Osteospermum, cultivation from the seeds of which is considered easy occupation, will suit gardeners for beginners. Perennial perennials take root on almost any soil, it tolerates drought and does not need systemic treatments against pests. Only with a strong prolonged heat flowering bush a little suspended, after changing the weather, it again becomes covered with flowers.
Osteospermum - description
This representative of the family of astroids has several other names known to the flower growers: Cape chamomile, African or Carpathian daisy. The flower lovers' love has won abundant lush flowering, which lasts several months until September. The flower osteospermum looks like a bush with a dense crown. The plant is abundantly covered with inflorescences of bright shades of violet, blue and pink.
A feature of the bush in its inflorescences, located at the edges. In them seeds are formed, the shade of petals always differs from the color of the middle flowers. Beginning florist will have to carefully study the packaging in the first couple, because for osteospermum often give out another similar plant - dimorphoteku . Externally, they are incredibly similar, but osteospermum is perennial, and demorfoteka - annual.
Osteospermum - growing from seeds at home
If the task is to grow a certain osteospermum, growing out of seeds will be a risky choice, because it does not give 100% preservation of varietal characteristics. In other cases, there should not be any problems with the seedling. Seed of osteospermum cultivation and care prefers classic and comfortable conditions for most plant species. Large dimensions make work easier. To get them from a faded plant is simple: the last month becomes the beginning of the flower changes, the middle is gradually framed with seeds. They are of a dark color and are clearly visible.
Osteospermum - planting seeds
With proper planting and further care, from the moment the seed enters the soil to the first flowering, only ten weeks will pass. Recommendations on how to sow osteospermum on seedlings are relatively small and they are all capable of starting a gardener.
- For the cultivation of seedlings, a loose mixture of peat and sand is selected. It is important that it passes air well and does not contribute to the stagnation of water.
- Dry seeds are embedded with a 0.5 cm toothpick.
- A comfortable temperature is 20-22 ° C. Under the film in the microclimate, the plant will need a week to give the first shoots.
- With the emergence of shoots, the temperature is slightly lowered and the container with soil is moved to a more illuminated place.
When to sow osteospermum on seedlings?
Spring is the optimal period for the beginning of cultivation. The interval from the middle of March to the middle of April is the same period of time when the seeds will be in time to give seedlings, the seedlings will grow stronger, and the open soil will warm up. However, placing ready-made seedlings immediately on beds is not recommended. When deciding when to plant osteospermum on seedlings, it is necessary to calculate the timing of forcing and the expected weather. Approximately in May, seedlings begin to be hardened by the method of removing boxes to balconies and loggias, a place at an open window is permissible.
Why does osteospermum not arise?
Problems with the forcing of seedlings should not arise. The seeds are big and they are easy to work with, they are unpretentious and easy to grow. Difficulties can appear if you want to help the seed to get more nutrients. Most of the planting material with preliminary soaking or additional manipulations gives a quick and good result.
With seeds of osteospermum such a scheme does not work. Excess moisture does not like it, so even plant the seeds preferably dry. Instead of soaking, gardeners are advised to hold the seeds in a moist napkin soaked in growth stimulants . The answer, how many days osteospermum rises, fluctuates within 5-7 days. If the shoots did not appear, the seeds rotted in the soil.
How to dive osteospermum?
If the seeds were planted in a common box, the time for landing on individual pots will come after the appearance of three real leaves. Pixie osteospermum stage is complex, requiring certain skills. The unpretentiousness and excellent germination of seeds simplify the work of the gardener only at the first stage. The root system of the seedling is very delicate and it is easy to damage it when transplanting. Therefore, experienced flower growers, planting osteospermum, prefer growing from seeds in separate pots.
Osteospermum - landing and care in the open ground
Hardening and pinching form a beautiful lush seedling with high adaptations in the open ground. The more often the pinching of the top begins, the more splendid and thicker the bush will become. The more often the tempering begins, the easier it will transfer the new conditions.
- The end of May is considered the optimal period for planting seedlings to a permanent place in the flower garden. The composition of the soil can be improved by applying sand, turf and humus to achieve looseness and prevent planting to rot.
- For growing a flower garden suitable for a sunny and calm place. The more light the bush absorbs, the brighter its flowers will be. However, in the penumbra the osteospermum blooms profusely and effectively.
- Between the bushes leave 20-25 cm, because competent cultivation and care in the open ground osteospermum will appreciate and will please with rapid growth. The first three days to root the seedlings will help the morning and evening watering. When the bush grows to maximum size, watering is reduced. This plant tolerates drought well and does not need constantly moist soil.
- After rooting, the bed can be supplemented with nitrogen or complex fertilizers.
- But the flower does not need treatment from pests. It has a specific and strong flavor. If you do not fill the planting, then the illnesses pass through the bush osteospermuma.