Agapanthus

Hi I planted some Agapanthus in containers last year and they were GLORIOUS! This year whist they look Ok I have noticed the leaves are yellowing. This usually indicates lack of iron doesn't it? But do these plants need iron?? Or do you think there is another problem.

 

Hello Dillydo. I am growing Agapanthus in the ground here although it's parent was a pot dweller. I get yellowing leaves and put it down to natural loss. Overwatering though the winter could be a cause as they are in a pot.

Agapanthus can thrive on conditions of neglect, such as dry slopes and by the coast. They will grow in any soil as long as they get water in the Spring and Summer.

I don't believe they require iron.

Perhaps someone can give advice regarding conditions in your climate.

 

Hi Thanks for the advice...over watering sounds the best bet given the amount of rain we have had over the last month.

 

Hi.

For the last couple of years I've been growing four Agapanthus: Headbourne Hybrids (which I believe are a deciduous variety) from seed. They have spent the majority of this winter in my study which is quite a cold room on a south-west facing window cill.

I'm slightly concerned that over the last couple of weeks all the plants seem to be developing yellow leaves and whilst they have been watered sparingly over the winter (a splash, a couple of times a month tops) I'm not sure what is causing the sudden yellowing of the leaves.

The two smaller plants seem to be especially bad, one is down to one leaf and the other one and a half! The others are faring better but still with an increasing number of yellowing leaves. Pictures below.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Many thanks

 

Some Agapanthus are deciduous, some evergreen. As long as the compost isn't too wet and there is no sign of Sciarid fly (little black flies on the compost and around the pots) then they're just dying back naturally for the winter. Treat them like dahlia tubers....cool, frost-free and barely damp compost, then start them off again in Spring

 

Thank-you :-) Do you think I'm safe to leave them on the window cill where they get some sunlight during the day, or would I be better to move them to a cool dark cupboard?

 

No leaves = no need for light, ruleyo84 If they're in peat-based compost, though, don't forget to check on them occasionally so they don't dry out completely, or start re-growing without you realising...

 

I'd put them outside Ruley in a sheltered frost free position. I have grown them from seed and as long as they are not subject to hard frost they will be okay

 

Mine live outside permanently and there are some are yellowing leaves which I just pull off but it's natural. We have come out of our dry season of no rain for six months or more and are now 'enjoying' horrendous rain and they are looking good.

However, my seasons are different than yours and good luck.

 

Mine are all in the greenhouse and quite dry all the leaves have dropped of the adult plants but the seedlings all have green leaves covered with a plastic bell cloche for xtra protection .

 

Hi Noisette - I've followed your advice and the plants are now in a cool dark cupboard, most of the foliage has now died off. Roughly how long in your experience do the plants need to be kept in these conditions?

 

Folks, just wanted to thank-you for your advice. All plants have made it through the winter - two featured in containers given to "the mothers" last Sunday, with two kept behind for me!