Hello gardening lovers!
Spring is just around the corner, and this is the perfect time to fill your home with beautiful flowers like petunias, roses, jasmines, hibiscus, and daisies! And speaking of daisies, have you heard of African daisies, also called gazania?
Gazania, or African daisies or treasure flowers, are warm-weather perennials with big, composite blooms in vivid hues of yellow and orange. These low-maintenance flowers are great for adding colour to areas that are difficult to landscape because of their wide range of colours.
These flowers will easily attract butterflies and become a showstopper in your garden. One interesting fact about gazanias is that the flowers open when the sun is out, and they close at night and on cloudy days too.
Now let’s read about how to grow them & take care of them!
How to Grow Gazania?
Gazania flowers are low-maintenance and can be grown with seeds or propagated too. You can get it from Urvann. You can put the seeds in a small planter and place it in a dark place with moist soil till the seed doesn't sprout.
You can also propagate them by taking basal cuttings in the spring or summer, removing lower leaves, and dipping the cut ends in rooting hormone before planting them in well-draining potting mix.
Or you can simply buy them from Urvann for just Rs. 29!
How to care for Gazanias?
Gazainia is a perfect plant for plant parents or gardeners who are looking for beautiful flowers without having to do much. Here are some key pointers you should keep in mind while taking care of them:
- They love to be in full sunlight.
- They are drought-tolerant, and water them only when the soil is dry.
- Fertilisers are not needed but nitrogen and phosphorous will help in blooms.
Light requirement
Sunlight—as much of it as possible—is the most important factor for this plant. The flowers close up when they detect darkness or shadow. Gazania flowers will be closed, so don't plant them where you'll be spending summer evenings.
Soil Requirement
Gazania plants prefer acidic soil. Cow dung will turn the soil acidic, therefore, include it in your soil mix. A mix of Garden Soil, Cocopeat, Vermicompost, and Neem Khali is the optimal soil mixture for this plant.
Pruning
It’s important to prune the plant for better growth and blooms. Dead hang all flowers once they grow and trim the leaves around them. This will make the plant more and more bushy.
Controlling Diseases and Pests
Although gazania flowers are generally resistant to pests and diseases, they can occasionally be impacted by powdery mildew, spider mites, or aphids. Regularly check plants for indications of pests or illnesses, and treat infestations as soon as possible with neem oil or insecticide. To stop the disease from spreading, trim infected parts of the plant
Final Thoughts
Gazanias are a magnificent addition to any garden, balcony, or landscape because of their vivid, daisy-like blooms and low maintenance requirements. These happy flowers will not let you down, whether you want to add vibrant blooms to your space or desire a drought-tolerant plant that requires little care to grow.
You can have continuous blooms all season long if you give it well-draining soil, lots of sunlight, and the occasional deadheading. Plant some Gazanias now, and watch as their cheerful, sun-loving faces brighten your green area!
FAQs
1. Is Gazania a seasonal plant?
Gazania is a hardy plant that can grow as both a seasonal (annual) or a perennial, depending on the climate. In colder regions, it’s treated as an annual, while in warm climates, it can bloom year after year.
2. Is Gazania indoor or outdoor?
Gazania is primarily an outdoor plant because it thrives in full sunlight. It loves bright, direct light and doesn’t do well indoors unless placed in a very sunny spot like a balcony or a sunny window.
3. Is Gazania an annual or perennial plant?
Gazania can be both! It’s a perennial in warm, frost-free climates where it continues to bloom year after year. In colder regions, it is usually grown as an annual since it doesn’t survive harsh winters.
4. What month do Gazania seeds grow?
Gazania seeds are best sown in early spring (February–April) if you want summer blooms. In warmer regions, you can also plant them in late summer or early fall (August–October) for flowers in cooler months. They germinate quickly in warm temperatures and full sunlight.
5. Are Gazanias fast-growing?
Yes! Gazanias are fast-growing plants. Once the seeds germinate (usually within 1-2 weeks), the plants establish quickly and start blooming within a couple of months. They are low-maintenance and spread easily, making them a great choice for quick, vibrant ground cover.
6. Do Gazania flowers need full sunlight?
Yes! Gazania flowers thrive in full sunlight. The more sun they get, the better they bloom. If they are in partial shade, their flowers may not open fully or as frequently.
7. Can you take cuttings from Gazanias?
Yes, you can! Gazanias can be propagated from cuttings as well as seeds. Simply take a cutting from a healthy stem, let it dry for a few hours, and then plant it in well-draining soil. Keep the soil slightly moist until roots develop.
8. What is the best fertilizer for Gazania?
Gazanias don’t need heavy feeding, but for best results, use a balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season. If grown in poor soil, a light dose of compost or slow-release fertilizer can also help boost their blooms.
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