Ivy leafed geranium/pelargonium

23 years ago

I'm hoping someone will be able to clear up a few queries I have.

About 4 months ago I bought several pelargoniums in plastic pots. I repotted them into terracotta pots using ordinary (not premium) potting mix. Two of the repotted plants have flowered again and neither is the original colour I purchased. Another, a pink one called Patricia (I think this goes by another name as well) seems to be the original colour but possibly slightly darker. One of the two whose colours changed is called Tom Boy, and it was a very dark burgundy colour. It turned more puce/red/dark pink. I planted some cuttings of Tom Boy in a premium potting mix. One cutting has since flowered with a darker, closer to the original colour flower.

The other plant (don't know it's name) was originally a fairly pure red but turned puce.

In addition I have about 8 pots of ivy geraniums in plastic hanging baskets which I purchased as punnets. The pale pink seem true to the picture but the ones that were supposed to be red are puce/dark pink. These 8 geraniums are also in ordinary potting mix - I thought they weren't fussy about the soil.

It's pretty obvious that the soil has influenced the change of colour. I know about soil influencing colours of hydrangeas - is it the same with geraniums?

Does anyone have any ideas about what I might need to add to the soil to change the flower colour? I don't really want to have to repot them all!

Another query - The leaves of one of my nice double pelargoniums gradually turned yellow and now I think the plant has died. This seems to be happening to another one now - any ideas? It's in ordinaary potting mix in a terracotta pot and gets regular watering but dries out in between.

Hope someone can help. Thanks.

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Comments (9)

annabel__WA
23 years ago
Soil does affect colour, even in garden plants, and the amount/type of fertiliser too. I noticed the other night that Fi from Groundforce said that terracotta pots need to be sealed on the inside first because they are so porous. Cuttings often grow tops before good root systems and this may be what happened to yours. I speak from experience! But why there should be such a colour change in reflowering plants beats me.
Big_Hanno
23 years ago
Amelie, when buying potting mix try and stay with certified mixes, eitheir regular or premium as long as they have the standards logo (tick) on them you know that they meet the minimum standard for potting mixes. Without the logo it's really a lucky dip.
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Thanks Joe, some good suggestions there. I definitely agree with you about ivy geraniums looking good even without water. I tossed some big cuttings onto a pile of nothing and somehow they rooted and are even blooming!! They've been there since early this year and I gave them NO water all year. Except for the rain (what little of it we've had), they are thriving. I have some planted all along a retaining wall at the base of roses and they look terrific once they get going. I can just stick a cutting into dry soil, give it a little water and then forget about it, and it will take root and grow and bloom. Yet, they are not invasive at all. A great plant for easy care and lots of color. Can't believe I didn't think about Helichrysum. I grew it years ago in a too-shady spot and have been wanting to grow it again in a sunnier spot. This spot on the slope would be perfect because it does get some shade beneath a tree until the sun is high and the 'Limelight' variety would be very showy. It looks nice weaving among other plants, like it did when I grew it with the peppermint scented geranium years ago. I will also research and consider your other suggestions. Thanks! Jen
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Amelie
Original Author
23 years ago
Thanks for the responses.
I'm sure that my cutting flowered before it developed roots.
The potting mixes I always use are brand names (Yates,Searles etc) not 'own brand' or unbranded. Depending on what I'm planting I buy regular or premium.
I was hoping someone, possibly a geranium fancier, might be able to tell me something specific I could add to the soil.
Anna_B
23 years ago
You could try adding a dose of potash once a week (twice a week if in pots), this is supposed to improve the colour.

About the yellowing of the leaves, this sounds like the disease rust. Sounds a bit late to save one of the plants but it can spread to the others. Try spraying with a fungicide.

There is a Pelargonium & Geranium Society in Qld. and it might be an idea to contact them and find out if they are having an exhibition during the year. They will always be able to give you good advice.

C/- 23 Jude St, Bracken Ridge, Qld, 4017. Ph: (07) 3202 6854.
Amelie
Original Author
23 years ago
Thanks for the advice Anna. Yes, I think I will contact the Pelargonium & Geranium Society. I actually bought some of my plants from their exhibition a few months ago.
Amelie
Original Author
23 years ago
thanks for your good advice Peter r
mexican_cottage
21 years ago
dear amelie My candy striped ivy leaf pelargonium often comes out with different coloured flowers on the same plant though I have noticed that white pelargoniums [or the white stripes]will turn pink under heat/frost stress or when the potting mix is depleted.
jancol04
21 years ago
Hi Amelie,
try joan@ozgeraniums.com, (I'm not sure if there is a au after com or not but there is a website) She may be able to help you. Jan
lynnew_oneseniors_com_au
15 years ago
Hi! just wondering where did you get your 'Tomboy' pelargonium as I have been searching for one for awhile now.

Thanks Lynne

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.au.gardenweb.com

Ivy leafed geranium/pelargonium

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annabel__WA

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Ivy leafed geranium/pelargonium

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