved reputation as a home healer on the windowsill. This plant without whims refers to the choice of place of residence, unpretentious care. However, the owners of this democratic flower still face certain problems. Why do geranium leaves turn yellow and how to deal with it? The answers to these questions are contained in the article.
Why do geranium leaves turn yellow and dry: possible reasons
You can't deal with a problem if you don't identify the source. Why do geranium leaves turn yellow and dry? The following reasons are likely:
- sunburn;
- lack of light;
- lack of water;
- overabundance of moisture;
- low temperature content;
- pests;
- fungal diseases;
- tightness.
Each case deserves more detailed consideration.
Sunburn
Why do geranium leaves turn yellow?Sunburn is one possible cause. In this case, the leaf plates first turn yellow, and then turn white throughout the entire plant. Next comes drying. Geranium is a photophilous plant, but there is a limit to everything. In the warm season, the temperature on the windowsills can exceed 40 degrees.
Let's assume sunburn is the source of the problem. What to do in such a situation? In summer, the plant can be rearranged from the windowsill to a nightstand or table near the window. Thanks to this, the flower will not suffer from a lack of light and will not get burned.
Lack of light
Why do geranium leaves turn yellow if sunburn isn't the source of the problem? Lack of light is another likely cause. In this case, the lower leaves will gradually dry out and turn yellow, the stem will stretch. The plant will bloom little and rarely.
If the lack of light is the source of the problem, it is best to find a more suitable place for the geranium. The plant can be rearranged closer to the light. Also, the use of phytolamps as additional sources of lighting can be a way out. A damaged stem will not grow new leaves. The solution to the problem will be cutting cuttings and rooting.
Lack of moisture
Lack of water is another possible answer to the question of why geranium leaves turn yellow. A sign is a yellow dry border of a brownish tint. Pigmentation spreads throughoutplant.
Obviously, regular watering will be the solution to the problem in this case. We must not forget that in the warm season the plant needs more moisture. To make the water from the pot evaporate more slowly, you can put the geranium where the temperature is lower.
Too much water
Why do room geranium leaves turn yellow? Not only the lack of moisture is harmful to the plant. An excess of water also has a destructive effect on it. In this case, the leaves turn yellow at the tops of the shoots, then become watery, lethargic. The final part is the drying of the leaves, the decay of the stem.
First of all, you should make sure that the plant is not watered too often. Next, you need to make sure that the drainage holes are not filled with overgrown roots and debris. If this is the case, then the holes must be carefully released. In some cases, it is advisable to take care of transplanting geraniums into another pot.
Watering the plant must be done correctly. If the pot is on a sun-drenched windowsill, the topsoil can dry out quickly. This does not mean at all that it is time to water the geranium. You must first pick the ground and find out what happens below the level of the crust. It is convenient to do this with a sushi stick or a wooden skewer. The product should be lowered to the very bottom of the pot, left for 10-15 minutes. Marks on unpainted wood will help determine the level of moisture in the ground. It is necessary to water the plant only when the soil in the container dries out almostcompletely.
Low temperature content
Why do geranium leaves turn yellow in winter? This happens due to the low temperature of the content. In this case, the border on them first turns red, then turns yellow and dries. The optimum temperature for keeping this plant is 15-25 degrees. If the indicator drops below, the conditions are no longer comfortable. The combination of cold, dampness and hot dry air coming from heating radiators is extremely dangerous for a flower. What to do?
- The easiest solution to the problem is to choose a place with normal humidity and an acceptable temperature. However, this possibility does not always exist.
- The batteries under the window can be covered with a blanket or a thick towel. This allows you to cope with excessive dryness of the air.
- A strip of foam insulation will help protect the pot from cold glass. It is also allowed to use a foam plate, a piece of thick woolen fabric.
- The same materials should be placed under the container with the plant. This will provide comfortable conditions for the root system.
What else can be done if the low temperature of the content is the answer to the question of why the leaves of geraniums turn yellow. What to do, how to protect the plant? It should be placed on the windowsill so that the cold glass does not come into contact with leaves and shoots.
Pests
Why do geranium leaves turn yellow in the room? The threat to the plant is pests: caterpillars, termites, spider mites, aphids. In this case, the leavessmall yellow dots are formed, which gradually grow in spots. On the shoots you can see a sticky coating or cobwebs. As a result, the leaves dry up. Almost any part of the plant can be affected by pests. How to deal with this problem?
- Aspirin. With it, you can get rid of almost all types of insects. It is necessary to dissolve one tablet of the drug in eight liters of water. Treat affected areas daily.
- Monterey. This tool is effective when it is necessary to defeat the caterpillars. The entire plant should be treated with a solution of the drug. The procedure is repeated once a week.
- Marathon. With this tool, it is easy to defeat aphids. It does not require dilution with water, it is convenient to use. The pellets are poured onto the soil, then the geranium is watered.
- Messenger. The composition of this drug contains vegetable proteins. It must be used in accordance with the instructions. It has a positive effect on the natural immunity of the plant.
- Laundry soap. Many prefer this folk remedy, which shows good results in pest control.
Fungal diseases
Why do geranium leaves turn yellow around the edges? The reason for this is fungal diseases. Small spots gradually grow over the entire surface, whitish or gray mold may form. This is followed by drying of the leaf plates, the fungus covers the entire flower.
The sooner you start treatment, the better results you can expect. Otherwise, you can wait until the moment when saving the geranium is out of the question. Any suitable systemic fungicide will help in the fight against the fungus. The product must be used strictly in accordance with the instructions.
A compact young plant can be dipped in the solution as a whole, while an adult large bush will have to be sprayed. It is necessary to ensure that all sheet plates are processed from the inside and outside. We must not forget that drops of the solution can retain the villi, which does not allow it to reach the green mass.
Heavily infected shoots
The effectiveness of the fight against fungal diseases is higher, the earlier the necessary actions are taken. What if the geranium is completely affected (the fungus has covered the stem). In this case, it is too late to use fungicides.
It remains only to identify shoots that are not badly affected by the fungus. They must be carefully cut with a blade or a sterile knife, and then try to root. If there are no he althy branches left, it remains only to throw out the plant and the soil from under it. It is important not to forget that the pot cannot be used immediately. First, it must be disinfected with a strong solution of potassium permanganate or boiling water.
Tightness
Why do the edges of geranium leaves turn yellow? Crowding is another possible cause of this problem. In this case, the yellowing of the leaves starts from the edges, then it spreads to the entire surface. They dry uponly a bare trunk remains, roots peek out of the drainage hole. Obviously, flowering is also not to be expected.
All this happens because the plant has become too big for its capacity. On average, geraniums need to be repotted about once every three to four years. However, the flower can grow faster if it is provided with high-quality top dressing and good care. First of all, this is true for young plants.
There is only one way out, and it consists in transplanting geraniums. However, you should not choose too large a capacity, otherwise it will slow down the flowering process. The root system will grow to the detriment of buds and foliage. It is also important not to forget that it is impossible to feed the plant in the first three months after transplantation. This time is required for its acclimatization.
How to save a plant
The above talks about why geranium leaves turn yellow at home? What measures may be required to save the plant from death?
- You need to make sure that the pot is the right size, has good drainage. If necessary, the plant is transplanted into a more suitable container. If this happens during flowering, it is important to cut off all flower stalks in advance.
- A sunny window sill is a great place for geraniums. In the summer, the flower can be removed or artificial shading can be taken care of. It is important that the plant is not in a draft.
- Geranium should not be kept near heaters. Also the flower is notmust be in contact with cold glass. If there are signs that the plant is suffering from cold, it should be moved as soon as possible.
- If the air in the room is too dry, you can place a container of water or expanded clay next to the pot.
- Watering and feeding geraniums is an important part of caring for them. The plant should receive plenty of water and minerals. However, one should not overdo it, since an excess of water and mineral elements is just as harmful as their lack.
The rules of the "golden mean" should be followed by all people who care for a flower at home. Mistakes must be corrected in time.
