Scented Geranium-care guides/about us

Scented geraniums & Us

I have been interested in plants since I was a child. When I was offered a job with Papa Genos about 14 years ago I came into it not really knowing what to expect. I started out working with their hundreds of different herb varieties. I did not really care for the scented geraniums very much at the onset but, did my mind sure change. They are one of the most diverse plants I have ever been around and I never tire of working with them.

Under Gene and Sharons' watchful eye I have learned to grow, propogate and ship plants with the best in the business.

I hope to be able to provide you, the consumer, with healthy, vibrant plants as well as growing information needed.

1 1/2" plants. 1 1/2" square with about a 2" root system. Actual plant height varies from 5-8" with root system. $3.35 each.
Collections of 10 for $30 + $6.90 S&H or 20 for $56 + $8.90 S&H. These collections are growers choice.
Other sets available on the specials page.
Minimum order of 6 individual of any combination or 1 collection for the above . S&H is $6.90 for 6-12 plants, $8.90 for 13-24. Email for larger quantity S&H costs.

4" plants. Grown in 4" square pots. GROWERS CHOICE ONLY!! From 8-16+ inches tall. Minimum order 3 plants of this size. Set of 3 for $16 or 6 for $28. $7.90 S&H for 3. $9.90 S&H for 6. Email for special 1.5" and 4"combination requests.

There will be all different plants in each single collection you order!!

While tranplanting over the last few years we realized that the weight of the organic soil we use was becoming so much that the shipping costs were getting too high. Also, the plastic pots we have always used have dramatically risen in price. That when we decided to ship the plants directly from the pots they were grown in. The larger plants have much of the soil removed before shipping.

Less soil weight, no plastic pot you will probably throw away (where it will take literally forever to decompose) = a less expensive plant and S&H charges for you, the consumer.

Hope this works for you!

Scented Geranium growers guide-

In trying to do a small part to be "green" please refer to the site for growing instructions rather than printing a paper you will probably throw away.

Overwatering at any stage of this plants life cycle can cause a root fungus that is almost impossible to stop.

Packing and unpacking

1. Upon arrival, take the plants out of the shipping box and remove the packing material.

2. Check the soil for moisture. Water the plants if the soil is dry by setting them in a pan of water for a half hour and then allowing to drain.

3. Acclimate the plants to their new location. On the first day, place them outside in a partly sunny location away from damaging winds for just a few hours. Check the plants throughout the day for water as the so they don't completely dry out. Avoid overwatering. Bring them indoors in the afternoon or evening.

4. For the next few days, set your plants in the sun, extending their time outside a little more each day. Remember to bring them back indoors in the afternoon or evening, especially if the nighttime temperatures are relatively cold (below 40 degrees F). By the fourth or fifth day, they will be ready for planting.

Outdoor growing
Scented geraniums are a great addition to any area of your garden. We've used them in beds with brightly colored annuals like marigolds and zinnias, combined with standard geraniums, and in beds dedicated solely to scented geraniums. With few exceptions they need 5-6 hours of direct sun per day. Peppermint (and a couple of other "fuzzy" varieties) can get sunburned, and love light shade. At least a dozen varieties make attractive hanging baskets, and we use several varieties for creating topiaries.

Growing scented geraniums indoors
Scented geraniums are not picky about temperature, but prefer to be cooler than standard geraniums. A range of 55 to 90 ° F is ideal. If you have them in a south window, sheer undercurtains are the perfect screen to prevent sunburn in summer.

Planting your scented geraniums
Any pot that provides good drainage will do, but we think unglazed clay (terra cotta) is a natural complement to these plants. Start with a 3" or 4" pot, and use a light commercial potting mix, or make your own using lots of perlite and/or sand. These plants are indigenous to a cool, semi-desert area and do not like wet feet, so water them well, and then let them dry out before watering again. In warmer areas (Zones 7-10), you may plant them outdoors after a period of acclimatization.

Scented geranium care tips
Give your geranium at least four hours of direct sunlight a day. Night temperatures should be 50° to 75°; day temperatures are ideally 55° to 95°. I have had unprotected plants live at 34 degrees. They should be brought in at about 40 to avoid any damage to them.

Allow the soil to dry out thouroughly between waterings. Overwatering at any stage of this plants life cycle can cause a root fungus that is almost impossible to stop. Plants that appear to be wilting but have wet soil may have this fungus. If you catch it quickly enough you can possibly stop it with a mild mix of fungicide applied about once every 10 days.

Pinch the tips of plants that are not branching on their own in order to avoid tall, leggy plants.

Fertilizing
Take care to not overfeed scented geraniums; overfeeding will diminish their fragrance and they actually don't need a lot of fertilizer. Any well balanced commercial plant food will do; natural fish emulsions and seaweed fertilizers are great for outside use. Use all of them at about 1/2 the strength recommended for houseplants. As with most plants, fertilize more often during periods of active growth, and not at all during the winter months. Fertilize about every 6-8 weeks from March through October.

Pruning
To prune or not to prune? Prune! Some plants may arrive looking as if they have just had a haircut, which is probably true, particularly late in the spring shipping season. These plants are not damaged - in fact, pruning encourages dense, lush growth. To truly appreciate these plants, you need to prune them on a regular basis.

Propagating
Starting new plants to add to your collection or to share with friends or neighbors is very simple. Use the plant material which you prune off your plants! Put the cut ends in damp sand or very fine soil and you will soon have new rooted plants. Plant into containers or into your garden when they're well rooted.

Winter care
Keep them indoors when it's cold outside! As they are easy to grow inside, scented geraniums make great fall and winter houseplants. They need only a sunny windowsill or a flourescent light and seem somehow to thrive on neglect. If you use a light, keep it turned on 12 hours per day during the winter. Some scented geraniums are large and bushy and will need regular pruning to keep under control.

A couple of weeks before it is time to move them outdoors in the spring, prune them back to a nice shape, repot if rootbound, and fertilize. Because of their lack of fussiness and tolerance of hot, dry conditions, scented geraniums are naturals for American summers. Plant them where and when you would plant standard geraniums - after danger of frost is past. Dig and re-pot about 3 weeks before the first fall frost, and gradually acclimatize them to the house before moving them inside for the winter.

Something to always keep in mind with scented geraniums is that the scent description is just one persons opinion. I often wondered where some of the names come from. (The scents don't always seem to match up with the given name.)

Obviously, scented geraniums are a diverse group, so it's not surprising that their uses as diverse as well. Here are some suggestions:

Plant three of the smaller varieties in ceramic pots on a windowsill.

Fill a large clay pot with a specimen plant of Lemon Rose on the patio.

Combine them with flowers in a whiskey barrel.

Tuck a mid-sized Peppermint into a shady nook in the garden.

Plant a row of pruned Lemon Crispum as a border.

Place a matched pair of standards or topiaries at the front door.

Use them as backdrops or foundation plantings.

Pina Colada and Prostrate Rose make wonderful hanging basket varieites.

What pests commonly attack geraniums?

Some common geranium pests include the following:

Geranium aphids: These tiny, soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects suck plant juices and can spread viral diseases. They can be controlled by knocking them off the plants with a strong stream of water, an application of insecticidal soap (pay special attention to treating the undersides of leaves), spraying with horticultural oil, and releasing beneficial insects, such as parasitic wasps, ladybugs, green lacewings, and aphid midges.

Caterpillars: Several species of caterpillars chew geranium leaves. Caterpillars can be handpicked and destroyed or they can be controlled with an application of Bt (Bacillus thuringeinsis) which kills caterpillars, but does not harm beneficial insects. Cultivating the soil in winter will kill overwintering pupae. Attracting or releasing beneficial insects such as ladybugs and parasitic wasps will also help to control caterpillars.

Other pests: Common garden pests, such as mealybugs, whiteflies, and spider mites, can easily be controlled by knocking them off the plants using a strong spray of water, watering plants well during dry spells, and attracting or releasing beneficial insects. More severe infestations can be treated by applying insecticidal soap or neem.

I also use a homemade combination of 1 Tbs. lemon scented dish soap, 1 Tbs. oil soap, and 1 Tbs. baby shampoo mixed in a 1 Qt. sprayer bottle filled with water.

Scented Geraniums of NE

your window to the scented geranium world (and other scented pleasures)

Packing and unpacking

Growing scented geraniums indoors
Scented geraniums are not picky about temperature, but prefer to be cooler than standard geraniums. A range of 55 to 90 ° F is ideal. If you have them in a south window, sheer undercurtains are the perfect screen to prevent sunburn in summer.

Scented Geraniums of NE

your window to the scented geranium world (and other scented pleasures)

Packing and unpacking

Growing scented geraniums indoorsScented geraniums are not picky about temperature, but prefer to be cooler than standard geraniums. A range of 55 to 90 ° F is ideal. If you have them in a south window, sheer undercurtains are the perfect screen to prevent sunburn in summer.

Growing scented geraniums indoors
Scented geraniums are not picky about temperature, but prefer to be cooler than standard geraniums. A range of 55 to 90 ° F is ideal. If you have them in a south window, sheer undercurtains are the perfect screen to prevent sunburn in summer.