Occasionally there are plants that do not surprise with variegated flowering, do not have smooth lines, spectacular greenery, but, in spite of everything, are pleasing to the eye and unusually decorate the local area. One of these flowers is the ageratum – a dense bush with fluffy inflorescences in the form of small pompoms. Flower growers and landscape designers appreciate the ageratum, first of all, for its blue-blue hue, which is so rare in the world of flowers. But this plant has one more, no less significant, plus – it is unpretentious, and it is not difficult to grow it.
About growing ageratum from seeds, about when it is better to plant this flower and how to care for it – in this article. It will talk about all the nuances of growing seedlings of flowers at home, presents a photo of the ageratum and tips for placing it on the site.
Ideal conditions
Growing an ageratum at home is quite simple, the main thing to do is to choose a suitable place for the flower. In principle, the plant is unpretentious, the only vital requirement of the ageratum is a large amount of sun. Therefore, the sunniest place is chosen for the flower, this also applies to flower beds, borders, borders – the plant should have enough light everywhere.
The plant came to Europe from hot countries (India, North America), where the ageratum grows like a perennial. In the climate of Our Country, the flower is grown as an annual plant, annually repeating the planting of flowers with seeds or cuttings.
The name of the flower is translated as “ageless”, because ageratum lasts a very long time in bouquets. The plant belongs to the Asteraceae family. In Our Country, it can be found under the name “long-flowered”. The height of the bushes can vary from 10 to 60 cm. The stems are pubescent, straight, the leaves are dark green, glossy, with a jagged edge.
The plant is completely undemanding to the composition of the soil – any soil is suitable for long-flowered, except for rocky and swampy. He does not like the flower and excessive nutrition, so humus and manure-fertilized soils are not suitable for him. The ideal option is ordinary garden soil, light and loose, with neutral acidity.
So, ideal conditions for long-flowered are:
- a place with constant lighting;
- warm, well-warmed soil;
- light nutritious soil that can retain moisture well;
- regular hydration;
- lack of nitrogen supplements.
In flower arrangements, ageratum goes well with many plants, most of all, marigolds and snapdragons are suitable for it as “neighbors”. Often this plant with small inflorescences is used in the design of bouquets.
Rules of landing
Ageratum flowers seedlings are planted in the ground immediately after the threat of spring frosts has disappeared, that is, in the second half of May. There will be no difficulties with planting a flower, because it is so unpretentious that it can independently determine the depth in the ground.
Site preparation consists only of loosening the soil with a pitchfork or digging it with a shovel if the soil is too dense. There is no need to fertilize the land. It is enough to make small indentations at a distance of 15-20 cm from each other. Neither drainage nor top dressing is required in this case. Ageratum will begin to bloom 2-2,5 months after the seedlings are taken out into the open ground.
Cultivation from seeds
As mentioned above, the propagation of ageratum by seeds is more preferable, because in this case the grower can start several species and varieties of this flower in his own flower bed at once.
To make the bushes dense and thick, sowing the ageratum for seedlings must be done correctly:
- Determine when to sow Ageratum based on the climate in the area. The optimal time for sowing seeds is the end of March or the beginning of April. Seedlings should have enough sunlight, otherwise they will be weak and elongated.
- Planting seeds should be carried out in shallow plastic containers or in peat tablets. In order for the long flower to be in conditions of constant humidity, after sowing, the containers are covered with a film or glass.
- The substrate for ageratum seeds needs nutritious and light. Ready-made soil mixture for flower seedlings is quite suitable.
- After two weeks, shoots should appear, and after another 15-20 days, the ageratum must be dived.
- The first picking of flowers is carried out in small greenhouses or greenhouses. The distance between plants should be slightly larger than in the original containers.
- As they grow, the seedlings of the ageratum dive again – this is a prerequisite for growing long-flowered flowers at home. You need to dive in another 2-3 weeks. The distance between plants must be increased. If the seedlings of the ageratum are grown in greenhouses, they should be ventilated and the condensate should be wiped off the walls. At this stage of development, seedlings need moderately moist soil and dry air.
- Water the seedlings regularly, but only in the morning. For irrigation use settled water at room temperature.
- It is not necessary to feed the flowers in the seedling phase, they will have enough nutrition from the soil.
- A couple of weeks before transplanting flowers to a flower bed, it is necessary to harden the seedlings by taking them outside. Immediately before planting, the seedlings are left outside for the night, there should be no frost at this time.
Care instructions
Growing seedlings of ageratum from seeds is more than half the battle, because in a permanent place this flower is completely unpretentious and uncapricious. After transplanting into the ground, the plant quickly grows, becomes strong and hardened.
Flowering of ageratum will be abundant only if the soil under the flower is normally moistened. Flowers need to be watered frequently, especially during periods of drought. But watering should not be excessive, then the earth will become too damp, and the flower runs the risk of getting sick. Water the ageratum with water at room temperature, choose the time for watering in the morning.
The flower perfectly tolerates cutting and shaping, so ageratums are often pruned. In order for new flowers to constantly appear on the bushes, it is necessary to regularly cut off faded shoots – this stimulates the growth of young ones. After the first wave of flowering, the ageratum begins to wither, there are few inflorescences on it, they become smaller and fade. Shortening the entire bush by a third or half of the height will help save the situation – in a couple of weeks the flower will please with even more lush color.
It is necessary to feed the ageratums moderately – 2-3 times per summer. The first dressing must be carried out before the flowering of the bush. They use not organic matter, but only mineral complexes that do not contain nitrogen.
In nature, ageratum is a perennial plant, but in Our Country it is grown as an annual. That is why you don’t have to worry about wintering the flower – with the onset of autumn cold weather, the bushes will wither and wither. Flowers are removed from the flower bed, usually in early spring. If necessary, at the end of summer, the grower can collect the seeds of the ageratum.
The flower loves moderate humidity, therefore, with an excess of watering, the roots of ageratum can be affected by root rot. If this happens, only the complete removal of diseased bushes along with the roots will help. Dosed watering, loosening the soil, a sufficient amount of heat and light can prevent the disease.
Dangerous for ageratum and various pests, such as scoops, nematodes, spider mites, whiteflies. In case of damage to the leaves of the flower, the bushes should be immediately treated with an insecticide or a folk remedy should be used for this purpose.
Conclusion
Photos of snow-white, lilac, purple and blue ageratums resemble a weightless haze that adorns flower beds and borders. This heat-loving flower is not able to withstand even the mildest European winter, therefore, in a temperate climate, it is grown only as an annual. Fluffy flowers should be propagated by seedlings, which the grower will have to grow at home, on their own.
The biggest difficulty lies in sowing the smallest seeds and diving twice a day, because otherwise the ageratum is a very unpretentious and resistant plant. For normal development, this flower needs only the sun, warmth, light soil and a sufficient amount of moisture.