Winterize Citronella
Geraniums
Citronella geraniums are prized for their lemony scent, which helps drive away mosquitoes in the garden. It grows well in containers and is also used as a bedding plant. The citronella geranium is adorned with small fan-shaped leaves, which produce the scent, and has small, dark pink flowers. A tender perennial, it requires proper winterization to survive through the cold months. While it blooms from early summer until well into fall, it doesn't tolerate frost at all. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Dig up the geranium from the garden bed in fall before the first frost of the year. Dig around the roots with your trowel then slide it under the plant to lift it out of the ground.
2. Fill an 8-inch diameter pot with a quality potting mix then moisten it evenly throughout. Plant the geranium into the pot to the same depth it was at in the garden bed.
3. Cut the citronella geranium back to one-third of its previous height using sharp, clean shears. Water it after pruning until the water just begins to drip from the drainage holes to help prevent transplant and pruning shock to the plant.
4. Store inside in a bright sunny window or under artificial grow lights for 12 hours a day. Maintain a daytime temperature around 65 F. and a nighttime temperature no lower than 55 F.
5. Water the soil whenever the surface begins to feel dry. Pinch off the top 1 inch of stems that begin to grow too long and leggy to maintain the bushy appearance.
6. Replant the citronella geranium in the garden bed after all danger of frost has passed in spring. Plant to the same current depth it is at and pinch off the very tip of each growing stem after replanting to ensure a full plant.
Tags: citronella geranium, Winterize Citronella, Winterize Citronella Geraniums