Detailed explanation of the sowing method for mosquito-repellent plant seeds

1. Seed selection and seedling raising

In early March, the seeds can be sown into clean fine sandy soil at a depth of 3 cm. Then wait 4 hours before watering, and be sure to water thoroughly, keeping the potting soil moist, neither too dry nor too wet. Place in a bright spot at room temperature of 20°C, and in about one month they will sprout and take root. Then they should be transplanted.

2. Soil

The mosquito-repellent plant prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil and is not strict about soil requirements. Leaf mold, rice husk ash, and garden soil, plus a small amount of calcium phosphate, can be mixed as a growing medium.

3. Light

Most plants love basking in sunlight, and the mosquito-repellent plant is no exception. The mosquito-repellent plant loves light; without enough light it will wither and its leaves will turn yellow. In spring, autumn, and winter it can be placed on a balcony that is warm and well ventilated; in summer, direct sunlight should be avoided to prevent scorching the leaves.

4. Watering

The mosquito-repellent plant is relatively drought-tolerant, so water it by the principle of "water when dry, stop when wet," preferring dry over wet, and always water thoroughly. In spring and autumn, during vigorous growth, ensure sufficient moisture so the potting soil stays consistently moist; in winter, water less as appropriate, otherwise overwatering will cause leggy growth or root rot.

5. Fertilizing

When cultivating the mosquito-repellent plant, apply enough base fertilizer, and during the growing season, especially at peak flowering, apply a dilute liquid fertilizer once every 7 to 10 days. Reduce watering or stop watering 3 to 5 days before fertilizing.

Mosquito-repellent plant seed prices and planting methods

The mosquito-repellent plant, whose scientific name is Pelargonium graveolens (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. In open ground it can decorate rock gardens, flower beds, and flower borders; in pots it can accent living rooms, bedrooms, meeting halls, and other public places, and it can also be used for cut flower production. Now let us take a look at mosquito-repellent plant seed prices and planting methods!

How much does one jin of mosquito-repellent plant seeds cost?

The price of mosquito-repellent plant seeds is about 40 to 50 yuan per jin, but prices vary depending on seed quality, variety, market, and place of origin. The mosquito-repellent plant prefers a mild, fresh environment and cannot tolerate extreme heat or severe cold; it grows very well at temperatures of 15 to 20 degrees. In production, it is generally propagated by sowing or cuttings. The cutting method is usually carried out in spring and autumn, while sowing can be done in March.

How are mosquito-repellent plant seeds sown?

Mosquito-repellent plant seeds can be sown in both spring and autumn, with indoor pot sowing in spring being preferable. The suitable germination temperature is 20 to 25°C. Because the seeds of the mosquito-repellent plant are not large, the soil covering after sowing should not be deep. They germinate about 2 to 5 days after sowing. Seeds sown in autumn can bloom in summer the following year. Seedlings grown from sown seed can be selected to breed excellent intermediate-type varieties.

How is the mosquito-repellent plant best grown?

1. Soil: The mosquito-repellent plant requires fertile, well-drained soil. For pot cultivation, mix 1/3 leaf mold, 1/3 rice husk ash, and 1/3 garden soil, then add a small amount of superphosphate and mix evenly.

2. Watering: The mosquito-repellent plant is drought-tolerant and afraid of waterlogging. If the potting soil's water content is too high, it will cause leggy growth or root rot. In spring and autumn, when growth and flowering are vigorous, water a little more as appropriate; in winter, when temperatures are low, water as little as possible.

3. Temperature: The most suitable growing temperature for the mosquito-repellent plant is 10 to 25°C. It can overwinter safely above 0°C. Above 15°C it can normally release its lemon fragrance, and the higher the temperature, the stronger the fragrance.

4. Fertilizing: When cultivating the mosquito-repellent plant, in addition to applying enough base fertilizer, during the growing season, especially at peak flowering, apply a dilute liquid fertilizer once every 7 to 10 days. Reduce watering or stop watering 3 to 5 days before fertilizing.

5. Light: In spring and early summer, when light is not too intense, the mosquito-repellent plant can be placed in a spot with ample light, but in the hot seasons of midsummer and early autumn it should be placed in shade, avoiding direct strong light.

6. Pruning: In spring, if the mosquito-repellent plant grows too vigorously, branch thinning and pruning can be done. After flowering, promptly cut off spent flowers and overly dense branches, and carry out one more pruning during the dormant period.

7. Pests and diseases: If the mosquito-repellent plant is improperly managed, diseases such as root rot or stem and leaf rot can occur. Fungicides such as chlorothalonil or carbendazim (800 to 1000 times dilution) can be sprayed, but do not spray frequently.

Why does the mosquito-repellent plant not bloom?

1. Overwatering the mosquito-repellent plant, or exposure to rain, or long-term water accumulation in the pot causing root rot, yellow leaf edges, or leggy growth, all affect flowering.

2. Overfertilizing the mosquito-repellent plant easily causes leggy branches and leaves without flowering or with sparse flowering, but insufficient or no fertilizing will also affect the plant's normal growth and flowering.

3. In winter, if the room temperature is above 20°C and ventilation is poor, the branches and leaves easily become leggy, affecting flowering the following year, but if the overwintering temperature is below 0°C, it is prone to cold damage.

4. In summer, if the mosquito-repellent plant is exposed to direct sunlight, the leaf edges are prone to sunscald, growth is poor, or flowers and leaves drop off.

5. If the mosquito-repellent plant has very few leaves for a long time, it will delay the growth period and produce fewer flower buds and flowers.

6. In winter and spring, when kept indoors, long-term insufficient light easily causes the plant to become leggy and not bloom.

How to grow mosquito-repellent scented geranium, and how the mosquito-repellent plant is propagated

The mosquito-repellent plant is a green plant with a strong, pungent fragrance. It can repel mosquitoes, and some people like to grow it to avoid mosquito bites. So how should this mosquito-repellent scented geranium be grown? In a moment I will write out the growing methods for mosquito-repellent scented geranium, and also tell everyone how the mosquito-repellent plant is usually propagated.

1. Mosquito-repellent scented geranium is suited to acidic soil

When growing mosquito-repellent scented geranium, it is best to choose loose-textured sandy loam, and the soil should preferably be acidic; the more acidic the soil, the more favorable it is for the growth of mosquito-repellent scented geranium. When planting, apply enough base fertilizer to help its root system propagate quickly.

2. Management of water and sunlight for mosquito-repellent scented geranium

Mosquito-repellent scented geranium is a plant with relatively strong drought resistance. Normally it should not be watered too much; watering once a week is enough, and there should be no water accumulation, otherwise the soil will turn alkaline, which is unfavorable for the growth of mosquito-repellent scented geranium. In addition, mosquito-repellent scented geranium likes ample sunlight. When growing it outdoors, choose a sunny spot; when growing it indoors, place it in an environment with ample sunlight.

3. How the mosquito-repellent plant is propagated

The mosquito-repellent plant usually has two propagation methods: one is seed propagation, and the other is cutting propagation. When propagating by seed, the seeds are mostly sown into fine sandy soil in March each year, and after the seeds germinate and grow into young seedlings, they are transplanted to a suitable place. Cutting propagation is mostly carried out in spring and autumn; after cutting, water thoroughly and place it in a warm environment of about twenty degrees, and after more than ten days the cuttings will take root.