The charm of the agapanto

Originally from South Africa and famous for being considered the African lily, Agapanto is an exceptional perennial plant that is able to give a blossoming effect throughout the summer. It has a bushy appearance and is characterized by large ribbon-shaped leaves that stretch to the ground. In the variety with perennial leaves the foliage and the flowers appear larger than those with deciduous leaves. The Agapanto also features flowers from various shades of blue in the shape of a bell, but there are also varieties with white flowers.

Agapanto: cultivation

Agapanto can only be planted in the ground if you are certain that winter temperatures will never drop below -2 ° C. Otherwise, it is preferable to keep them in jars, taking care to add the peat to protect the roots. In regions where frequent freezing occurs, Agapanto plants should be placed in shelter from the cold already in October, preferably at a temperature between 1 and 8 degrees Celsius and in a well-lit room.
Agapanto does not like frequent transplants, so it is necessary to consider, at the time of being housed, enough space between one plant and the other to choose large vessels. This will guarantee Agapanto not to undergo further transplants for at least 4-5 years.
It is necessary to wait until the arrival of the beautiful season to be ready to live. The roots, or rhizomes, should be arranged at a depth of about eight inches. Agapanto’s favorite soil consists of soil, sand and peat. If you prefer to grow Agapanto in a pot it is advisable to deposit on the bottom of the stones or rocks to ensure efficient drainage.
As soon as transplanted, Agapanto needs frequent fertilizers, at least every three weeks, preferably with a liquid fertilizer stretched in the water. On the contrary, the watering will have to be polished and little abundant. Until the first sprouts do not originate, the plant will be kept under shelter.

Agapanto: diseases and cures

Agapanto is a rather robust and little-prepared disease. However, one must pay attention to the snails that are commonly fed with its leaves. In order to avoid being eaten with a devoured plant, you must remove the snails manually or using the traditional slug pellets.
The other enemy of Agapanto is the radical rot that can be formed due to water stagnation. To prevent the problem, thus avoiding the death of the plant, it is sufficient to prefer well drained soils and avoid frequent watering.

Agapanto: curiosities

Not everyone knows that Agapanto needs to be handled with extreme care, it contains harmful toxic substances for the skin and mucous membranes. For this reason it is useful to protect yourself with gloves whenever you need to treat it.