Synthetic pesticides are more of a threat to man than the insects it would seem. As each generation of insects become more immune the pesticide, stronger and more potent insecticides are released. In the meantime we humans are absorbing these chemicals as they permeate our homes, gardens and lawns and in turn we are depleting the quality of our health and the health of our pets. We hope that most American gardeners will help reverse this trend by using natural pest deterrents that have been used successfully for generations. We offer the following seeds to aid them in their efforts.
Commonly known as Lemon Bush. This aromatic plant starts easily from seed. When grown in a container, it only reaches 3 to 4 feet tall. No matter where you live, you can grow this lovely plant from seed in your own home and enjoy the fresh lemony fragrance. Its fresh and lemony aroma is uplifting and simply brushing the leaves will release more fragrance that will remind you of the citronella candles sold to repel mosquitos. Outside in warm zones, it will grow into a small tree, but is most commonly grown as a container plant in cooler zones. It produces sword-shaped gray-green leaves, tiny white blooms, and a bit of red fall foliage change. For growing indoors, find a nice container and grow from seed in a bright window. It can also be grown outdoors, but bring it in before the first frost to winter it indoors.
Oil from the leaves is applied to the skin as a medicine and insect repellent. Citrodora Ecalyptus oil is used for preventing mosquito and deer tick bites. It is also an ingredient in chest rubs used to relieve congestion. The oil has a strong fresh citronella-like odor with a sweet balsamic undertone. Very effective insect repellent due to a higher citronellal content than citronella ( which is commercially harvested from citronella grass, a different type of plant and is used in many insect repellants ).
Eucalyptus Citriodora has good branching and makes an attractive container plant with wonderful citrus-spice fragrance. It is actually an herb, and its 3-inch leaves are bold and dramatic indoors, and the white summer blooms add another interesting dimension to this versatile plant.
The plants are winter hardy in USDA zones 8-11, but can be grown as a container plant or annual in any zone.
Trees bloom in winter in outside in warm zones, in the greenhouse they bloom in late winter to early spring. The white blooms are not very distinctive. The blooms are followed by woody urn-shaped capsules about 3/8 of an inch wide.
Eucalyptus citriodora need full sun with a well-drained soil mix for container growing. Most gum trees grow in very nutrient poor soils and fertilizer is not needed; however container plants should be feed once during the spring. To control the size of the trees in containers, do all pruning and repotting in late to early spring after flowering.
How to start seeds and grow:
Start seed indoors into a starter tray. ( We like to leave seed packet in the fridge for 30 days before sowing, this seems to enhance the germination ). Press the seed into the soil and cover lightly, about twice the thickness of the seed. Keep the seeds moist by watering from underneath. Once the seedlings are 4 to 5 inches tall, transplant into containers. Start with a 1 to 2 gallon container with potting mix and after a year or so, transplant into a larger 3 to 5 gallon container. Feed monthly during the growing season with water soluable plant food or mix granular 5-10-10 fertilizer with micronutrients into the soil each year.
Wormwood has finely-divided foliage that is gray-green in color and aromatic. In mid-summer, it produces many yellow flowers.
Widely used as an insect repellent, it is mostly noted for its ingredients used to make Absinthe.
A perennial for zones 3-8. Cannot ship to ND, SD,
MN
For sowing indoors, sow in pots or trays containing good seed compost. Barely cover the seeds with a fine sprinkling of compost and make sure the compost is kept moist but not wet. Germination usually takes 30 to 60 days at 55°F.
Transplant the indoor seedlings when large enough to handle into pots and grow on. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Space 12 inches apart. Water regularly for the first two weeks of growth for container-grown plants to allow them time to become established.
Increase watering during times of drought or extreme heat.
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THE SAFE INSTANT KILL INSECTICIDE
The most effective insecticide that instantly kills flying and crawling insects on contact but does no harm to mammals or birds is the dried and crushed flowers of the Pyrethrum Plant. This brown powder will kill or stun the insects the moment it touches them but does no harm to pets when sprinkled on their coats. This member of the daisy family is a beautiful ornamental and will compliment any garden or flower bed. While very effective, the dried powder only lasts for a few days. You can prolong its use throughout the year by freezing fresh flower heads in zip-lock bags and drying and crushing them as needed.
THE GREAT MOSQUITOE REPELLENT
Mosquitoes are very sensitive to certain scents, Chamomile and Citriodora especially. Both are easy to grow and both are used in dry flower arrangements. Citriodora is also used in potpourri. To make The Great Mosquito Repellent, take one oz. of green leaves from both plants and boil in a gallon of water. Strain and place in the refrigerator. Before going outside, splash the mixture liberally over your face and exposed parts of your body. You will enjoy the fresh, citrus smell but the mosquitoes will stay far away.
DEWORMING CONCOCTION
This is an old time remedy for deworming dogs and cats. Use
full amount on dogs and 1/4 amount on cats. Mix one teaspoon of
dried, powdered rosemary and one teaspoon of wormwood with 1/2
teaspoon of fresh ground garlic. Mix well and divide into 4
portions. Give pet a portion mixed in with food or pet treat four
times a day. Repeat this for 3 days and pet should be completely
dewormed.
BUG JUICE
Many gardeners have been making their own free insect repellent for years using nature against itself. They learned that many insects such as beetles will not feed on plants if they smell the dead of their own species. This lead to the creation of the term "bug juice". They collected as many different types of bugs as they could find in the garden, then smashed them into a paste, soaked this solution in water until the next day and splashed onto the plants. To make the best bug juice, use an old blender and add a little dishwashing detergent to the mix to make it adhere better.