General Luga (latch. Geranium pratense) is a hardy perennial plant that can grow in our gardens for several years, in a variety of places. Meadow geranium should not be confused with balcony geranium.
Meadow geranium is a local plant that can be found in Eurasia in wild meadows, often in the mountains. It is widespread even in Asia. Its European origin makes this perennial a decorative plant, very well adapted to our climate. Meadow geranium exists in many varieties, one more beautiful than another, and it can be used differently, since its cultivation is very simple.
Appearance
For geraniums, rounded, varyed from lobed to palchto-divided leaves, some of which also have a beautiful yellow or red autumn color and aromatic smell. Cupshaped flowers are white, pink, raspberry, purple or blue all possible shades. The plant reaches a height of 30 to 80 centimeters, blooms from May to August.
The stems are straight, sometimes spreading, but not rooting in the knot. These stems have opposite, longgrade leaves with an pubescent palm sheet with a length and a width of 6 to 11 cm, very finely chopped. This foliage changes color coloring to very beautiful in autumn.
Where it grows
Depending on the type and variety, geraniums can grow in the shade, partial shade or in the full sun. There are species for dry, wet or even swampy soils. Many geranium varieties are well suited for planting to trees or are good on the edge of the tree.
Breeding
Meadow geranium, like its garden varieties, is easy to grow, they are suitable for a variety of cultivation conditions. Requires full sun, or partial shade, but allows a wide PH range in the ground and soil types. The only thing that can limit geranium growth is the soil that will be wet for a long period of time. Geranium does not like waterlogging. Therefore, it flourishes on any slightly drained and moderately fertile soil. Wild forms or singleflowered varieties have a certain tendency to spontaneous germination. If this bothers you, it is better to cut the plant as soon as it ends flowering. In fact, if you cut it in midJuly, it sometimes blooms again in August and September.
Perennial geranium can be used in all types of flower beds, as filling the space between roses, as well as in mixed borders, where neighbors will not drown out. If you have a wet climate, it is better to plant in the spring; If it is quite dry, you can transplant in the fall. Plants purchased in a garden center during flowering should be watered weekly during the summer.
Generals are best placed in small groups of 10-15 plants, which will later grow. The distance when planting geranium to other perennials should be from 30 to 50 cm.
If you want to plant geranium, you should first prepare the soil well. Weeds at the future planting should be removed, and loosened the soil in a large area, deep into the level of the shovel. Now dig a landing pit for every geranium. Carefully remove the perennial from the pot, loosen the root lump with your fingers and place geraniums in the ground. Perennials should sit at the same soil level as in the flowerpot. Now fill the landing pit with a substrate, slightly press everything around, and then pour abundantly.
If you place geraniums in buckets or trays for plants, in addition to good water drainage, there should be a drainage layer to avoid closing the earth. Layer of expanded clay, gravel, larger stones or sand with a height of 5 to 10 cm allows you to quickly drain excess water after watering or rain.
Care and pruning
Autumn is a suitable time to trim geranium. The foliage begins to fade and completely die in late autumn. For aesthetic reasons and in order to avoid fungal infections, it is advisable to cut out the dead leaves. As an alternative, leave the foliage as winter protection until early spring and cut off immediately before new growth.
Common pests and diseases
Geranium does not require much attention. Perennials are strong and little susceptible to diseases. However, in the humid years and geraniums, powdery mildew can occur. But the greatest harm to the geraniums can be caused by leafeating pests. These include leaf bugs, grape weevils and various larvae.
Is herand to be resilient
Most geraniums are hardy. However, depending on the type of frost resistance, it differs significantly. For example, while the meadow geranium can withstand temperatures up to40 ° C, some delicate hybrid varieties withstand temperatures no higher than12 ° C. Therefore, pay attention to the requirements of your plant and, if necessary, cover sensitive varieties with a protective layer of leaves.
Therapeutic properties
Meadow geraniums are collected during flowering, usually from June to the beginning of autumn. The roots are harvested in late autumn, after the aboveground part. During this period, many useful substances accumulate in them. Raw materials are dried under a canopy or indoor with good ventilation. Store blanks in fabric bags or in a glass jar in a dark place. Shelf life should not exceed one year.
Meadow geranium can be used fresh.
The chemical composition of meadow colors is unique. Plants contain a large number of vitamins, tannins, antacids, essential oils, flavonoids. The aboveground part contains many trace elements such as manganese, copper, zinc, nickel, etc. The amount of useful substances can vary it depends on the composition of the soil, the place of the growth of geranium. Essential oil is obtained from the plant. It has a specific aroma. It is used not only in medicine, but also in perfumes.
Indications and contraindications
Knowing the healing properties of geraniums and contraindications, one can treat a variety of pathologies. This plant helps the following ailments:
In case of violation of the menstrual cycle: abundant and long periods are treated with geraniums. Externally, the plant is used for alopecia, boils and ulcers, anal cracks, joint diseases, tonsillitis, stomatitis. Before taking infusions and decoctions, it is necessary not only to learn about the healing properties and contraindications of Geranium Lugovoi, but also consult a doctor.>
This plant cannot be consumed by those who have problems with blood coagulation drugs for thrombosis, thrombophlebitis and other pathologies are prohibited. Also, heraens should not be taken with a reduced intestinal tone, with constipation, gastritis with an increased level of acidity.
Doctors do not recommend taking decoctions and infusions of nursing women and during pregnancy to children.
Application
Geranium flowers affect the body differently. Essential oil and other elements contained in the plant have painkillers, contribute to healing of wounds, relieve inflammation, itching. Essential oil is detrimental to many pathogenic microorganisms, so the plant is attributed to the antibacterial effect.
Geranium is used as a hemostatic, wound healing, disinfecting, astringent agent. Successfully use plant products for hemorrhoids and uterine bleeding, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Like any other plant, geranium is used only as prescribed by a doctor.
Various drugs are produced from plants of the steppe geranium tinctures, decoctions for internal and external use. To prepare a decoction, you need to take one and a half teaspoon of the roots and pour 1.5 t. water. This is put on fire, boiling twenty minutes. The resulting product is taken during the day in small sips. This broth is recommended for diarrhea caused by a variety of causes, including dysentery.
Also, the product has a positive effect on the body during salts, nasal bleeding. Another decoction is prepared for external use. This tool is used for sore throat, pathologies of the upper respiratory tract, for rinsing the mouth, for washing the hair when they fall out, from dermatitis, seborrhea, with wounds and ulcers. To prepare a decoction, take two tablespoons of herbs and pour a halfliter of water. The product is boiled for fifteen minutes, after which they insist for an hour.
Various infusions from geranium help. To prepare them, you need to take two tablespoons of herbs and pour two glasses of water (it must be boiled and cool).
Recipes of traditional medicine
According to the description of geranium, the meadow has a hemostatic effect, and also helps in the treatment of cancer patients. Scientists conducted a number of experiments, during which it was found that this plant shows good results in the treatment of malignant pathologies. Plant roots are used to treat tumors. They make a decoction: thirty grams of raw materials are poured with two glasses of water and boiled for half an hour. The cooled agent is taken one tablespoon twice a day. Helps in the treatment of various diseases infusion of herbs. To prepare it, you will need two tablespoons of chopped greens and a glass of boiling water. The raw materials are evaporated, then insisted until completely cooled. Taken by spoon every two hours.
To treat pressure, you need to take a tablespoon of grass and pour a glass of boiling water. The product is infused for eight hours, after which it is filtered and accepted by a third of a glass. The infusion is taken at any time, regardless of eating. In homemade medicine, even indoor pelargonium is used, but only strictly according to the doctor’s testimony. Selfmedication can lead to serious consequences. So be careful.
