Growing ageratum with seedlings

The ageratum plant comes from the tropics, but despite this, in our middle zone it grows very well, delighting with its flowering. One has only to consider that in our climate growing ageratum as a perennial it is impossible. In our temperate climate, it grows as an annual plant, which does not prevent it from producing a mass of seeds and is not difficult to grow seedlings.

Since ageratum is a heat-loving plant, it is not recommended to sow it directly into open ground. It is better to start by growing seedlings from seeds.

To do this, the seeds need to be sown in late March - early April. It is possible, of course, even earlier, but due to the short duration of daylight hours in winter and early spring, you will have to come up with additional lighting for the sprouts.

Ageratum seeds are very small, so there is no need to bury them deeply in the ground when planting, just sprinkle them lightly with soil on top. Growing ageratum requires maintaining constant humidity in the container with the seeds, so spray the soil with water from a spray bottle and create greenhouse conditions: cover the container with glass or polyethylene.

After about 10-12 days, sprouts begin to hatch. Do not remove the film or glass completely yet, but remove it for a while to provide air access.

When 1-2 pairs of true leaves appear on the sprouts, each sprout is transplanted into its own container. If the seedlings are stretched out due to lack of light, then the tops can be pinched.

Transplant seedlings into the ground when there is no chance of frost - in late May - early June.Ageratum blooms 60-70 days after germination.