Is lemon grass really good for keeping mosquitos away? What other plants keep them away?
Here are links to a couple articles on plants that repel mosquitoes: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/scented-geranium/mosquito-citronella-geranium-plant.htm
and
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/backyard-mosquito-control.htm
I am looking to plant lemongrass in a potted garden on our patio. What size pots should I use?
I have grown lemon grass in 12-14" containers. Anything much larger is too heavy to move in winter. When the plant gets too large, it's quartered and repotted.
I bought a small lemongrass plant from my local nursery a little over a year ago. They told me to transplant it into a slightly larger pot with a well-draining soil, which I did. I've kept the soil moist, like they said, and left it in a sunny spot. My garden here in southern California gets lots and lots of sun. Eight months later, the plant was exactly the same size, but the very bottom had become rootbound, so I replanted (trimming the roots first, as usual) and bumped up the pot size by another inch. The plant is still the exact same size. Also, the leaves are small and thin, not big and tall. It's a sad-looking little thing and I have no idea what I'm doing wrong! Any help would be appreciated.
I'm a little perplexed at the phrase, ''trimming the roots first, as usual''. If you loosen potbound roots to encourage their growth out into new soil, a plant should exhibit new growth within a couple weeks. If the roots were cut, the plant is putting most of it's energy into re-establishing the root system so it can support the foliage. (I would think that severing roots would be akin to our veins and arteries being damaged.) Lemon grass is a robust plant, and with proper nutrition and water, should be growing like gangbusters.
I have a very healthy, sturdy stalked lemon grass plant but the tips are browning. I have it planted in a 14" pot with compost and some sand. Why are the tips browning? I also want to grow Thai basil, can you tell me the best way? I have a Kaffir lime with lots of new fruit too, how should I thin them?
Brown tips typically indicate that the plant is getting too little water. I would increase water for the plant and make sure it is not rootbound. Here is more info: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/what-causes-brown-edges-on-leaves-of-plant.htm Thai basil will grow just like normal basil: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/basil/growing-thai-basil.htm Typically you do not need to thin limes. They will normally thin themselves to match the water and nutrients that they are getting. Make sure the plant is getting extra water at this time so that it does not over thin itself.
Some time back I bought a sapling of lemongrass, which was about 3 feet tall, and I planted in a pot. After some time it has grown up like a bush and, as there was no further development in growth, I collected the bunch (I took them as seeds) at the top of the plant. I sowed them in the soil, but I failed. No seedling has shown up. My question is, how to propagate lemongrass? Will you please guide me?
Although it can be grown from seed, it's much easier (and quicker) to propagate lemongrass from stalks. Cut off several inches from the top of your stalks and peel away any dry or withered layers near the base. Fill a glass jar with water and place the stalks (bottom-end) in the water. Within a couple weeks, you should see roots appearing but keep the stalks in the water until these roots are at least an inch or so long. If you no longer have any of the lemongrass left, you can usually purchase it at the grocery store and propagate them the same way.
My lemongrass has taken over the garden. Should I remove half the plant, or prune it back to the ground? Thanks.
You can cut the plant back and this should help keep it under control. If the plant is taking up too much room in the garden, simply remove some of the plant. It does root very easily so take care in where you toss it (in case you don't want to replant what you dig up). You may even want to give some of the plant away to others. Do you use it in the kitchen? Harvesting the plant regularly will also help. Here is more info: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/lemongrass/harvesting-lemongrass.htm
How do I trim lemongrass to keep it from growing so tall and leave it looking good? I would like to plant in pot with smaller plants around it.
You can cut them back to your desired height -they respond well to being trimmed.
For more information about growing lemongrass, please visit the following link:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/lemongrass/learn-about-growing-lemon-grass-plant.htm