This is a geranium that is in a pot that's sitting on a deck table on the south side of our house.
These are geraniums that are planted in a garden bed in the middle of the yard.Why are the potted geranium's leaves almost all maroon in color while the ones in the garden are green as you would expect them to be?
The one on the deck gets maybe a little less sunlight each day, but not a whole lot less than the ones growing in the bed.
Anybody wanna explain this to me?
11 comments:
Well whatever the reason, they are beautiful! Mother Nature is fickle?
Perhaps the roots of the one on the table are getting chilly in your crisp weather.
I'm guessing it's the composition of the soil. Different levels of nutrients/chemicals may affect the pigmentation of the foliage. Just a guess, tho. Did you use a potting soil for the container plant? Beautiful flowers, regardless!
I'm going for coldness in the pot or lack of nutrients in the soil. Either way---very pretty!
I'm thinking along the lines of DaBeardedOne, my potted ones do this too sometimes - although I guess the soil argument is equally valid! Enjoy them regardless - do you winter them over? I did this for the first time last year, just chopped them off to the nubs and brought them inside in a sunny window and they started growing again! No flowers over the winter but lush green foliage and they started flowering again when I brought them back outside in the Spring.
I haven't the faintest idea ... LOL. I like both color leaves.
Yvette
Thanks, Apple Pie Gal!
DaBearded One - I hadn't thought of that!
Jo - I was given the potted geranium as a gift, but I'm suspecting the medium it's potted in isn't chock full of nutritents because the pot is very light and doesn't hold water well.
Sue - Methinks it's time I repotted the potted one (in better soil) and brought it inside.
Erin - I've never brought geraniums in but with your description of how to do it, I'm gonna give it a try this year! Thanks!
Yvette - Now there's an honest woman!! ;o)
My guess is a combination of things, which is causing stress. It's probably root-bound, probably used up most of the nutrients in the soil (unless you fertilize it a lot) and the cold theory goes right with it. It does look fabulous though!
It looks like a phosphorous deficiency which will show up as a purplish coloring of leaves and stems. In addition to low levels occuring in the potting medium, cool temperatures can affect phosphorous absorption. Even if a slow release fertilizer had been mixed into the potting medium it could be used up by now as most last only about 4 months in the presence of moisture and heat. If you repot it, fertilize it with something containing phosphorous (the middle number in a fertilizer analysis such as 10-10-10) and bring it into warmer conditions the new leaves will be normal color again.
Kaytee and Karen - Yup, sounds as if my poor potted geranium needs some serious help! Thanks for all the info. It's appreciated.
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