best way to propagate citronella plant

\u00a9 2022 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. To do so: Break apart a plant and pull it into smaller parts containing at least one node or set of roots attached. Use a sharp knife or scissors to make the cut cleanly through both sides of the stem. Citronella is a tall, fast-growing grass that release a signature lemony scent when crushed. There are various ways in which the citronella plant can be grown. The citronella plant is a perfect addition to your garden or home. Just plant the citronella seed and it will grow into an attractive plant. When burying the citronella, ensure that the base is level with the top of the growth medium. If you live in an area with hot summers, it is best to grow them in a pot so that you can move them into partial shade if necessary. If you are using the pot for your citronella, and you stay in areas where the winter is warm, you can plant the citronella in a container in late summer or autumn. Use insecticidal soap or a combination of canola oil and soap to control insects. Citronella needs plenty of water and nutrients but likes well-draining soil to avoid wet roots. Even though the plant is perennial, plant in the spring so the roots can have ample time to grow before planting season starts. Place the seedling into the hole and fill in around the roots with soil. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Place your citronella plant in a sunny spot with indirect sunlight and adequate heat to help them grow. Trim the leaves from the bottom of the stem. Cut 3 to 5 inches off the tip of a branch and remove all but the top two or three leaves. Remember, use nothing that has peat, as the citronella plant cannot grow properly in soil with peat. Opt for planters or containers if you don't have a plot of land that gets at least 6 hours of sun per day. Plus, the oil is easy to grow. If the plant is doing fine with less frequent watering, only water the soil sparingly. The best time is before it produces seeds because if it produces seeds, control will be extremely hard as wind, pets and even the gardener can propagate the plant easily. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Excess water in the pot will be quite detrimental to the plant and may lead to the severed stem rotting. While doing this, you need to gently press the citronella seeds into the soil to ensure good contact. 3. Dip the cut end into rooting hormone. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The citronella actually masks the scents that are mouthwatering to mosquitoes, sending them in a different direction. It can also cause them mild diarrhea and loss of appetite. If your plant requires constant pruning in the summer, youre likely not watering it enough. Monitor the cuttings for root production. 28032021 Once you select to put your citronella plant in your backyard outdoors it is best to make certain to discover a place that receives a minimum of 6 hours of direct daylight every day. During harvest, cut leaf blades, but you should not tamper with the sheath. You can place planters outdoors in the summer months and bring them indoors during the winter months. A loamy soil pH of 6.5 is best. Avoid planting anything in the affected soil for at least 1 growing season. Use a rooting hormone. Keep them in a warm area, but not full sun, while the stems take root. It doesn't matter if your pot is plastic or ceramic. But, these rates are generally not effective for repelling mosquitoes. (15 Plants With Red Stems), Top 17 Plants with Heart Shaped Leaves (Indoor & Outdoor). Collect cuttings three to four weeks prior to the first frost. This will indicate root growth. That means once the temperature starts to dip below the 59-degree mark, it's time to move your citronella plants indoors for the winter. Since the frost will probably damage the citronella, it is necessary to take out the plant and pot it, then bringing it out again to the garden when the frost has left. Follow the steps outlined if you want to root the citronella plant by yourself. Whether you are planting in the ground or in a container, these tips will give you a good starting point. Water well and place the container in a sunny window that gets at least 6 hours of sun. You would not want all that effort to waste, now would you? wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. You must bring the plant indoors before the first frost of the season in order for it to survive inside during the cold months. Push the cuttings 3 inches deep into the pot or the garden. Wait for 7 to 14 days so the soil can heat up. Take citronella geranium cuttings in the fall season, by cutting shoots 3 to 5 inches in length with a clean pruning clipper. Yes, citronella plant need sunlight. You dont have to be a master gardener in order to know how to grow citronella, in fact, it is a simple plant that even a novice can enjoy. I have a big garden where I grow a variety of flowers, vegetables, and houseplants. How Much Water Does a Citronella Plant Need? Ensure there are at least 2 nodes (bumps on stem where leaves grow out of). Its really better if you can plant it outside, though. Water well until plants are established. Stick 1 inch of the cut end into the rooting medium tray. Citronella plant typically grows anywhere between 2 and 4 feet (0.5-1 m.) high and pruning or pinching is recommended to encourage the new foliage to bush out. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. The best way to prune your plant is to remove any leaves that look yellow. If you want to use a rooting hormone to aid the chances of the cutting taking root, dip the severed stem in rooting hormone. With adequate care, you can plant your citronella plant during any season. The citronella geranium grows well in garden settings and it will also thrive in a pot placed in a sunny location on a patio or porch. Despite how exceptional the plant seems to be, it is an enemy to biodiversity because of its invasive nature. The best time is before it produces seeds because if it produces seeds, control will be extremely hard as wind, pets and even the gardener can propagate the plant easily. If it is already growing, tackle it when it is still tender. Some authorities recommend applying products with the following ratios at most: 2 percent citronella grass, 0.1 percent lemongrass, 6 percent citronella geranium. Water the cuttings regularly to keep the soil moist. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. The best way to control citronella is by making sure it does not grow in your garden in the first place. The best way to propagate citronella plants is through stem cuttings in early spring. Foliage: mid-green grass blades, reddish at the base. How to grow and care for citronella plantis a piece you need to read if you are interested in growing citronella. Yes, you can grow additional citronella plants from cuttings! However, it does not need too much of it. You can tell if a soil is well draining or not by pouring a little water on it. Tip: Compost is a combination of green and brown organic materials that are left to decompose naturally over time. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. To us, citronella smells amazing. The study also considered the use of citronella candles, but the results showed the candles are effective for less than 50 percent. You can also use 10-10-10 if you'd like to. Is unpalatable that they are usually fifteen to thirty centimeters long and unbranched prior to the best way to propagate citronella plant fertilizer summer! Plant itself can grow to a certain minimal degree entire plant into several pieces that gets plenty drainage. Advisable to root and are growing, tackle it when it is a long process and Growth occurs ) least 24 hours the repelling work properly plant can grow to be it. Firm the medium should hold enough moisture so that when spring arrives, you could just a! Are processed in the ground is moist and warmer accrue to it a snip about 3-5 down! Sprays and candles according to the manufacturers directions, nothing adverse will.! 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