Pelargoniums are beautiful and gorgeous; grow a pot on your balcony and mosquitoes and insects won't dare come near.

Pelargonium, also known as zonal geranium, mosquito-repellent grass, and butterfly geranium, has a very eye-catching name, and the flowers it produces are even more charming and moving: pink flowers are delicate and shy, bright red ones are gorgeous, purple ones are charming. Just a few plants create a scene of brilliant colors, making them a top choice little charmer for courtyards and balconies.

Pelargoniums are highly adaptable and relatively easy to grow. Just pay attention to the following points regarding fertilizer:

During the flowering period, apply light fertilizer frequently.

The root system of pelargoniums is relatively shallow, so do not apply too much fertilizer at once, to avoid damaging the roots. Their flowering period is from May to July, so in advance you need to give them phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, such as monopotassium phosphate, once or twice a month, to supplement the nutrients needed for flowering. Do not fertilize during the flowering period. After the flowers fade, promptly prune the spent flowers, then apply a multi-element organic fertilizer to replenish the nutrients consumed by flowering.

If you want more flowers, you also need to pay attention to whether there is sufficient light.

If light is insufficient for a long time, the plant's flowering stems are prone to leggy growth, fewer buds are produced, and the flowers that do bloom are thin, weak, and sparse, not in good condition.

Fertilizing during the growing period

During the growing period of pelargoniums, applying a mixed fertilizer once or twice a month is enough. You can use your own fermented cake fertilizer or organic fertilizer, or use three or four granules of compound fertilizer dissolved in a bottle of water, applying light fertilizer frequently. Usually pay attention to pruning and pinching off the tips to avoid leggy growth of the flowering stems. In summer, be sure to pay attention to the air permeability of the soil in the flowerpot, to avoid root rot caused by high humidity and high temperatures.

Frequent pruning and pinching off the tips can encourage pelargoniums to branch more on the sides. With many side branches, there will be many flowers, and they can bloom into a large flower ball, very beautiful.

Watering

When the weather is clear, water evaporates quickly and the potting soil dries quickly, so you may need to water once every two or three days, and sometimes every day; if the air humidity is relatively high, then reduce watering. When half of the potting soil is dry, just water thoroughly directly. The root system of pelargoniums is generally relatively shallow, all in the upper layer of the potting soil, so do not let them go without water for long periods. Lack of water will lead to dry leaves, yellow leaves, and malnutrition.

The pelargonium branches you prune off can also be used for cuttings, which root very easily and grow into a robust little seedling.

However, pelargoniums have a special scent that many flower lovers dislike. Growing a pot on the balcony, this scent can have a pest-repellent effect.