Description of the flower
Ageratum (translated as “ageless”) , a tropical flower native to India and Central America. There the plant grows as a perennial, but here it is an annual, because it is not used to even slight frost.
Blooming ageratum
The flower blooms for a long time, continuously in pink, purple, blue or white. The flowers are pubescent, small, and are in inflorescences. The inflorescences come from the stem, their diameter does not exceed 5 cm. The shape varies depending on the subspecies.
The plant is bushy, spreading, with many shoots. The rhizome is developed. The stem is erect and can reach half a meter in height. The foliage is dominated by a rich green color, its shape is oval, triangular, the edge is with small jagged edges.
The foliage of the flower contains substances that irritate the mucous membranes and cause allergies.
Medium-sized varieties
These varieties of ageratum are especially loved by flower growers and help create beautiful compositions in flower beds, ridges, and alpine slides.
Blaue Kappe
Hemispherical bush, reaching 30 cm in height. The shoots and leaves are dark green, densely pubescent. Bluish-blue baskets with a diameter of 1.5 cm form loose, medium-sized inflorescences measuring 6 cm. Flowering from July to early October.
Blue mink (Ageratum Blue Mink)
It has a rare columnar shape of a bush, up to 30 cm high. Thanks to erect, strong shoots with a small number of rounded, jagged leaves, the plant is quite compact and decorative.
The variety got its name for the unusually beautiful blue with a lilac tint of flowers, reminiscent of mink fur. The baskets themselves are up to 2.5 cm in diameter, forming a dense round inflorescence measuring 6 - 8 cm.
The flowers have a strong scent, attracting pollinating insects. Flowers bloom from mid-June to September. The plant is sun-loving and drought-resistant. Does not tolerate waterlogging.
Fire Pink
Columnar bush 25–30 cm high, has straight, strong stems. A distinctive feature of the variety is its extremely small rough leaves, invisible behind the flowers and buds. Fluffy inflorescences with a diameter of 5 cm consist of tiny baskets measuring 1 cm in a rich pink-lilac hue.
Flowering from June to October. The plant requires moderate watering and regular loosening.
Pink Ball
Compact bush 20 – 30 cm tall. The stems are strong and well branched. The leaves are small, but there are a lot of them. Small 2-centimeter pink baskets form impressive fragrant inflorescences. The surface of the bush is completely hidden by inflorescences.
The variety is drought-resistant and sun-loving. Pleases with flowers from June to September. Creates harmonious compositions with hyacinths or zinnias.
Blue Perfection
Compact, extremely branched, spherical bush up to 30 cm tall. The shoots and leaves are heavily pubescent. The baskets are lilac-blue in color, very small (1.5 cm), collected in multi-flowered inflorescences of medium density. Flowering begins May – June.
General recommendations for growing plants
Ageratum can be grown in open ground and on a windowsill, that is, indoors. In any case, for active growth and flowering of the plant, you must adhere to certain rules.
For a flower to grow in open ground, you need to make sure there is no frost.
For active growth, ageratum needs sunlight and warmth.
In addition, you should take seriously:
- Landing place. There should be no drafts or shadows. Even a slightly shaded area will negatively affect the behavior of the plant. The stem will rush upward, the foliage will thin out, and there will be few inflorescences. The plant will tolerate a maximum of two hours of shade per day, but no more.
- Selection of soil. The soil is preferably non-acidic, preferably light. Definitely nutritious, but in moderation. Otherwise, there will be no abundant flowering, everything will grow. It is not advisable to plant ageratum where it is damp and there are a lot of stones. In such a place the plant will hurt. It is advisable to make drainage and thoroughly loosen the soil.
- The timing. The best planting period is the middle, end of March, provided that frosts are not predicted.
Tall varieties
These herbaceous bushes stand out with larger inflorescences and can become the center of a landscape composition. Tall ageratums tolerate pruning well, which allows them to be given a variety of shapes.
Snow globe (Summer Snow)
It grows up to 45 cm in height and attracts attention from afar with its large (up to 10 cm) snow-white inflorescences. It has strong stems and pubescent leaves. Elastic corymbose inflorescences consist of small baskets measuring 1.5–2 cm.
It blooms very profusely. Drought-resistant, able to grow in partial shade.
Red Sea
A powerful plant, rising up to 55 cm. The shoots are thick, branched, the leaves are large, evenly colored. The inflorescences are large, dark red. The flower is used for bouquet cutting. Pleases with flowers from July to September.
Ageratum purple (Ageratum Magenta)
Despite their high growth (up to 60 cm), the bushes are quite compact and have a spherical shape. The flowers are shaggy, forming large, lush inflorescences of cherry-red color. Abundant flowering continues throughout the summer.
How does a flower reproduce?
The plant can be cultivated by seeds and cuttings. The seed method is simpler, but in this case it is important to calculate the time of sowing in open ground. Even minor frosts will lead to damage to the seed material.
indoor ageratum
Cuttings will require preparation in advance (from the fall). Before you take a cutting, you need to provide the plant with good care indoors throughout the winter.
Planting material
Seeds are collected immediately after flowering has occurred. The plant will wilt three weeks after the buds open.
The seeds are elongated, smallish, light brown in color.
After the seeds have been collected, they need to be placed in a paper bag (bag). It is important to keep them dry and cool. If we are talking about cuttings, then they are cut in spring from a plant that has overwintered in a pot. More details below.
Growing from seeds
The majority of flower growers grow this way. This process will take a little time, and most importantly, everything can be done in one season.
Preparing containers, soil, drainage
The first thing to do is find a container for sowing. It is advisable to apply fertilizer to the soil. This is a mixture of sand, peat and humus. Everything is mixed in the same quantity.
In order for excess water to come out of the soil, you need to make drainage
Drainage will also allow the root system to breathe. It is advisable to do it both for flowers that will grow indoors and for seedlings that will then need to be transplanted into open ground.
The plant is moisture-loving; watering will be done frequently, as a result of which air exchange will be disrupted. In such conditions, harmful microorganisms begin to develop, and this negatively affects both the root and the growth of the plant. Holes are made in the container, and a 2-centimeter layer of drainage (small stones, crushed stone, pebbles, expanded clay, etc.) is placed on the bottom.
Lighting
Ageratum loves long and bright light
The container with seedlings should be installed in a well-lit place. The best place is the windowsill. If there is poor sunlight entering the room, you may need to provide additional lighting.
Sowing
Sowing is done in a thin layer so that the seed material is distributed evenly. The seeds need to be placed on the surface of the soil, then crushed with the same soil composition.
First make sure that the planting material is in order (not spoiled). If the seeds were collected from a healthy plant and stored correctly, then problems should not arise.
Temperature
After sowing, the optimum temperature is maintained at 17-22 degrees Celsius. The container is covered with film material or glass.
Optimal temperature is very important for seed germination
After 10-14 days, shoots should appear.
Watering
Watering seedlings
Monitor watering all the time and ventilate the crops. Do not make a swamp, the humidity should be moderate. Irrigation frequency 2-3 times a week, in the morning.
Picking
Picking is done when the seedling already has 2 leaves. Plants are planted more spaciously. To do this, choose larger pots or containers (boxes).
Picking process
Plants should be transported carefully, always with a lump of earth, and then watered. The soil composition should be the same as the previous one.
This manipulation is carried out twice. When the time comes for repeated picking, the seedlings are placed in separate containers (the best option is plastic cups). Water the flowers in the morning.
Hardening
14 days before planting in open ground, plants need to be hardened off . If this is not done, ageratum will hurt for a long time; it will take a long time for it to take hold. Also, such flowers are more often exposed to various diseases. Some seedlings will die altogether.
For hardening, you should systematically take the seedlings outside
After placing the pickled cups in warm water. Initially, the duration of stay in such conditions is no more than half an hour, gradually the time period increases by a quarter of an hour.
If there is frost, it is strictly forbidden to remove seedlings.
Root rot
Root rot In the first place in both indoor and garden care comes root rot - a rapidly progressing fungal disease that first affects the roots and stem, and then the rest of the plant. The reason is root damage due to excessive moisture. Do not allow stagnation and swamps in the roots! Root rot is practically untreatable - the affected flower is cut into offspring, fungi and bacteria can be gotten rid of only at the very beginning of the disease, with the help of fungicidal and bactericidal mixtures Fundazol and Oxychoma - but it is easier to prevent stagnation of water in the earthen coma.
Planting in open ground
What the seat should be like is already described above. The distance between plants of low-growing varieties is at least 10-15 cm.
Flowering should be expected in two months
If the ageratum is tall, then 25-35 cm. The seedlings do not go too deep into the ground. They are placed in the hole at the same depth as in the container. It is advisable to fill the holes with drainage to avoid stagnation of water in them.
Growing from cuttings
Thanks to cuttings, you can get a not very tall, but bushier ageratum. Also, this method is necessary if the goal is to breed hybrids, because they do not reproduce using seed material.
Harvesting cuttings
If propagation by cuttings is preferred, then you should remove the flower from the ground before frost (this is done together with a lump of earth). Place in a pot (container).
Next, it is cared for like a houseplant:
- In order for the ageratum to survive the winter period, it must be placed where there is a lot of light, no draft and the desired air temperature (19-23 degrees Celsius)
- provide moderate watering (avoid drought and waterlogging)
- apply complex mineral fertilizers
In April, cut the cuttings. Their length should not exceed 15 cm. Treat the sections with a product that accelerates growth (heteroauxin or Kornevin).
Next comes the turn of rooting. The cuttings are planted in loosened, fertilized, moistened soil. Then place it in a bright place.
Plants need warmth, so they are covered with oilcloth or glass. The temperature is maintained within 19-22 degrees Celsius.
Blue
The Blue variety, or Blue Mink, is a compact subshrub of a very pretty appearance. Its inflorescences are white, and the long perianths have a light cornflower blue hue. Dense green foliage on stumpy, short branches is studded with spherical inflorescences. These noticeable varieties are often planted next to paths, and with their help they create an elegant background in flower beds.
In the photo below is the Ageratum Blue variety:
Ageratum Blue
Flower care
Well-groomed ageratum bushes
In order for the ageratum to make its owners happy with lush flowering, it should be carefully looked after. You need to pay attention to watering, fertilizing, pruning, loosening, and weeding.
Top dressing
In order for the flower to grow actively and bloom beautifully, you need to regularly add fertilizer to the soil. This is usually done once every 14-21 days. Here it is advisable to use humic and mineral fertilizers. You can take organic matter - mullein infusion.
Complex feeding
The use of fresh manure is strictly prohibited! This will lead to negative consequences.
Many gardeners prefer complex fertilizers. Initially, feed the flower with a minimum dosage. If there is an excess, the growth of ageratum slows down. Much does not mean good.
Watering
Watering should be done systematically. It is important to ensure that the plant is not over-watered. This will lead to rotting of the rhizome.
On hot days, one abundant morning irrigation is enough.
But in any case, you need to look at the circumstances. If there is no sun, then 3-4 times a week is enough.
Trimming
To get lush and beautiful bushes, you need to periodically prune the plant. During pruning, only a few internodes remain (3-4, no more). This promotes flower growth. It is also necessary to regularly remove those inflorescences that have wilted.
Secateurs are a must-have tool for a good gardener.
If there are damaged parts of the plant, it is advisable to remove them immediately. If the cause of their deterioration is a disease, then they are burned, and the plant is immediately treated with a special preparation.
Weeding
The gardener is constantly required to weed the beds to remove weeds.
If this is neglected, the weed will take all the useful substances from the soil, and accordingly the flowers will lack them. Pests are also much more likely to appear in the grass. All this will not only slow down the growth of the plant and lead to poor flowering, but can also contribute to its death.
It is important to systematically loosen the soil. This will allow oxygen to penetrate to the root, preventing the formation of an earthen crust and various diseases.
After loosening, it will be useful to cover the soil with mulch. This will prevent rapid evaporation of moisture.
Here it can be used:
- straw;
- sawdust;
- dry leaves;
- compost;
- husk, etc.
If you listen to all the recommendations, the ageratum will bloom for a long time and actively.
What actions to take after the ageratum has faded?
Before the onset of the first cold weather, it is recommended to dig up the largest bushes and place them in separate containers. This beauty can be brought into the apartment, onto the balcony, etc.
Active flowering phase
After this, ageratum is grown as a houseplant. With the arrival of spring, the flowers can be planted in their original place.
The plant is not frost-resistant and will not survive even slight frosts. Leaving it in the ground for the winter, you can forget about it next year.
Possible complications
If left untreated, hypertension can cause brain damage.
Hypertension is the most important factor determining the risk of stroke. Compared to individuals with normal blood pressure, patients with hypertension have a 3-4 times higher risk of stroke. The cause of 80% of strokes is blockage of the lumen of the vessel, and in the remaining 20% of cases the stroke is of the nature of hemorrhage.
With arterial hypertension, damage to the blood vessels of the brain occurs with the development of arteriosclerosis (macroangiopathy). Patients with high blood pressure may experience occlusion and severe stenosis of large cerebral vessels with subsequent development of stroke. In addition, disturbances in blood flow lead to damage to small vessels of the brain, as well as their branches (microangiopathy).
If hypertension is left untreated (especially in childhood), the consequences will be so serious that it will be almost impossible to cure them. Complications include the following:
The child's development is slowed down. Attention is scattered, it is difficult for him to concentrate. Possible development of mental illness. The shape of the skull changes: the fontanel begins to protrude, the frontal bone also protrudes noticeably forward. Compression of the brain leads to convulsions, breathing problems, frequent loss of consciousness, vision decreases, sometimes to complete blindness. With prolonged hypertension, the child develops encephalopathy. At the same time, memory decreases, sleep and mental performance are disrupted. Mental disorders lead to sudden changes in mood, from stormy and active to complete apathy
The child forgets words, confuses the names of objects, and develops dementia.
Trauma and damage to the brain cause a disease called residual encephalopathy. It develops some time after brain damage. And it doesn’t matter how he was injured, mechanically or due to exposure to drugs or toxins. This disease develops quite slowly and is characterized by memory impairment, mood swings, insomnia, dizziness, weakness, and headache.
The brain, when compressed and displaced, cuts into the foramen magnum or into the notch of the tentorium cerebellum. This inevitably leads to death. Sometimes there is wedging of the uncus of the temporal lobe. In this case, the symptoms consist of an enlargement of the patient’s pupil on the side where the compression occurred. The pupil stops responding to light. As pressure increases, the reaction of the second pupil is lost, and coma or respiratory arrest occurs.
Another complication of persistent intracranial pressure is loss of vision due to optic nerve atrophy.
Caring for an indoor flower
Indoor ageratum
Ageratum can be grown not only outdoors, but also indoors. The flower needs a spacious pot with excellent drainage. In the summer, it should be taken out onto the street, balcony, veranda or terrace. If you provide the plant with all the appropriate conditions, it will bloom all winter and be pleasing to the eye.
The florist should adhere to the following recommendations:
- The pot needs to be installed on the south side of the house. The place should be well lit and warm. To monitor the temperature, you can hang a thermometer nearby.
- Watering is carried out under the rhizome. You don't want water getting on the foliage. Excess moisture is excluded. The best time for watering is morning.
- After watering, the soil is loosened. This allows air to flow to the root. Neglecting this moment can destroy the flower.
- There is no need to feed the plant often. Once every 4-6 months is enough. A complex fertilizer would be suitable. It can be purchased at any flower shop. How to use it and dilute it will be indicated on the packaging.
- If ageratum grows strongly, it should be planted in spacious containers (pots).
Based on all the above rules, we can conclude that this is an unpretentious plant (all of the above points are present in growing any flower), but a very beautiful plant.
Aloha White
Aloha White is an early flowering crop, blooming in late May - early June. Most often dwarf, it looks great in group plantings between more colorful neighbors. Cultivated as a potted crop or in the form of flower bed compositions. In containers, they generally do not grow above ten centimeters - thanks to which they have earned their title as practically the best crop for urban gardening containers.
Ageratum Aloha White
Pests and diseases
The ageratum flower is prone to damage by various diseases and harmful insects
The following may appear:
- root rot
- gray rot
- bacterial wilt
- cucumber mosaic
Diseases do not arise only with proper care.
If we talk about harmful insects, then there are:
- whiteflies
- aphid
- spider mites
- scoops
- nematoids
For prevention, it is advisable to treat the plant with insecticides.
Let us consider in detail what to do if the plant becomes infected or is struck by this or that insect:
Root rot
Root rot
Blackleg or root rot often appears. Main symptoms of the disease:
- wilting of the plant
- drying out of foliage
- the occurrence of constrictions
- color change
- appearance of brown spots
- growth slowdown
If this happens, nothing will help. The plant will have to be removed, and the soil that is also contaminated will be removed. To prevent this disease, care should be taken to keep the soil light and avoid waterlogging.
In addition, systematic loosening is required. Thanks to these manipulations, the appearance of rot is minimized.
Gray rot
Among the most dangerous plant diseases caused by fungi of the genus Botritis is gray rot. Spores are spread by wind, also by contact (with the gardener’s hands, through tools) while caring for ageratum, on the legs of insects, by droplets of water (rain or during watering). The disease is activated when there is humidity.
Dark spots on the foliage indicate damage to the plant.
In the future, a grayish coating will appear - this is the appearance of spore-bearing mycelium. At the first signs of disease, it is necessary to immediately treat all plantings with fungicides.
It is advisable to purchase:
- Fundazol
- Topaz
- Bordeaux mixture
If the situation changes for the worse, all affected individuals should be removed. You can't leave them. It is recommended to burn immediately.
Bacterial wilt
In the southern regions, plants may also suffer from this disease. At the same time, the foliage cracks, the moisture evaporates from them, and the turgor decreases.
Yellow spots appear, they have a brown border
When cut, it is clear that the choroid plexuses have darkened. As a result, sap flow is impaired. As a result, the plant dies.
To cure a flower, you need to treat it with Coronet. It's important to start this right away. If you miss time, it is not possible to save the ageratum.
If you use wilting-resistant varieties, you don’t have to worry about infection.
Cucumber mosaic
The virus is transmitted by sucking harmful insects. After infection, white or yellow spots appear on the foliage. It is impossible to eradicate the disease as it progresses, but it can be prevented.
Cucumber mosaic
It is important to weed the beds on time, plant healthy planting material and control pests.
Aphid
The size of the insect is small.
It ranges from 0.3 to 0.8 mm. The shape depends on the type of aphid. It can be elliptical, ovoid, teardrop-shaped, etc. The color is the same as that of the plant on which it parasitizes.
To get rid of aphids, flowers are sprayed with a special solution. You can prepare it yourself.
To do this take:
- garlic cloves (200 g)
- water (1 l)
The first ingredient needs to be crushed. This is done using a grater or meat grinder. Then the resulting slurry is filled with water. The resulting solution must be infused for five days.
After the required time, the infusion is diluted with additional water. Here you should adhere to the following proportions: 300ml/10l.
Spider mite
Body in the shape of an ellipse, covered with hair
The back is convex. Larvae have six legs, adults have eight. The feet have nails, which are what they use to cling to the plant. The color of young individuals is light green, but with age it darkens and becomes brownish. They reproduce by laying eggs.
Spider mites can be removed by treating with insectoacaricides.
These drugs are in the form of:
- Agraverina
- Neorona
- Nissorana
Whitefly
Whitefly
This insect is not large in size. No more than 3 mm long. The wings are covered with a coating that is somewhat similar to flour.
You can remove it:
- Mospilan
- Tanrek
- Commander
scoop
The cutworm belongs to the Lepidoptera. In appearance it resembles a gray butterfly. This insect lays eggs on the underside of ageratum leaves. The caterpillars subsequently spoil the buds and spread over all the flowers.
scoop
You can protect your garden by timely destruction of weeds. Chemical treatment of plants would also be useful.
If pest larvae are noticed on the foliage, you need to spray the flowers:
- Tsitkor
- Decis
- Inta-Virom
- Spark
- Leptocide
Nematode
This pest feeds on plant sap, as a result of which it begins to grow more slowly, loses its appearance and dies. There are leaf, root and stem nematodes.
They are a worm no more than 2 mm long
Their shape can be oval, circle or oblong. Color – white, beige.
Signs of flower damage are as follows:
- dull color of the plant
- the appearance of brown spotting on foliage
- leaf curling
- enlargement of petioles, stem
- stunting
- poor flowering
- inflorescences quickly dry out and fall off
Drugs in the form of:
- Vidata
- Dimethoate
- Nafamosa
Both the plant itself and the soil should be treated (a solution is made that is used to water the soil at the root of the ageratum).
Aloha Blue
Aloha Blue - flowers of soft lilac shades, spread out in all directions. The bush is quite squat and compact, grows in a rosette up to twenty centimeters high, and is the result of the work of breeders and crossbreeding - that is, a hybrid organism, the seeds of which are unlikely to retain the properties of the parent organism. Blooms from June to late autumn.
Ageratum Aloha Blue
Where is ageratum used?
The flower is beautiful and therefore is actively used for decorative purposes. Low-growing varieties fit perfectly near paths, borders, gazebos, and patios. Ageratum looks indescribable in combination with other vegetation, such as zinnias and marigolds.
Ageratum in a flower arrangement
Tall subspecies will be a worthy decoration for flower beds and flowerpots. These flowers are also used as cutting material for bouquets. The aroma of flowers is intoxicating and loved by many.
Also, the medicinal properties of the flower were mentioned above. Ageratum Huston has the following properties:
- acaricidal
- antibacterial
- wound healing
- painkillers
- antiseptic
Traditional medicine practices the use of plant juice and dry raw materials for various skin problems (scratches, lichen, vintiligo, various inflammations). For this, tinctures are prepared, after which compresses, baths, etc. are made based on them.
Before using the plant, do not forget about contraindications. It is not suitable for use by women who are pregnant, nursing mothers, or children.
In addition, do not forget about individual intolerance. It is prohibited for raw materials to come into contact with mucous membranes.
Growing and Care
Ageratum: description, planting in open ground and caring for it at home (30+ Photos & Videos) + Reviews
White
White ageratum - has beautiful soft cream and snow-white inflorescences, up to one and a half centimeters in diameter, while the bushes themselves are no more than twenty centimeters.
The low-growing and creeping culture will be wonderfully rimmed with bright scarlet and red, or cornflower-blue or lilac flowers. Its branches are creeping, long and flexible, drooping towards the ground. You can see what the Ageratum White variety looks like in the photo below:
Ageratum White
Root nematodes
Root nematodes Another formidable pest that cannot be seen with the naked eye—and which also thrives in high humidity —is root nematodes. Tiny worms eat the plant alive, which withers and withers before our eyes - they are often the ones who provoke fungal root rot. It is impossible to get rid of them - the bush is cut, the ground is dug up and calcined over a fire, in the microwave, or poured with strong potassium permanganate.
Cucumber mosaic virus
What does cucumber mosaic look like in general? But the most offensive disease is the filterable cucumber mosaic virus - it manifests itself in the form of concentric yellow circles-spots, which then grow over the entire leaf and plant. There is no cure for it - and the bush with it must not only be dug up, but must be burned, and the soil must be calcined. Otherwise, the virus will spread to neighboring flowers. Infection occurs due to pests that carry the virus on their feeding organs. Therefore, some gardeners carry out regular preventive insecticidal treatment.
