How do you care for the latest potted mosquito-repellent plant?

The mosquito-repellent plant, also known as scented geranium, is a perennial herbaceous or shrub-like plant in the Geraniaceae family, genus Pelargonium. It is widely popular because the plant has a volatile fragrance, with a variety of scents including rose, citrus, mint, coconut, and nutmeg as well as a variety of fruit scents, and can be used to make essential oil. Its ornamental value is also very high. Let us take a look below at how to care for the potted mosquito-repellent plant!

Growth habits of the mosquito-repellent plant

The mosquito-repellent plant likes warmth and tolerates drought, is not cold-tolerant, fears waterlogging, and has low water requirements. It is suitable for growing in neutral or weakly alkaline soil. Its growth requires sufficient sunlight, and light has a good effect on its development and on increasing the essential oil content. Areas with an annual sunshine duration of 1100-1300 hours can basically meet its growth needs. Cultivation requires deep soil layers, loose texture, and fertile sandy soil or loam rich in humus, while heavy clay soil and low-lying land with poor drainage are not suitable for cultivation.

Propagation methods of the mosquito-repellent plant

1. Sowing: In early March, sow the seeds into clean fine sandy soil at a depth of 3 cm. Four hours after sowing, water thoroughly, and afterward keep the potting soil moist, neither too dry nor too wet. In early spring, place it indoors in a warm, bright spot at a room temperature of about 20°C, and after about 1 month it will sprout and root, after which it can be divided and planted.

2. Cuttings: The mosquito-repellent plant is easy to propagate by cuttings in spring and autumn. In April and May or September and October, cut sturdy branches with terminal buds, 5-8 cm long. After the cut surface dries, take cuttings, retaining 2-3 terminal buds, shade them, and keep them moist. They can take root and survive in about 15-20 days. Once the cuttings grow new leaves, they can be potted.

How do you care for the potted mosquito-repellent plant?

1. Soil: The mosquito-repellent plant prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil. Seedlings grow extremely fast, so during the seedling stage repotting is relatively frequent. Within 6 months, use a special self-mixed nutrient soil of 6 parts peat soil, 1.5 parts vermiculite, 1.5 parts perlite, and 1 part coal ash, with a pH that is slightly acidic to neutral. You can also buy ready-mixed commercial foliage substrate soil (pH 5.5-7) from a flower market. After six months, the plant is extremely adaptable and can use any soil.

2. Temperature: The most suitable growing temperature for the mosquito-repellent plant is 10-25°C. It can overwinter safely above 0°C, and above 15°C it can normally give off a lemon fragrance. The higher the temperature, the stronger the fragrance. Spraying an appropriate amount of water mist on the leaves can cause citronellal substances to be released continuously, thereby making the mosquito-repellent effect better.

3. Light: The mosquito-repellent plant likes environmental conditions with ample sunlight, warmth, and good ventilation. In spring and early summer, when sunlight is not too strong, the flowerpot can be placed in a spot with ample light so it receives sufficient sunlight, but in the hot seasons of midsummer and early autumn, it should be placed in a shaded area and avoid direct strong light, otherwise the branches and leaves will be scorched.

4. Watering: The mosquito-repellent plant tolerates drought and fears water accumulation, so during growth, control water appropriately. Too much watering and excessive water content in the potting soil will cause leggy growth or root rot. In spring and autumn, when growth and flowering are vigorous, it can be watered a bit more, but it is still best to keep the potting soil moist. In winter, when temperatures are low and the plant grows slowly, water as little as possible.

5. Fertilizing: In addition to applying sufficient base fertilizer during cultivation, during the growing season, especially at peak flowering, apply a thin liquid fertilizer once every 7-10 days. Diluting decomposed livestock and poultry manure with water is even better, or you can also water it with decomposed cake fertilizer water. Three to five days before fertilizing, water less or not at all; watering with fertilizer when the potting soil is on the dry side is more conducive to root absorption.

5. Pests and diseases: Improper management of the mosquito-repellent plant can cause root rot or stem and leaf rot, followed by leaf shrinkage, black spots, and then the whole plant withering. This is caused by too much humidity, too high a temperature, and at the same time poor ventilation or too high a seedling density. You can spray fungicides such as chlorothalonil or carbendazim (800 to 1000 times dilution). But do not spray frequently.

What should you do if the leaves of the mosquito-repellent plant turn yellow?

1. Improper fertilizing: If during the growing season of the mosquito-repellent plant you fertilize every day, and after fertilizing in spring you do not water at any time, and sometimes fertilize only after a long time, continuing this habit will make the leaves of the mosquito-repellent plant turn yellow. Fertilizing should use the method of thin fertilizer applied frequently, which is beneficial to the growth of the mosquito-repellent plant. During the growing season, fertilize once about every 15-20 days. In summer, fertilize as little as possible or not at all, but be sure to water after fertilizing.

2. Improper watering: Leaves turning yellow and soon falling off are mostly caused by overwatering. Watering should follow the principle of alternating dry and wet. In summer, when temperatures are high, water less and do not fertilize, which is beneficial to root development and improves disease resistance. For home cultivation, rice-washing water can be used instead of ordinary water. Water thoroughly once every 3-6 days, but do not let water accumulate. Note that when the soil surface of a small pot turns white, or when the soil 1 cm below the surface of a large pot feels moist, water it. In July and August, when temperatures are high, spray water frequently to lower the temperature and keep the surrounding environment moist; do not let water accumulate in the pot.

3. Too great a temperature difference: The mosquito-repellent plant likes light. If a potted mosquito-repellent plant is placed indoors or outdoors for a long time, the large day-night temperature difference will also make its leaves gradually turn yellow. The mosquito-repellent plant likes shade and does not tolerate strong light during growth, especially in summer when shading should be strengthened. It can be planted under trees or in shaded areas. Household potted plants are generally kept indoors for shade cultivation.

4. Pest and disease prevention: If humidity is too high, temperature is too high, and at the same time ventilation is poor or seedling density is too great, pests and diseases will develop, which will also make the leaves of the mosquito-repellent plant turn yellow or even cause root rot. Frequently place the potted mosquito-repellent plant outdoors in the sun. If kept indoors, maintain indoor air circulation. At the same time, use pesticides regularly. You can spray fungicides such as chlorothalonil or carbendazim (800 to 1000 times dilution), but do not spray frequently.