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 in 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 geraniums turn yellow and dry: possible causes
You will not be able to cope with the problem if you do not determine its source. Why do geraniums turn yellow and dry? The following reasons are likely:
- sunburn;
- lack of light;
- water scarcity;
- excess moisture;
- low temperature;
- pests;
- fungal diseases;
- tightness.
Each case deserves a more detailed consideration.
Sunburn
Why do geranium leaves turn yellow? A sunburn is one of the possible causes. In this case, the leaf plates first turn yellow and then whiten throughout the entire plant. Then follows their 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.
Suppose that sunburn is the source of the problem. What to do in a similar situation? In summer, the plant can be rearranged from the windowsill to the nightstand or table near the window. Thanks to this, the flower will not suffer from a lack of light and will not receive a burn.
Lack of light
Why do geranium leaves turn yellow if the source of the problem is not a sunburn? Lack of light is another likely cause. In this case, the lower leaves will gradually dry up 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 solution may be the use of phytolamps as additional sources of lighting. New leaves will not grow on the damaged stem. 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 the leaves of geranium turn yellow. A sign is a dry yellow border of a brownish tint. Pigmentation spreads throughout the plant.
Obviously, the solution to the problem in this case will be regular watering. We must not forget that in the warm season, the plant needs more moisture. To evaporate water from the pot more slowly, you can put geranium where the temperature is lower.
Excess water
Why do leaves of room geranium turn yellow? Not only 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 on 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 so, then the holes must be carefully released. In some cases, it is advisable to take care of transplanting geraniums into another pot.
Water the plant properly. If the pot is on a sunlit window sill, the topsoil can quickly dry out. This does not mean 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. This is conveniently done with a sushi stick or wooden skewer. The product should be lowered to the very bottom of the pot, leave for 10-15 minutes. Traces on unpainted wood will help determine the level of moisture in the ground. Watering the plant is necessary only when the soil in the tank dries out almost completely.
Low temperature
Why do geranium leaves turn yellow in winter? This is due to the low temperature of the contents. In this case, the border on them first turns red, then turns yellow and dries. The optimum temperature for the maintenance of this plant is 15-25 degrees. If the indicator falls below, the conditions cease to be comfortable. The combination of cold, damp and hot dry air coming from radiators is extremely dangerous for the flower. What to do?
- The easiest solution to the problem is to choose a place with normal humidity and acceptable temperature. However, this possibility does not always exist.
- The batteries under the window can be covered by a blanket or a thick towel. This allows you to cope with excessive dry air.
- A strip of foamed insulation will help protect the pot from cold glass. It is also allowed to use a foam plate, a cut of thick woolen fabric.
- It is advisable to place these same materials under a container with a plant. This will provide a comfortable environment for the root system.
What other actions can be taken if the low temperature of the content is the answer to the question of why the leaves of geranium 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 the geranium leaves turn yellow in the room? A threat to the plant is represented by pests: caterpillars, termites, spider mites, aphids. In this case, small yellow dots form on the leaves, which gradually grow in spots. On the shoots you can see sticky plaque or cobwebs. As a result, the leaves dry out. Almost any part of the plant can suffer from 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 you need to defeat the tracks. The whole plant should be exposed to 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, convenient to use. The granules spill out onto the soil, then the geranium is watered.
- Messenger. The composition of this drug contains plant proteins. It must be used in accordance with the instructions. It positively affects the natural immunity of the plant.
- Laundry soap. Many people prefer this folk remedy, which shows good results in the fight against pest.
Fungal diseases
Why do geranium leaves turn yellow at the edges? The reason for this is fungal diseases. Small spots gradually grow over the entire surface, whitish or gray deposits of 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 for the moment when the salvation of geraniums can no longer be considered. Any suitable systemic fungicide will help in the fight against fungus. Use the product strictly in accordance with the instructions.
A compact young plant can be dipped whole in the solution, while an adult large bush will have to be sprayed. It is necessary to ensure that all sheet plates are machined from the inside and outside. We must not forget that drops of the solution can delay 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 much 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 healthy branches, it remains only to throw the plant and soil out from under it. It is important not to forget that the pot should not be used immediately. First, you need to disinfect it with a strong solution of potassium permanganate or boiling water.
Tightness
Why do the edges of geranium leaves turn yellow? Crampedness is another possible cause of this problem. In this case, yellowing of the leaves starts from the edges, then it spreads to the entire surface. They dry up, only a bare trunk remains, roots emerge from the drainage hole. Obviously, counting on flowering is also not necessary.
All this happens due to the fact that the plant has become too large for its capacity. On average, geraniums need replanting about once every three to four years. However, a flower can grow faster if it is provided with high-quality nutrition 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, do not choose too large a capacity, otherwise this will slow down the flowering process. The root system will grow at the expense 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 describes why the leaves of geraniums turn yellow at home? What measures may be required to save the plant from death?
- You need to make sure that the pot is suitable in 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 the flower stalks in advance.
- The sunny windowsill is a wonderful place for geraniums. In the summer, the flower can be removed or take care of artificial dimming. It is important that the plant is not in a draft.
- Geranium should not be kept near heating appliances. Also, the flower should not come in contact with cold glass. If there are signs that the plant is suffering from a cold, you must move it as soon as possible.
- If the air in the room is too dry, a container of water or expanded clay can be placed next to the pot.
- Watering and feeding geraniums is an important part of taking care of it. The plant should receive plenty of water and minerals. However, it is impossible to overdo it, since an excess of water and mineral elements is as harmful as their lack.
The rules of the "golden mean" must adhere to all people who care for a flower at home. Mistakes made must be corrected on time.