Expert: Laura Walker - 2/18/2005

Question
A friend of mine has given me about 30 cuttings (she divided a HUGE plant)trimmed on top and roots showing. It may take a few weeks before I get them in the ground, how should I store them? Do they do well in pots? I live in southern California and it is the rainy season right now, too wet to plant. Can I leave them just in the shade until ready to plant?

Answer
Chris,
I have been dying to try Agapanthus! You can grow just about anything in your location.lucky you!
Here is what I do when I can't plant right away.First trim the long roots if you haven't already done so.It helps the plant get off to a good start. Get a plastic pot big enough to hold the root ball of the plant and fill it with fresh potting soil.Plant it in the pot and water it well and just put it under a sheltered area where it won't get drowned by rain. When the rain has stopped and the ground is ready to dig,dig the hole big enough for extra soil and the roots of the plant.The natural soil will be too wet to use by itself so get rid of it and add the potting soil and some vermiculite would help as well.
Vermiculite looks like little white styrofoam balls.It is usually mixed with bagged potting soil anyway,but if your potting soil does not have it in there,just buy a small bag of it.It helps the roots of the plant receive oxygen so they won't get smothered by the overly wet soil.
Then by the time the natural soil sinks in around the roots,the plant will have already started developing it's own root system.It should be fine after that.
It sounds like even if one did not make it your friend has plenty more to spare. Good luck.I will have to buy some Agapanthus this year.It looks beautiful in catalogs and I am a sucker for blue flowered plants!