Geranium
Botanical Name – Pelargonium graveolens (L) Hervitt.
Family – Geraniaceae
Varieties
Algerian, Reunion, IIHR-8, Kodaikanal 1, CIM Pawan, Hemanti, Bipuli and Egyptian.
Soil and Climate
Soil –
A deep light porous well drained soil, rich in organic matter and acidic in reaction
with a pH of 5.5 to 6.0 is suitable.
Climate –
An elevation ranging from 1,000 – 2,400 m with an annual
rainfall of 100 to 150 cm evenly distributed throughout the year is ideal. It thrives well in a
sub tropical climate with a temperature ranging from 5 to 23 O C. However, temperature below 3O C kills the plants.
Propagation
Geranium is propagated by stem cuttings. Cuttings of about 10 cm taken from
current season growth with 3 – 4 nodes are raised in polythene bags of 10 x 10 cm size.
Thorough field preparation leading to fine tilth is essential. Pits of 30 x 30 x 30 cm size are
dug at a spacing of 45 x 45 cm and cattle manure at 250 g/pit is applied and rooted cuttings
of 2 months age are planted during April – May.
Manuring
FYM-25t/ha, 25:150:100 kg/ha in each of N, P and K is recommended. P and K are
applied every year at the time of first harvest while N is applied in equal splits depending
upon the number of harvests per year. Zinc Sulphate at 20 kg and Boron at 10 kg per ha
basally once in a year during June-July improves the yield of herbage. Geranium also
responds well to Copper and Molybdenum.
Irrigation
Geranium is usually grown as a rainfed crop. Irrigation during dry periods increases
the yield
After Cultivation
Weedings, uprooting and burning the diseased plants throughout the
life cycle of the plant. From the second year onwards, give a deep soil forking around the
plants to improve the growth of more suckers.
Pruning
Pruning of the bushes is necessary when the bush shows signs of decline. The
branches are cut back leaving 15 – 20 cm once in 4 – 5 years.
Plant Protection
Diseases:
1) Wilt-
Drench with carbendazim @1 g/l at monthly intervals.
Nematode
To control the nematodes (Meloidogyne hapla) in nursery, apply carbofuran at 2 kg a.i./ ha once in 6 months in June and December.
Harvest and distillation
In the first year of planting, only one harvest can be done at 7 – 8 months and
thereafter 3 or 4 harvests can be done in a year. The tender tip portion with 6 – 12 nodes
constitutes the materials for harvest. The harvested material is withered in shade for two to
three hours and distilled.
Yield
Herbage: 20 – 25 t/ha., Oil: 15 – 20 kg/ha
