Description
Ageratum is a semi-shrub flower. The stems are crowned with lush buds. The shape of the petals is deltoid, with finely serrated ends (1-1.5 cm). Outwardly resemble an aster. The color scheme is quite diverse: purple, white, blue, pink, lilac. The plant in the Russian climate is grown mainly as an annual. Parameters such as germination, height, color vary depending on the selected variety. Long-growing - 60 cm (maximum), medium-sized - up to 30 cm, small-growing up to 10 cm in height. It blooms quite compactly. The shape of the bush resembles a ball. It has a sweet aroma.
The arrangement of the leaves is opposite. The upper leaf plates are lying, the lower ones are petiolate. Inflorescences are corymbose. Ageratum blooms like left-handed baskets, cover the entire plant, like a rug, colorless villi. It has an embryo in the form of a small dark brown achene of an oblong - wedge-shaped configuration, with a crest and edges, with tiny dark-colored seeds.
How to grow ageratum from seeds and when to plant?
Soil preparation
The soil should be soft, airy, fertilized, non-acidic. You can fertilize with a sand-peat mixture (acidity not more than 5.5), humus. Both components are added in equal amounts. For the effect of disinfecting the soil, sand should be calcined.
In order to get the result in the form of healthy seedlings when growing an agratum from seeds, you need to know the appropriate period when to plant the seeds. Seeds are sown in March, most often in the second half, in pre-prepared containers (boxes can be used). Before planting, the soil is moistened and drained. Seeds should be sown shallow, slightly powder with earth and cover with glass or film. This will allow both to maintain a warm temperature, and to penetrate a sufficient amount of light.
How to water an ageratum?
The flower needs moderate watering, does not tolerate dampness. Watering seeds is estimated at a frequency of three days. Germination takes about ten to fourteen days. After germination, you can begin to adapt the plants in the environment. To do this, temporarily remove the film / glass each time increasing the time. As a result, cover the plant only in the dark. When the seedlings grow up it can be adapted to street conditions in the same way, if you intend to transplant it into the open ground. pay attention to Lunar sowing calendar for 2016 for Siberia.
When can I start picking when growing an agratum from seeds?
For a dive seedlings, the appearance of two leaves is enough. During this period, the plant needs more capacity. You can pick twice. For the first time, plant plants 2-4 cm apart. If you are going to transplant the plant in open ground, then during the second dive, the plants must be planted in different containers.
The second pick is possible after the appearance of four to five leaves. If the plants will continue to be grown in room conditions, then it is enough to transplant them into spacious containers away from each other. Large flowerpots are perfect for this flower. Together with the Ageratum, they will become an indispensable bright decoration of any room.
When to transplant agratum seedlings in open ground when growing from seeds?
Seedlings are planted in June in the first half. When the threat of frost has passed. Low temperatures for seedlings are fatal. Since the plant is of tropical origin, it is quite photophilous.Therefore, when choosing a site should choose the sunny side. But some varieties of ageratum also tolerate partial shade. The soil should be light, nutritious, drained and non-acid.
Plant seedlings better at a distance of 20 cm from each other. Feeding is advisable to produce no more than once a month. You can use a solution of water and mineral fertilizers (10 l / 25 g) or organic fertilizers. Fertilizing with fresh manure this plant is prohibited. With the amount of organic fertilizers you need to be careful, the result of the search may be poor flowering. On dry days, the plant needs more. It is important to remember that after watering the soil must be loosened. Between sowing seeds and flowering for about 70-80 days.
In the rainy season, it is better to cover the plant. The flower needs constant weeding. Affected by such diseases as: whitefly, cucumber mosaic virus, root rot. Ageratum blooms for a long time from June to October. To improve the flowering form, a haircut is necessary. And even in the cut state, the ageratum retains a fresh look for a long time.
When planting, you liked the variety of agratum for growing from seeds in your climate, you can also find out by reviews. Ageratum flower, perfectly combined with other ornamental plants. It is often used for hedges, flower arrangements, decorating outdoor areas, flowerbeds and front gardens. Looks succinctly with such colors as: marigolds, geleopsis, calendula, etc. A combination of different varieties of ageratum will look no less bright and original.
Recommended:Godezia: planting and care in the open ground
The most popular types of ageratum are: Blue Bol (up to 18 cm, purple), Blue Mink (up to 25 cm, blue), Ageratum Houston (up to 50 cm, pink), Ageratum summer snow (up to 20 cm, white) , Bovaria (up to 15 cm, pink, hybrid), Pearl Blue (up to 15 cm, blue, hybrid), Ageratum pink ball (up to 30 cm, pink). You can watch a video on how to grow ageratum from seeds and when to plant it.
