Description and features of ageratum

Belonging to the Astrov family, this ornamental plant gives gardeners cute fluffy flowers, the dense inflorescences of which look like fragrant pompoms, filling the surrounding space with a pleasant smell.

Ageratum It is attractive for its ability to retain freshness for a long time after cutting. This quality, as well as the plant’s ability to bloom for a long period, formed the basis for the name of the flower, which is translated from Latin as “forever young.”

Externally the plant (as can be seen on photo of ageratum) has the appearance of a low bush, whose stems can be quite dwarf in size, but even taller ones do not exceed a length of 60 cm.

Its flowers delight the eye with a soothing blue or purple hue, but there are also varieties, varieties and hybrids that have pink, white and other, very diverse: colorful, unusual and unique shades.

The inflorescences-baskets extending from the stems are not particularly large, being no more than 5 cm in diameter. Depending on the type, they have an arbitrary shape and have different sizes, sometimes taking on the most bizarre unpredictable appearance and fantastic contours that betray ageratum flowers air volume.

The lush green leaves of the crop are oval and triangular in shape, and can also be diamond shapes, the edges of which have an uneven serrated structure.

In nature, such flowers grow in fertile and vegetation-rich areas of eastern India, Central and Latin America. This is a tropical and heat-loving representative of the flora, so the culture is not able to survive even the mildest winters.

Conditions for growing ageratum became the reason that this perennial (as it is in its homeland) is bred in Russia, given its climate, as an annual plant.

The flowers look great in flower beds and are very attractive as an element of the design of the surrounding landscape, delighting those around them with long-lasting (up to five months) flowering.

Among flower growers, this culture, which looks attractive and tempting, is quite in demand, since growing ageratum does not bring much trouble, and his decorative properties have multifaceted applications.

The plant is successfully used to create carpet compositions, often in combination with other crops, successfully filling empty spaces among perennial flora representatives. Flowers are also invaluable in the work of florists and designers.

Planting and propagation of ageratum

The cultivation of the described crop occurs mainly by planting seeds, but since the crop is heat-loving, it is not advisable to sow them directly into flower beds or garden plots.

How to sow ageratum? When the flowers ripen and turn brown, this is a sign that seed material can be collected from them. In the fruits of the plant, which have the shape of a wedge-shaped pentagon, numerous small seeds ripen, which retain their properties and are capable of successfully germinating over a four-year period when planted.

It is best to first sow them by mid-March in convenient containers or boxes filled with soil, the structure of which should consist of peat, sand and humus in approximately equal proportions.

At sowing ageratum The seeds should be sprinkled on top with a small layer of soil of the above composition. Cover the planting container with a transparent film or glass so that the sun's rays penetrate freely through this surface, creating a favorable microclimate inside.

In the resulting greenhouse for successful germination ageratum from seeds Regular ventilation should be provided and the temperature should be maintained at at least 15°C.

And the soil should always be slightly moist. Shoots appear after about a couple of weeks, and from this time the film covering the container or box can be removed.

At the moment when two pairs of leaves hatch at the seedlings, ageratum seedlings should be placed in a larger container, and then as the seedlings grow, it is better to transplant them into separate cups or pots.

A convenient time for watering seedlings is the morning. And a couple of weeks before ageratum planting to a flowerbed or garden plot, young plants should be hardened, gradually accustoming them to natural conditions on open air.

Ageratum into the soil it is transplanted when a stable above-zero temperature is established outside and the danger of night frosts disappears. The place for sowing should be sunny and protected from winds and dampness, and the soil on the site should be light, non-acidic and nutritious.

For planting, small holes are dug, spaced from one another at a distance of about 15 cm. If everything is done correctly, in a couple of months you will be able to watch the plant bloom.

Ageratum care

The plant is quite unpretentious, but loves watering, which, however, should not be too excessive. And after irrigating the soil with water, at the moment when the wet soil dries out a little, but still remains loose, weeding should be done. This significantly helps the growth of the plant, freeing it not only from weeds, but also the remnants of their root system, which is easily removed.

As a top dressing, produced twice a month, you can use mineral and gummed fertilizers, as well as mullein infusion, but fresh manure has a bad effect on ageratum. Care involves feeding, but you should remember that you don’t need to be zealous with them.

Excessive use of fertilizers promotes the growth of green parts of the crop, which interferes with the appearance of flowers. For a successful lush color, faded inflorescences must be removed in a timely manner, and the stems must be trimmed, leaving only some internodes.

When the autumn cold approaches, the area is cleared of the fading remains of a heat-loving plant, which is not able to tolerate even light frosts.

Successful bushes can be moved to a veranda or balcony, and also left in the house, transplanted into flower pots, so that such beauty can remind of the past summer for some time.

And in the first days of spring, cuttings can be taken from the surviving bushes, which are suitable for planting in the garden in the new season. Very often this crop is specially bred on loggias and terraces, growing at home. Ageratum planted in boxes, flowerpots, tubs and floor vases.

The enemies of young shoots on verandas and greenhouses are often whiteflies and spider mites. To combat them, affected leaves are removed or treated with insecticides.

The crop gets sick quite often, but in order for the plant to successfully develop and grow, and its roots not to rot, it is better to select light soil for planting in advance and loosen the soil in the area so that the moisture is retained longer after watering. Often the crop is infected by bacteria, and the plant begins to wither, which is a consequence of poor care.

Lack of heat, sunlight and waterlogging of the soil can cause the disease - black leg. The consequence is rotting of the lower part of the stem. To get rid of such troubles, diseased plants have to be removed, and the remaining shoots must be sprayed with a solution of potassium permanganate at least once a week.

Types and varieties of ageratum

There are about six dozen species of this plant. Such diversity is distinguished by the individuality of each variety and its special unique beauty.

All of them are in demand in floriculture, and anyone can find their seeds in any flower shop, even the first one they come across. Varieties of the crop are divided into three types according to the size of the bushes. Tall ones reach a length of up to 60 cm; the stems of medium-sized plants are slightly lower; well, dwarf types generally grow no higher than 15 cm.

Ageratum mexicanis, actively used in garden design, is one of the most beloved and well-known species by gardeners. Plant varieties are usually distinguished by their blue range, but there are also red, pink, yellow and white shades.

This universal flowers, giving gardeners, florists and designers the opportunity to let their imaginations fly, which stimulates their creative impulses. This flora is widely used to compose a wide variety of compositions in bold combinations color ranges and bizarre shapes.

Low-growing bushes are perfect for decorating flower beds and borders. And tall ones are for original and colorful bouquets. Flowers create harmony and a wonderful mood when planted in vases and placed in the garden between bushes in the fall.

On the background blue ageratum Zinnias and marigolds, as well as plants such as heliopsis, rudbeckia and helenium, look great in flower beds with their red, yellow, orange and gold hues.

One of the varieties of the mentioned species is “ White ball", fits perfectly into impressive floral compositions. This compact, graceful plant grows to a very short height, so it is convenient for growing in boxes and vases.

Its densely drooping leaves appear voluminous. Stems are strong and straight. The inflorescences, about 2 cm in diameter, delight in their attractive snow-white color.

Ageratum mexicanis served as the basis for the creation by breeders of many interesting plant varieties of various colors and qualities. These include the Alba variety - hardy, but rare plant, having snow-white flowers with four petals.

This flora is characterized by abundant flowering and prefers nutritious soil and places covered with light shadow. Flowers are used to decorate the banks of reservoirs, borders and rocky hills.

The “North Sea” hybrid, also bred from the mentioned species, pleases the eye with a rich dark purple color scheme. This crop tolerates haircuts well and recovers after it in a short time. A variety with white-blue flowers is Ageratum "Leda". Its coloring is amazing and original in that it seems to shimmer and shimmer.

Ageratum pink includes two varieties: fiery pink and pink ball. These plants are small in size and usually do not grow above 30 cm, but they are even more compact dwarf varieties ageratum.

Ageratum blue mink famous long flowering and amazing unpretentiousness. Externally, the plant is a neat compact bush up to 35 cm high.

The culture has fluffy blue inflorescences with a lilac tint, emitting pleasant aroma. This flora, starting its flowering in June, continues to delight with its beauty until autumn, decorating gardens, flower beds and flower beds with its bright, dense inflorescences.

The plant loves warmth and light, so it easily tolerates drought. But growing in the shade, it stretches out ugly, so open sunny areas are chosen for it. This crop also does not tolerate rocky and damp soils.

Anyone can create unique compositions using the mentioned plant material. winter bouquets. To do everything correctly and beautifully, flowers are cut from flower beds at a time when their buds have not yet fully blossomed. Then they are tied in bunches and hung with the inflorescences down to dry. Then they make up wonderful compositions.

Ageratum - perennial herbaceous plant from the Asteraceae family. In nature, it is found in Eastern India, Mexico, and Peru. Plants are attracted by their abundant green mass and many flowers. Charming fluffy balls of purple, blue or cream colors form a continuous carpet. They exude a very delicate honey aroma. The heat-loving ageratum does not like frost, so it is grown in the garden as an annual. But under the right conditions, caring for it is not difficult. Ageratum is often used for landscaping balconies, verandas or to create a dense flowering carpet on relief slopes.

Botanical description

Ageratum are perennial herbs or subshrubs. They have soft, branched stems that grow upright or droop toward the ground. The length of the shoots is 10-60 cm. The plant is nourished by fibrous rhizomes. When in contact with the ground, roots can also form in internodes. They are covered with bright green or brownish bark with short, barely noticeable pubescence.

Opposite petiolate leaves, oval, heart-shaped or diamond-shaped, grow in the internodes. The edges of the leaves are jagged and the surface is swollen between the veins. Small soft leaves grow 2-5 cm in length.

From May-June, ageratum blooms profusely. The basket-shaped inflorescences resemble fluffy pompoms with a diameter of 1-1.5 cm. They are painted white, pink, purple, blue or lilac and consist of many small tubular flowers. The flowers consist of long, soft needle-like petals. Inflorescences bloom at the tops of the shoots and also form in the axils of the leaves. They exude a pleasant sweetish aroma that attracts beneficial insects.

After pollination, elongated wedge-shaped achenes with five sides ripen. Inside are very small rounded seeds of dark brown or black color. They retain the ability to germinate for 3-4 years.

Types of ageratum

About 40 plant species have been recorded in the genus Ageratum. Most often, only one of them is grown in culture, and many ornamental varieties have been bred on its basis.

Erect, branched stems form a spherical bush 15-60 cm high. Lush corymbose inflorescences of various colors reach a diameter of 8 cm. They decorate the top of the plant and, in turn, consist of small baskets with a diameter of about 1-1.5 cm. Varieties:

• Alba - blooms many white fluffy flowers;
• Ageratum blue mink (blue). A dense subshrub 20-25 cm high and covered with dark green pubescent leaves. The top is decorated with blue inflorescences, which form a soft cap, similar to mink fur or a blue muff;
• Bavaria - a bush up to 30 cm high is covered with an almost continuous cap of inflorescences. The center of each ball is white, and along the edges there is a bright blue border;
• Blue bouquet - erect or lodging stems 45 cm high bear large bright blue inflorescences;
• White ball - long creeping stems at the top and in the internodes are covered with spherical snow-white inflorescences that bloom by the end of June;
• Pink fire - compact bushes with small leaves and large bright pink inflorescences;
• North Sea is a low-growing plant (about 15 cm) that produces beautiful dark purple flowers.

Growing from seeds

Since in our latitudes, heat-loving ageratum is often grown as annuals, it is convenient to propagate it by seeds. At the end of March, seedlings are planted. For sowing, shallow and wide boxes are used, which are filled with a sand-peat mixture with the addition of humus. The seeds are distributed on the surface, sprayed with water and covered with film. Keep them in a bright place at a temperature of +15…+20°C. It is necessary to ventilate and remove condensation daily, and if necessary, spray the soil.

Sprouts will appear in 10-15 days. After this, the cover is removed. It is necessary to moisten the soil with great care, since seedlings are sensitive to fungal diseases. When 2 true leaves are formed on the plants, it is picked for the first time into another box with a distance of 3-5 cm. After 2 weeks, a second pick is carried out in separate pots or cups. Grow seedlings in a well-lit, warm room, where there is no dampness, and the soil is moderately moistened.

The right time for ageratum to be planted in open ground, determined depending on the region. It is necessary that night frosts disappear completely and the average daily temperature settles at +15°C and above.

For planting, select well-lit areas protected from drafts with loose, nutritious soil. The acidity of the soil should be neutral or slightly alkaline. Plants are planted at a depth of the root system with a distance of 10-15 cm. Flowering of seedlings is expected after 2 months.

Vegetative propagation

Ageratum can be propagated by cuttings and layering, but it must be grown in pots that are brought into a warm room for the winter. When pruning in spring, cuttings with 2-3 internodes are cut from the bush. The cut is treated with “Kornevin” and planted in a container with loose garden soil to a depth of 1-1.5 cm. Before rooting, the cuttings are covered with a transparent cap. After 15-20 days, the shelter is removed and the plants are transplanted into a separate pot. At the end of spring, seedlings can be transferred to open ground.

If the stem comes into contact with the ground, roots will form. It is enough to cut off such cuttings and replant them separately. Often there are already flowers on it. With careful transplantation, they will be preserved and multiplied.

Home care

Regardless of whether ageratum is grown in a container or in open ground, it is easy to care for. Plants definitely need bright lighting. On a hot afternoon, protect the shoots from direct sunlight. With a lack of light, the stems will become very elongated and there will be very few flowers. Ageratum can withstand even extreme heat, but when the temperature drops to +1...+5°C it dies. Before such cold weather, you can dig up the bushes and replant them in pots or bring the flowerpots indoors.

Ageratum needs to be watered frequently so that the soil dries out only on the surface. At the same time, plants are sensitive to stagnant water. They immediately slow down growth and stop flowering. It is especially important not to overwater young flowers.

Ageratum is fed three times per season (in spring, during flowering and in September). mineral complex for flowering plants. Organic feeding is not recommended for it.

It is very important that the soil is light and air penetrates to the roots. Therefore, it needs to be loosened several times a month and weeds removed. Since the rhizome is close to the surface, you should not be too zealous with weeding.

As the shoots grow and the flowers fade, pruning is carried out. This allows you to preserve compact ornamental bushes and prolong flowering.

Possible difficulties

Ageratum is quite sensitive to plant diseases. In heavy soil and with regular flooding, the roots suffer from rot. The development of bacterial diseases and leaf chlorosis is possible. Sometimes the leaves become covered with a mosaic pattern with yellow spots (“cucumber mosaic virus”).

Plants that are only slightly damaged can be saved. To do this, the bushes are replanted with soil replacement and treated with a fungicide. You can spray the plants with infusion of wormwood, bird cherry or tansy.

Planting and care in open ground

Use in the garden

Delicate soft greenery and abundant fluffy inflorescences of ageratum add a romantic charm to the flower garden. Plants do not differ in height, because even long stems bend towards the ground. Therefore, in a flower garden they are planted in the foreground. You can use ageratum for planting in containers or flower pots. It is great for landscaping verandas and balconies, stonework and borders. Partners for ageratum can be calendula, zinnia, marigolds and other brightly flowering plants.

Ageratum has earned popularity among gardeners due to its unpretentiousness in cultivation and care. Planting this flower in open ground will quickly color your garden. bright colors fluffy inflorescences.

Varieties of ageratum

In its homeland (in the tropics of Central America), ageratum grows as a perennial plant. The name of this flower means “ageless”, which is fully justified by its continuous flowering.

Ageratum is a herbaceous bushy plant. In our climate it is grown as annual flower. The bush is spreading, with a large number of shoots. The root system is well developed. Stems are erect. The height of the bushes varies from 10 to 60 cm. The leaves are round or triangular with faint serrations. The flowers are blue, purple, white or pink. The flowers are small, fluffy, collected in small dense inflorescences. At the same time, ageratum produces many flower stalks.

The genus Ageratum has more than 60 species. The most common in floriculture Houston's ageratum or, as it is also called, Mexican. The variety series of this type of ageratum is widely represented on our market. Each variety is unique and differs in bush height, flower color and flowering duration.

The most popular varieties of Mexican ageratum:

• "Alba";
• "Tetra Veali";
• "Blue Perfection";
• "Ocean"
• North Sea.

In the photo you can see characteristics many popular varieties of ageratum and choose your own, the variety that most resonates with you.

It is worth highlighting another type of ageratum - coniform. It differs more from Mexican small flowers and blunt foliage.

Reproduction of ageratum

The most common method of propagating ageratum is by seeds.

Growing annual ageratum seedlings at home will not cause any difficulties. At the end of March, the seeds are sown in prepared boxes. The soil suitable for this is light and moderately nutritious. For example, a sand-peat mixture with the addition of humus in equal proportions.

Important! Ageratum seeds are very small, almost specks of dust. Therefore, they are not buried in the ground, but evenly distributed over the surface.

Boxes with seeds are covered with polyethylene and placed in a warm place for germination. After 7-10 days, the first shoots will appear, and the boxes can be placed on the window. Does not tolerate Ageratum excess humidity air, so you should not spray it. Watering is carried out only when the soil dries out, moderately.

A few weeks after the emergence of seedlings, the first true leaves will develop on the seedlings, and during this period the seedlings are plucked for the first time. The second picking is carried out when the young seedlings have grown a little. This time, each plant is planted in a separate container, since the further development of the seedling will be rapid.

Two weeks after diving, it is advisable to feed the seedlings with complex mineral fertilizer.

As the weather warms up outside, the seedlings are hardened off by taking them out into the fresh air. Gradually, the “walk” time is increased.

In cases where it is necessary to preserve all qualities rare variety The mother bush can be propagated by cuttings. To do this, in the fall the bush is sent to overwinter in a cool place, and in early spring shoots are cut from it for cuttings. Cuttings are germinated in a warm room in boxes with sand. In just a few weeks it begins to develop root system, and after it shoots are formed.

Planting ageratum and further care

Ageratum seedlings are planted in open ground late spring, preferably at the end of May. The plant is tolerant of any soil; only in exceptional cases may it be necessary to liming soil that is too acidic.

The place for planting ageratum should be chosen in a bright place, on the south or east side of the site.

Advice. Even slight shading will cause the plant to stretch. In this case abundant flowering will not be possible to achieve.

Ageratum seedlings are planted at a distance of 15-20 cm from each other. There is no need to bury it in the ground. The depth of planting in open ground should correspond to the level of growth of seedlings in pots.

Ageratum needs to be fed with mineral fertilizers three times a season. Fertilizing with manure and other organic fertilizers should be avoided.

Ageratum requires moderate watering, without excess. To keep the soil breathable, loosening the soil is required after watering and rain. As necessary, the area with ageratum is weeded, removing weeds that inhibit the development of the bushes.

In order for the flowering of ageratum to be abundant and long, faded inflorescences are cut off from the bushes all summer. If you carry out this procedure regularly, the ageratum will produce more and more new buds, delighting you with continuous flowering.

We can conclude that planting and caring for ageratum in open ground is extremely simple due to the unpretentiousness of the plant.

Diseases and pests of ageratum

Despite its unpretentiousness in cultivation, ageratum is susceptible to many diseases. Due to excess moisture and lack of air access to the roots, ageratum is affected by root rot. In this case, the plant cannot be saved and is removed.

Bacterial wilt occurs without apparent cause in the initial stage of leaf chlorosis disease. Ageratum is also affected by the cucumber mosaic virus (cucumber mosaic virus appears on the leaves). yellow spots, the stem becomes glassy, ​​the buds wither without blooming). At the first symptoms of disease, the affected areas of the plant must be removed, and the remaining shoots must be repeatedly treated with insecticidal preparations or infusions of plants with the same properties (wormwood, bird cherry, tansy, etc.).

Of the pests for ageratum, all types of nematodes, spider mites, and whiteflies are dangerous. Pest control is carried out using special means until they are completely destroyed.

Ageratum as an element of landscape design

IN landscape design ageratum looks very good as a background for flower beds, flower beds and works with perennial flowers. Low-growing varieties of ageratum are used to form decorative borders, while tall varieties are grown for cutting.

A combination of ageratum with calendula, zinnia, marigolds and other yellow-orange flowers will give a bright color to the flowerbed. Ageratum is grown for landscaping balconies and is suitable for growing in flowerpots. Vases with joint landing ageratum and petunias will decorate gazebos or the threshold of a house.

From the photo, the fluffy flowers of agegatum look at us as something exotic, but in fact, growing this ever-blooming crop is very simple. To do this, you only need to follow some simple rules, which are described above.

Flowering ageratum: video

Types of ageratum: photo

Gentle ageratum enjoys in great demand from gardeners. And this is not surprising, because the plant has an attractive appearance and lush, long-lasting flowering. In addition, its unpretentious character is a quality for which ageratum is valued. Planting and care in open ground, the characteristics of the plant and problems with its cultivation - you will learn this and much more from our material.

Description

Ageratum is an attractive member of the Astrov family. In its natural environment, this flower grows in North and Central America, as well as in Eastern India.

Translated from Latin, the name of the plant means “ageless.” And this name suits ageratum perfectly, because the buds retain their freshness and attractive appearance for a long time even after cutting.

The plant is a compact shrub, up to 60 cm high. It has emerald green leaves, which, depending on the variety, are triangular, oval and diamond-shaped.

Small flower buds are collected in baskets with a diameter of 1-1.5 cm. They exude a pleasant aroma and are colored white, blue or pink tones. The baskets, in turn, are collected in complex corymbose inflorescences, densely covering the bush and giving it the appearance of a colorful ball.

The flowering period begins in late May - early June, and lasts almost until frost. After the buds, small boxes form on the plant, each of which contains a huge number of seeds. Moreover, the seed remains viable for 3-4 years after collection.

Although ageratum is perennial plant, in our climatic conditions it is grown as an annual. The flower gets along with other plants, and is used in creating compositions with other crops. The best “neighbors” are marigolds, calendula and snapdragons.

Flower varieties

There are 60 plant species in nature. In addition, breeders have developed many varieties of ageratum. The following varieties have gained popularity among gardeners:

• Blueball. The compact hemispherical bush reaches 20 cm in height. It is densely covered with slightly pubescent shoots. The inflorescences are collected in baskets with a diameter of 6 cm. The color of the petals is bluish-lilac.
• Alba. This white ageratum is valued for its unpretentious nature and the milky-snowy shade of its petals. A miniature, spherical bush reaches 20 cm in height. The inflorescences emit a strong, pleasant aroma.
• Ageratum blue mink. The flowers of the variety are painted a rich soft blue hue. They are collected in dense inflorescences with a diameter of 6-8 cm, which densely cover a compact, spherical bush 25 cm high. The baskets are very fluffy, in appearance they resemble mink fur, which is how the name of the variety came about.
• Pink fields (Purple Fields). Hybrid variety It has an unusual purple petal color. The spherical bushes of the plant reach 30 cm in diameter and 25 cm in height. The inflorescences cover the plants so densely that the foliage of the crop is practically invisible.
• Red Sea. A variety with rich purple-red and ruby ​​inflorescences. The shrub reaches 40 cm in height. It blooms at the end of May, and pleases with its numerous buds until frost. Suitable for cutting.
• Bavaria. This ageratum is distinguished by its bicolor petals. In the central part they are painted white. And at the edges their color acquires a rich blue color. The shrub reaches 30 cm in height.

Ageratums are flowers for the garden that will decorate your garden plot. In addition, they are unpretentious, and even a novice gardener can grow them.

Growing a plant

There are two ways to propagate ageratum - growing from seeds and cuttings. First, let's look at the first method. Since the plant is heat-loving, it needs to be grown in seedlings. Keep in mind that 2-2.5 months will pass between sowing and planting seedlings in open ground. Therefore, work should begin in mid-to-late March.

As for the soil, a store-bought peat mixture is suitable for growing ageratum from seeds. Or make your own soil. To do this, mix in equal proportions:

• peat;
• sand;
• humus.

Be sure to disinfect the soil before planting ageratum. To do this, pour boiling water over the soil, then spread the soil in a 5-centimeter layer on a baking sheet. Heat for 20-30 minutes at a temperature of 70-90 °C.

In addition, you can disinfect the soil in a steam bath. To do this, prepare a large container and place an iron grate or bricks on the bottom. Pour water below the level of the stones. Pour the soil into a canvas bag and place it on the stand. Steam the soil in a steam bath for 1.5-2 hours.

We grow seedlings

Flower seeds do not need preparation. But still, before sowing, keep them in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. This will protect the material from bacteria and fungi. How to sow:

1. Pour soil into the boxes.
2. Mix the seeds with sand. This will help distribute the material evenly over the soil surface.
3. Scatter the flower seeds. But do not cover them with soil, but lightly press them to the ground.
4. Spray the planting with water from a spray bottle.
5. Cover your crops plastic film or glass.
6. Place the greenhouse in a warm place.

In order for the seeds to germinate, they need to create comfortable conditions.

Seedling care

At the stage of seed germination, it is important for crops to provide high humidity. To do this, do not allow the earthen ball to dry out and spray the soil daily with a spray bottle. In addition, it is recommended to keep the greenhouse in a room with a temperature of 20-25 °C. Do not forget to ventilate the seedlings daily and remove condensation from the glass.

As soon as the sprouts hatch, which happens in the second week after planting, reduce the humidity, remove the glass or film and move the planting to a well-lit place.

During this period, it is advisable to maintain low humidity (25%). But it is not recommended to allow the soil to dry out, so periodically spray the seedlings with a spray bottle.

After two pairs of leaves appear on the seedlings, pick up the plants and transplant them into separate cups. There is no need to delay this event. After all, if the sprouts begin to interfere with each other, then in the future this will affect the appearance of the bushes.

At this time, it is recommended to feed the sprouts, because the lack of nitrogen and minerals will affect their strength and growth. For these purposes, use complex preparations. But in no case exceed the dosage - this will have a bad effect on the future flowering of crops.

Two weeks before planting seedlings in open ground, begin to harden the seedlings. To do this, take the seedlings out into the fresh air for a couple of hours. But avoid this activity when it gets cold.

When to plant ageratum in open ground? The best time it will be the end of May. You can plant earlier, but only if the risk of morning frosts disappears.

Selecting a location

Ageratum is a flower that prefers well-lit places. And with the slightest shadow, the shoots of the plant become very elongated and the bush itself loses its compact ball shape. Take this into account when choosing a location for your flower garden.

As for the soil, light loams and sandy loams with slightly alkaline or neutral reaction. Do not plant flowers on soil that is too fertile. Here the plant will produce a lot of leaves and shoots, but it is difficult to achieve lush and friendly flowering from it.

The plant does not like stagnation of moisture at the roots, so you should not choose wetlands and lowlands for your flower garden. In this case, the root system of the crop will rot.

Ageratum: planting and care in open ground

The plant is planted using the transshipment method. It is recommended to maintain a distance of 20-25 cm between tall varieties; 15 cm is enough for dwarf varieties. How to plant seedlings:

1. Dig holes, the depth of which is 2-3 cm greater than the volume of the earthen ball of seedlings.
2. Moisten the soil and transplant the seedlings along with the earthen ball into the holes.
3. Fill the voids with soil and compact lightly.
4. Water the planting again and mulch the soil surface with peat.

When planting seedlings, never use fresh manure. This will lead to intensive growth of shoots and leaves. In this case, the buds will appear late, and there will be few flower stalks on the plant.

Cultivation care

Ageratum flower - unpretentious plant. But this does not mean that he does not need attention at all. To achieve long-lasting and consistent flowering, provide the crop with proper care, consisting of:

• regular watering;
• feeding;
• loosening the soil;
• trimmings.

Watering

The ageratum flower tolerates drought well and has a negative attitude towards waterlogging. Therefore, it is recommended to water the crop after it dries out. upper layer soil.

Please note that flowers growing on light sandy loam soils require frequent moisture. But if the plants “live” in heavy loams, then they should be watered much less frequently.

Top dressing

To achieve long-lasting flowering, do not forget to fertilize the plant. Please note that preparations containing nitrogen cannot be used for ageratum. Therefore, use phosphorus and potassium complex compounds. It is recommended to feed the flower twice a season:

• Apply the first application of fertilizer a week after planting ageratum in open ground.
• Feed the crops a second time when the buds develop.

If the color of the leaves and inflorescences has faded, fertilize the plant a third time. But use complex ones for this mineral preparations.

Trimming

Be sure to remove spent shoots. This will improve appearance plants. In addition, removing dead branches stimulates the appearance of new flower stalks. To prevent the branches from stretching, perform formative pruning. To do this, leave several internodes on the bush. Then the culture will take the shape of a ball.

Loosening the soil

Carry out this activity after each watering. Then you will provide air access to the roots of the plant. This will protect the culture from diseases.

Propagation by cuttings

In the fall, choose the strongest and most beautiful shrub, transplant it into a pot and bring it indoors. Of course, you will not be able to achieve flowering from the crop at home. But in the spring you will have something to cut green cuttings for further rooting.

After replanting, keep the ageratum flower in a cool place. This will reduce the stress of the procedure. In the future, place the plant in a well-lit place and provide the crop with moderate watering. Once a month, feed the flower with complex mineral fertilizer. But apply only a quarter of the dose indicated on the package.

Start cuttings 1.5 months before planting the crop in How to carry out the event:

1. Cut the shoots 10-15 cm long. Make the lower cut at an oblique angle.
2. Moisten the substrate and make holes in the soil with a pencil.
3. Treat the cuttings with Kornevin and bury them in the soil.
4. Cover the seedlings glass jars or circumcised plastic bottles.
5. Place the plants in a bright place with a temperature of 20-22 °C.

Provide the cuttings with regular watering and ventilation for 3 weeks. After the shoots take root, remove the greenhouse. A month later, when new branches appear on the cuttings, transplant the plants into open ground.

Diseases and pests

Ageratum is endowed with strong immunity. But if there is insufficient care or violation of the rules of agricultural technology, this flower can get sick. Most often, flower growers encounter gray rot. This disease is treated with Bordeaux mixture.

The situation is much worse if the plant is affected by root rot. The disease is incurable, so at the first sign, destroy the affected bush. In addition, be sure to remove the soil in which the crop grew, because it still contains pathogens that can infect other plants.

The flower is often attacked by whitefly - a butterfly similar to a moth. To destroy the pest, treat the bush with Aktara or Tanrek insecticides. Spider mites are no less dangerous for ageratum. You can recognize a harmful insect by the thin web entwining the plants. For treatment, use acaricides “Akarin” or “Nissoran”.

The Asteraceae family includes many beautiful plants, among which is Ageratum. So unusual name I got the flower because of its characteristics; this plant blooms for a very long time, starting in June and ending with the first frost. Translated from Latin the word ageratos Means ageless. Gardeners have already fallen in love with it and this is not surprising, because the plant has an unusually beautiful appearance and is suitable for decorating not only lawns and flower beds, but also balconies. More information about growing ageratum from seeds will be discussed in this article.

Peru is considered the birthplace of ageratum. This is a perennial plant, reaching a height of 20-60 cm. Thanks to its unusual properties, ageratum can delight gardeners with its flowering for a long time, it is not for nothing that it is popularly called “long-flowered”.

The plant is used in landscape design, so most often it can be seen in the gardens of country houses. Flowering until the coldest weather and its beautiful appearance have made the long-flowered plant an obligatory guest at various flower exhibitions. The inflorescences have a pleasant aroma that does not disappear for a long time, just like the pristine beauty of the flowers. What makes ageratum decorative is that its style and stigma are slightly longer than the corolla of the flower. The diameter of the baskets reaches 1.5 cm, and they, in turn, form large inflorescences (up to 12 cm), which evenly cover the entire plant.

On a note! The shape of the leaves, depending on the ageratum variety, may vary. Most often, there are plant varieties with oval leaves, the edges of which have denticles. Ripe fruits contain a huge number of seeds (at least 6,000 seeds per 1 g). The seeds are unpretentious, so they can germinate even after several years of ripening.

Popular plant varieties

There are more than 70 various types plants that differ from each other in their decorative characteristics (shades of flowers, flowering time, height of the bush, and so on). But not all are used in gardening. Let's look at the most common varieties.

Table. Popular varieties of ageratum.

Variety name, photo	Description
	An unusually beautiful plant with large lilac-blue or white inflorescences. The height of the bush rarely exceeds 30 cm, which is why it looks more collected and compact. This is a late plant as it begins to bloom in the second half of June.
	Small bushes up to 15 cm in height are colored with densely pubescent green shoots. The inflorescences of this variety are colored lilac, although plants with blue flowers may be found. The flowering period occurs in June.
	One of the most popular ageratum hybrids, distinguished by its short growth (up to 15 cm) and small blue flowers. Flowering begins in early summer.
	A strong plant with thick and durable shoots, reaching a height of 30 cm. The diameter of the dense inflorescences is no more than 2.3 cm; they are decorated with flowers lilac shade. This variety begins to bloom in the second half of June.
	An unusual variety of ageratum, the inflorescences of which are painted in two shades: light blue petals surround the white core of the baskets. The inflorescences of this plant are quite large, which makes it an excellent option for decorating the garden.
	Refers to compact varieties of ageratum. Its height rarely exceeds 20 cm, although specimens up to 15 cm are most often found. The color of the buds is dark pink, and the inflorescences that then emerge from them have a pale pink tint.

Sowing time

If you decide to grow ageratum seedlings, then you need to understand that the period between sowing the seeds and the first flowering is at least 60 days. Since this is a heat-loving plant, it is necessary to exclude the possibility of spring frosts while planting seedlings in the soil. Even slight cold snaps can have a negative impact on the flower - this must be taken into account.

On a note! Having carried out simple mathematical calculations, it is not difficult to guess that mid-March is considered the most optimal period for sowing ageratum seeds. Of course, you can sow the seeds at a later period, but this will delay the beginning of flowering a little.

Growing from seeds

Ageratum is a perennial plant, but in our conditions there is no need for its long-term use. Propagation can be carried out in two ways - cuttings and seeds, but, having finally weighed the pros and cons, flower growers usually settle on the second method.

On a note! The development cycle of ageratum is accelerated, which distinguishes the plant from its “colleagues”. Thanks to this feature, it is possible to move the sowing period to April-May.

Like any plant, ageratum loves nutritious soil. In this case, it is better to use slightly acidic or neutral soil, so if you decide to prepare the soil mixture yourself by mixing humus, lime and garden soil, do not forget to add a little - this will reduce the acidity of the soil. Also, do not add too much humus, since its excess will have a bad effect on flowering, making it more sparse.

This all applies only to soil prepared with one’s own hands. Few gardeners do this. It will be much easier to purchase ready-made soil for flowers in the store than to prepare it.

Nutritious universal soil for vegetables and flowers

Sowing seeds

Step 1. Fill the seedling container (in this case a container) with the soil mixture about 80%. If you want to grow several varieties of ageratum at once, it is better to take a separate container for each of them.

Step 2. Place the seeds from the bag onto a plate. There is no need to use everything, since the seeds are very small and there are quite a lot of them. Half the contents of the package for one container is quite enough. There is no need to carry out preliminary preparation of seed material.

Seeds are poured onto a plate

Step 3. Sow the seeds evenly over the surface of the soil. They have a long shape, so you can easily notice if they have accumulated 5-6 pieces in any place. Use a regular toothpick to push the seeds away from each other. This will be much faster than removing the seedlings later.

Step 4. During the growing process, monitor the soil moisture. At an early stage, humidity can be preserved by placing the container in a special container with a hole made. If you don't provide seeds sufficient quantity moisture, the plant dies in almost all cases.

Step 5. Place the container with the seeds on a sunny window sill. If all are met the necessary conditions for seed germination, you will soon get such friendly shoots.

Transplantation into open ground

In the second half of May, having chosen a clear and warm week (having looked at the weather forecast in advance), begin transplanting plant seedlings in open ground. Place the seedlings in the previously prepared holes, and fill the remaining space with soil, which must be slightly (but not heavily) compacted. The distance between low-growing varieties of ageratum should be no more than 15 cm, between tall ones - up to 25 cm.

On a note! The area where you plant the plants should be sunny, since even slight shading can cause the shoots to stretch. As a result, the flowering intensity decreases. Even though the bulk of the work is behind you, you still have work to do. We are talking about caring for ageratum.

Aftercare

Although the plant is considered unpretentious and does not require care, you still need to pay attention to it. But the labor and time spent will not go in vain. As a result, you will be rewarded with lush and vibrant flowering of ageratum.

Top dressing

For feeding you can use not only minerals, but also organic fertilizers. Gardeners also prefer to apply complex fertilizers. This should be done every 3 weeks, and the first fertilizing should be carried out using the minimum dosage of fertilizers. Otherwise, flowering may slow down due to their excess. It is highly not recommended to use manure to fertilize the soil, because it can destroy the ageratum.

Watering

The root system of this plant is very developed, which allows the ageratum to extract the required amount of moisture from the soil. Therefore, water regularly - every 3 weeks, but at least once a month. During hot periods, the frequency of watering, as well as the amount of water used, can be slightly increased.

Pruning ageratum

To obtain lush and beautiful bushes, it is necessary to periodically trim the ageratum. Leave no more than 4 internodes when pruning to speed up plant development. Before the first frost, you can transplant the flowers into separate pots and grow them in greenhouses or at home. Proper care will allow you to enjoy beautiful flowers throughout the winter.

On a note! With the onset of spring, the bushes can be transplanted into open ground again or the plants can be cut into cuttings, thus rejuvenating them.

Loosening the soil

Regular watering and fertilizing are not the only things that need to be done when growing ageratum. The soil around the plants must be loosened regularly. Since this flower likes to grow in airy soil, this procedure will improve its growth. When loosening, be sure to remove all weeds, as they inhibit the growth of the plant. After completing the next weeding, mulch the soil. This will prevent excessive evaporation of moisture.

Disease and pest control

Like most ornamental plants, ageratum can be susceptible to various diseases, the most common of which include root rot. Neglecting preventive measures will lead to rot and, as a result, the death of the plant. To prevent this from happening, you need to pay attention to the intensity of watering and periodically loosen the soil. Ageratum can also be affected by cucumber mosaic, which is also the result of non-compliance with the rules of care.

Seedlings that are still indoors or in a greenhouse must be protected from whiteflies. If these pests do appear, it is imperative to remove the damaged plants and treat the flowers themselves with insecticides. Carry out treatment until all insects are completely destroyed. Over time, when you transplant seedlings into open ground in a flower bed, nematodes or cutworms may encroach on the plants. In this case, you also need to use special processing agents. And remember that correct and conscientious adherence to the rules of agricultural technology will protect your plants from such troubles.

Decorative uses

As noted earlier, ageratum is of great value for landscaping and decorating areas. This is due to long flowering, unpretentiousness and color diversity. This combination is quite rare among ground cover ornamental plants.

Ideal for decorating balconies, loggias or borders low-growing varieties ageratum, and tall plants can be grown for later cutting. If we talk about combination with other flowers, then blue varieties of ageratum will look great with eschscholzia, zinnia and marigold. In other words, any unpretentious flowers yellow shades.

Video - Germination of ageratum seeds