Description
Ageratum is a subshrubby flower. Lush buds crown the stems. The petals are deltoid, with finely toothed tips (1-1.5 cm). They resemble asters in appearance. The color range is quite varied: purple, white, blue, pink, and lilac. In the Russian climate, the plant is grown primarily as an annual. Parameters such as germination, height, and color vary depending on the variety chosen. Long-growing varieties reach 60 cm (maximum), medium-growing varieties up to 30 cm, and small-growing varieties reach up to 10 cm in height. The flowers are quite compact. The bush resembles a ball. It has a sweet aroma.
The leaves are arranged oppositely. The upper leaf blades are recumbent, the lower ones are petiolate. The inflorescences are corymbose. Ageratum blooms like levka The flower baskets cover the entire plant like a carpet with colorless hairs. The embryo is a small, dark-brown achene of an oblong-wedge shape, with a tuft and edges, containing miniature dark-colored seeds.
How to grow ageratum from seeds and when to plant?
Soil preparation
The soil should be soft, airy, fertilized, and non-acidic. You can fertilize with a sand-peat mixture (pH no more than 5.5) or humus. Add both components in equal amounts. For soil disinfection, the sand should be calcined.
To ensure healthy seedlings when growing ageratum from seeds, you need to know the right time to plant them. Seeds are sown in March, most often in the second half, in pre-prepared containers (boxes can be used). Before planting, moisten and drain the soil. Sow the seeds shallowly, lightly dust with soil, and cover with glass or plastic. This will help maintain a warm temperature and allow sufficient light to penetrate.
How to water ageratum?
The flower requires moderate watering and does not tolerate dampness. Water the seeds approximately every three days. Germination takes about ten to fourteen days. After germination, you can begin acclimating the plant to its environment. To do this, remove the film/glass cover for periods of time, increasing the time each time. Finally, cover the plant only during the dark hours. Once the seedlings have grown, you can use the same method to acclimate them to outdoor conditions if you intend to transplant them outdoors. Please note: Lunar sowing calendar for 2016 for Siberia.
When can I start picking when growing ageratum from seeds?
The emergence of two leaves is sufficient for transplanting seedlings. During this period, the plant needs a larger container. You can transplant twice. The first time, space the plants 2-4 cm apart. If you plan to transplant the plants outdoors, during the second transplant, separate them into separate containers.
A second transplant is possible after four or five leaves appear. If the plants will be grown indoors, simply transplant them into spacious containers spaced apart. Large pots are ideal for this flower. Together with the ageratum, they will make an indispensable, vibrant addition to any room.
When to transplant ageratum seedlings into open ground when growing from seeds?
Seedlings are planted in June, in the first half, when the threat of frost has passed. Low temperatures are harmful to seedlings. Since the plant is tropical, it is quite sun-loving. Therefore, when choosing a site, choose a sunny location. However, some ageratum varieties also tolerate partial shade. The soil should be light, nutritious, well-drained, and non-acidic.
Planting seedlingsIdeally, plant them 20 cm apart. Fertilize no more than once a month. You can use a solution of water and mineral fertilizer (10 l / 25 g) or organic fertilizer. Fertilizing this plant with fresh manure is prohibited. Be careful with the amount of organic fertilizer, as too much can result in poor flowering. During dry periods, the plant requires more water. It is important to loosen the soil after watering. The time between sowing seeds and flowering is approximately 70-80 days.
During the rainy season, it's best to cover the plant. It requires regular weeding. It's susceptible to diseases such as whitefly, cucumber mosaic virus, and root rot. Ageratum blooms for a long time, from June to October. Pruning is necessary to improve the bloom shape. Even when cut, ageratum retains its fresh appearance for a long time.
You can also find out when to plant your favorite ageratum variety for growing from seed in your climate by reading reviews. Ageratum is a flower that pairs beautifully with other ornamental plants. It is often used for hedges, flower arrangements, and to decorate outdoor areas, flowerbeds, and front gardens. It looks elegant with flowers such as marigolds, heleopsis, calendula, and others. A combination of different ageratum varieties will create an equally striking and original effect.
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The most popular varieties of ageratum are: Blue Ball (up to 18 cm, purple), Blue Mink (up to 25 cm, blue), Houston Ageratum (up to 50 cm, pink), Summer Snow Ageratum (up to 20 cm, white), Bovaria (up to 15 cm, pink, hybrid), Pearl Blue (up to 15 cm, blue, hybrid), and Pink Ball Ageratum (up to 30 cm, pink). You can watch a video about how to grow ageratum from seed and the best time to plant it.