How to grow mosquito repellent plant? Cultivation methods and precautions

It is summer now, and whenever summer comes, mosquitoes appear. Mosquito control is one of the important tasks of summer. Many people choose to place some plants with mosquito repellent effects at home, and mosquito repellent plant is one of the common varieties. Mosquito repellent plants are available on the market now, but how to grow mosquito repellent plant? That is the question. The editor has compiled some information about growing mosquito repellent plant. Let us take a look:

Basic information about mosquito repellent plant

Mosquito repellent plant is also called mosquito repellent geranium and transgenic scented geranium. It mainly refers to transgenic scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens). Using transgenic technology, the mosquito repellent gene — citronellal gene structure — is inserted into “vanilla”, using its own unique release system as a carrier to release citronellal substances into the air. At the same time, a DNA gene structure containing fresh scent and air-purifying effects is inserted to form a “natural evaporator” that is richly fragrant and achieves a mosquito repellent effect.

Scented geranium is a perennial herb or shrub, up to 1 m tall. The stem is erect, 80—90 cm tall, grayish green, woody at the base, fleshy above, densely covered with glossy soft hairs, fragrant, and very vigorous. The leaves have long petioles, broadly cordate-ovate, with 5-7 palmate lobes; the lobes are divided again, and the edges of the small lobes are serrated. The flowers are small, densely arranged in small umbels, opposite the leaves. The whole plant can be steam-distilled for aromatic oil and is often cultivated as an aromatic plant. Because it is fragrant, it is often grown as a potted ornamental. It is native to South Africa.

In fact, there is no such plant as mosquito repellent plant; it is only a commercial name. The reason it is called “mosquito repellent plant” is that merchants wanted it to sell well.

The various varieties of scented geranium themselves do not have a mosquito repellent effect; only the artificially transgenic scented geranium has this effect.

Propagation methods of mosquito repellent plant

Mosquito repellent plant is usually propagated by sowing and cuttings, and cuttings in spring and autumn are easy to root. 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, not too dry or too wet. In early spring, place it indoors in a warm, bright place. At a room temperature of about 20°C, it will germinate and root in about 1 month. Then divide and transplant, using ordinary culture soil in small pots to grow the seedlings. When the seedlings grow strong and white roots emerge from the bottom hole of the pot, use fertilized culture soil with some crushed hoof pieces placed underneath as a base fertilizer, and transplant into a chrysanthemum tub pot for final planting.

Cultivation methods of mosquito repellent plant

1. Soil: Mosquito repellent plant prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil, and is generally fertilized once every 15-20 days. The mosquito repellent effect is best when the plant height is 30 cm and it has 40 leaves. Yellow leaves should be removed at any time. Seedlings grow extremely fast, so during the seedling stage, repotting is done more frequently. 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 value slightly acidic to neutral. You can also buy a 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. A two-year-old plant has a woody main stem and can be pruned and shaped freely according to personal preference.

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

3. Light: Mosquito repellent plant prefers shade and cannot tolerate strong light during growth. Especially in summer, shading should be strengthened, and it can be planted under trees or in shady places. Household potted plants are generally grown indoors in shaded conditions.

4. Water and fertilizer: After each repotting, water once, and start fertilizing 10 days after the seedlings recover. Spring and autumn are the vigorous growth periods of the plant. Use 200 ppm solutions of 20-10-20 and 14-0-14 water-soluble compound fertilizers alternately every 15 days. Watering should follow the principle of alternating dry and wet. In summer high temperatures, water less and do not fertilize, which helps the root system develop and improves disease resistance. Home cultivation can also apply a small amount of cake fertilizer and rice washing water, etc.

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

Precautions for growing mosquito repellent plant

Sudden leaf drop in a short period is often caused by too great a temperature change or insufficient light. Leaves turning yellow and soon falling off are mostly caused by insufficient light and excessive watering. This phenomenon can also occur when the winter temperature is too low. Dry leaf tips or scorched leaf edges are sometimes due to too strong light or dry air, and sometimes caused by excessive fertilization or dry potting soil. Excessive growth of branches and leaves is mainly caused by insufficient light, too much nitrogen fertilizer, and improper watering. It should be moved to a place with light and the branch shape should be pruned. Yellow spots or brown spots on the leaves that look like water stains may be the result of too vigorous watering, with mud splashing onto the leaves and then being exposed to strong sunlight.

How to grow mosquito repellent plant? The editor has introduced the cultivation methods and precautions for mosquito repellent plant in this article, hoping to help everyone. For more related information, please continue to follow information on other flowers.