Agapanthus

           Family. Liliaceae.

Origin. Agapanthus is native to South Africa and is found throughout the Cape Province. It grows in the shade of trees to provide protection from the scorching sun.

Description.The genus "Agapanthus" or African lily includes about 10 species of herbaceous evergreen bulbous perennials that are easy to grow indoors. These showy plants are kept for their exotic blue or white flowers and long flowering period - from late spring to early autumn, depending on the species.

 A small shrub with a thick fleshy rhizome, belt-shaped, softly grooved long (up to 60 cm in length and 2 cm in width) leaves, tapering towards the tip, collected in a dense lump at the root - a rosette.

The peduncle is tall - up to 70 cm, without leaves, the inflorescence is large, loose, spherical - a false umbrella with a diameter of 8 to 20 cm, which contains up to 40 flowers that open in turn. Two large bracts are visible under the inflorescence. The flowers are large, funnel-shaped or tubular, in blue and purple tones, sometimes white or pink, gracefully hanging over a rosette of leaves. Some hybrids and varieties have colors that wild plants do not have. Peduncles are thrown out one after another throughout the summer. After flowering, fruits - capsules - are formed.

Height. They often have impressive dimensions, but miniature varieties with a height of about 20 - 50 cm have been bred for growing indoors. 

Reproduction - growing from seeds

Easily propagated by division immediately after flowering. When dividing the rhizome, pay attention to the presence of at least a couple of growth points in each part. The rhizome cut should be dried and treated with charcoal. Dividing the bush too often reduces the intensity of flowering. Growing agapanthus from seeds is a rather long process. Seeds are sown in early spring, at a temperature of 20 - 25 °. Fresh seeds germinate within 3 - 8 weeks.

Flowering period

Even with the slightest mistakes in growing and maintaining it at home, it does not bloom. Even in excellent conditions, plants bloom for the first time at the age of 5 - 8 years and do not bloom every year. If flowering does occur, it lasts for 3 summer months.

Agapanthus - planting and care

Soil

Rich, peat-based soil with good drainage and some humus and peat content is well suited for growing. The flower in the house prefers a mixture of turf, humus, peat soil and sand (4: 5: 1: 1: 1), but can grow on others. Good drainage is required. 

Temperature

In winter, cool keeping is suitable, in a bright room, at a temperature of 4 - 6 ° C; the rest of the time, indoor agapanthus is kept at 20 - 25  ° C. In dry soil, it tolerates short frosts. 

Care 

Can be taken out into the open air in summer, but protected from strong wind and rain. During winter, plants may lose some or even all of their leaves - this is normal. Do not forget that wintering of agapanthus should take place in a cool room. 

Watering agapanthus 

During the period of active growth, high humidity must be maintained. Plants should have sufficiently abundant watering, but not overwatering in the summer. When the plant fades, watering is greatly reduced. In winter, almost completely stop watering. Be careful not to flood the plant, as this can encourage root rot and eventually kill the plant.

Lighting

Try to provide plenty of light during the growing season - maybe some direct sunlight during the day. Light shading is possible, but in direct sun the stems will be stronger and the flowering will be more abundant and longer. During winter, even when placed on the brightest windowsill, agapanthus often stretch out and become loose, and their leaves turn pale.

Feeding

Use a weak solution of liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks from spring until the flowering period. During flowering, stop feeding and stop in winter. The plant will definitely thank you for this with lush flowering. Loves both organic and mineral fertilizers. 

Spraying 

Tolerates dry room air without spraying or with minor spraying in summer.

Transplant

Flowering will be more abundant in tight pots, so there is no need to replant the bushes every year - once every 3-4 years is enough. For replanting, take a slightly larger, not deep container. Transshipment is desirable for adult plants, since this method is less likely to damage the root system. Put a thick layer of drainage on the bottom of the pot.

Pests and diseases

Yellowing leaf tips indicate overwatering. 

These plants are not particularly often affected by pests, but sometimes spider mites, scale insects, thrips, and mealybugs appear. aphid. When grown in open ground, slugs and snails can attack the flower.

Purpose

Well suited for growing in small pots on any sunny terrace or balcony as a tapeworm.

Note

To maintain a neat appearance, remove old foliage before new leaves appear. It is best to grow in a wooden tub, as ceramic containers can burst due to intensive root growth.  One of the beneficial properties is that the plant releases special substances into the air - phytoncides, which help fight bacteria and viruses.

Types of Agapanthus:

Agapanthus praecox

Natural climatic conditions: subtropics of South Africa. Grows on mountain slopes and rocks.

Perennial with a shortened scaly stem, height without peduncle about 50 cm; the leaves are dense, belt-shaped, collected in a basal rosette; inflorescence - an umbrella of 30 - 40 flowers, develops at the top of a long peduncle (up to 90 cm in height); the flowers are funnel-shaped, blue-violet, and in some varieties light blue or white. 

Agapanthus umbellatus

It is found more often than other species. Herbaceous perennial plant. An excellent small specimen with large umbels of tubular flowers and dark green leaves up to 45 cm high. Loves bright sun and well-drained fertile soil.

Agapanthus africanus

Agapanthus africanus was the first species collected in South Africa and was described in 1679. The plants were grown in containers in greenhouses in Europe in the late seventeenth century. Plants are found at altitudes of up to 1000 meters above sea level, mainly in mountainous areas in acidic sandy soil. They often grow between stones, and even in lowlands. The pendulous flowers are mostly dark blue; subspecies with white flowers are rare. An evergreen plant with belt-shaped leaves about 1.5 cm wide and 35 cm long. Peduncle up to 70 cm in height.

 Agapanthus umbellatus

The largest but most spectacular species that will require a lot of space to grow.