Ageratum - growing from seeds, care and planting
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Ageratum flowers (in Latin gerátum houstoniánum) have another common name - long-flowered, belong to the Astrov family. In the wild, they grow in Central and South America; more than 60 varieties of flowering plants grow in these parts.
Ageratum: description and characteristics
Long-flowered refers to thermophilic flowering crops. The flowers are formed in miniature sizes, collected in inflorescences. The pistils that protrude above the flowers give the plant an unusual look. The color is bright, the shape is unusual, which attracts the attention of domestic florists.
What ageratum flowers look like
The question whether ageratum is a perennial or an annual cannot be answered unequivocally. This culture can grow as just a year or a few.
The height of the ageratum sometimes reaches 0.7 meters. Subject to agrotechnical rules, flowering is long, starting from mid-June until the first frost. Under favorable conditions for development, seed bolls are formed.
Using ageratum in landscape design
Growing and reproducing a flower can be done in two ways. On an industrial scale, cuttings are used, and at home the seed method is more common.
The main reasons why it is better to give preference to seed reproduction:
- Seed material is easy enough to purchase, they are sold in almost all specialized stores.
- By seed reproduction, you can grow a large number of different plant varieties on your personal plot.
And, perhaps, one of the main advantages - the plant begins to bloom earlier, and also grows more hardy.
The seeds are harvested shortly after the plant has faded. As a rule, this occurs after two to three weeks from the moment the first flowers appear.
In order to grow seedlings from seed, the culture must necessarily be pollinated. Usually, there are no problems with this question, since ageratum flowers attract the attention of bees and wasps, they willingly pollinate them.
The seed is characterized by an elongated shape, small size and weight. Healthy seeds are light brown in color. It is recommended to store in tissue or paper bags, dry glass glasses until planting.
The flower is indispensable when decorating a personal plot
Popular types
Today, there are more than 60 varieties of culture, and each has its own individual characteristics. Almost all varieties can be found in hardware stores, but several species are also the most popular: Ageratum Blue Mink, Houston (Gauston) and Mexican variety. Each is worth familiarizing yourself with in more detail.
Ageratum Blue Mink
An ornamental plant of miniature size, does not exceed 35 cm in height. Characteristic features - the inflorescences visually resemble mink fur. In landscape design, ageratum is mainly used in a flower bed, as well as for decorating living borders.
Ageratum appearance Blue mink
The plant is thermophilic; in the not very favorable climate of Russia, it is grown as an annual. The flowers are characterized by a tubular shape; they are grouped into inflorescences with a diameter of no more than 25 cm.
Description of the popular variety of Ageratum Gauston (Houston or Mexican)
Gauston's Ageratum is also known as the Mexican Blue Ageratum. A characteristic feature of the variety is that the inflorescences retain their decorative properties for a long time. Under favorable weather and climatic conditions, it is a perennial. The bush reaches a height of about half a meter.
During flowering, the bushes exude a rich pleasant aroma, flowers are small in size, form bright baskets with a diameter of no more than 1 cm.
Gauston's Mexican Ageratum
Summer Snow variety
In Russia, this plant is better known under a different name - "white ball". It is formed in the form of a close-knit bush, which can reach a height of 45 cm.
In diameter, the inflorescences do not exceed two centimeters, they become voluminous. Due to this feature, Summer Snow ageratums resemble lush white balls.
Also, flower growers should pay attention to such varieties as the Pink Ball, Bonjour, Inca Gold, Red Bouquet and Whitefly. When choosing, it is worth considering the weather and climatic conditions in which the plant will grow.
Ageratum: planting and care in the open field
In most cases, the plant is grown from seed. The most favorable time for the procedure is from mid to late March. In this case, plastic or wooden boxes are filled with a soil mixture consisting of sand, peat and humus. The seed is carefully sprinkled with a thin layer of earth. To create a greenhouse effect, the container is covered with glass or polyethylene fiber. Crops need to be aired every day, otherwise the likelihood of developing fungal diseases is high.
The first shoots usually appear after two weeks.
Seedling
When the seedlings form several true leaves, they must be transplanted into separate containers. The pick is carried out twice. During the second procedure, small plants are transplanted into separate pots.
A few weeks before transplanting into open soil, the plants need to be hardened. To do this, they are taken out into the street, gradually increasing the duration of the walk. If there is a chance of frost, then the seedlings should be brought home and covered.
Seedling ageratum
Ageratum growing from seeds: when to plant
Transplanting seedlings into open soil is carried out in the spring, when the soil has warmed up and the probability of frost has passed. If the weather conditions are unfavorable, then it is better to temporarily postpone the landing. In poorly heated soil, the seed can die pretty quickly.
Loose soil with neutral acidity and high-quality drainage layer is best suited for planting.
The suburban area should be well lit and protected from wind gusts and drafts. Growing in partial shade, the stems will stretch upward, and flowering will be almost invisible.
Home care: pinching and pruning
Agrotechnical complex of measures for the care of ageratum includes regular but moderate watering, application of organic and mineral fertilizers, loosening of the soil and removal of weeds. It is also regularly recommended to pinch the cuttings, otherwise the bush will be pulled up idle.
Quality Ageratum Seeds
Watering frequency depends on weather conditions.Watering should be abundant, after which weeds are removed and the soil surface is loosened. For fertilization, mineral complexes or humic compositions are mainly used. The optimal frequency is once every 2/3 weeks. Mullein infusion is good for the growth and flowering of the culture.
You should not abuse it with nitrogen-containing compounds, since the bushes will increase the green mass, and practically will not bloom. Also, as necessary, you need to regularly prune the bushes, leaving several internodes on the stem.
Ageratum disease prevention and pest control
If the rules of agricultural technology are not followed, as well as unfavorable weather or climatic conditions, the plant can be exposed to the development of various diseases, as well as attacks by pests.
Whitefly
A small insect that is easy enough to spot on bushes. Insects do a lot of damage to crops because they feed on their sap. If the appropriate measures are not taken, the plants will die. To get rid of the whitefly, it is recommended to irrigate the bushes with a solution of Aktar or Aktellik chemicals.
Cucumber mosaic
It is accompanied by the formation of characteristic yellow spots on the leaves. It is impossible to cure the disease, therefore, all preventive measures should be carefully and regularly carried out. They include regular processing of the soil with special compounds, removal of weeds. Insects are carriers of the infection, therefore, when they appear, measures must be taken to destroy them.
Ageratum struck by cucumber mosaic
Rot
Fungal disease that develops against the background of high humidity and soil. It is characterized by the formation of dark spots on the leaf plates. For treatment, the bushes are irrigated with Topaz or Fundazol compounds.
Ageratum is an unpretentious plant that even a novice florist can grow. The main task is to familiarize yourself with the rules of agricultural technology and draw up a schedule according to which they will be carried out.
