The subtleties of growing ageratum

The ornamental plant ageratum can decorate any garden or even home space. Despite its low height, this crop looks very beautiful when blooming. To get the maximum benefit, you will have to study this plant from all sides. Let's understand all the intricacies of growing ageratum.

To begin with, it should be said that the ageratum belongs to the Astrov family and is covered with attractive fluffy flowers. The inflorescences are quite dense and resemble pompons. Ageratum retains its freshness for a very long time after cutting. This property, together with a long flowering period, gave rise to the name of the plant ("forever young" in Latin). The bushes of this species are relatively small. There are dwarf ones among them, but even relatively large specimens rise to a maximum of 0.6 m.

Ageratum flowers are predominantly blue or purple in color. However, other options are also possible: white, pink and many other tones. The inflorescences are classified as baskets. The size of these inflorescences is relatively small (maximum 0.05 m in diameter). The shape of the inflorescences can be very diverse, which gives the ageratum an unpredictable appearance. The leaves of this plant are colored deep green. They may have:

• oval;

• triangular;

• diamond shape with uneven edges.

Wild ageratum inhabits eastern India, the Central American region and Latin America. This plant will not be able to survive even a very mild winter. Therefore, in our country in the open field it will be possible to dilute it only in a one-year format. Ageratum looks attractive on any flowerbed and blooms for up to 5 months in a row under favorable conditions. Flower growers appreciate culture not only because of its beauty, but also because of its comparative unpretentiousness.

Perhaps, it is one of the least capricious tropical plants used in our country... It is actively used to form carpet compositions in a single format or in conjunction with other cultures. Ageratum fits well between perennial plantings. Professional florists and landscape designers have paid attention to it for a long time. However, the flower occupies an equally important place at home.

It is advisable to grow at home (on a balcony or loggia) for undersized ageratum varieties. They will rise only 0.3-0.4 m. The spherical bushes formed by these plants can be lost from sight in a lush flower bed or in a border composition. But pots on balconies or terraces (verandas) are ideal for this indoor plant. In the vast majority of cases, ageratum is grown at home from seeds.

Seedlings are formed initially. Then she will have to dive into the pots. When the plants develop in them, they will be ready for planting in the ground or in a vase. It is recommended to grow seedlings in the south or southeast window. The optimum sowing time is mid-March.

But this will require sowing seeds for breeding seedlings in the first decade of February. This can only be done in places with a warm climate. Already in the middle zone of the Russian Federation, it would be wiser to adhere to later dates. The quality of the soil plays a special role. The slightest deviation from the optimal composition or infection with an infection cancels out the plan of the gardeners.

The best option for both seeds and developed seedlings of ageratum is a homogeneous mixture of sand, peat and humus. It is easier to plant very small seeds by mixing them with dry sand. Then the distribution to the beds will be quick and easy. Having laid out the seeds in the ground, it is poured abundantly with warm water from a spray bottle. But the usual method of watering will simply wash most of the planting material out of the soil.

Or the seeds will be concentrated in one part of the container, and the seedlings will be uneven. Immediately after sowing, the reservoir is placed in a warm place with intense sunlight. To create a greenhouse effect, glass or polyethylene is used. As soon as the first shoots appear, the shelter is removed, and the container itself is placed on a lighted windowsill.

High humidity is also required. You will have to make sure that the plants do not stretch out and do not deviate in one direction. Prevention is very simple: a box or other container with seedlings is constantly unfolded. Then the sun's rays will fall from different directions to a more or less equal degree. When the second pair of leaves appears, ageratum is planted in peat pots (preferably) or in medium-sized plastic cups.

In the last decade of May or in the first days of June, the developed seedlings are transplanted into flowerpots or pots. This container is ideal for further growth. For home use, seedlings are also grown from cuttings. They are cut in the spring using a mother plant that has been kept in a greenhouse or greenhouse all winter. Specimens that have wintered in the ground are not suitable for grafting - it is worth it to frost, and they quickly die.

Correctly harvested cuttings must be grown in separate containers, which are filled with a homogeneous mixture of soil and sand. Young ageratums obtained in this way should be systematically watered and sprayed. Rooting occurs quickly enough, because adventitious roots are formed without any complications. Cuttings are used mainly by breeders.

It is recommended to plant ageratum seeds for seedlings in the last days of March. The soil is suitable that has a loose, airy structure. The planting depth does not exceed 1.5 cm. The earth does not need to be watered, it is limited to spraying it from a spray bottle. Shoot picking is done in 20-21 days.

Seedlings are kept in dry, warm places. Landing in open ground is carried out only after the end of spring frosts. You can prepare for the transplant of the ageratum by taking it out into the air for several days for adaptation. The distance between seedlings should be at least 0.15 m. Flowering can be expected approximately 2 months after planting.

Seeds in open ground can be sown before winter. Sometimes they do not have time to ascend before the onset of cold weather. But then you can expect the emergence of seedlings in the next season. The situation is different with the propagation of this culture by cuttings.

When it is possible to create a greenhouse environment, it is advisable to dig cuttings before early frosts. The strongest specimens should be preferred. Planting in large pots helps to avoid overcrowding. They must be immediately rearranged to a warm place.

In the last days of March, planting material is planted in hotbeds or greenhouses. After germination, it can already be moved to free land.Before this, the soil is thoroughly dug up and thoroughly loosened. It is better to use areas with a slightly acidic or neutral reaction. When the acidity is too high, lime or dolomite flour is placed in the soil. The optimal time for such manipulations is autumn. Most often, the ageratum is planted in May. They are guided by the time when the frost ends, and the soil is already warming at least a little. The procedure is as follows:

• saturation of the earth with oxygen (additional loosening);

• preparation of holes with a depth of 0.015-0.02 m at intervals of 0.15-0.2 m;

• watering holes with water;

• after they dry - placement of seedlings;

• backfilling these seedlings with soil.

Proper cultivation of ageratum requires abundant watering. All soil around the flower should be equally moist. In this case, the appearance of puddles is completely unacceptable. Ageratum is not susceptible to the harmful effects of drought; it can be safely grown also in arid places.

Given the high oxygen demand of this plant, it is imperative to loosen the soil. Any weeds are eliminated at the same time. This allows for the fastest growth possible. It is advisable to mulch ageratum in order to retain maximum moisture.

The ageratum is replenished using organic and mineral mixtures. You can use them in combination. But the use of manure is categorically unacceptable. Fertilizers are applied a maximum of 1 time in 20 days. They start with minimal doses, because otherwise, instead of activating flowering, it will slow down and increase the development of leaves.

Ageratum has practically no problems with a haircut. It grows back pretty soon and will again delight flower growers with lush flowers. It is imperative to remove all dry, broken off or just weakened shoots. The manipulations are simple, while significantly increasing the flowering time and allowing you to get more inflorescences. Pinching is very important, normally pinching the top, leaving only 3 or 4 internodes, in order to achieve the aesthetic appeal of the culture and improve flowering.

Ageratum, which is quite predictable, does not tolerate cold well. As soon as the early frosts come, he will die. Cutting helps to extend the life of the flower a little, after which it is stored in a warm room. If possible, you should avoid top dressing with peat and humus.

Ageratum problems arise most often with improper agricultural technology. Then the plants can be infected:

• cucumber mosaic viruses;

• root rot;

• bacterial wilting.

A particular danger is the gray rot, which is provoked by the microscopic fungi Botritis. Spores spread through the wind, direct contact with the grower's hands or tools, insects, and water droplets. The danger of infection with gray mold is especially great in wet weather. This ailment is manifested by the appearance of dark spots, gradually giving way to a gray bloom. As soon as the first signs of damage are found, fungicides must be used immediately, and in case of failure, weed out problem plants and burn them.

There is no way to deal with root rot. Plants infected with it are destroyed in any case. Ageratum often suffers from cucumber mosaic damage. The spread of its virus occurs when sucking pests attack. The disease is manifested by the appearance of yellow or white spots. To avoid it, you will have to:

• systematically weed the ground;

• carefully select seeds for sowing, assessing their health;

• immediately suppress all attacks of harmful insects.

Bacterial wilting often occurs in hot, humid environments.The fabrics will crack, and moisture will actively evaporate from the cracks. At the same time, the foliage is covered with yellow spots with a brown rim. Cutting the affected leaf into 2 parts, you can immediately detect darkened vessels. They are clogged and do not leak enough juices.

It is possible to cure neglected bacterial wilting only in the early stages. In the fight against it, the remedy "Coronet" helps. Infection can be prevented by using healthy seeds and cuttings. It is advisable to select the most resistant to withering varieties. Among harmful insects, the risk for ageratum is represented by:

• nematode;

• whitefly;

• spider mite.

The whitefly is easily visible. One has only to touch the bush, as flocks of white insects begin to scatter from it. The whitefly feeds on the cellular juices of plants. As a result, they wither, begin to grow more slowly, and if time is missed, they may even die. You can fight whitefly using:

• Biotlin;

• Actellik;

• "Aktaru";

• "Admiral".

The spider mite is recognized by its characteristic light yellow dots on the foliage. If the lesion is very severe, an extensive dense web appears. Ticks are quick to adapt to various pesticides. Therefore, it is necessary not only to use effective drugs, but also to change them periodically in the process of struggle. Gall nematodes attack the underground parts of the ageratum. You can eliminate the pest using "Bi-58", "Tiazoom", "Rogor" (in strict accordance with the instructions).

If ageratum is affected by rot of any kind after removal of diseased plants, other plantings must be disinfected with fungicides. To prevent damage by bacterial agents, long-flowered plants should be treated with biological products while still in the seedling phase. Most often they use "Baktofit" or "Fitosporin". Mosaic virus suppression will be ensured by treatment with Karbofos.

You can learn how to grow ageratum from seeds by watching the video below.