Ageratum (Ageratum) is a small plant of the Astrov family that came from America. In our geographic belt, the ageratum is grown by annuals due to its thermophilicity.
Ageratum Description
Plant height - from 10 to 60 cm, from the root grows many upright, slightly pubescent shoots. Bright green leaves with jagged edges have the shape of a diamond, oval or triangle.
The lower leaves on the petioles are located opposite, the upper (sessile) are arranged alternately. Small branches of both sexes of white, pink, violet and blue flowers form inflorescences in the form of fragrant baskets with a diameter of 10-15 mm, which represent the shield-like complex inflorescence. 
After the flowering period, fruits are formed - pentahedral wedge-shaped achene, in which small seeds ripen. Planting ageratum is made by seeds and does not require much effort. Let us consider in more detail how to grow ageratum from seeds.
Such plants as buzulnik, coreopsis, goldenrod, nivyanik, cineraria, liatris, osteospermum, rudbeka, kosmeya, pyrethrum, gatsania also belong to the Astrovye family.
Ageratum: where and when to sow seeds
Planning to plant an ageratum in your backyard can be grown from seeds. The time when you need to plant seeds - the end of March.
One of the highlights is the choice of a suitable substrate. The optimal solution for planting is the use of a nutrient mixture of peat, humus and sand in a ratio of 1: 1: 1.
Growing ageratum from seed: sowing scheme
When we planted seedlings on ageratum, we found out that this is the end of March. The next important point is the seeding scheme. In the landing capacity the distance between the nearest rows should be 7-10 cm.
Small seeds should be sown carefully, avoiding thickening. In case of difficulties, they can be mixed with sand for more uniform sowing. After germination, they are thinned, leaving between each strongest sprout a distance of about 2 cm.
Seedlings of tall grades of ageratum, cultivated from seeds, are transplanted into the open ground according to the 15-25 cm scheme, more compact varieties - according to the 10 cm scheme for the free development of a bushy bush.
Did you know? "Ageratum" literally means "ageless"
How to care for ageratum seedlings
First stage
The replanting box is filled with the substrate, seeds are sown into it, lightly sprinkled with earth, moistened with a spray bottle and covered with a film or glass for better germination.
The box is placed in a warm room. At the first stage of care for the sown seeds, it is recommended to ensure the humidity at the level of 95%, and the soil temperature - 22-26 degrees.
Until the first shoots appear, the soil with an ageratum, the seedlings are grown by seeds, must be moistened with a spray as it dries, and the shelter is removed for airing for a while. 
Second phase
After 12-17 days after planting of the ageratum seeds, shoots appear. The second stage of care for seedlings lasts about a week or two.
At this time, it is necessary to water the Agratuma seedlings from the seeds and alternately every three days to make potassium and nitrogen fertilizers, and also to air, removing the film for several hours. 
Important! To fertilize this tropical plant cow manure not recommended.
Third stage
The third stage of caring for seedlings ageratum at home lasts 6-12 days. During this period, the seedlings still need the increased humidity created by the film cover, which periodically need to be removed for airing.
Soil temperature should be at a level of 20 degrees during the daytime, and 14 ° ะก at night. This stage requires sufficient lighting of the seedlings, it makes sense to put a container with an agetumnom well lit sill. 
Fourth stage
After the formation of the first leaflets comes the final, fourth stage of care for seedlings. At this time, the temperature of the substrate should be at the level of 19-21 ° C, the film cover is finally removed.
Seedlings of ageratum during this period of cultivation require more rare feeding with an interval of five days. Watering should be timely and sufficient, and the soil around the seedling periodically needs to be loosened shallowly.
Did you know? One fruit of ageratum can contain up to 8 thousand seeds
How to transplant ageratum in open ground, the rules of picking a flower
Ageratum, which later will be transplanted into open ground, you need to dive twice. The first pick is carried out after the fifth leaf appears on the seedlings, they are transplanted into a more spacious container or similar sizes, but with a large distance between the plants.
15-20 days after the first, the second picking of each seedling into a separate cup or other individual container is performed. At this time, seedlings need regular watering and sufficient lighting.
Important! Since the grown-up seedlings of the Ageratum root system is rather weak, it is advisable to carry out the second picking into separate peat pots, and also plant them in open ground. This will save delicate roots during transplantation.
The end of May and the beginning of June is the optimal time when you should plant an ageratum in open ground. The site where the ageratum will grow should be kept away from drafts, and seedlings are planted in the bright sun. The soil should not have high acidity, preferably pre-drainage of the soil.The soil before planting is well loosened, holes are made in it for lush bushes of the ageratum with an interval of 25 cm from the nearest plant, for smaller and smaller plants - 10 cm.
The hole is abundantly watered, an Ageratum seedling is placed in it, it is buried, the soil is compacted and re-watered. Further care of the flower is watering, loosening the soil, removing weeds and fertilizing every 2-3 weeks.
