bought a couple of these gems yesterday.


anyone witnessed first hand how effective they are?

they smell fabulous

8/17/2006 11:13:44 AM

I've never heard of them. What exactly are they? (Are they a bush, vine, do they flower, what's their name?)

[Edited on August 17, 2006 at 11:18 AM. Reason : ]

8/17/2006 11:16:35 AM

Quote :

"Mosquito Plant The Mosquito Plant is a genetically engineered geranium hybrid with a unique characteristic: it repels mosquitoes! It is easily grown as a potted patio plant, and easily enjoyed for its attractive foliage and sweet lemony scent, as well as for its mosquito repelling powers. It produces a leafy, attractive, foot-tall plant during its first season. The Mosquito Plant was created by a Dutch botanist, who genetically incorporated traits of the Chinese citronella grass into a scented African geranium. The resulting cultivar still had the growth and habit of the geranium, and its sweet lemony citronella scent. Citronella is the substance in citronella candles, which have long been used to deter mosquitoes. It doesn't harm them, but they don't like citronella and avoid it. It is most effective as a repellent if you crush a few leaves and rub them on your skin. This releases the citronella and a sweet perfume."

looks different, smells good, but does it work???

btw- on sale at Lowe's for like 4 bucks a pop. (reg. 9.99)

8/17/2006 11:18:24 AM

Neat-o! I want one! I wonder if it attracts bees though. I would think not, since its citronella-like.

8/17/2006 11:23:44 AM

I've had regular citronella, which didn't work too well. maybe the super plant is better

8/17/2006 11:24:48 AM

Quote :

"on sale at Lowe's for like 4 bucks a pop."

Are they mature or seedlings? and will they survive inside in winter easily?

8/17/2006 11:36:43 AM

mines are about a foot tall.

so far ive read to take them indoors before first frost and they will do well

8/17/2006 11:40:47 AM

10/10

i'm gettin' a few today.

8/17/2006 11:42:33 AM

If they worked I'd replace the grass in my back yard with them. How do they hold up if they are planted in the ground (outside year round)? How do they hold up in the shade/sunlight?

EDIT: A quick google search yielded some answers Most sites also said that the plant doesn't do much by way of mosquito protection until oil is released by crushing the leaves.

I also found a site that claims that catnip is 10 times more powerful than deet. You also need to crush the leaves to get the effect. I still say it would be nice to cover the back yard in this stuff. Mowing it during the summer would release the oil.

[Edited on August 17, 2006 at 12:04 PM. Reason : -]

8/17/2006 11:54:36 AM

do you know how big cat nip gets
it would be a pain in the ass to plant a yard full
believe me.....we planted some for our cats and it gets big, quick

8/17/2006 12:09:49 PM

I'd be glad to mow over a bush every week if it would keep the mosquitoes at bay. There are so many in our neighborhood you would be destroyed by them if you were out for as little as an hour. Repellent does not work on me at all, and I seem to be the only one in my family that mosquitoes even seem interested in. I think it's a curse I have. I'll try anything at this point.

8/17/2006 12:12:56 PM

you can plant cat nip?? i never heard of that before

8/17/2006 12:47:27 PM

^Oh yeah, you can buy it about anywhere.

I gotta get one of these.

8/17/2006 12:57:57 PM

catnip grows everywhere


Dr. Bryce brough in a few of these citronella geraniums, very interesting to say the least, though ive never actually used one

8/17/2006 1:08:27 PM