Geranium Pelargonium Precision Red Ice = 'Sil Chris' (Precision Series)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Pelargonium Precision Red Ice, commonly known as geranium, is a strikingly beautiful plant featuring a lush display of vibrant flowers and attractive foliage. The flowers of this particular geranium boast a rich, deep red hue with a unique pattern of lighter, almost ice-like streaks or marks, giving rise to the name 'Red Ice'. The blooms come together in rounded clusters perched above the greenery, creating a vivid contrast that is eye-catching in any garden setting. The foliage of this geranium is equally impressive, with leaves that are rounded and have a soft, velvety texture. The green of the leaves is a rich, deep tone, which may have darker zones or patterns, providing a perfect backdrop that further enhances the brilliance of the red flowers. Overall, the geranium presents as a compact and bushy plant, forming a mound of color and texture that is captivating. It is both picturesque and sturdy, with a robust quality that is typical of the Precision series geraniums. It flourishes best when given ample sunlight and is cherished by gardeners for its ornamental value and continuous blooming ability.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Geraniaceae.
- Synonyms
  Precision Red Ice Geranium, Zonal Geranium.
- Common names
  Pelargonium Precision Red Ice = 'Sil Chris' (Precision Series).
Toxicity
- To humans
  Geraniums, which include the Pelargonium Precision Red Ice, are not considered highly toxic to humans. However, ingestion of geraniums can sometimes cause minor symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is generally advised to avoid eating any parts of the plant, but accidental ingestion typically does not result in severe poisoning.
- To pets
  Geraniums can be toxic to pets, especially cats and dogs. If a pet ingests any part of a geranium, they may exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, anorexia, depression, and dermatitis. In severe cases, geranium poisoning might lead to kidney failure, especially in cats. Pet owners should prevent their animals from chewing on or ingesting this plant. If you suspect your pet has ingested geranium, you should contact a veterinarian immediately.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Annuals
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Red
- Height
  1-1.5 feet (30-45 cm)
- Spread
  1-1.5 feet (30-45 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  10
- Native area
  South Africa

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attractive Foliage: The Pelargonium, commonly known as Geranium, features lush green leaves that complement its vibrant blooms.
- Vivid Blooms: Precision Red Ice Geraniums boast eye-catching red flowers with a distinctive pattern, adding a splash of color to any garden or landscape.
- Drought Tolerant: Geraniums are known for their ability to withstand dry conditions, making them ideal for areas with low rainfall or for gardeners who prefer low-maintenance plants.
- Easy to Grow: They are relatively easy to cultivate, thriving in a variety of soil types and requiring minimal care once established.
- Long Blooming Season: Geraniums have a lengthy flowering period, providing color and interest from spring to fall.
- Compact Growth: The Precision Series, including Red Ice, is bred for a neat, compact habit, making them suitable for containers, hanging baskets, and small garden beds.
- Attracts Pollinators: Geranium flowers can attract butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects to the garden, promoting biodiversity.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Insect repellant properties: Some geraniums, including the Pelargonium Precision Red Ice, can emit a fragrance that is unappealing to certain insects, potentially reducing the number of pests in the area.
- Companion planting: This geranium can be used in garden beds to help deter pests from more vulnerable plants, thanks to its insect-repelling scent.
- Homemade potpourri: Dried leaves and flowers of the Pelargonium Precision Red Ice can be added to potpourri mixes for a fragrant home accessory.
- Culinary decoration: Edible flowers of some Pelargonium species can be used to embellish desserts and drinks, though one should always confirm the specific variety's edibility.
- Photography: With its vibrant red blooms, it serves as an excellent subject for botanical photography and art.
- Aromatherapy: The pleasant scent of the flowers and leaves can be used in aromatherapy for creating a relaxing atmosphere.
- Art and crafts: The flowers can be used in pressed flower projects or to create natural dyes for fabrics or papers.
- Gifting: A potted Pelargonium Precision Red Ice makes for a beautiful living gift that can be appreciated for its aesthetic appeal.
- Teaching tool: It can be used in educational settings to teach about plant growth, pollination, and horticulture practices.
- Mood enhancement: The sight and smell of flowering Pelargoniums have been known to contribute to an improved mood and ambiance in living spaces and gardens.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The plant Pelargonium is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The plant Pelargonium is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Stability: The Precision Red Ice Pelargonium, often referred to as Geranium, can represent stability because of its sturdy growth and reliable blooming pattern.
- Comfort: Geraniums are commonly found in home gardens and are known for their cozy and comforting presence, symbolizing a sense of familiarity and solace.
- Good Health: The bright flowers and pleasant scent are often associated with vitality and good health, making them a perfect gift to wish someone well.
- Friendship: With its long-lasting nature and easy-to-share cuttings, the Geranium symbolizes enduring friendship and the sharing of life's pleasures.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The geranium should be watered deeply once the topsoil feels dry to the touch, which typically translates to about once a week. However, during hotter periods, it may require more frequent watering, possibly twice a week. Ensure that the plant is watered thoroughly, allowing excess water to drain away to prevent root rot. An inch or two of water is a good rule of thumb for each watering session. Adjust the quantity based on the size of the plant; larger plants might require up to a gallon, while smaller ones may only need a few ounces.
Light
Geraniums thrive in bright, indirect sunlight, so placing them in a spot where they can receive about 4 to 6 hours of sunlight daily is ideal. Avoid direct midday sun, which can scorch the leaves, so a position with morning sunlight or filtered afternoon sun is optimal.
Temperature
Geraniums prefer temperatures between 65°F and 75°F during the day, and they can tolerate nighttime temperatures down to around 50°F. They should not be exposed to temperatures below freezing, and extreme heat above 90°F can also be detrimental. Maintaining them within this temperature range will promote healthy growth.
Pruning
Pruning geraniums encourages bushier growth and more blooms. Deadhead spent flowers and prune back leggy stems, ideally in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Pinching off the growing tips can also promote a more compact shape. Pruning should be done when necessary throughout the growing season to maintain the plant's appearance and health.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
For the Geranium 'Precision Red Ice', prepare a well-draining potting mix with peat, perlite, and compost. The ideal soil pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0.
Repotting
Geranium 'Precision Red Ice' should be repotted annually in spring to refresh the soil and provide room for growth.
Humidity & Misting
Geranium 'Precision Red Ice' prefers moderate humidity levels but is adaptable to typical indoor environments.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright, indirect light and avoid overwatering.
- Outdoor
  Choose a sunny spot and shelter from strong winds.
- Hardiness zone
  10-11 USDA
Life cycle
Pelargonium Precision Red Ice, commonly known as geranium, begins its life as a seed, which after sowing, will germinate in warm, moist soil conditions. Emerging as seedlings, they soon develop true leaves and can be transplanted once they are sturdy enough. The vegetative stage is characterized by rapid leaf and stem growth, and under adequate light, water, and nutrition, the plant will mature and enter the flowering stage, producing vibrant red flowers with a white center. After pollination, often facilitated by insects, the plant sets seeds, encapsulated in unique beak-like seedpods that will eventually dry and disperse for propagation. The geranium is a perennial in warm climates, where it can remain dormant during cooler months and regrow from its rootstock when favorable conditions return. In colder regions, it is grown as an annual or brought indoors to overwinter before being replanted the following season.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Propogation: The most popular method of propagation for the Pelargonium Precision Red Ice, commonly known as geranium, is through stem cuttings. This is typically done in late summer to early fall. To propagate, a healthy stem about 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) long is cut just below a leaf node. The lower leaves are removed, and the cutting can be dipped in rooting hormone to increase the chances of successful rooting. The cutting is then planted in a pot filled with a well-draining potting mix and kept in a warm, brightly lit area, avoiding direct sunlight. The soil should be kept moist, but not waterlogged. Roots usually develop within a few weeks, after which the new geranium plant can be gradually acclimated to normal growing conditions and eventually transplanted outdoors or into a larger container.