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Pelargonium
Pelargoniums
Mon, 01/07/2008 - 11:15 — kitchenwitchBotanical Name:
Pelargonium spp.
Zones:
Subtropical
Other Names:
geranium, garden geranium, scented geranium, zonal geranium, stork's bill, herb robert
There are over 200 species of pelargonium, far too many for me to list them all here. These are very popular bedding plants (annuals in most places) and houseplants (especially scented geraniums).
Propagation:
Pelargoniums are subtropical plants and are not frost hardy. Thus, they are usually treated as annuals in the garden or grown as house plants. Outdoor plants may be brought indoors in the fall and replanted again in the spring. They transplant well. There are many extremely fragrant varieties, (try Pelargonium graveolens) as well as some lovely trailing varieties that make attractive additions to the indoor garden.
Soil should be quick draining and high in organic matter and these plants should be fertilized monthly from early spring to early autumn, but do not need to be fertilized in the dark half of the year. Allow the soil to dry between waterings.
Pelagorniums can be propagated by cuttings. Simply clip off a bit of an existing plant, preferably a young shoot up 3 to 5 inches long, and put the end in moist sand or vermaculite. Keep the cutting in a warm, bright location and keep the vermaculite moist, but not wet. When a good root has formed you will not be able to easily pull the shoot straight up. It is now time to pot your new baby plant. Once it starts showing new growth, you can starti your fertilizing regimine.
If you prefer to start your plants by seed, you'll want to begin about February. Scrape the seeds with a nail file to stratify them and plant in flats about 1/8 inch deep. Keep it moist, but not wet and keep the temperature around 70 to 75 degrees farenheight. You should have baby pelagorniums in about two weeks. Make sure the babies get plenty of sunlight. You can transplant them when they are about an inch tall. Do not plant them outside until you have reliable daytime temperatures of at least 60 degrees. Cooler nights are okay.
Pelagorniums are hassled by various insects including aphids, tobacco worms, spider mites, slugs and caterpillars (but we like caterpillars). They are also susceptable to various funguses. Make sure that you've got good soil drainage and that your plants aren't overcrowded so there's good air circulation between them to minimize these problems.
History and Folklore:
The word Pelargonium comes from the Greek pelargos because the seed pod is said to look like a stork's bill.
When Linnaeus created his plant taxonomy, he placed geraniums and pelagorniums in the same family due to the similar shape of their seeds. They have since been separated, but pelagorniums are still called geraniums by most gardeners.
Harvesting & Storage:
Scented geranium leaves can be used to scent sugar, jams and jellies or dried for use in potpourri.
Household Use:
Some Pelargonium species are said to repel mosquitos. Whether this is true or not, I cannot say. If you experiment, let me know.
Scented geraniums are excellent for use in cosmetics (have you heard of Attar of Rose? It's a pelagornium.) as well as in potpourri.
You can combine cornstarch, arrowroot powder and baking soda and layer this with scented geranium leaves of your choice to make a great scented body powder.
To make your own herbal household cleaners, layer scented geranium leaves with baking soda, let it soak it up for a couple of months and sift for an all-natural carpet fresh or a add some borax for a scented scouring powder.
Fragrances range from spicy (nutmeg, cinnamon) and citrusy (orangei, lemoni, lime and citronella), to the famous rose scented geraniums. I am told, though I have yet to smell it, that there is a chocolate variety.
Magical Attributes:
These plants are feminine in nature and associated with Venus and in some cases Mercury, they are aligned with the element of Water.
Pelargoniums can be used in any spells related to happiness, prosperity and fertility, especially talismans and sympathetic magic. Also, health. protection and love.
The color of the bloom and the scent can also determine the magical attributes of these plants. Rose scented geraniums, for example, can be used in place of roses for many uses and as is often done in the cosmetic industry.
Healing Attributes:
Pelargonium sidoides may be useful for respiratory tract infections by preventing bacteria and viruses from getting a hold on mucus membrains. Tablets are available.
Scented geraniums are used in many aromatherepeutic remedies.
Culinary Use:
Layer scented geranium leaves with sugar and let it sit for a month or two. Sift out the leaves and you'll have lovely scented sugar.
Heat apple jelly until it is liquidy, add several rose geranium leaves, pour into a jar and allow to cool and refrigerate. After several days, remove the leaves. You can try this with other types of scented geranium as well. Or try it with real rose petals. (You don't have to remove the rose petals)
Also try steeping scented geranium leaves in wine, lining the bottom of the baking pan with leaves of your preferred scent, or added to cider or tea, blended into butters, the possibilities are endless. Be sure to remove the leaves before eating.
Practical Kitchen Witchery: