Mare’s tail or Agapanthus?

jayne10b

Hi

I recently bought an agapanthus in the green from a very reputable garden centre. I potted it into a pot with brand-new compost, and the leaves have been looking very healthy. However when I looked at it today, I noticed what appears to be mares tail growing through it! Do the young agapanthus flowerheads look like this, or do you think my plant is contaminated?

kt_jones123

Have you got a photo you could post on here? The roots of agapanthus do look a bit like mares tail though

jayne10b

jayne10b

I've just looked online, and I'm sure it's mare's tail.  I can't believe that I've bought this plant - if I'd have planted it into the garden it would have been a disaster.  

kt_jones123

Yep looks like mares tail!

Bee witched

Hi @jayne10b,

I'm 100% certain it's mares tail.
I would carefully tip the whole plant out and sift right through it all and take out any suspect bits. Then repot the agapanthus and "quarantine" it for a year or so. If you get any more mares tail then repeat the process.

I would want a full growing season ... at least ... of it being clear before putting into a border.

I would also speak to your supplier and show those photographs. They really should be offering a refund (I wouldn't want a replacement from them).

Bee x

Fairygirl

Yes - at least cut off that fruiting body before it goes everywhere!

jayne10b

@Fairygirl @Bee witched @kt_jones123

I didn't realise at first, what it was, but something was niggling that it didn't look right.  I have left the fruiting body on there for a few weeks because I didn't realise.  I'm not bothered so much about the pot, but does anyone know how far the spores spead?  Do you think the fruiting body looks mature enough.  The main garden is about 5m away from where the pot is.  No signs of anything in there yet, but that is my bigger worry.

Fairygirl

Just cut it off. It will chuck seed everywhere if you don't.

Then you an tackle it by following @Bee witched's advice.

Dovefromabove

Fairygirl said:

Yes - at least cut off that fruiting body before it goes everywhere!

Absolutely ... and put it in a plastic bag and seal and bin. 

If it happened to me, if it weren’t for the lockdown the suppliers would find it back on their doorstep first thing tomorrow morning 😡

As it is ... I’d send a firm email with photos telling them you want your money back!!! 

Then I’d bag and bin the lot. 

Fairygirl

If it wasn't so clearly entangled with the plant, you could remove the fruit, then crush the foliage and apply a weedkiller, but it's not advisable in the circumstances.