When temperatures rise and that time arrives, it is so pleasant to spend time outdoors, many coastal or humid areas also arrive, which are, for many, the main drawback of summer, one of the few animals for which practically no one feels any sympathy: mosquitoes.
But as always, our friends, plants, have a lot to offer us, also when it comes to driving away these annoying biting insects. This time we are not going to talk about the well-known citronella, but about another plant that, with very beautiful flowers, is also capable of fulfilling the function of anti-mosquitoes: the lemon geranium. If you want to learn how to take care of the anti-mosquito geranium, join us in this article.
Characteristics of the anti-mosquito geranium
Its scientific name is Pelargonium Citrodorum , although it is known more anti-mosquito geranium, lemon geranium or citronella geranium . These are its main characteristics:
- It is an evergreen plant with a herbaceous appearance, which rarely exceeds half a meter in height, with a similar width.
- Its leaves are green and of a certain thickness, highly appreciated aesthetically, and when they are cut they give off a strong smell reminiscent of the citrus of lemon or citronella, which is why it is also a powerful mosquito repellent .
- But if the leaves of the citronella geranium are beautiful, their flowers, with five petals and growing in small groups, with shades ranging from pink to violet and with a darker and marked color in the center of their petals, are even more so. , which forms striking drawings.
- And when does the anti-mosquito geranium bloom? Its first flowers begin to appear as a general rule at the end of winter, and the flowering can last until well into the summer, although as always, it will depend on the specific temperatures and climate. In cooler areas it may take longer to flower and extend its flowering beyond the beginning of summer, while in warmer areas everything will take a few weeks earlier.
Location and climate for mosquito geranium
Citronella geranium is quite easy to grow and its care is not excessively demanding in any respect. Regarding its location, this plant needs a well-lit and sunny place, although in very hot climates it will be preferable to protect it from direct sun, especially in summer, which can be too much for the plant. If you grow your lemon geranium outdoors, find a semi-shady area, protected from the incidence of the sun at noon, and if you grow it indoors, find a well-lit room., near a window but without direct sunlight and with care to avoid the magnifying glass effect. If you take the plant outside for a while when it is not too cold, early in the morning or late in the afternoon, it will surely appreciate it.
It is convenient that the plant is in a well-ventilated area and as far as temperature is concerned, it does not tolerate frost for a long time. If temperatures drop below 0 ºC for more than one night, you will need to bring your geranium into the house or protect it with a thermal blanket.
Irrigation of the anti-mosquito geranium
It needs little water and does not tolerate excess humidity, so it is necessary to avoid wetting its leaves when watering it, or spraying them. The most common is to water it approximately every three days in the warm months, and weekly or fortnightly in the cold when the soil has dried and always without flooding. Of course, young plants will need a little more watering for a while. It is very important that if it is in a pot, it has drainage holes and that you do not let water accumulate underneath, in the dish.
Substrate and compost for anti-mosquito geranium
The only important thing with the soil of this plant is that it offers the best possible drainage since it does not tolerate environments with excessive humidity or waterlogging. The universal mix with equal parts coconut fiber, worm castings, and peat will work perfectly. As we always recommend, you can add vermiculite and perlite to improve the water retention properties. In the warm months, the plant will appreciate a monthly contribution of compost or organic matter to help it with its flowering.
Before transplanting your citronella or lemon geranium, since if you have bought them and you have the nursery pot you need the transplant and a substrate like the one we have indicated.
Pruning the mosquito geranium
Between late winter and early spring, before flowering begins, it is convenient to prune the lemon geranium by shortening its stems to stimulate the growth of new shoots. Dried flowers and parts in poor condition should always be removed immediately.
How to reproduce the anti-mosquito geranium
Regarding multiplication, the simplest thing is to make cuttings of the anti-mosquito geranium. These tend to root very easily and can be done both in spring and summer or fall. Cut stems with several growing buds or use the remains of the spring pruning, remove the lower leaves and immediately introduce the cutting into the substrate mixture described above. Water the first time abundantly and place the plant in semi-shade; in a few weeks, it will have rooted.
