Date: Fri 27-Mar-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: JUDYC

Quick Words:

Geraniums-Gardener-Bleach

Full Text:

Suburban Gardener-- Scented Geraniums: The Pretty Pretender

By Anthony C. Bleach

I could not resist buying a dendrobium orchid from Laurays at Salisbury while

in Hartford recently for The Connecticut Flower and Garden Show. It is like a

flight of shimmering humming birds.

I suspect though, that our house is not warm enough or light enough for it to

live a long and happy life. I have set it on a plate of wet pebbles, but I

cannot believe this will provide enough humidity.

Naugatuck College had a booth next to The Connecticut Orchid Society's booth.

After three days of looking at their wonderful display, representative of the

46,000 or so species, I fell in love with them. I would recommend Simon and

Schuster's Guide To Orchids for all who are working through such a

relationship.

I should have gone with my first instinct to go with something safe, like the

scented geraniums from Rick Logee at Country Greenhouses, Danielson. All you

need is a sunny windowsill.

Scented geraniums are not true geraniums, but are pelargoniums, members of the

larger family of plants to which geraniums also belong. They have a

storksbill-like fruit, hence the Greek pelargos , for stork. Their history is

interesting.

Native to South Africa, they were introduced to Europe in the 1600s. At that

time they had two strong fragrances: lemon and spice. In the 1800s, when it

was discovered their essence could be used to make perfumes, there was a rush

to breed new varieties.

The variety "Attar of Rose" was the most important source, but there were

dozens of other varieties. Every Victorian garden boasted several varieties in

annual borders and indoors in pots.

There are now over 200 varieties, with scents like chocolate, lemon, pine

grape, nutmeg, coconut, apple and peppermint. They are also handsome to look

at, with feathery leaves, some with cream or white variegations. Sometimes

they flower, with tiny elegant blooms, in colors ranging from white to

lavender.

Scented geraniums, like the usual ones, are very tolerant of the dryness of

our homes in winter, and can also survive weeks without watering. You can

start them from cuttings.

Snip off a three-inch stem, take off any leaves or branches on the lower two

inches, dip into a rooting hormone and place the cutting in a damp potting

soil mixture. Cover with a plastic bag attached with a rubber band and keep in

the shade. In three to four weeks you will have a rooted plant that can be

transplanted.

Place scented geraniums in full sun if you can. Six hours direct sun would be

ideal. Many of us do not have that luxury, but we can compensate by planting

them out in borders, window boxes and container gardens, where they make great

companion plants.

I am keenly looking forward to the Connecticut Cactus Show, at the college on

April 4 and 5. Country Greenhouses and Laurays will be there, along with other

growers showing plants wonderful, bizarre, beautiful and amazing.

(Anthony C. Bleach coordinates the horticulture degree program at Naugatuck

Valley College in Waterbury.

The 15th Annual Connecticut Cactus and Succulent Society Sale and Exhibit will

be at Naugatuck Valley College, 750 Chase Parkway in Waterbury, April 4-5.

Hours are 12-5 on Saturday, 11 am-4 pm on Saturday. Admission is free. There

will be a judged plant show, a lectures and demonstrations series,

refreshments and an auction. For information, call 596-8633 or 860/489-8356.)