How to grow mosquito repellent grass (scented geranium)? Detailed explanation of cultivation methods and precautions

Mosquito repellent grass likes a mild climate and a fresh environment. In winter it fears severe cold and dry wind, and in summer it fears intense heat and humidity. Mosquito repellent grass is usually propagated by sowing or cuttings, with spring and autumn being the best times. 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 19°C, it will sprout and root in about 1 month. Then divide and transplant, using ordinary potting soil in a small pot to grow the seedlings. It likes neutral to slightly acidic soil. When the seedlings grow strong and white roots emerge from the bottom hole of the pot, use fertilized potting soil with some crushed hoof pieces placed underneath as a base fertilizer, and transplant into a chrysanthemum barrel pot for final planting. Mosquito repellent grass grows fast and needs repotting once a year to add soil and fertilizer.

Mosquito repellent grass likes light. Apart from slight shading in summer, it should receive direct sunlight in autumn, winter and spring. It likes warmth and water. 10-23°C is the suitable growing temperature. Temperatures below 6°C or above 32°C are unfavorable for growth. Water thoroughly once every 356 days, but do not let water accumulate. This helps the root system develop and improves disease resistance. For home cultivation, a small amount of cake fertilizer and rice-washing water can also be applied. If the humidity is too high, the temperature too high, and at the same time ventilation is poor or the seedling density is too great, diseases caused by improper management may occur, such as root rot or stem and leaf rot, with leaves shrinking, black spots appearing, and then the whole plant wilting. It is worth noting that people with respiratory diseases at home should use it with caution.

Cultivation methods for mosquito repellent grass

How to grow mosquito repellent grass

Mosquito repellent grass was first created by the Dutch geneticist Dirk, who used gene fusion technology to introduce citronellal into geraniums (Pelargonium), producing a species with a remarkable mosquito-repellent effect. It later spread to Japan, Australia and other places, becoming a natural mosquito repellent plant and gaining great popularity among consumers.

Mosquito repellent grass naturally prefers a mild and cool environment. Its most suitable growing temperature is around 15-20°C. It is very afraid of severe cold and intense heat, so special attention must be paid to temperature changes in summer and winter.

Propagation methods for mosquito repellent grass

Mosquito repellent grass is usually propagated mainly by sowing and cuttings. Sowing propagation is usually carried out in early March. The specific steps are to directly scatter the seeds into clean sandy soil, leave them for about 4 hours first, then water thoroughly and place them in a warm, bright environment at about 20°C to let them germinate naturally. The germination period is about 1 month, and during this time the soil must be kept moist. After the seeds germinate, they need to be divided and transplanted, and crushed hoof pieces should be added under the potting soil as a base fertilizer. Cutting propagation is no different from the methods used for other plants.

Cultivation methods for mosquito repellent grass

Repotting: Mosquito repellent grass grows very fast, so repotting and fertilizing must be done once every year to ensure normal growth. Repotting is best done between February and March, choosing the early stage of growth. The specific steps are to first prune the luxuriant branches and leaves, leaving only 3 side buds at the base. Then take the mosquito repellent grass out of the pot, clean off the old and decayed roots, and finally place it into new fertilized potting soil. Generally, new branches will grow after one month, and then it should be fertilized once every week, mainly with a thin organic fertilizer solution. Around the end of April it can be moved outdoors and will gradually bloom. In summer, avoid overly strong direct sunlight and maintain the humidity of the environment around the plant. You can choose to spray water to lower the temperature.

Temperature: The most suitable temperature for mosquito repellent grass is 10-25°C. In winter, as long as the temperature is above 0°C, it can overwinter safely. During its growing period, it can release fragrance and repel mosquitoes when the temperature is above 15°C. The amount of fragrance released increases as the temperature rises.

Light: Mosquito repellent grass relatively prefers a shady environment, but it does not tolerate long periods of direct sunlight. Therefore, in summer, pay attention to changes in direct sunlight; it is best to place it in a shaded spot for cultivation.

Is mosquito repellent grass useful? Cultivation methods for mosquito repellent grass

Summer is here, and the most troublesome thing for people is how to repel mosquitoes. They will think of all kinds of ways to repel mosquitoes. Among plants, mosquito repellent grass can also repel mosquitoes, so is mosquito repellent grass useful? Below we will tell everyone about the cultivation methods for mosquito repellent grass.

Is mosquito repellent grass useful?

Mosquito repellent grass was created by the Dutch geneticist Dirk, who used gene fusion technology to introduce citronellal from lemongrass into the geranium (Pelargonium) native to Africa, cultivating a mosquito repellent grass with mosquito-repelling effects. The geranium family plant is a plant with volatile properties. Under normal conditions, through photosynthesis, the plant releases its own scent molecules into the air. Citronellal itself has an outstanding mosquito-repelling effect, and it is this substance that works in many mosquito repellent products. It is released into the air along with the geranium's scent molecules, achieving the effect of repelling mosquitoes and purifying the air.

Mosquito repellent grass is also called mosquito-avoiding grass. Its stem tips are juicy, its leaves are alternate, with wavy blunt serrations along the edges, and the leaf surface is smooth. The stomata are large and densely distributed on the lower surface of the leaves, giving it a strong ability to release fragrance. It gives off a lemon scent year-round, not only having a mosquito-repelling effect but also purifying the air. Mosquito repellent grass can survive at temperatures above -3°C. The higher the temperature, the stronger the fragrance and the better the mosquito-repelling effect. It can also be grown as a bonsai. According to experimental monitoring by the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences: when the leaves of mosquito repellent grass reach 15, the protection rate can reach 97.8%, and the effective mosquito-repelling range of each mosquito repellent grass plant can reach 15-20 sq m. Its mosquito-repelling performance and environmental performance both reach the international leading level.

So if you ask whether mosquito repellent grass is useful, the answer is yes. However, because the concentration of the volatiles is relatively low, the mosquito-repelling effect of just a few pots of "mosquito repellent grass" is not very significant. It is not really possible to rely on it to stay completely away from mosquitoes, so everyone should not have too high expectations for mosquito repellent grass. After all, it does not take effect as quickly as chemical products and other mosquito repellents.

Besides mosquito repellent grass, plants such as jasmine, night-blooming cereus (Cestrum nocturnum) and mint also release special scents that keep mosquitoes away.

Cultivation methods for mosquito repellent grass:

1. Soil: Mosquito repellent grass relatively likes organic fertilizer and prefers soft, moist soil, and dislikes sticky soil. Mosquito repellent grass has a well-developed root system, so a larger flower pot should be used during cultivation to retain more water and more organic matter capacity. Mosquito repellent grass requires the soil to have a certain acidity. pH 5.5-6.5 is its optimal growth range, so soil alkalization must be prevented.

2. Fertilizing: Mosquito repellent grass should avoid foliar feeding, so as not to affect the release of the mosquito-repelling substance citronellal or cause fertilizer burn.

3. Temperature: Mosquito repellent grass has strong temperature adaptability and can survive at 0-35°C. It can grow at 10-30°C, and 15-25°C is its optimal growing temperature. When the temperature reaches 35°C, it enters a semi-dormant period. Therefore, when caring for mosquito repellent grass, avoid keeping it at low temperatures or at too high a room temperature.

4. Ventilation: Mosquito repellent grass likes ventilation. When not in use during the day, it is best to place it on a well-ventilated windowsill or balcony. Good ventilation can reduce the occurrence of diseases and prevent rot.

5. Light: Mosquito repellent grass likes light. It is best to receive 1-2 hours of direct sunlight every day, but it must not be exposed to intense sun. Place it in a shady spot in summer. Mosquito repellent grass is relatively tolerant of dry air and afraid of overly moist air. A high-humidity environment easily causes diseases and also easily causes mosquito repellent grass to enter dormancy and stop growing.

The following points should be noted in the cultivation methods for mosquito repellent grass:

1. Soil: Mosquito repellent grass likes a sunny, well-ventilated environment and is especially afraid of water accumulation in the soil. Loose sandy loam is suitable, and care should be taken to prevent alkalization caused by improper watering.

2. Light: During the day it should be placed in a sunny spot, and proper shading should be provided when the sun is intense.

3. Propagation: Sowing and cuttings are commonly used, and the latter has a high survival rate in spring and autumn.

4. Repotting and pruning: Mosquito repellent grass grows fast and needs repotting once a year to add soil and fertilizer, usually in early spring from February to early March. First prune heavily, leaving only 3 basic side buds on each branch, then remove it from the pot and pull away the surrounding old and decayed roots.