Agatea

     Family. Asteraceae.

  Origin. South Africa is considered the homeland of agatea; in its natural environment, grows in a hot and arid climate.

Description. The genus contains about 80 names of flowering plants. Agatea is an elegant perennial, which is  a rounded evergreen shrub with oval-rounded small leaves. Growing quickly. Quite a rare plant, suitable for exotic lovers. If you follow all the recommendations for keeping, the flowering period will be almost continuous.

The plant is densely branched, often the stems have a dark red tint. The leaves are small, 0.7 cm long, bright green, shortly pubescent, ovate, alternate or opposite. The shoots and leaf blades of some species have short, velvety white pubescence.

In summer, agatea throws out many thin flower stalks up to 18 cm high with bright bluish-pink, blue or purple radiant flowers with a diameter of 2.5 cm with a yellow center, similar to daisies or daisies, but they bloom only in very good light. There are varieties with white and pink flowers that often remain open even at night. As the plant fades, it forms round white heads with seeds equipped with parachutes - like dandelions.

Particularly attractive are the variegated variegated varieties, which are distinguished by the presence of a white or yellowish border along the edges of the leaf blades. 

Height. Usually 30 - 60 cm in height and 50 cm in width, but sometimes up to 1 m in height, grows quickly.

Agatea at home

Temperature conditions

It does not tolerate severe and persistent frosts, but for short periods down to -5°C. Relatively cool conditions in summer. In winter, plants are kept in cold greenhouses, but they can be in full bloom at 10 - 12 ° C.

Lighting

Bright lighting and some direct sun are important. It is worth shading only at midday in the summer.

Care

To stimulate the development of shoots, it is necessary to pinpoint the central shoot and side shoots, since the more branched the plants, the more abundant the flowering. Pinch out growing tips regularly and prune vigorously after flowering to maintain a compact bush shape. The first pinching is done when the young plants reach 7 - 8 cm in height.

In summer, you can take the plant outside; to extend the flowering period. Remove faded flowers in a timely manner. After the first flowering, you can trim off too long shoots to form a compact bush and allow repeated flowering. Despite its fragile appearance, agatea is very unpretentious and will forgive many mistakes in care; it is suitable for growing by inexperienced gardeners. 

Substrate

Based on peat with the addition of coarse sand, well-drained, sandy but fertile soils. The plant tolerates even nutrient-poor soils well, as long as they have good drainage.

Feeding

During the period of intensive flowering, fertilize with fertilizer with a high potassium content 2 times a month. The plant responds well to organic fertilizers.

Air humidity

The leaves are sprayed periodically.

Soil moisture

Resistant to drought, water moderately, but not allowing the earthen ball to dry out; reduce watering in winter. Beware of excess moisture. 

Purpose

Agatea are valued as potted plants and are also bred for cut flowers.  Great for creating flower beds, borders, rockeries or as ground cover for the garden and balcony. Indoor and balcony plant for bright and cool rooms.

Flowering time

Bush flowers are most abundant in mid-summer; with proper care, year-round.

Transplant

In spring, as needed in rich soil. 

Reproduction

It is very easy to propagate by stem cuttings in early spring or by sowing seeds in late spring. Plants obtained from cuttings planted in spring bloom after 6-8 months - in winter. Propagation by seeds requires a certain amount of time and effort. The seeds need preliminary cool stratification for 3 weeks in the refrigerator. After planting in the ground, the germination period is about 4 weeks at a temperature of 18 to 22 °C.

Pests and diseases

With excessive watering and high temperatures - powdery mildew. With the onset of intense summer heat, flowering may stop. With a large amount of nutrients in the soil, agatea abundantly grows green mass to the detriment of flowering.

Among the pests, agatea can be attacked by aphids and spider mites.

Note

Pollen can cause an allergic reaction. Flowers look great in a vase and, by the way, last a long time.

Hydroponics

Perfect for hydroponic culture.