Geranium macrorrhizum L. in cultivation: light requirements, propagation timing, saponin content

   In recent decades, hardy geraniums (Geranium L.) have become widely used in landscaping. Among the diverse representatives of this genus, Geranium macrorrhizum L. – native to the Balkan Peninsula and the Southern Alps – is identified as a highly promising species. Both literature sources and our own observations indicate that this species exhibits high adaptability in cultivation, a prolonged growing season until frost, attractive appearance, drought tolerance, and low light-demand. Our studies confi rm the ability of Geranium macrorrhizum L. plants to develop under full sunlight and in shade in open ground conditions without changes in developmental rhythms and habitus. During the research years in the collection of the All-Russian Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, the height of rosette shoots and flower stalks of plants under different light conditions varied slightly, averaging 41.62 ± 0.69 cm and 53.33 ± 0.76 cm, respectively. However, it was established that in the shade, the development of vegetative plant organs decreased by 1.7 times, significantly reducing the propagation coefficient during green cutting. The optimal timing for cutting propagation of Geranium macrorrhizum L. in the conditions of the Central Non-Chernozem Zone is mid-April. The propagation coeffi cients for this crop from cuttings taken in early spring under illuminated conditions were 4.9 and 13.3 after one and two years of cultivation, respectively. Harvesting cuttings should be done once every 2 years. In Bulgaria, Geranium macrorrhizum L. is used as a medicinal plant in traditional medicine. However, the saponin content in the herb and rhizomes remains poorly studied. Our analysis of plant raw materials revealed no significant difference in the saponin content in the herb of Geranium macrorrhizum L. compared to Geranium palustre L., and Geranium pretense L., for samples collected both in summer at the onset of flowering and in autumn during the first half of October. During the autumn harvest period, a significant increase in saponin content was found in both aboveground and underground plant organs.

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