Step 1
Citronella is an yearly plant that acquire some two substructure and has a distinctive fragrance . The citronella geranium industrial plant is sometimes referred to as the mosquito plant because of its mosquito - repellent effect .
Sun
Citronella should be planted in a location that proffer full sun of at least six to eight hours a day .
Soil
The soil should be well drained with a pH level of 6.5 . The soil should also have good tune circulation .
Fertilizer
Fertilizer that is high in nitrogen and K should be added to the citronella industrial plant twice a year . The geranium can be stunted and yellow if there is not a good source of nitrogen available .
Water
irrigate the plant regularly with two to three ice of urine , have certain to wet the ground deeply . await for the grime to dry before watering again .
Insecticide and Fungicide
utilise a wide - grasp insect powder near the plant , away from unexampled bud . utilize fungicide early in the season to get rid of bug .
How to Cut Citronella Geraniums
Measure the industrial plant . Cut back just about one - third of the height . The best time to do this is in September , just before the plant slow down for winter and you contribute it indoors .
Step 2
Position the shears at a 45 - degree angle to the outgrowth you require to cut , just above a " node " or where a leaf extends from a stem , and clip .
Step 3
Repeat this cutting across the top of the total plant life . The top should now be monotonous , almost like a hedge .
Step 4
off the bottom leave from some cuttings and place them in small tummy fill with rooting sensitive if you would care to propagate your works .
Step 5
Place the freshly - trim plant in a sunny locating , and it will start up to re - grow in a few day .
Tip
Try placing the cuttings in a loving cup of water to see if they develop ascendant . If your citronella geranium is planted in the ground outdoors and probable to die because of a rough winter , taking cuttings before the first hoar and pot them indoors is a way to keep the plant go for another year . If you design to let the plant " sleep " during the winter in a cool , dark area such as your cellar , burn the stems back to about 6 in from the theme so in natural spring it will grow more smartly .
Things Needed
Flowering Plants That Repel Insects
Marigolds
works marigolds throughout your vegetable garden for a raw insect repellent that will also add splash of colour all summertime . The fragrance of the marigold blossoms is not attractive to insects , so plant them in containers around your deck of cards or patio for added protective covering . Marigolds are annuals that you may raise from seminal fluid in container or straight in your garden . marigold range in top from less than 1 foot to giant that arise more than 4 feet tall .
Citronella Plants
Widely accepted as a mosquito repellent , citronella flora are annuals or tender perennials . Hardy in zones 9b through 11 , citronella plant life have beautiful lavender / violet bloom of youth and redolent foliage . Citronella is evergreen in the appropriate zone and blooms repeatedly . you could grow this plant indoors in containers or around the margin of your deck to keep mosquito at bay . you’re able to propagate citronella plants in water supply or dirt from theme of a healthy plant life . you could also sow citronella seeds indoors before the last frost .
Catnip
Catnip is a hardy perennial herbaceous plant that is part of the mint folk . It is also a hefty mosquito repellant when planted in your garden . Catnip enjoys full sun and is audacious in zones 3a to 9b . Begin catnip plants from seed in the free fall for dumb flora growth or from seed in the spring for less foliage . The plants grow up to 4 feet tall and have diminished lavender flowers that grow on spikes . Catnip also has medicinal benefits ; its petroleum is used to relieve headaches and nervousness .
Information on How to Start a Citronella Plant
Choosing a Plant
take a citronella works cautiously . Citronella is really a perennial ornamental supergrass . Do not buy a citronella - smell plant , which is really a geranium . hold the tag to ensure the flora is Cybopogon nardus or Citronella winterianus . Propagate the plant by separate ball of the pasture and replant them . The best time to do this is before winter . Keep a few small clumps inside so they are quick to embed when it find warm .
Conditions
Pick an appropriate land site for your citronella flora . Citronella demand full Sunday to thrive , although plants can tolerate some tone . The plant does n’t originate well when the soil is too wet . Citronella has trouble with nerveless , damp winters and requires a long , quick growing time of year . Often Citronella can be moved at heart and be replanted in the spring .
Planting
Get the outside site quick by tilling the soil . check that the grease drains well . If necessary , add in peat moss , gumption or topsoil to improve drainage . If the citronella plant will be growing in a mess , tot up in all - intention potting soil . Place the plant in an area that gets plenty of sun and is not too wet . This grass can grow up to 5 or 6 feet improbable .
Usage
Be aware that Citronella smoke does not keep mosquitoes away by simply imbed it in your yard or in a pot . Instead , rock oil from the industrial plant is mixed with other oils and works as a repellent when use on the skin . Pure citronella oil colour should not be placed on hide ; even miscellaneous , the oil can cause rash .
Citronella Plant Information
Appearance
Citronella forms clumps that reach 6 feet in tiptop . The gray - green leaves are about 1 in wide .
Requirements
Citronella involve sizeable sum of water — at least 30 inch per year . It grows best in full sun .
Hardiness and Range
Perennial in zona 10 through 12 , citronella eatage will give way back in areas of cool , wet winters . It can be grown in pile in cool mood and contribute indoors to overwinter .
Citronella Oil
The oil extracted from citronella grass has mosquito - rebarbative qualities and is an ingredient in many commercial hemipteran repellents . Plant citronella weed near a terrace or walkway where the pleasant odor can be enjoy .
Aromatherapy
Citronella has a refreshing , citrus - like scent that is used in soaps , taper qualification and the home aroma industry .
Citronella Geraniums
Often marketed as " the mosquito plant , " citronella geraniums ( Pelargonium citrosum ) are not related to citronella grass , but their lemony scent may drive mosquito .
What Kind of Plant Does the Mosquito Hate?
mosquito detest plants check the born chemical compound called citronella oil . Some plants carry this oil are lemon tree grass , lemon thyme and a species of geranium cognise as mosquito plant or mosquito shoo . However , the plant alone does not repel mosquitoes . The leaves must be crushed , releasing the citronella petroleum .
Do Citronella Candles Work?
Citronella Plant Uses
Mosquito Repellent
Essential fossil oil from the citronella dope plant are heralded as mosquito repellents . Scientists believe the terpene in citronella fossil oil block neural pathways in mosquitoes and other worm . commercial-grade products rivet on citronella ’s mosquito - repelling quality let in sunscreen , pet pinch , taper and even clothes . The oil is also being used to repel other pest that attack food . Citronella crude is used on food promotion .
The indispensable oils in citronella have a sweet lemony scent . Aromatherapists use citronella oil colour to battle mild depression , lessen headache , sick headache and rheumatic pain . Citronella oil can be mixed with rose oil to create a pleasant aroma . Aromatherapists employ the oil for stimulating the whole body and balancing the skittish organization .
Cosmetics
Citronella oil has been used in cosmetics for more than 50 years , according to author , Valerie Ann Worwood . The of the essence oil is used in lotion , sunscreen , massage petroleum , tub gels and soaps .
Antiseptic
The essential oils of citronella are extracted by steaming the crushed pot shafts . The oil has inviolable antiseptic qualities and can be used by itself to clean .
Where Can I Purchase Citronella Plants?
Features
The citronella plant grows well in containers or in a sunny situation in the garden . It is cold - illiberal , so plant it after all peril of frost has run .
Considerations
This plant is sometimes sell in nurseries as a " mosquito plant , " or Pelargonium citrosum . Despite selling claims that the plants will protect against mosquitoes , university studies cite by the University of Nebraska - Lincoln Extension have proven otherwise .
Sources
Online shoppers can observe citronella plant at Hirts Gardens , Amazon and FragrantFields website . Because the works is erroneously market as a mosquito repellent , if you live in an orbit that is troubled with mosquitoes your local horticulture center may comport the plant life . If not , enquire if it can be special ordered .
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