Agapanthus: photos of umbrella, African and other main types of flower, as well as tips on planting and growing from seeds in the open ground and at home

Agapanthus - a decorative flower, a guest from hot Africa, is popular among amateur gardeners. It is quite hardy and does not cause special difficulties in the care and cultivation.

In this article we will talk about the features of this tropical plant, consider its species, talk about the conditions of its maintenance and the rules for caring for it. You will learn how to propagate this beautiful flower using seeds. We also recommend watching a useful video on this topic.

Description

Agapantus belongs to the genus of perennial grasses of the agapanthus family. The genus is not numerous, there are about 10 natural species. There are a great many bred hybrids and subspecies in modern breeding. This flower comes from Africa. The flower is considered an evergreen and flowering plant. Has a fleshy creeping volumetric root, long peduncle, up to 1 m.

The leaves are basal, tight, collected in a knot - a rosette, grow to a maximum of 70 cm. The inflorescences are large enough, uniting many flowers of delicate shades: blue, light lilac, saturated white. Flowering time - summer - early autumn, blooms continuously and abundantly. It grows and develops moderately, transplantation is required no more than 1 time in 3 to 4 years. Usually propagated by division of the root, less often by seed due to the complexity of the process.

Literal translation means flower and love - flower of love. Umbrella agapanthus is called the Abyssinian beauty. Oriental agapanthus in the literature is called the Early subspecies of the eastern agapandus.

History and appearance

Natural varieties were discovered more than a century ago on the mountain slopes of Africa in the Cape Province. This climate assumes slight frosts, therefore hybrid varieties developed by modern breeders tolerate a slight decrease in temperature. In Europe, agapanthus is grown on open ground, covering with a light shelter for the winter.

The perennial agapanthus has a fleshy rhizome. The leaves are dense, belt-shaped, grow on average up to 50-70 cm in length. Leaves connect at the rhizome with a basal rosette. Agapaanthus is distinguished by its lush rich foliage saturated with a bright green color. Inflorescences are gathering on a long peduncle - bouquets of delicate shades of lilac, blue, and lilac. It blooms usually in the middle of summer, flowering is long, lasting until mid-September. In domestic floriculture, Agapaanthus African is popular, it is more adapted to our climate.

Plant species and their photos

Umbrella

Umbrella Agapanthus is a perennial flower from the lily family. Natural varieties grow in Africa. Thick underground root. Leaves grow to 60 cm long and 2 to 3 cm wide. In its structure, the leaves are dense, strap-like, narrowed to the apex. The flowers themselves grow on high peduncles, their length is up to 80 - 90 cm. The flowers are collected in numerous bouquets - inflorescences, 30 - 70 in each such umbrella.

Long flowering - 1.5 - 2 months. After flowering, fruits are formed - boxes, similar to berries. Agapanthus umbrella prefers the slopes of the mountains, the sea coast. There are many hybrids and species, the most popular of which are Variegatus, a short plant with white stripes on the leaves, Albus with white flowers and others.

In summer, grows well both in a cool room and in the fresh air. In winter, it is not advisable to lower the temperature below 10 ° C, the most optimal temperature is 14 ° C. Agapanthus umbrella loves light, a good place for it is the southern windows.

IMPORTANT: In penumbra, agapanthus umbrella does not bloom.

The soil should be sufficiently moistened. Indoor plant umbellate agapanthus requires feeding 1 time in 2 weeks with special mineral fertilizers, from late spring to August.

African

This flower is called African Lily. This variety grows only in residential conditions..

The leaves are dark green, glossy, dense, linear in shape, grow up to 35 - 40 cm in length. The stalk itself is long, reaches a meter high. The flower has a powerful root. Inflorescences are voluminous, spherical, reach 20 cm in diameter. The flowers are tubular, blue and cornflower blue.

The variety "Sapphire '" blooms in a deep blue saturated color, the popular variety "Aureus" has variegated leaves with a yellowish strip. Requires a moderate temperature, tolerates a decrease in winter to 6 ° C. In the summer he loves good watering, but spraying is not required. Agapanthus African tolerant of dry air. You can place the pots on the southern windows, shading them at noon with a light curtain. Replant in the spring by dividing the bush, not more than 1 time in 4 years.

Bell-shaped

This species also belongs to herbaceous evergreen perennials. Large enough, up to 90 cm in height, the leaves grow 35 - 45 cm in length and 3 - 4 cm in width. The leaves are narrow, ribbon-like, in some subspecies are variegated - white - creamy strips are combined with bright green leaves. The shape of the leaves is arched, fleshy.

The flowers - the bells have the shape of a funnel, slightly open, small in size - 2, 5 - 3 cm in diameter and 2 - 3 cm long, the main color is blue or lilac. Variety "Isis" stands out for its delicate lavender bloom.. The flowers are decorated with short stamens. Loose inflorescences - umbrellas collect up to 25 - 30 flowers, are located on high, up to 80 - 90 cm straight-line peduncles. Blooms in late summer.

Agapanthus is a bell-shaped photophilous flower that is quite resistant to dry air, but it is advisable to grow it only in protected ground.

Oriental

It is a grassy monocotyledonous perennial grassy flower. Average height, reaches 60 cm. Powerful, straight, numerous peduncles form a fairly dense bush. The leaves are light green, growing directly from the root, grow up to 60 - 70 cm in length and 5 cm in width, grow in two rows, are wintering.

The flowers themselves are medium, the length reaches 5 cm, tubular in shape, spread to 1 cm in diameter. The main color is pale blue. Stamens are long. The rosette is large, up to 40 cm. The inflorescences are numerous, they contain up to 50 - 100 flowers in each loose umbrella - inflorescences. Blooms in mid-summer. Oriental agapanthus is a large species, it needs a volumetric pot.

He does not like transplants, is sick for a long time, does not adapt well, if the root is damaged, there is a risk of death of this finicky variety.

Closed

The homeland of this extraordinary variety is the eastern regions of Africa.. Many subspecies of this flower are deciduous. He loves open glades, forests and mountainous, rocky terrain. It is characterized by drooping, unopened flowers - bells. The color of the flowers themselves is bright purple or dark blue.

Leaves with a green - bluish tinge, belt-shaped, narrowed at the top. Flowers are collected in inflorescences in the form of an umbrella. A large flower, the stem sometimes grows to 1.5 m. It blooms from late summer to mid-October.

How to care?

At home

Illumination is required saturated - southern windows with shading of windows in the midday heat in summer are suitable. In winter, additional lighting with special lamps will be required due to the short daylight hours. In spring, summer and until mid-autumn, plentiful watering is required.

ATTENTION: in winter with moderate watering, it is necessary to ensure that the top layer of the substrate does not dry out. But stagnation of water should be avoided, the roots should not be soaked, the water from the pan must be drained after irrigation.

Agapantus does not require additional spraying; it tolerates dry air well. Agapanthus should be fed during flowering and growth. Fertilizers are desirable mineral and organic, apply 2 - 3 times a month. In summer, the pots are taken out to fresh air, to open loggias and balconies. This contributes to lush and plentiful flowering.

In winter, the optimum temperature is 10 - 12 ° C. Agapanthus requires a large, spacious plastic opaque pot. The composition of the substrate:

humus - 2 parts;
clay-sod land -2 parts;
sheet land - 2 parts;
sand - 1 part.

Mandatory drainage base.

Outdoor planting and care

Agapanthus garden varieties are quite hardy and not afraid of drafts. In the southern regions, the flower can be left in the open ground, covered with sawdust or other dry shelter, with a layer of at least 20 cm. In cold regions, agapanthus is usually dug up in late autumn, maintaining and regularly moistening the earthen lump. Store in a cellar or other cool room until spring.

Transplant a flower every 3 years. It is best to use the transshipment method while maintaining an earthen lump and without damaging the root.

Breeding

Agapanthus does not tolerate frequent transplants, it is enough for adult flowers 1 time in 4 - 5 years.

Seed cultivation

A very laborious and lengthy process - from the moment of sowing seeds to the maturation of a flower, more than 5 years pass. Agapanthus seeds are grown in stages, usually in March.:

Seeds are soaked in water or a growth promoter for 3 to 4 hours.
They are building a small greenhouse with a special substrate.
Substrate: a mixture of sheet soil and sand in equal proportions.
Sown without pressing seeds - sprinkled on top of the soil.
Cover with glass or a dense transparent film.
Airing is obligatory 2 - 3 times a day for 30 minutes.
Regularly moisturize the substrate.
After the appearance of 2-3 leaves, young shoots are transplanted into more fertile soil.

Division

The procedure is carried out after flowering or in spring when transplanting:

Soak the substrate in a pot.
Carefully remove the flower along with an earthen lump.
Clean, processed tools cut the root into pieces.
The places of cuts are treated with charcoal and dried for several days.
When drying, the slice remains open, the rest of the root is covered with a damp cloth.
Transplanted into a spacious pot, in a moderately moistened special substrate.
A drainage layer is required.

TIP: when planting in open ground, agapanthus is dug in a pot so as not to damage the roots during subsequent digging. In free ground, the root over the summer greatly spreads to the sides.

Diseases and Pests

If the leaves of the agapanthus become yellow, you need to adjust the wateringby reducing the amount of moisture. With a lack of light, the stems stretch too much and become thin. If the leaves began to dry out and fall off, the spider mite or scutellum may have attacked the agapanthus.

Pests come from too dry air. It is necessary to process the flower with a soap solution. An urgent treatment by spraying with any insecticides - an actar solution or phytoerm will help. For prevention, repeat the procedure 2 to 3 times with an interval of 7 to 10 days.

Additional tips

Agapanthus will grow slowly under high temperature and dim lighting, especially in winter. Flowering can not wait. If the peduncles are too high, additional support will be required. During flowering agapanthus requires increased soil moisture.

Agapanthus is very hardy, he is not afraid of drafts, is patient enough to cold.

Useful video

Watch a video about the features of African Agapanthus:

Conclusion

Agapanthus differs from other decorative flowers in its coexistence with other representatives of the flora, it harmoniously coexists with petunias and daisies, well complements flower beds, front gardens, gardens and country alleys.