El Pelargonium citrodorum It is a herbaceous and perennial plant that has erect growing stems covered with leaves, its expansion being bushy, as well as branched. Is a plant prized for its splendid flowers and exquisite aroma.
This plant belongs to the Geraniaceae family and there are approximately 250 speciesyes, although few are almost always found.
Features
They can be grown in garden soil or in pots and they are highly sought after for the decoration of terraces and balconies. They can grow to about fifty centimeters in height and forty-five in width.
The leaves of this beautiful plant can be thick and green in color. It should be noted that when they are cut they give off the smell of their natural oils that for many is compared to the smell of lemon and citronella, which results in the plant itself becoming a natural barrier for mosquitoes.
As for the flowers, really pretty and decorativeThey grow together and have five petals, two large and round upper ones and three elongated and narrow lower ones. Its color is a combination of pink and violet, presenting stronger tones in the center of its upper petals, giving it the appearance of a drawing formed by blurred lines.
This plant is in high demand and is normally used in gardens due to its splendid colors. Several species of the same family are usually mixed in order to obtain different textures and colors.
Pelargonium citrodorum cultivation
It can be grown in well-ventilated and bright places and does not require excessive care, but you have to be especially careful in summer, since it is not highly recommended that it be exposed to direct sun.
Regarding the ideal temperature for growing this plant, which is also known by the name of mosquito geraniumYou have to know that it can withstand temperatures perfectly well as long as they are not excessively cold.
However and in winter times the room or space where it will be placed has to have a rather warm temperature.
It is important to emphasize that if you want it to flower throughout the year, it is necessary to provide all the light it needs for its full and normal development. In this case a lamp could be used as a substitute for natural light and keep it in a warm place.
Regarding irrigation, we must ensure that the water does not stagnate, because if not the roots of it could rot. The recommended soil for planting this type of geranium should be loose and with drainage facilities.
It also requires fertilizer so that it grows in the given time and its flowers can develop with the splendid and characteristic foliage of this plant. During flowering time a liquid fertilizer should be applied every 15 days.
Pests
This plant is not spared from suffering from some type of pests, although one of the main risks it faces is rot, since in that case could be attacked by fungi that could destroy the plantation.
In the case of insects, the most harmful to this plant is the butterfly or geranium drill. Once we see that our plant is damaged, we must remove the affected flowers as soon as possible.
They are also exposed to whitefly, spider mite, mealybugs and caterpillars, among others.
Pruning and reproduction
It must be pruned constantly, but during the winter it is even more conducive for new shoots to appear. Remember to use your own hands to remove the withered flowers, because this will allow new flowers to appear in large numbers.
Old plants must be replaced each year, because younger plants bloom in greater numbers.
In fact and from spring to late summer they grow as long as the temperatures needed for their development are consistent, that is, that the Pelargonium citrodorum It needs warm temperatures to be cultivated, since it does not is resistant to cold climates nor in sub-zero temperatures.
It necessarily needs protection during the winter, the least it can resist is between 8 and 10 degrees.
Its reproduction is extremely simple, since it does so through cuttings during the spring, summer or autumn seasons. It is advisable to take cuttings of approximately 10 centimeters, cut them under a knot and leave a couple of leaves on top; let them dry and then proceed to planting.