Geranium is perennial aromatic crop. The essential oil of geranium is extensively used in expensive soaps, perfumes and for extraction of aromatic chemicals like geraniol and rhodinol. The crop is cultivated in Pulney and Nilgri hills of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Geranium can be cultivated as a annual or perennial irrigated crop in parts of Telangana, Araku Valley (Vizag district) and some parts of Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh.

For gives good results when grown on well drained sandy loamy soil. pH of soil should be lower than 8. Ideal pH level of soil should be in range of 5.5 – 6. 

Algerian, Reunion, IIHR-8, Kodaikanal 1, Selection 8, Egyptian, Hemanti, Bipuli and Kunti. 

The land is prepared to good tilth by ploughing, harrowing and planking. At time of land preparation apply well decomposed cowdung@4tonnes, Single superphosphate@100kg and Muriate of potash@60kg per acre. 

Time of sowing

April to May is optimum time for geranium cultivation. 

Spacing

For sowing of rooted cuttings use spacing of 75x60cm.

Method of sowing

Transplant rooted cuttingsof 30-40days old in the main field.

Seed Rate

For one acre land near about 10,000 cuttings are required.

Seed treatment

Before sowing dipped cuttings in solution of Mancozeb@0.3%. It will prevent stem cutting from rotting disease.  

For raising nursery, prepared field in September to October month. For nursery select 10-15cm long terminal cuttings from healthy plants. Remove all leaves except two – three terminal leaves. Then dipped cutting in solution of IBA@2000ppm + Bavistin@0.1% and plant them on bed. After 30-40days cuttings are ready for transplantation purpose. 

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

For accurate fertilizer dose alwase apply fertilizer on the basis of soil test result.

Apply fertilizers as mention in table. Divide nitrogen in six equals parts. Apply full dose of Potash and Single Super Phosphetand first part of nitrogen at time of land preparation. Apply remaining dose of nitrogen after every two months.

Provide first irrigation immediately after planting. Afterwards apply irrigation frequently till establishment of cuttings. In case of no rainfall provide water at weekly interval. 

The field is kept free of weeds for the first 2 - 3 months after planting and up to one month after every harvest.Overall three to four weedings are required to keep check on weed growth. 

• Pest and their control:

Nematode: To control the nematodes, apply Carbofuran@0.8kg/acre once in 6 months in June and December month.

• Diseases and their control:

Wilt: If infestation is observed, do drenching with Carbendazim@1gm/lit at monthly intervals.

Leaf blight: If infestation is observed take spray of zineb@0.3% or benomyl@0.1% with interval of 12 – 15days. 

Rotting of stem cutting: As a preventive measure, before sowing dipped cuttings in solution of Mancozeb@0.3%. Also drench nursery with this solution. 

Crop is ready to harvest after five to six months. When flower appears and lower leaves start yellowing it is optimum time for harvesting. For harvesting of tender twingsuse sharp sickle. Avoid harvesting of crop from ground level. Overall four harvests are taken in a year. Near about 10-12ton/acre, herbage yield is obtained with oil recovery of 25-30kg per acre.