Care and Feeding of Agapanthus
- Water. Agapanthus is a drought-tolerant plant that doesn't do well in soggy soil. Water Agapanthus deeply after planting...
- After Blooming. Agapanthus' wide leaves absorb sunlight, providing energy for the next year's blooming season. For this...
- Fertilizer. Agapanthus benefits from fertilization every spring, using a granular fertilizer...
How do you fertilize Agapanthus?
Feed agapanthus again in midsummer, using half the amount of fertilizer applied in the spring, or 1/2 to 3/4 pounds per 50 square feet of growing area. Water agapanthus immediately after applying fertilizer, as a concentration of undiluted fertilizer may burn the roots. Reapply the fertilizer two months later in early summer.
What nutrients do Agapanthus need to grow?
Agapanthus need 3 main nutrients to grow and blossom. Nitrogen (N) – This helps with root and steam growth and provides a firm base for the plant Phosphorus (P) – This helps with roots absorbing nutrients better Potassium (K) – This protects agapanthus against diseases and helps with agapanthus color.
What eats Agapanthus?
Pests that can eat agapanthus are aphids, mealybugs, red spider mites, snails, slugs, Agapanthus borer, deer, and fungus. Let us give you the details on each of the pests that can eat your Agapanthus.
Can I grow Agapanthus in pots/tubs?
I have bought 3 varieties of Agapanthus and intend growing them in pots/tubs as feel they might struggle to survive outside in the winter here in Scotland. I am presuming they will need fed to encourage them to flower/ increase.
What is the best fertilizer for agapanthus?
To bloom regularly, fertilize agapanthus twice a year, either after blooming, in early fall (September in the Upstate, October in the Lowcountry), or in early spring (early March in the Lowcountry and April Upstate). A low-nitrogen, complete fertilizer that includes phosphorus is best, such as 5-10-15 or 8-8-8.
Is Miracle Gro good for agapanthus?
Benefits: Better Blooms, More Colorful Blooms, Easy to Use If you go to any farm or farmer's market the only type of fertilizer they will recommend using is this water-soluble solution by miracle-gro.
Is Tomorite good for agapanthus?
I used to grow agapanthus only in pots, but the flowers were smaller than I expected, so I planted them all out in the garden. I found that they were slow to flower generously, but a high-potash fertiliser (I use last year's Tomorite) in late April greatly increased the production of flower-spikes.
Why are the leaves on my agapanthus turning yellow?
Agapanthus leaves might be turning yellow as a consequence of getting sunburnt, being overwatered, or when they are suffering from fungal diseases or pest attacks. The long, curved and slender leaves of the Agapanthus plant turn yellow mostly when they are suffering from an external attack by fungi or pests.
How often should you feed agapanthus?
every two weeksFeed every two weeks with a high potash feed to encourage flowering, until mid-September.
How do you make agapanthus thrive?
Agapanthus: How to grow and care for this popular plantAgapanthus grow well in temperate regions and withstand heat and drought conditions.They're great for edging, as dwarf varieties grow to less than 50cm high.Agapanthus need full sun and regular water.Some people regard them as weeds.
Can you feed agapanthus tomato feed?
Feeding and watering agapanthus Agapanthus will also benefit from a fortnightly feed of liquid high-potash tomato food during the growing season. Reduce watering and feeding in September and allow the plant to dry out.
How often should agapanthus be watered?
Agapanthus needs well-draining soil. Too much moisture around the roots almost guarantees rot. But, there is a fine balance between too much water and not enough. Water when the top few inches of soil is dry, typically once a week is adequate.
Why are my agapanthus not flowering?
Too much shade, cold weather and lack of winter protection are also common reasons for agapanthus to fail to flower. Too much winter warmth may lead to early flowering, but the flower quality will be poor.
How do you keep agapanthus green?
Keep the soil around the agapanthus free of debris, apply a layer of fresh mulch around the plant and prune out the yellow foliage. Ensure that the plant gets plenty of water during dry periods, but water at the base and avoid splashing soil onto the plant. Then, apply a fungicide every week to 10 days.
How do I get my agapanthus to bloom?
How to Make an Agapanthus Bloom. A non-blooming agapanthus plant may need fertilizer – but not too much. Try feeding the plant twice monthly during springtime, using a water-soluble fertilizer for blooming plants, and then cut back to once monthly when the plant begins to bloom.
Why are my agapanthus leaves dying?
Agapanthus are soft foliage, drought tolerant plants. The main causes of rotting are: poor soil drainage. Plant in raised garden beds to assist in water drainage.
How to grow agapanthus in a pot?
Agapanthus does well in a pot filled with a commercial potting mixture. Place the pot in full sunlight and provide about 1 inch of water per week during the growing season . If you live in a climate where nighttime temperatures drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, bring the pot indoors for the winter. Leave the foliage in place unless it turns yellow, and water the plant sparingly, or not at all.
How does Agapanthus spread?
Agapanthus spreads by underground rhizomes and a few years after planting develops a mass of colorful blooms. Agapanthus benefits from division if the plant begins to look scruffy and dies out in the center -- usually every six to seven years.
What is the best zone for agapanthus?
Care and Feeding of Agapanthus. Also known as the African lily or lily of the Nile, agapanthus (Agapanthus orientalis) is a perennial bloomer suitable for planting in U.S. Department of Agriculture growing zones 7 through 11. Agapanthus is available in a range of blue hues, from pastel lavender to deep bluish-purple flowers, ...
How to fertilize a plant without watering?
Sprinkle the fertilizer on the ground around the plant, and then water deeply to distribute the fertilizer evenly around the roots. Never fertilize without watering, as undiluted fertilizer may scorch the roots and kill the plant. Similarly, never allow fertilizer to touch the foliage.
How tall is Agapanthus?
Mature height of the plant is 2 to 4 feet.
Do agapanthus leaves turn yellow?
For this reason, it's important to leave the foliage in place when blooming ends for the season. It's safe to remove the leaves if they turn yellow, however. Get the Best Mortgage Rate for You | SmartAsset.com.
Potted Agapanthus
Dilute a 10-10-10 or similar balanced fertilizer with water at half the strength recommended on the fertilizer label.
Garden Agapanthus
Sprinkle 1 cup of 14-14-14, or a similar blend, of slow-release fertilizer along every 10 feet of agapanthus row in spring as new growth begins. Apply the fertilizer the soil 6 inches away from the base of the plants.
Fertilize An Agapanthus
Fertilize agapanthus in early spring, just prior to the beginning of the blooming season, using a balanced dry fertilizer with a ratio such as 10-10-10 or 5-5-5. Feed agapanthus again in midsummer, using half the amount of fertilizer applied in the spring, or 1/2 to 3/4 pounds per 50 square feet of growing area.
Fertilize An Agapanthus
Fertilize agapanthus in early spring, just prior to the beginning of the blooming season, using a balanced dry fertilizer with a ratio such as 10-10-10 or 5-5-5. Feed agapanthus again in midsummer, using half the amount of fertilizer applied in the spring, or 1/2 to 3/4 pounds per 50 square feet of growing area.
How to grow Agapanthus?
2. Planting Your Agapanthus Rhizomes 1 Plant in spring after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to 50ºF (10ºC). 2 Dig a hole and plant your rhizomes 2 in. deep (5 cm) and 12-18 in. apart (30-45 cm). That leaves them enough room to grow, yet close enough to help each other stay upright 3 Agapanthus plants are heavy feeders and do best with organic compost worked into the soil at planting. 4 Set the Agapanthus rhizomes with the pointed ends facing up. Cover with soil and water as needed. Protect in colder areas with a heavy mulch around the root zone to protect the plant from the cold.
What type of soil does Agapanthus prefer?
Agapanthus perform best in fertile, moist and well-drained soil. They show no preference for pH, except Agapanthus africanus which prefers an acid soil. Fully hardy to half hardy, Agapanthus are hardy in zones 8-11 and some cultivars can be grown in zone 7.
How to protect Agapanthus from cold?
Agapanthus plants are heavy feeders and do best with organic compost worked into the soil at planting. Set the Agapanthus r hizomes with the pointed ends facing up. Cover with soil and water as needed. Protect in colder areas with a heavy mulch around the root zone to protect the plant from the cold. 'Arctic Star'.
How to store agapanthus in winter?
During the winter, water lightly. Deciduous Agapanthus should be allowed to rest for the winter. Brush off the soil and allow them to dry out for a few days in a dry, warm location. Then store them wrapped in newspaper in a cool, dark location at approximately 40-50°F (4-10°C).
When to divide Agapanthus?
Agapanthus are easy to propagate by division - between spring and early summer, or in early fall, after plants have finished flowering. Agapanthus species can be propagated by seed.
Can Agapanthus be left in the ground?
Overwintering. Most Agapanthus plants are winter hardy in zones 8-11, so in these climate zones the rhizomes can be left right in the ground. Some cultivars are hardy in zone 7. If you live in a colder area and you want to save your rhizomes for next summer, you may dig them up before the first frost.
3. How Do I Choose a Agapanthus Fertilizer?
Choosing Agapanthus Fertilizer will depend on what you want them to do.
4. How Do I Fertilize Agapanthus?
If you want to fertilize agapanthus there are several important tips you should follow:
5. When Should I Fertilize Agapanthus?
When you should fertilize agapanthus depends on the agapanthus you grow (annual or perennial), when the agapanthus blooms, and the fertilizer you use.
6. How Often Should I Fertilize My Agapanthus?
How often you should fertilize your agapanthus depends on the fertilizer and soil.
7. How Do I Know if My Agapanthus Need Fertilizer?
You will know if your agapanthus need fertilizer if you observe one of the following:
8. What Alternatives to Fertilizers Can I Apply to Agapanthus?
If you do not want to use retail or commercial flower fertilizers then you can use the below alternatives. These alternatives will not only help your plant but the soil around it:
Conclusion
All agapanthus should be fertilized throughout the year. Make sure you read the instructions and apply them as needed.
What is an agapanthus?
Agapanthus (African Lily) is a plant that will grow almost anywhere and thrives on neglect. From the wilderness of floral fashion, the humble agapanthus suddenly is the height of horticultural chic. Their hardy ubiquity, especially at the seaside, has made them an almost iconic state bloom.
What are the leaves of agapanthus?
There are many varieties of agapanthus that have variegated leaves. These greens have a cream-colored or white stripe along the edges. This contrasts with the plant’s blue flowers.
How do agapanthus blooms work?
The agapanthus blooms appear in clusters at each end of their flowering stems. The bracts protect the blue flowers from any damage as they rise from the leaves. The bracts begin to pull back as they mature and reveal tiny blue buds. They then open in succession, working their way up from the bottom.
What color are agapanthus flowers?
Blue is the most popular color for agapanthus flowers. However, they can be found in many shades, with a few streaks of darker blue down the petals. Agapanthus is also available in white. A few varieties even have both blue and white flowers.
Where does Agapanthus grow?
This sun-loving summer beauty should be planted in any form that you prefer. Agapanthus is native to southern Africa, where they grow in free-draining, rocky environments. That makes it problematic for the roots to reach the water they need and forces them to plant well in constrained areas.
When do agapanthus start dormancy?
You can start their dormancy when fall arrives by withholding water. You can move the more delicate evergreen varieties into a frost-free environment like a greenhouse or near a bright window in your home. Others can be left alone and watered sparingly until spring. Agapanthus loves regular watering.
Can agapanthus grow anywhere?
They can tough it out almost anywhere. They thrive on neglect. Where all else has perished amid rocky ruins of failed rural homesteads, agapanthus will continue to raise a blue bloom to remind of happier days. There are many options, from a large container with 100 cm tall specimens to a smaller dwarf variety that mimics ...
Why plant agapanthus?
Planting agapanthus is an inexpensive way to improve the appearance of the landscape and may increase the value of your home.
How to keep agapanthus from scorching?
To prevent scorching, spray the plant to remove any fertilizer that lands on the foliage.
silu gardening easy...hmmm
I have bought 3 varieties of Agapanthus and intend growing them in pots/tubs as feel they might struggle to survive outside in the winter here in Scotland. I am presuming they will need fed to encourage them to flower/ increase.
NCFCcrazy Super Gardener
Tomato feed is perfect. Regarding the hardiness, what compost are you using in the pots? They like the soil or compost to be free draining so maybe its the wet that's killing them rather than the cold...
silu gardening easy...hmmm
Thanks very much NCFCcrazy. The ones I lost were in a cold greenhouse over the winter and I didn't water them at all from memory during the winter. It did go down to -25 for a brief period, that's really cold even for us and I reckon that's what polished off my last batch of Agapanthus.
Dips Total Gardener
I have 3 in pots :-) and i feed tomato feed every time i just remember to.
silu gardening easy...hmmm
Well that is me given the definitive disaster proof answer. I hadn't a clue that there were so many varieties . I did get Headbourne Hybrids as thought I'd better start my collection with something fairly bomb proof and also have White Umbrella and Purple Cloud.
minki Novice Gardener
Can I add my question to this list ? I am growing three agapanthus bulbs in pot with only ji3 and gravel at the base. I planted them 2-3 months ago. the plants hv their leaves out about 6 inch high... i wasnt aware tht we should be feeding them i thought fresh compost is enough..
minki Novice Gardener
Oh i didnt know tht! But wouldnt tht be for a grown up plant as compared to bulbs who hv food of their own and leaves just started to come out.. i m so confused vd feed flower balance.. too less plants dont grow , too muuch theu don flower...
