Graceful exotic plant agapanthus, also called African or Nile lily, will be a wonderful decoration of your garden and home. Translated from the Greek name means "flower of love" ("agape" - love and "anthos" - flower). Previously, the opinions of scientists about which genus to include this perennial African plant (they were representatives of the Lily, and Amaryllis, and Onion families), diverged, but today it is an independent separate species, from which the name of the flower - Agapant. Its homeland is South Africa, where, in the wild, it grows mainly off the coast and on mountain slopes.
Agapanthus Description
Agapanthus is a very sweet plant, the main varieties of which are evergreen. The flower has an interesting form of leaves and a long peduncle, which makes this representative of the flora unique, as well as flowers of extraordinarily delicate tones.
The main characteristics that describe the appearance of agapanthus:
- roots: powerful, fleshy;
- rhizome: creeping, short;
- leaves: radical, gathering in the socket;
- leaf shape: linear, belt-like;
- peduncle: long (up to 1.5 m), thick;
- flower color: white, saturated blue, lilac-blue;
- inflorescence form: umbrella-shaped;
- flower shape: funnel;
- flowering period: for 2 months;
- number of flowers in the inflorescence: about 150;
- growing medium: open ground (garden, manor, flower bed), room conditions (pot, seedling).
The shape of the leaves agapanthus resembles a daylily, varieties of which are quite popular.
Did you know? According to an ancient legend, a girl of extraordinary beauty lived in Ethiopia. For the time being, all in the tribe lived in harmony and in peace. But after this girl decided to adopt Christianity and took this step contrary to the interests of her fellow tribesmen, the Abyssinians became angry and killed her. At the place of her death a flower grew, as if reflecting its delightful beauty. Since ancient times, this African plant is considered a symbol of good luck and abundance.
Care and landing
In order for the plant to fully develop both in the garden and in the house, it needs to provide certain conditions: heat and sun, slightly acidic or neutral soil with organic elements, as well as regular but moderately watered.
In the open ground
If we talk about growing agapanthus in the open field, then his love for a mild climate indicates intolerance to cold. With any change of weather in the negative side below +10 ° C shelter needed. This may be a box sprinkled with sawdust, pebbles or sand.
Agapanthus can be used as curb flowers. For this purpose are also suitable: zhivuchka, bleaching center, balsam, asters, bells, lilies of the valley, chrysanthemums, mordovnik, arabis, gravilat.
In regions with severe winters, frosting agapanthus is dug, placed in a separate box and a cool room, and in spring the plant is returned back to the garden.
Important! When there is insufficient coverage of the area on which agapanthus is planted, the peduncle is stretched so much that it threatens to break, so it has to be pushed or tied up.The basic rules of planting agapanthus and care for him in open ground:
- soil for planting: a mixture of humus, clay-sod land, hardwood humus and sand (proportions - 2: 2: 1: 1);
- sufficient illumination of the garden plot: the south, west or east-south sides with light shading without hitting the direct rays of the sun;
- excellent development even in a cool season (at a temperature of + 10-12 ° С), despite the fact that agapanthus is a rather light and heat-loving plant;
- no need for additional moistening / spraying of leaves - the plant copes well with dry air in both indoor conditions and in the garden area;
- plentiful watering from the beginning of spring to mid-autumn, gradually decreasing as the onset of cold weather.
Important! Agapanthus grown in the garden and indoor conditions releases into the air volatile production, which successfully fight against various bacteriological formations. In addition, the plant perfectly cleans the space of heavy metals.
At home
Principles to be observed when planting agapanthus and caring for him at home:
- landing site - a spacious pot or barrel;
- drainage at the bottom of rubble or pebbles;
- in winter, the air temperature should not exceed +15 ° C, water very rarely, only slightly wetting the soil in order to avoid drying up the roots;
- in the spring, it is better to put the pot in the sun window or another place and start abundant watering until mid-autumn;
- in the summer, agapanthus should be carried out almost all day to fresh air.
Did you know? Scientists have shown that phytoncides that are released by agapanthus help in the fight against germs faster and more efficiently than the well-known folk antibacterial product garlic.
Breeding
The plant can be propagated in several ways: seed and by dividing the root.
Seeds
If you are thinking about breeding agapanthus from seeds at home, then they are best sown for seedlings in March. A deciduous-sandy mixture or a mixture of soil and sand is suitable as a soil. Seeds lightly sprinkled with soil, and then covered with glass.
Important! It is necessary to ensure that the soil does not dry out: periodically open the glass and moisten the soil.By systematically airing (about 30 minutes every day) and moisturizing the soil as needed, you will ensure the normal growth of seedlings. Green sprouts that appear are a sign that it is time to plant them in separate pots of 3-4 sprouts.
Way of dividing
Reproduction by dividing the root often occurs during plant transplantation, but here too Some rules, compliance with which will help to achieve the desired result:
- need to separate the parts of the roots of medium size, because too small roots can be an obstacle to flowering;
- planted separated roots in pre-wetted soil;
- too overgrown or large rhizomes divide in the spring season.
Important! For the rapid growth and development of the plant, you can throw a little charcoal into the planting holes.
Diseases and pests
Among the diseases that can disturb the plant, The most common are the following:
- fungal diseases (cause - coolness and dampness, treatment - treatment with a fungicide solution);
- yellowing of the leaves (the reason - the wrong too frequent / too rare watering, treatment - adjustment of watering);
- scytworm and spider mite (they can be removed using ordinary soap washing the plant);
- slugs and snails, especially active at night (eliminated by hand or scared off by the switched on light / scattering of eggshell around the plant).
Fertilizers
Like any living creature, agapanthus needs to strengthen its growth and development - feeding. The best option for normal plant care will be regular (every 10 days) soil fertilization with mineral and organic components that can be alternated for best effect. Top dressing is made from the middle of spring to the middle of autumn.
Transfer
All processes of plant transplantation must be carried out very carefully, otherwise the slightest damage to the roots of agapanthus can lead to his death. Small representatives of the flora can be transplanted once a year in the spring, and more adult - no more than once in 3 years. Agapanthuses of more advanced age are allowed to transplant every 5 years, but it is better not to touch them at all.
For decorating rooms, greenhouses and flower beds, agapanthus are combined with lanthanum, heliotrope, fuchsia and other indoor plants.
Types and varieties (with photos)
For a long time, scientists disagreed on whether or not to distinguish different species, since they are all alike. The most common varieties in the cultivation of this amazing perennial are:
- Agapanthus umbrella. It is a shrub with a huge root, growing to a height of 70 cm. The unique arrangement of dark green leaves, grooved, narrowed at the end is a feature of this plant variety, which gives it a certain beauty. The color of flowers that appear in the mid-end of summer is bright blue.
Did you know? Another name for the umbrella agapanthus is the Abyssinian beauty.
- Eastern agapanthus looks very beautiful due to the dense, broad-linear leaves of a curved shape. With good development, it reaches a height of 60 cm. In July-August, you can see flowers of a light blue color with a slightly mauve tinge.
- Agapanthus bell-shaped has erect, linear leaves, and reaches a height of only 15 cm (miniature variety). It blooms in July-August with bell-shaped flowers of dark blue or blue color. Most quickly adapts to adverse conditions.
The above species are also the most promising varieties for breeding hybrids. For home conditions most suitable:
- African agapanthus, which appeared in Europe in the years 1601-1700. On the leaves of this type of plant there is a white stripe, and it blooms with blue and blue flowers, reaching a height of about 68 cm.
- The crossed form of African agapanthus is quite rare grade "Albus"blooming with white flowers.
