The ageratum is a very beautiful ornamental plant, which is why it is sought after to decorate different spaces. To keep it in optimal conditions, it is necessary to provide it with a suitable environment, especially if you want to grow it in garden greenhouses.
Spaces can be diverse, such as a tunnel greenhouse, a straight walls tunnel greenhouse, a minitunnel greenhouse or MiniWideSpan greenhouses. Whichever you choose, you are guaranteed better control of the conditions, but you also need to know more about the plant.
- What is ageratum?
- Characteristics of ageratum
- Where to plant ageratum?
- How should the ageratum be cared for?
- How to grow ageratum step by step?
- Possible diseases and pests of ageratum
What is ageratum?
The ageratum, also known as ageratum, is a small ornamental plant. Its height is usually about 30 cm and the flowers begin to proliferate in late spring, but these are abundant and intensely coloured.
On the other hand, the shape of its eyes are round and it is one of the most sought after plants for seasonal ornaments. You can find them with violet flowers, but also some pink and white ones.
Characteristics of ageratum
To learn more about the ageratum, we present the following characteristics:
- Its scientific name is Ageratum Houstonianum, but it is also known as ageratum or damascene.
- It is native to Latin America, especially Mexico and Peru.
- They are ideal for outdoors and for decoration.
- They do well in sunlight.
- Temperatures should be average, they are not good with frost or extreme cold.
- They need a slightly moist soil and liquid fertiliser during spring and summer.
Where to plant ageratum?
You can choose spaces with enough sun for them to develop well. However, garden greenhouses are excellent structures to do this, especially those from Fertri, because of their quality and diversity of sizes.
You can arrange a place where they get enough sun, but are protected from the outside. If you choose a greenhouse, you will have the possibility to give them the necessary warmth, as well as sufficient protection in case of unexpected winds.
How should the ageratum be cared for?
The ageratum is usually easy to care for. However, there are conditions you need to consider for it to grow healthy and beautiful. Here we explain them to you.
Importance of soil drainage
When planting your ageratum, make sure that the soil is well drained and has sufficient organic matter. This plant will do well in many spaces, but these conditions are essential for it to thrive.
In addition, you should apply fertiliser within their watering and twice a month.
Watering the ageratum
Just as it loves the sun, this plant loves water. It requires frequent watering in the right proportions, without excess moisture. Therefore, the soil should be drained as we said before. The idea is to keep it slightly moist.
Ageratum propagation
The best way to multiply this plant is by seed. If you need to choose a season, the ideal one is between January and March, but with minimum temperatures of 2º C.
However, regardless of the season, the soil should always be well drained, with accurate moisture and constant watering. When it is about 10 cm, you can transplant it and move it to the site you have chosen to grow fully.
Plant health
In addition to all the above care, you should think about the health of the plant with regard to possible animal attacks.
Spider mites and aphids love ageratum, so you should treat them to prevent or eliminate them. Some options are to use nettle slurry and Japan potash.
How to grow ageratum step by step?
The most careful way to grow the plant is as follows:
- Choose loose soil that can be kept moist.
- Sow 30 cm apart.
- Add fertiliser to the water every 15 days and during watering.
- Transplant once they have reached 10 cm in height. Here you will leave 20 cm distance for each one.
- Cut off the tips of the young plants for better flowering.
- In the summer and autumn it should have more humidity, so water every 2 days.
- Cut the flowers only if they fade, so that they will continue to flower.
Possible diseases and pests of ageratum
The ageratum can get sick in many ways and you should pay close attention to this.
- In case of wilting, you should check the soil, if it is not moist, you should increase watering.
- The red spider mite is an animal that discolours and dries out the foliage. Here it is also ideal to keep the soil moist, but if it is already affected, it is time to add sprayed potassium soap.
- If it is attacked by the famous aphids, you should use ecological insecticides.
Remember that the care you take will give you the best results. In addition, it is ideal to choose firm, quality structures such as Fertri’s Garden greenhouses.
Options include tunnel greenhouses, straight walls tunnel greenhouses, minitunnel greenhouses or MiniWideSpan greenhouses. Choose the one that best suits you and your growing project.