KEN'S PRIZE-PELARGONIUMS ~ PROVADO

This is a plant of Erwarton showing discolouration of the foliage, caused by lower than average temperatures in the greenhouse. I find that quite a few of the Miniatures are affected by this, the darker leaf with a strong zone like Sussex Gem can go nearly black. This does not bother me as once the weather gets warmer, it will grow out and the plant will be back to normal.

The white growth in the picture was taken from a Bicolour Zonal. Just for a want of a better word I will call them 'GHOSTS'. I remove them as soon as I see them starting to form. They are not green and white so will lose points when that plant is judged.

The leaf below shows rust spores, I have been lucky and not seen any for a number of years in my greenhouses. This leaf was on a plant I bought from a nursery, luckily I keep any bought plants seperate for a few weeks. I removed this one leaf and sprayed with Dithane 945, this normally does the trick. By giving plants plenty of space in between them, and opening windows and doors whenever I can helps prevent rust. Also a fan to help circulate air is handy for those days, when the windows and doors cannot be opened.

If my plants are good they get a saucer of milk.

(IT IS PROVADO REALLY)

PROVADO

I use Provado as it is a systemic, and find it controls whitefly and greenfly well, so much so, that since using it I have not seen any pests on my plants.

A regular application of Epsom Salts helps combat magnesium deficiency and keeps foliage looking healthy. I find that Epsom Salts dissolve better in warm water.

Comments

20.05.2018 17:02

Joe connah

Hello ken,would you recommend a variety for making a fan for showing, would a dwarf scented leaf be any good.hope to see you at Hunmanby next month at the show.cheers vivien and Joe connah

21.05.2018 20:28

Ken

Hi Joe For a fan, would be better of using a strong growing angel like Cottenham Surprise, Captain Starlight or one of the Quantocks. If you use a scented leaf needs to be one that flowers well. Ken

24.06.2010 01:51

Yongman Lee

Very, Very, Very impressed with your pelargoniums!!
Thank you very much for your growing tips. Those are my blible!

21.06.2010 23:25

Sylvia Thompson(East Sx F & P Society)

Very impressed with your website, I have learnt a lot already, what ratio do you mix the Epsom salts and do you use it on the bi colour leafed varieties

22.08.2013 14:32

Julie Miles

Hello, I love your website these are my favorite indoor plants, what is the epsom salt amount I need her plant? thankyou Julie.

13.12.2009 13:02

Doreen Grant

Your hints and tips have become my Bible. I have printed them out and with their help hope to have much better plants in 2010

Latest comments

05.06 | 07:32

You're my no. 1 inspiration in the Pelargonium growing/showing world. Appreciation abundance, plus some! Your site has taught me more in a short period of time, than any other source or outlet.

16.04 | 21:49

Wow I love your plants ,beautiful ,I wish I could grow them that well in Australia

17.12 | 10:40

Hi Jacqueline, I do not cover the box as the cuttings will rot off in too much humidity. I only water them once they are nearly dry as not to overwater. Ken

15.12 | 18:58

Hi Ken. Thanks for the info. I would like to know, do you cover the box? How often do you ‘bottom’ water the cuttings?