Agapanthus

:( I am not a happy bunny ... my massive clump of Agapanthus which has been in my dry rockery for some 6-7 years has rotted!

I have not really been able to get outside examining things since the new year almost due to our storms, torrential rain and, when it is sunny, everything is sodden .... I know you guys suffer this more than I do (I did live there for 24 years). This rockery is made up of house rubble I piled up and then put substrata and earth between the rubble, it is totally free draining and rock solid in summer . Things such as Aloe, Geranimums (scented and trailing), Melaleuca, mini Agave, Freesias, Osteopernum, etc, etc, thrive ... as did the Agapanthus ... until now. I wonder if there was a 'pocket' where water was held and perhaps the light frosts did not help either.

There are two which did not rot and of those which I have taken away and dried out, four have new shoots so I'll replant them.

I know several of you grow them outdoors there .... has anyone else experienced this problem?

For what it's worth, the Freesias are about to bloom which are immediately next to this sad clump .....

 

I have never experienced rotting in Agapanthus but if sodden for a long time I guess they could rot, as you know they are a plant that prefers well drained soil but are fairly adaptable. Seems you have just been unlucky with that particular plant.:(

 

Nibbled and then rotted by excessive water maybe ?

 

I know all is not lost as there were some roots left and I have the new sprouting ones but it's just so annoying. A new clump, sent by a GC member is just below it and not affected at all either. This is the driest of my rockeries under the larger of the two Jacarandas. This has also been the wettest winter so far that we can remember ... strange that the Freesias 'next door' haven't suffered ....

Nibbled ???? We do have a lot of mice at the moment but they prefer the orchards when they are not Cal's clutches or in the house ...... :hehe:

 

Fussy things aren't they? But so beautiful-I'm still waiting on one I bought 2 years ago to bloom. Sorry to hear what happened though Victoria :(

 

Hi Aaron. I found mine took several years to bloom and they seemed to like being 'potbound' but in my case 'rockbound'. This I find strange as I see them everywhere here at shopping centers, roundabouts and such like in borders, ie, no restrictions with earth, and they bloom prolifically.

I just learned today reading up on them that the dead flower heads make nice dried arrangements .... :dh:

 

I mean't insect nibble, wet gets to the flesh and it decays ?

 

Strange things, but fleetingly beautiful. We inherited a clump when we moved here 8 years ago and at first they bloomed really well. Then an Exochorda growing close by started to spread and the flowering dimished. About three yers ago my ma-in-law said how much she liked them so I dug a chunk off for her, which did really well. Unfortunately, the much larger piece that was left has sulked ever since and last year there were only three or four blooms. I wonder if it needs replacing or can I rejuvenate it? Sorry about yours Victoria. :(
Chris www.chrisodonoghue.co.uk

 

Evening Chris

I know mine will survive ... it's just the sudden disappearance of them ....

I wouldn't say 'fleetingly beautiful' as I find they bloom for a very long period of time ... but I will agree with you they are strange ... and beautiful ...

 

I've got it in a pot but maybe the pot is too big-I've heard they like their roots to be constricted. Yes, I find it bizarre too. A house round the corner from here has got masses of them in their front garden and the blooms are spectacular.

I know they are tempermental things, but yes, so beautiful.

 

They generally come in a flimsier pot than most plants, and we always recommend people plant them still in these pots. Not sure why they're like that tbh, just assumed that they propogate by seed as a secondary method when there isnt space for natural growth.

 

Vicky - so sorry to hear about your Agapanthus. Do they have a certain life span? I think very few things continue to grow forever. Though I suspect that the wet was more likely.

When things die I like to think of it as an opportunity to make changes or grow something new. I get a lot of opportunities occuring in my garden. :D

 

Sorry about your Aggies Victoria. The leaves of mine are like slimy green gunk at the moment, but I'm hopefull of new shoots come Spring - ever the optimist

 

I bought mine off eBay, so it came bare rooted.

I am ever hopeful to get a massive blue flower or two this summer:D

 

Thank you everyone for your thoughts, ideas and commiserations. I have sorted them out now and have five I can replant ... so only time will tell .... and also wonder whether I'll get blooms this year ....

swanseadel, that's interesting that your place sells them in flimsy pots to plant as such ... I wonder if that is an extra protection factor for the UK? I couldn't imagine all the ones in the borders, roundabouts, etc, here have all been planted in pots as the clumps are so huge .... and some of them in a relatively short period of time.

I will keep you posted on my progress.