African chamomile, gazania, midday gold are other names for this beautifully flowering member of the Asteraceae family. Today, an unpretentious, but highly decorative flower from hot Africa can be increasingly seen in garden plots, parks and even apartments. The article is devoted to the description of varieties of African chamomile and tips for caring for this plant.
There are over 40 types of African chamomile. Despite such a variety, gardeners fell in love with those bred as a result of selection hybrid varieties, with unusual characteristics of inflorescences, leaves and stems. In temperate latitudes, gazania, which was originally a perennial, is grown as annual plant.
Gazania linear
The Latin name is Gazania linearis. It is distinguished by the presence of a beautiful rosette of carved, pubescent leaves on the underside and bright yellow or orange flowers with spots or stripes on the petals that will delight the eye until the onset of cold weather. Gazania linear tolerates both low temperatures, and drought. The plant is recommended to be planted in May in sunny places.
Gatzania long-shot
Also known as Gazania longiscapa. African chamomile of this species is a low (about 20 cm) plant with slightly split leaves and large yellow-golden flowers. If the gazania flowers are reed, a brown shading can be seen at their base. August is the beginning of the flowering period of this species, which continues until frost.
Gatzania long-shot
Gatzania shiny (harsh)
Another name is Gazania splendens hort. The species has been cultivated since the end of the 18th century and is most in demand among flower growers as an annual. What is his secret? As a rule, this semi-shrub plant (the length of the stems reaches 30 cm) is especially attractive due to its abundant and colorful flowering. In one season, a bush can give life to 35 inflorescences! The flowers of this variety are somewhat similar to the gerbera: the same large single baskets, turning their heads directly to the sun. Gazania brilliant is decorated with them from July to November.
Gallery: gazania (25 photos)
Gazania peacock
The Latin equivalent is Gazania pavonia. Considered a semi-shrub; in the wild - a perennial, in Russia it is grown as an annual plant. Distinctive features: whole or slightly carved pubescent very narrow leaves, green above, whitish below. Inflorescences consist of large flowers; tubular flowers are painted yellow, and reed flowers are bright orange, have a dark base.
Gazania peacock
Gatzania hybrid
Gazania x hybrida are varieties bred by breeders that have brought gazania such popularity in floriculture. The main difference between these varieties from the original species is open inflorescences, regardless of whether it is a sunny day or not. A variety of hybrids was achieved due to the shape of the flowers (“chamomile”, semi-double and double) and their color scheme. Baskets can be red, bright orange, yellow, pink, lemon, beige, bronze, raspberry and purple. The only disadvantage of these varieties is the impossibility of propagation by seeds: plants just don't produce them.
Gatzania Potsi
The name in Latin is Gazania potsii. It is a harsh variety of gazania, so it differs little from it. However, it is difficult not to pay attention to the huge size of bright flowers - their diameter can reach 12 cm!
Gatzania hybrid
Gatzania Sunshine
Other cultivar names: Sonnenschein, Gazania splenders Sunshine mixed. This selection product is in many ways similar to other hybrids and blooms incredibly spectacularly. On the petals of Sunlight, you can see contrasting stripes or characteristic rings. Densely leafy stems reach a height of 20-30 cm and give side shoots.
Gatzania Dybrek
Another popular hybrid among flower growers. Daybreak stands out among other varieties with its unusual color of inflorescences: the plant is decorated with golden, orange or red-brown flowers. The rest is the same annual, resistant to adverse conditions.
Gatzania Dybrek
Gatsania Garden Star
A representative of hybrids, this variety takes pride of place among the inhabitants of border beds and flower beds. It reaches a height of 20 cm, stands out among relatives with strong peduncles, on which large bright flowers with lancet petals are planted. The flowering period of the variety falls on the whole summer and most of the autumn.
Gatzania Triad
Like the previous three variety is mixed. If you plant it in your area, you can watch how white, yellowish, red or orange baskets bloom against the background of gray-green foliage.
Gatzania Triad
1.11.
It is one of the most common varieties. On the basis of Gazania Kiss, a whole series of hybrids with a high degree of decorativeness was bred. The variety is characterized by an average size (20-25 cm), as well as large baskets of flowers (up to 10 cm).
Gatsania Talent
Derived from the type of brilliant African chamomile; differs from it in the silvery color of the leaves and the ability to leave flowers open even in cloudy weather. Like many other varieties, Talent blooms very long and spectacularly.
Gatsania Talent
The technology of growing gazania from seeds at home
Seed propagation is the most popular, but labor-intensive way of breeding African chamomile. In order for the flower to please the eye with lush baskets by the beginning of summer, you need to carefully prepare.
The optimal time to start breeding seedlings is February-March (for late flowering varieties - March-April). When choosing a planting time, you need to remember that the plant will begin to bloom only three to three and a half months after it touches the soil. Further presented step-by-step instruction for growing gazania from seeds:
- Step 1. Pot preparation. The main rule is the great depth of the vessel. Peat containers are ideal for African chamomile. For starters, you can use smaller pots, but when picking, seedlings will need to be transplanted into larger containers, otherwise there will not be enough space for the root system.
- Step 2 Preparation of flower soil. Gazania likes well-drained, slightly acidic soil of medium moisture. A mixture consisting of peat humus, as well as drainage (vermiculite, coarse sand or permite) will cope well with the task.
- Step 3. Sowing. Seeds are sown at a distance of at least 3 centimeters from each other. A common method of landing in checkerboard pattern. As a result, the seedlings should be under a layer of earth from 0.5 to 1 cm. They can either be “pressed” a little into the ground, or sprinkled on it.
Features of growing gazania (video)
- Step 4 After sowing, it is necessary to carefully spray the soil with a spray bottle, and then cover the pots transparent material: it can be glass, film or polyethylene.
- Step 5 Waiting for shoots. In order for seedlings to sprout as early as possible, several important conditions must be observed. Firstly, the temperature of seedlings should not be below +18°C. Secondly, the pots must be placed in a well-lit place. Thirdly, every day it is necessary to collect condensate from the covering material in order to prevent the seedlings from dying from an excess of moisture, and ventilate them, each time slightly increasing the time spent in the air for gradual adaptation to environment. In case of successful implementation of all recommendations, the first shoots should appear in 7-14 days.
- Step 6. Dive. The procedure should be carried out 2-3 weeks after seed germination, when the seedlings will have 2-3 full leaves on the stems. Each future bush is transplanted into a separate container with sufficient depth.
- Step 7 hardening. After diving, the temperature is lowered by a few degrees so that the landing in open ground did not come as a shock to young plants.
Seed propagation is the most popular but laborious way to breed African chamomile.
When and how to plant gazania in open ground
Gatsania should be planted in a permanent place after 9-10 weeks after sowing the seeds, when the threat of frost has passed (mid-May).
African chamomile loves warmth and light, so the most suitable place for planting flowers will be well-lit areas where there are no drafts - the plant does not tolerate them well. Also soil adjacent to groundwater should be avoided.
The soil should be light and nutritious; before planting seedlings, the ground is dug up and, if necessary, drained with sand and compost. The technology of planting itself is quite simple: you need to carefully remove the seedlings from the pots along with a clod of earth to avoid damage to the rhizome, and then plant them in pre-moistened holes 15 cm deep and twice as wide as an earthen clod at a distance of 20 cm from each other. Then the seedlings are watered again and covered overnight if frost is likely.
African chamomile loves warmth and light.
Secrets of proper care of gazania
The midday sun is a gardener's dream. This culture is so unpretentious that it can adapt to almost any conditions of existence. The only thing the flower will not be able to transfer - this is the waterlogging of the soil and very low temperatures typical of winter Russia. It is for the latter reason that this plant is grown as an annual in temperate climates.
Under conditions of normal rainfall in the summer season, glazing does not require watering. Maintain soil moisture only for those bushes that are planted in containers. Watering procedure should be carried out in the morning so that cool water does not fall on tender foliage heated by the sun - the plant will get burned.
As for top dressing, gazania will gratefully respond to mineral fertilizer complexes; the frequency of such procedures depends on the degree of soil fertility: for nutrient-rich land, you can limit yourself to 1 time in 1.5 months, and for poor land, 2 top dressings monthly. The recommended dose is 20-25 g/m2.
To maintain the desired consistency, the soil requires regular removal of weeds and thorough loosening of the soil (2-3 times a month). Lush and long flowering will contribute to the breaking off of fading or dried inflorescences.
Collecting seeds and preparing flowers for winter
The vast majority of species and varieties of gazania do not produce seeds, however, in the event of a successful combination of circumstances and a hot summer, the gardener will become the happy owner seed next year. To catch the moment when the seeds begin to spill out of the box, you can put a homemade bag of light fabric or gauze. Preservation of midday sun seeds can last two years in a cool place.
If all the expectations of the appearance of seeds were in vain, do not despair! You can solve the problem and save the bushes in a different way: all plants will survive the winter well if they are carefully transplanted back into pots and transferred to an apartment, house or greenhouse. In addition to extremely moderate watering, light soil and plenty of sunlight, the main condition for wintering is a temperature not lower than +10°C.
Perennial and annual African daisies in garden decor
Due to its spectacular flowering and ability to grow like a dense green blanket, gazania is widely used in landscape design. The most successful flower will look at Alpine rollercoaster, against the background of lawns, in containers, in carpet flower beds and along borders. The main condition is a high degree of illumination of the site.
How to dive gazania (video)
Gazania (Gazania), gazania or African chamomile - refer to the type of aster. Named after the Greek humanist Theodore Gaza. In this article, we will analyze the following topic: gazania growing from seeds when planted in the ground.
Gazania flowers description, photo
African chamomile is very beautiful and relatively unpretentious in care. He loves sunny weather, is not afraid of even direct sunlight, and is resistant to drying out of the soil. It takes root well in northern latitudes, can tolerate light frosts. It is not large, the height of the stem does not exceed 30 centimeters.
Inflorescences have a diameter of 5-9 centimeters. It was brought to Europe from South Africa in the 17th century. Differs in bright color. Blooms from spring to late autumn. Grows in dry areas. But the tap root system allows you to extract moisture from the depths, and dark green dense leaves retain it on the surface of the earth.
In its homeland - Mozambique and South Africa, it is a perennial plant, and in our country, due to intolerance to extreme cold, it is an annual. In order to protect from severe frosts, it is transplanted into pots, boxes, flowerpots. Store in rooms with heating. It is also called the "midday sun". It got its name for its bright color. About forty varieties are distinguished in the world, here are some of them:
- one-flowered;
- pinnate;
- peacock;
- snow white;
- long-range;
- shiny or hard.
After crossing the harsh and other species, botanists breeders bred hybrid species that reach a height of 15-25 centimeters and have a variety of color baskets: red, orange, white, pink, even two-tone.
Plant propagation methods
Propagated by seeds and cuttings. In the first case, the fruits are harvested on their own or purchased from a trusted supplier. Reproduction using cuttings allows you to save the properties of the flower.
Important! Some types of gazania, for example, terry, reproduce only vegetatively.
Gazania cuttings
Harvesting cuttings produced from mid-summer. For this, young, healthy shoots are taken with a slight thickening at the base of the outlet, no more than ten centimeters in size.
The bottommost leaf is removed, and the cut is treated with a special agent that stimulates root growth. The stalk is located in a pot, no more than ten centimeters in diameter, watered and covered with a large bag, so as to create the effect of a greenhouse.
The cutting needs gentle care, is located in a bright place, a heated room, but away from direct sunlight.
The stalk takes root for more than a month. Planted in a flower bed by mid-May. If the temperature is not kept high, then they are transplanted into humus-peat pots.
Growing gazania from seeds
As a rule, the first buds, depending on the species, appear after 2.5-3.5 months. Accordingly, it is necessary to prepare for sowing from mid-March. Neither early nor late boarding. Since it is carried out early, it will require additional lighting with phytolamps, and if it is late, it may not bloom at all.
Necessary conditions for growing seeds
Before sowing seedlings, you need to take care of favorable conditions. Gazania has a tap root system and a deep box for planting is chosen so that the root grows straight.
Soil composition plays a big role. Therefore, before buying it is worth studying the composition. It should be nutritious and loose, with the content of nutrients needed by seedlings. You can make your own soil mix. You will have to prepare humus, sand, peat and sod in advance.
Attention! Drainage maintenance is a must. It will help to remove excess moisture and prevent oversaturation.
The temperature of the room in which the seedling box will be kept should not fall below 20 degrees Celsius.
What containers are needed for sowing
For planting, it is worth choosing deep boxes, pots, flowerpots. This is necessary so that the root grows vertically, without bending. Alternatively, trays with individual cells can be used. This is convenient because each plant sprouts in its own section. A pick from a box with sections is carried out after a month and a half.
When gazania is used as perennial, it is not necessary to transplant it into the garden. To do this, you can use flowerpots. They will create an imitation of a garden flower bed.
Soil for growing seeds
The prepared soil should be loose and nutritious with an acidity index of 6 Ph. Gazania does not tolerate clay and dense soil, as water is retained in it. Therefore, the earth must pass moisture well. To avoid a large accumulation of it, drainage should be added.
Attention! If there's not enough in the ground nutrients, this will delay the development of the sprout and its germination may also suffer. Therefore, top dressing is carried out 2 times in 30 days.
Preparing seeds for sowing
In most cases no preparation is needed. But some gardeners prefer to soak them first in plain water, then in growth stimulants. But it is quite enough to place it in moistened soil or a peat tablet.
When to plant seedlings
The sprouts are photophilous, therefore, best time planting - mid-March, April. A humus-peat mixture is specially prepared. It is best to use separate containers for each grain, so as not to damage the root in the future. When the manipulation was done earlier or the spring is not sunny enough, an ultraviolet lamp is used for good germination.
Seeding technology
Usually deep trays are used during sowing. The soil mixture is poured into the prepared container, moistened well, grooves are made. The distance between the grains should be 2-3 centimeters. Before spraying with water, the grains are sprinkled with a small amount of earth.
A box with future sprouts is covered with a transparent film to get a greenhouse. Until seedlings appear, the home-made greenhouse must be ventilated, the accumulated condensate on the film must be removed. After the appearance of sprouts, they must dive into different pots.
Attention! The main thing is not to forget about breeding seedlings in peat tablets. It is very convenient and allows you to do without transplantation. At the same time, there is no risk of damage root system.
Peat tablets are used as follows:
- It is necessary to prepare a deep container where the tablets will be laid out.
- In order for the tablets to swell, water of 40-45 degrees Celsius is poured into the container.
- Within a few minutes, the tablets will increase in size by 5-6 times. After that, the grains are immersed in specially prepared recesses.
- When the manipulations are done, the container is covered with cling film and placed on a sunny windowsill.
Thanks to peat tablets, the sprouts do not need further diving, but are planted immediately on the prepared bed.
Seedling care
In order for the gazania to bloom earlier, it is planted at the end of winter, but then the seedlings need to be illuminated. Usually, at a temperature of about 20 degrees Celsius, the first shoots appear within about two weeks. Seedlings are recommended to be grown in a house with a temperature of at least 15 degrees Celsius.
seedling care
After picking, fertilize every 10 days. Do not overmoisten the soil, this will lead to the death of seedlings. The temperature of the room in which the young animals are kept should not fall below 20 degrees.
When to dive seedlings
Usually the picking of seedlings is carried out one and a half months after germination. But the sooner the picking into separate containers is carried out, the better. This will help in the future to avoid injury to the root system.
When humus-peat containers were used for cultivation or peat tablets, the pick is made directly to the open area.
hardening
An adult plant can tolerate light frosts, but young ones do not have such qualities. Consequently, they are hardened to get used to the temperature outside. At the beginning, open a window or window, without creating a draft. Then they take it out to a cool balcony or veranda. After hardening, planted in the garden.
When to plant seedlings in open ground
As a rule, flowering proceeds from early summer to late autumn. Transplantation in open areas is carried out in mid-May, early June. The sunniest area is allocated for landing. It is pre-fertilized and irrigated with water. Bushes are planted at a distance of 20-25 centimeters from each other.
How seedlings are planted
When the site is selected, proceed to the transplant. But before that, it is recommended to add to the humus, creating favorable conditions for growth. If peat tablets were used for breeding, then she is planted in a flower bed with them. The sequence of actions when transplanting to an open area:
- If the seedlings did not dive, the earth in the pot is wetted.
- They take it out of the pot without disturbing the coma at the roots.
- Prepare a place for landing in advance. Loosen, water, fertilize.
- The roots of the seedling are immersed in a recess in the bed, filling the voids.
- African chamomile watered. When there is a possibility of frost, then it is covered with a dense film.
Gazania care after planting in open ground
It is not capricious, but certain rules must be observed. Does not love abundant watering preferring dry conditions. The earth must be constantly cultivated so that excess moisture does not stagnate.
Timely removal of weeds, allows the bush to get all the useful substances. Also, for the rapid formation of young buds, you need to regularly remove wilted inflorescences. Top dressing is carried out once every 2 months.
Important! Top dressing is carried out 1-2 times in 30 days, if the South African chamomile was transplanted not into open ground, but into a deep flowerpot.
have a positive impact on general condition flower garden, mulching. This will help to forget about weeds and watering for a while. If the summer turned out to be hot and dry, then the South African chamomile should be flavored with water from time to time. This procedure is carried out as a maintenance of flowering.
When to plant in Siberia
In Siberia, they are planted in the front garden towards the end of spring. Usually in this area it is used as an annual, but to save a copy, they use a transplant into a box for a while. cold winter. Should be kept in a cool place where the temperature does not fall below 10 degrees. Watering should be done infrequently, but the soil should not be allowed to dry out.
Flower care during and after flowering
During active growth, proper care. This will stretch the flowering period and protect against all kinds of diseases and pests. The gardener is required to perform the following manipulations:
- weed the bed from weeds in time;
- cultivate the land;
- provide moderate watering;
- remove faded buds.
Before the onset of cold weather, African chamomile is transferred from an open area to a deep container without damaging the root system. It is located in a cool place (where the temperature does not fall below 10 degrees) with good lighting. AT winter time years, provide rare watering. Occasionally, fertilizing can be done.
Potential Growing Problems
One of the problems regarding the growth of bushes is the lack of seedlings. Improperly created conditions can affect the late development of the sprout. Periodic drafts, a cold room, lack of lighting are the main enemies of future flowers that can destroy them. The lack of color and buds is also a constant problem.
Gardeners also encounter plant diseases and pests attacking it. Wrongly created requirements provoke their appearance.
Diseases and pests (treatment)
One of the qualities is resistance to pests and diseases. But unfavorable conditions will certainly provoke the occurrence of unpleasant consequences.
Waterlogging, poor lighting, insufficient ventilation will lead to the formation of gray rot. This disease affects those areas that have already begun to die. After, safely moving to healthy areas. As a gray mold warning, the following requirements are met:
- timely remove faded buds;
- do not fill with water;
- ventilate the room (while in the house);
- plant at the very sunny place;
- regularly cultivate the land in the flower garden.
Know! There are many substances on the market that protect garden flowers from diseases. They are brought to the place of the flower bed. When using them, the dosage is strictly observed.
In the fight against the disease, damaged areas are removed. After processing the remains of the plant with a special tool - systemic fungicide. After 7 days, the procedure must be repeated.
Of the pests most often attacked: spider mites, aphids and snails.
The spider mite feeds on the cell sap of the leaves. After its appearance, the leaves are covered with small holes, which eventually begin to acquire yellow tint and destroy the bush.
In order to get rid of spider mite you need to eliminate the damaged leaves and treat the bush with a special chemical agent. After the procedure, cover it with a large bag, so that there would be no access to oxygen. The procedure is repeated a couple more times, every 7 days.
Snails are usually harvested by hand, but infusions of hot peppers, coffee or tea are also used. Slugs and snails do not tolerate spicy odors. Sage, parsley, basil, rosemary will help to escape from them. As folk method spruce needles are used. They are poured into the flower garden so that the slug does not get to the sheets.
Salt is an excellent means of killing snails and slugs. Touching the slug to the salt path will cause it to dissolve. Not a very humane way, but effective. The main thing is not to sprinkle the beds with salt. She is being treated garden paths, thereby protecting the beds.
But if home methods do not help, then you will have to resort to the help of chemicals. During the use of insecticides, dosages and safety precautions must be observed.
They fight against aphids with the help of pungent odors by planting onions or garlic next to the flower garden. You can collect bugs by hand, but it will take a lot of time. Ladybug and its larvae do an excellent job with the invasion of aphids. There are also many commercial pest control products.
Why gazania does not bloom, what to do
After planting, inflorescences appear almost immediately. Each flower basket lasts approximately three weeks. But improper maintenance can adversely affect the bush. Even a small shadow will provoke the absence of buds. Mandatory requirement- This is discreet watering. From waterlogging, gazania can die or it can be affected by a disease - gray rot.
Late transplantation causes the lack of flowers. Buds appear 80 days after planting. But it depends on the variety. Therefore, the plant is transferred to the ground in late spring.
How to collect gazania seeds
In order for the fruits of gazania to ripen, you need a hot summer and a warm, long autumn. They mature within two months. You can collect them with gauze, at the moment when the plant begins to fade. Several large baskets are wrapped with gauze and tied so that they are not blown away by the wind.
Know! For horticulture, hybrid species of African chamomile are commonly used. Their grains do not retain all qualities. In order not to lose the properties of the mother flower, it is better to resort to cuttings and transplanting from a flower bed into trays.
Gatzania in winter
If the bush is used as a perennial plant, then it is forbidden to leave it outside for the winter. He will die from severe frosts. It is transferred to a flowerpot or box. Contained on a cool balcony or veranda. But the temperature should not fall below zero.
In order not to replant every year, they resort to the use of flowerpots. In the winter season, the African chamomile, which has retained its color, will have to be illuminated.
That's all I wanted to say on the topic: gazania growing from seeds when planted in open ground. After the transplant, she is not so demanding and does not bring trouble, but at the same time she loves a reverent attitude towards herself.
Despite the love of warmth, it has taken root well in the northern part of our country. The above recommendations will help in the care and bright flowers will please the eye for many years.
Gardeners, and even ordinary people, adore this flower for its riot of colors. Gatsania, perennial or annual, really has a bright exquisite beauty. And it blooms like a colorful daisy. These plants are originally from Africa, which is probably why they like sunny days.
The bright sun, which gives warmth, allows us to admire such a creation of nature. And in the cold season, we can also observe such a plant as gazania. How to save these flowers in the winter, so that later in the summer they decorate the garden plot? Such questions are often asked on the forums of amateur gardeners.
Types of glazing
Gatsania refers to Such plants come in several forms: annual or perennial, semi-shrub or shrub.
They gained fame due to the variety of colors. In fact, there are quite a few varieties of this flower, they can be counted up to fifty.
The most popular are shiny or harsh gazania. Our breeders have bred flowers of various colors. And now, not only a monochromatic chamomile, but also a motley glazing, the photo of which you see in the article, pleases us. The main varieties are single-flowered, shiny, peacock, white, pinnate, and so on.
Plant features
This interesting southern specimen has its own complex character. It manifests itself in the fact that if it is cloudy outside, the petals close, and the middle of the flower becomes invisible.
Initially, these plants, accustomed to heat and light, could bloom from sunrise to but in bad weather they are kept closed. But flower growers would like more. And then they, through trial and error, began to experiment on responding to weather conditions with this plant. And now, thanks to their actions, a hybrid called Talent appeared.
As a result, now the colorful shades of the flower can be admired in any weather. So our specialists, despite the capricious mood of the plant, quickly found a way out.
They love African chamomile watering. It is advisable for them to arrange it in the heat systematically. If this is not done on hot days, then the flowers will become smaller and smaller before our eyes. And, of course, they will no longer be able to please us with their beautiful coloring pages.
Let's talk about hybrid and long-range glazing
Floriculture uses in our latitudes mainly hybrid and long-shot glazing. The long-range gazania comes from South Africa. This type of gazania is a perennial. It grows with stems short and creeping. Blooms from August to early winter. These flowers are seven centimeters in diameter.
Hybrid glazing has a harsh structure, and the flower is 8 cm in diameter. It can be set to any shade of orange, as well as white and yellow. Grows as a bush in a rosette of basal leaves.
The hybrid flower is distinguished by the decor of the leaves. They have a linear spatulate structure. Leaves with a hint of silver below, feel like velvet to the touch. By the way, this pubescence is not accidental. Thanks to him, the plant is not afraid of the cold. In addition, the leaves help retain moisture on the flower.
Hybrid varieties are more in demand among our compatriots. The fact is that they are perfectly adapted to our climate. They have large flowers and a large number of semi-double or double petals. A lot of hybrids and main varieties have been bred. And they bloom in white, crimson, pink, yellow, bronze-lemon, cream, orange, striped and spotted flowers.
Their names fit the color. For example, there are such names of varieties (variety mixtures): dance, Marvelous wonder, Sunshine, Sunshine, Big kiss, Bonjour, and so on.
How to care
After two weeks of disembarkation, feed the gazania mineral fertilizers. If the site has poor soil or flowers grow in a container, then use complex fertilizers, but also after a while, within 14 days.
Be sure to fertilize a plant such as gazania at the beginning of the season. Cultivation and care, properly organized, are the actions that will help her constantly delight you with her flowering.
The most favorable soil for gazania is sandy loam. It shouldn't be too wet. And, importantly, it should contain a lot of humus. When the flowers gain strength, top dressing can be canceled. Remove permanently faded inflorescences and flower stalks.
How do these flowers feel in winter
Care, careful and thoughtful, is necessary for such a unique flower as gazania, however, like all plants. But for you it will not be too burdensome. A plant needs light fertile soil with good drainage.
When the flowers mature, they become cold-resistant, they can be admired almost until the first frost. Although gazania, a perennial or annual, is a native of the south, it has almost adapted to our latitudes.
Only when you already feel the onset of winter, carefully transplant your loved ones. If you have a glazed balcony and the temperature there is not lower than +10 degrees, then they will winter well in this place in order to return to the garden plot again in the spring. Don't forget moderate watering.
Try to transplant flowers very carefully so as not to damage the roots. You can also use flowerpots in areas for growing a plant such as gazania. How to keep such flowers in flowerpots in winter? Do not transplant them from pots, but simply take flowers home in them.
Can a flower overwinter?
1. In winter, the flower will do well indoors. It will only be necessary good lighting. The plant is unpretentious. If you live in a region with mild, wet winters and no frost, then you don't even have to take the pot home.
Although they love warmth, as they mature, the flowers adapt to the local climate. You can use special containers to grow them in the garden. And then, with the onset of cold weather after -3 degrees, pick them up, put them on the balcony so that she can get used to the new conditions of gazing.
The wintering of the plant can then continue in warm rooms, but only after the flower gets used to the balcony climate, where the optimal temperature for it will be considered 9-11 degrees with a plus sign.
2. But if you live where frosts are fierce in winter, gazanias are best grown as annuals. To do this, you can sow the seeds of gazania in early spring. Try to water the plants in winter, but very rarely. And make sure the soil doesn't dry out. Gatsania (growing and care in this case will not differ much) can grow if you either did not transplant it from the pot, or carefully, without damaging the roots, tried to transplant it.
Gazania perennial is a low growing bushy plant, so when you transplant it to open ground, neatly divide the bushes.
About seedlings
Gatsania is sown in the first month of spring. After the seeds have erupted, the seedlings must be pricked in greenhouses or in earthen pots. And as soon as the spring frosts end, plant them in the ground.
We still advise you to use peat pots if you grow a flower from seeds. This is necessary in order not to inadvertently damage the roots. Yes, and in this case it will not be necessary to dive. So you solve the problem of vital activity in the winter of such a plant as gazania. How to save it in winter, as well as how to grow seedlings from seeds, we examined.
And since April, the weather usually allows you to send seedlings to a cold greenhouse or to an open ground area. Seedlings must be gradually hardened off. This can be done from the moment the thawed patches disappear.
The shoots will gradually get used to the cold down to -3 degrees and to the bright sunshine. If you notice that the temperature is lower at night, then use lutrasil to cover the young growth. At an outdoor temperature of more than +17 degrees, shoots should be expected in a decade or a little later.
How to propagate a plant with cuttings
Gazania can also be propagated using cuttings. Mid-summer is just the period when gazania, a perennial or annual, quietly propagates with the help of cuttings that are obtained from the side shoots at the base of the stems.
First, treat the cuttings with preparations, then plant them in the shade, so that the rays of the sun do not fall on them. They need to get used to the new place. When you see that the cuttings are rooted, take a clod of earth along with the cutting and plant it in the place you have chosen.
This is how glazing will always grow on your site. How to save such a flower in winter, now you already know.
In what places can gazania be planted?
They are planted on curbs, paths. Flower beds are arranged next to stones or undersized flowers. Unique flower arrangements with ageratums, lobelias and other floral creations, they will definitely not leave anyone indifferent. It turns out a wonderful spectacle that can not be immortalized.
No one remains indifferent, contemplating such a gift of nature as gazing. Photos are proof of that.
Does gatzania get sick?
She can catch a disease called gray rot. As you can see, like all living things in the world, the gazania plant can get sick. Growing (and caring for it) during this period will become a little more complicated because you will need to resort to the help of a fungicide.
Treat the diseased flower with its solution. Preventive measures will also come in handy. They are simple: make sure that the flowers grow on non-waterlogged soil.
Also protect them from aphids, snails, slugs, spider mites.
Performing such simple steps, you will constantly enjoy the bright exotic native of Africa, and will delight you at any time of the year. Winter is not terrible for her. So enjoy the view of these beautiful flowers!
Gazania, sometimes this plant is called gazania or African chamomile. This flower has a very bright color - from lemon yellow to red-orange, which attracts many homeowners. The flower belongs to the aster family. South Africa is considered its homeland. In Europe this bright flower appeared in the 17th century. In this area, he was given the name "midday sun", and all because its petals open after sunrise.
Found both annuals and perennial species this plant. But due to the fact that the flower is very thermophilic, it is difficult for him to overwinter in cold weather conditions. Gatzania is a low plant and reaches no more than 30 cm in height. Leaves are either dark green or greyish green in color and variable in shape. Silvery hairs can be observed on the lower surface of the leaves, which serve to retain moisture in dry weather. Inflorescences are presented from single flowers. Their size ranges from 5 to 9 cm in diameter, and the colors can be from bright yellow to burgundy flowers with a brown center.
Planting seeds
Gatsania is very willingly grown by many amateur gardeners, because. she is an unconditional decoration of any personal plot. True, there is one moment. These flowers are very fond of the sun and in cloudy weather they can only be observed collected in buds. So that the best options will be planting this plant in sunny areas. In order to grow gazania from seeds, it is advisable to adhere to the following scheme:
Landing month
Usually, seeds are planted in mid-February - early March, depending on weather conditions your region. For residents of warmer places, the best options for planting seeds will be the period from mid-March to mid-April. It should be noted that with early planting, seeds need a large amount of artificially created light. If the seeds are planted much later, then flowering will begin later.
planting container
Seeds are best planted in deep containers. Because these flowers grow a rather long taproot, then it should be vertical and not bent.
soil mixture
You can cook it yourself. It should be loose, light, breathable. The soil mixture can be prepared from the following components:
- Earth;
- vermiculite for looseness and breathability of the earth;
- ash to prevent diseases.
Seeding scheme
It is desirable to sow rarely and evenly. Because the seeds are quite large, they can simply be spread out at a distance of 2-3 cm from each other. Top the seeds with a thin layer of vermiculite. After quite a bit, you can add soil with the addition of sand. To press the top layers of soil and vermiculite, the seeds are sprayed from a spray bottle. You can add fertilizer to the water for growth. At the end, cover the container with foil or plastic lid.
For reference. For creating natural conditions, the soil mixture on top can be covered with a small amount of snow. As the soil melts, it will moisten. Before this, watering from the spray bottle should be minimal.
Temperature regime
In order for the seeds to germinate, the boxes are placed in a warm sunny place where the temperature reaches 18-20 ° C. It should be remembered that gazania loves moisture, but does not tolerate soaking, so it is advisable to ventilate the seed containers daily and remove condensate. Watering is done by spraying from a spray bottle. Shoots appear in 1-2 weeks.
Growing in peat tablets
For many, this method seems to be the easiest and most convenient. It is necessary to purchase peat tablets in advance - a compressed mixture of earth and peat in the form of tablets. They are laid out in a special plastic tray and watered. After a certain time, the tablets swell, and they should again be thoroughly spilled with water. This procedure is repeated until the tablets increase in size by 4-5 times. You should get neat columns of earth. Further, one seed is placed in each column in the middle. This can be done both with your hands and with a toothpick, after wetting its tip. At the end, the tray is covered with a plastic lid. This method is more comfortable and cheaper. The risk of damage to the young root system is also significantly reduced. However, peat tablets should be well watered and ventilated.
Video - How to sow and grow gazania at home
Picking seeds
As a rule, seedlings dive without fail. However, this can be avoided if they were planted in a deep container at a decent distance from each other. The pick is made after 2 weeks from the moment of sowing the seeds or when the 4th leaf appears. At this stage, seedlings take root best and do not get sick. It is best to transplant seedlings into peat-earthen pots or into plastic cups- whoever is more comfortable. Peat pots work better. Due to the fact that the taproot of gazania is long, transplanting into open ground along with a pot will avoid damage to the root system. In order not to forget which variety grows in which container, it is best to mark the cups.
First, the cups are filled with soil mixture. Seedlings are well shed with water so that they are easily removed from the soil. A small depression is made in the cups, where the seedling is transferred along with the ground. The earth is slightly compacted, if necessary, filled up in a glass. At the very end, the seedlings are watered abundantly with water so that the roots are in good contact with the ground.
After picking, it is best to transfer the cups to a place with temperature regime 12-15°C. The ideal option will use the loggia for these purposes. In order for the plants to take root well in the open field, at about the same time they begin to harden for fresh air. For a couple of hours for these purposes, you can slightly open the window or window, but be sure to ensure that the seedlings do not stand under a direct stream of air. Transplantation of seedlings in open ground is carried out from May to June (depending on the climatic conditions of the region). The subsequent care of gazania is very simple.
Reference. As a rule, the first flowering of gazania occurs after a couple of months, but be prepared for the fact that this period may be longer.
Choosing a suitable location on the site
The ideal option for gazing would be an open, well-lit place. You can not be afraid that the plant will be in direct sunlight, because. This flower is very photophilous and drought-resistant. by the most favorable conditions for the growth of gazania is hot sunny weather. Seedlings are transferred to open ground when the night air temperature reaches 10°C. Before planting, it is advisable to fertilize the land with humus or mineral fertilizers. Small holes are prepared for seedlings and transplanted along with peat pots. If the pick was made in plastic cups or another container, then with the help of a spatula, the seedlings are carefully removed without damaging the root. It is advisable to maintain a distance between the bushes of the order of 20-30 cm.
Gatzania forms compact bush width and height 20-25 cm. Flowers are quite large. On the site, this plant looks great both in separate small flower beds, and planted without much order. It is not whimsical in care, is not afraid of drought, does not like an excess of moisture. It goes well with other types of ornamental crops. One of the features is the twisting of the petals at night into a bud. However, more recently, breeders have bred a variety that is not demanding on sunlight, which allows residents of more northern regions to grow this flower. With its flowering, it will please the eye until the beginning of autumn.
Everyone can have an African chamomile in the garden, because it is a gazania, and thanks to the cultivation and care of it, any flower bed will become a miracle. The flower is very bright and appearance It looks like a sunflower, only smaller. It has rich shades of yellow and orange flowers. Thanks to a large number varieties that differ in the play of colors and shades, you can create a unique composition in the garden. Distinctive feature plants is its unpretentiousness. It grows well, blooms and multiplies on any kind of soil.
Annual or perennial
In countries with a hot climate, gazania are flowers that are considered perennial, but in middle lane Russia is an annual plant. It turns out that gazania is a plant that categorically does not tolerate frost, cold, frost, so it completely dies in winter, even the root system does not survive.
If the gazania is grown on the street, then for the period of cold weather it can be dug up and moved to pots that are located at home. When the plant is on the loggia, balcony, you need to move the flower to heat. When the loggia is glazed, it is necessary to isolate the plant from the glass so that the frost does not grab the flower. You can also take the opportunity to save street gazing and multiply it. To do this, after removing the bush from the ridge, it is necessary to divide the root system and plant it in several separate pots. Thus, by the spring you will get several bushes of a wonderful flower.
flower description
Gatsania is considered low plant, because the height does not exceed 30 cm. In most cases, it does not have a stem, and dark green leaves grow directly from the root. The leaves have a variety of shapes, and are rough to the touch. This helps moisture to linger on the surface of the leaves. Gazania inflorescences are formed in the form of a basket, the diameter of which can be from 5 to 9 cm. The basket consists of petals of different colors, which are small tongues. At the base there are dark spots that form a ring around the yellow core. By quantity, up to 35 flowers can bloom on one gazania.
Due to the efforts of breeders, the number of types of gazania is quite numerous. Thanks to different varieties plants that grow in wild nature, it turned out to bring out those that take root perfectly at home. It is they who saturate garden plots, flower beds, apartment loggias.
It is not without reason that gatzania is of great interest to flower lovers. There are a number of reasons due to which the choice stops on this particular plant.
- Firstly, gazania flowers are survivable, do not like excessive moisture, and therefore do not require constant watering. This is very helpful for people who cannot constantly visit their suburban areas. Due to the structure of the leaf, the gazania flower is able to retain the received moisture and prevent water from evaporating from the ground. But still, it’s not worth the risk, it’s better to worry about saving it in advance.
- Another advantage of gazania is its height and density, which allows it to be protected from large winds.
- A garden flower allows you to use yourself when creating a landscape in combination with other plants. It gets along well, without suffering and without disturbing the peace of other colors.
- The root system is also unpretentious, so the plant can be planted in any container. This again allows you to use all kinds of decoration methods in the design of the site.
Read also: Common ginseng: agricultural technology, diseases and pests, reproduction
Planting a plant
Planting and care in the open field is a multi-stage process. The seeds of the plant, as a rule, do not plant directly into the ground, because the gazania has a seed-growing when it is necessary to plant seedlings. If there is no opportunity and place to sow seedlings, then there is no way out. If possible, the first step is to decide on the landing time. It is necessary to calculate the period until flowering. Considering that the gazania will begin to bloom no earlier than in 110 days, then the time for planting seeds for seedlings should be determined taking this into account. I want to abundant flowering in June, plant in February. Even if the gazania begins to bloom in a pot, it's okay, you can identify it in open ground or simply move the container outside.
Seeds and their preparation for planting
First you need to stock up on seeds. Two ways to solve the issue. The first is to collect seeds from the previous year from your flowers. The second is to buy in the store. At the same time, attention should be paid to the manufacturer, expiration date, quality of packaging. When opening, it is necessary to inspect the contents to exclude rotten, damaged, broken seeds. It will not be superfluous to disinfect the seeds with a solution of potassium permanganate. Occurs through soaking planting material in solution for 20-40 minutes.
How and when to collect seeds
If you plan to use your own grown seeds, then you will have to work hard, since collecting seeds is very troublesome.
An important stage in the collection is the time when you need to collect the seeds at the time when they are ready, but have not yet flown away.
The fact is that the seeds are in appearance the same grains with fluff, like a dandelion. Some specialists use a greenhouse and plant specimens for seed production in closed areas, which reduces the risk of loss seed material. If the gazing is in the open air, then you can resort to using a gauze trap. To do this, shortly before the seed ripening period, gauze is stretched over or around the plant so that in case of windy weather the contents do not scatter.
Read also: Magnificent dahlias: a variety of varieties and colors
Soil readiness
The soil for planting must be prepared. To do this, you can use garden soil or purchased. Store soil should be mixed with sand and warmed up a little. For ease of planting, you can use soil tablets, which are soaked in water before planting. Next, the finished lumps are immersed in the ground and gazania seeds are placed in them. The technology is quite simple, allowing you to control the depth of planting, and in the future to maintain the necessary humidity at the planting site. If your soil is used, then it does not need to be sanded, it is enough to place it in a container and spill it with water.
Landing and protection
After preparing the seeds, soil, containers, the plant is planted. Next, you need to create Greenhouse effect, for which the landings are covered with glass or greenhouse film. In the future, condensate will accumulate under the shelter from the temperature difference, so it must be removed.
On the tenth day after planting, the sprouts will begin to appear as much as possible. They are small two leaves on the surface of the earth. The next steps are to dismantle the covering material and dive. The latter is done before the third leaf appears. To do this, two grown leaves are carefully separated and planted in other containers. Pots should be used large so that the seedlings grow without constraint. When planting sprouts, the soil must be fed with fertilizers. After the seedlings are placed in a bright place, comfort can be supplemented with additional lamps. The presence of a draft, cold should be excluded, which can instantly destroy a young plant. Given that gazania does not like excess moisture during cultivation and care, you need to carefully care for the plant and moderately water the seedlings. The soil should be slightly moist, in no case allowing water to stagnate in the ground. Transplantation into the ground is not carried out at once, the plant needs to get used to it. To do this, on warm days, seedlings are placed outside for several hours. Within 2 - 3 weeks, the residence time is increased, thereby the perennial gazania adapts to street life.
Landing in the ground
Gatzania, its cultivation and care are simple, but important point when seedlings can be planted in the ground is the absence of frost. It is not worth transplanting in very early spring. A bright, sunny, spacious place for gazing should be identified. At the same time, the earth should already dry after the snow melts and be completely ready for planting. Some time before transplanting, it is necessary to stop watering the plant so that the roots are not wet. This will prevent the root system from being disturbed when moving from place to place. Before being planted in the ground, seedlings should be left for several days outside in pots, and then transplanted. After planting, it is necessary to add soil and spill the soil.
Further care for gazania consists of moderate watering, weeding, loosening the soil, and feeding as needed. You should also periodically clean the bushes, removing dried, disturbed parts of the plant.