Osteospermum: choose an annual or perennial culture. Osteospermum: cultivation and care, reproduction, wintering features Osteospermum pinching seedlings

African chamomile or osteospermum is pretty common perennial plant in home gardens in Europe of the Compositae family. In its appearance, this flower resembles a chamomile in shape, but differs from it in a variety of bright colors - from orange to deep purple and pale pink. In our country, this garden flower is still little known, but many have already been able to appreciate its unpretentiousness, abundant and long flowering. Caring for this plant is quite simple, and growing osteospermum at home for your summer cottage can be very easy from seeds.

Osteospermum: Description, varieties and photos

Osteospermum is a tall shrub with branching, erect stems, which are strewn with dense foliage. The irregularly toothed and spatulate leaves of this flower are ovate oblong in shape and are variegated, gray or bright green.

Semi-double or double inflorescence can reach in size 4-7 cm. It consists of marginal reed flowers and central sterile tubular ones. Depending on the variety and species, the central flowers are usually blue or light blue. Marginal flowers come in a variety of colors purple to white. Very rarely you can see varieties with yellow, red, orange, pink, purple flowers.

The inflorescence lives no more than 5 days. However, new buds quickly appear in its place, thanks to which the bush blooms for a long time and constantly. Under favorable weather conditions flowering can last until almost October.

The bright flowers of African chamomile open during the day in clear weather, and close in cloudy weather and at night. This property of the osteospermum protects the pollen of the flower from the negative effects of rain or night moisture.

Varieties and types of osteospermum

The bushes of this plant can be of different shapes and heights, bloom with flowers with a wide variety of colors. This will all depend on the variety and species, the variety of which osteospermum is famous for. Some hybrid plant species stand out the original form of reed flowers, such as perennial osteospermum Akila

Carpathian daisy or Eklon's osteospermum is a heat-loving perennial shrub, therefore, in areas with cold winters, this plant is grown as an annual. The bush can grow up to one meter in height, has decorative jagged leaves and strongly branched straight stems. On the basis of Eklon's osteospermum, breeders have bred a large number of hybrid varieties, each of which differs in plant size, as well as in the color and shape of the petals.

Osteospermum conspicuous is a relatively new variety. Its distinctive feature is the change in the shades of the petals as the bud opens. In flowers, they may be white, and a fully blossomed bud may have a purple color. Moreover, the upper part of the petal is constantly lighter than the lower. The life span of one flower is 12-17 days. Then the color of the petals becomes lighter, and the bud fades. Osteospermum conspicuous, unlike the Carpathian daisy, is more difficult to grow.

Osteospermum: Growing and Care

Osteospermum loves fertile soils and well-lit areas. Because for this flower you need choose a sunny place and enrich the soil with nutrients before planting. Why mix in equal proportions:

• sod land;
• leaf ground;
• sand;
• humus.

The prepared nutrient soil is poured into the hole where the bush will be planted.

African chamomile is a thermophilic plant, but can tolerate slight frosts. Before winter, some summer residents manage to dig up plant bushes and save them at home in order to re-plant in the spring in the garden.

Feeding and watering

Osteosparmum - it is a drought tolerant and unpretentious plant. It will easily endure the temporary lack of watering and hot weather. But a prolonged lack of water is reflected in the flowers, which become smaller, lose their decorative effect and terryness.

Dislikes African chamomile and waterlogging, therefore, during the care of it, it is necessary to ensure that the soil dries out between waterings, and water does not accumulate in it.

The key to abundant flowering and successful cultivation of osteosperm is its periodic bait. Why organic and mineral fertilizers are used in turn. In order for fast-growing bushes to branch, and not stretch, they need to be pinched regularly.

At hot temperatures in the middle of summer, osteosparmum can complete flowering and lay new buds. However, it blooms profusely again literally as soon as the heat subsides.

Diseases and pests

African chamomile is a fairly resistant plant that is almost not attacked by pests and diseases.

But if the cultivation of this plant takes place in the shade, when the soil is constantly wet, then this can lead to a decrease in the immunity of the flower. In this case, the plant may be subject to fungal infections. The roots of the bush will begin to rot, and the plant itself will wither. You can save a flower only by transplanting it to a well-lit area, after treating the roots with special antifungal agents.

A bush with weak immunity can infect aphids. This pest settles on stems and leaves, and feeds on plant sap. As a result, the leaves fall off or turn yellow, and the bush itself begins to wither. Insect control must be carried out with the help of special preparations.

Organization of wintering

If African chamomile is grown in containers, then the plants are brought into the house and placed in a dark place. It is not necessary to prolong the flowering of the bush, as the plant needs a dormant period. The room where the flower remains for the winter must be cool, but at the same time not cold. The temperature should be at least 10 degrees. The dormant time of the plant lasts until March. After it is transferred to the light and watered.

On open ground, osteospermum will not be able to overwinter even under cover. The roots are dug up and stored until spring in a dry mixture of sand and peat. If this is not done, then the bush will die. As an option, it can be grown as an annual, planted from seed or prepared from cuttings each year.

flower reproduction

Osteospermum can be propagated in several ways:

• cuttings;
• seeds.

Osteospermum: Growing from seed

Sowing seeds for seedlings is done in April or March. Dry seeds are sown in seedling boxes with peat-sandy soil or in peat tablets. Some gardeners pre-soak them by mistake, as osteoperum seeds resemble ordinary seeds. However, this flower really does not like excessive moisture, therefore, in the future, the sprouts may begin to rot.

Planting seeds is carried out at a depth of not more than 5 mm. Why you can use a toothpick or skewer to sow the plant by pushing the seeds into moist soil. The box covered with polyethylene or glass is moved to a warm place with temperature not less than +21-23С. The first shoots should appear within 5-7 days after planting the seeds.

Osteospermum is a beautiful ornamental plant native to Africa.

African chamomile seedling care is as follows:

• The container with seedlings is moved to a cooler, but well-lit place.
• Seedlings are periodically watered, but at the same time it is necessary to ensure that water does not stagnate in the ground.
• After the appearance of the second leaf, the seedlings are transplanted into separate containers. When they are very stretched out, you can carefully bend the stem, laying it in a groove and sprinkle it with soil.
• You can provoke more lush flowering and slow down the stretching by pinching the bush after picking.
• With the advent of the last month of spring at home, seedlings must be hardened off. In this case, open the windows or take it out to the glazed balcony.
• In early June, seedlings can be transplanted to a permanent place of growth. Between young seedlings, the distance must be at least 25-30 cm. In the early days, care consists in watering the bushes in the morning and evening.

Propagation by cuttings of osteospermum

To propagate the plant, you can also cut it. Cuttings are prepared from bushes dug out in autumn and preserved until spring. With the help of them, from one plant, you can get several beautifully flowering and unpretentious annuals.

Cuttings 4-6 cm in size are cut with a sharp knife. The leaves are removed from below, and the segments are placed in a container with moist soil. You can use moss, perlite or vermiculite with hydrogel.

The cuttings are covered with a glass container or polyethylene and moved to a warm and well-lit place. They need to be ventilated daily, and the ground should be periodically sprayed. Which of the cuttings were able to take root can be seen in about two weeks.

Use in landscape design

Traditionally grown in flower beds, African chamomile helps to create bright accents in the foreground of shrub borders, in rock gardens, and is indispensable in decorative tubs and flowerpots in patios, on terraces.

For amateur flower growers, the versatility of the plant is most attractive - osteospermum is equally good both on terraces and in classic flower beds, balconies or verandas. In empty areas, semi-dwarf or compact species are used as ground cover. The best mix of osteospermum is suitable for artistic framing of flower beds, for central flower beds, for decorating a container garden, it just looks great in groups in mixborders. Flowering bush unpretentious and very hardy, therefore suitable for places with poor soil, rocky hills, slopes.

Combination with other colors

Osteospermum occupies an important place in the summer compositions of amateur gardeners.

In plantings, this plant goes well with erect and sun-loving herbs or annuals, such as lobularia, gazania, tender felicia, dorotheanthus or annual bellflower.

Osteospermum also looks great with geyhera, geranium, rudbeckia, caliberhoa, cosmea and Embress red verbena. All listed ornamental plants have similar requirements for their growing conditions.

Long and beautifully flowering, unpretentious care osteosparmumas are perfect for decorating borders and flower beds in the garden, decorating flower beds near porches, loggias and balconies. Planted African chamomile in a hanging planter can even be grown at home.

Possessing incredible beauty and interesting appearance, osteospermum is also good because it is quite easy to grow it, without even making any special efforts for this.

The plant is unpretentious and unusual, with a large color palette. There are many types, and this article will describe the most attractive options for an apartment and a summer residence.

Growing osteospermum from seeds at home is not such a hard job! So, let's go...

Brief description of osteospermum

Osteospermum may resemble a delicate gerbera or a beautiful chamomile, but belongs to the Astrov family. The birthplace of the flower is Africa, in connection with which it is also called the "African daisy".

It has high decorative qualities and will quickly fill the entire room or garden with its beauty, pushing other plants into the background.

It is a branched, leafy shrub with straight, stiff stems that carry a large number.

Existing species

Each grower must necessarily grow osteospermum from seeds at home, at least in order to diversify his flower garden, but first you need to decide on the type. In total, there are about 70 varieties, both perennial and annual.

Especially loved by the breeders of "Eklon" and "Eklonis". On the basis of these species, experts have bred a fairly large number of hybrids.

So, the most popular are:

The hybrids of the “pleasant osteospermum” are the most interesting, since its petals are wrapped in a tube and can have a different color on both sides. But these species are unstable before the cold.

It is worth paying attention to such varieties:

• "Lady Leitrim" - inflorescences are white with pink.
• "Buttermilk" - pale yellow flowers, acquiring a bronze hue from top to bottom. A characteristic feature is that the plant can grow up to half a meter in height.

IMPORTANT subtleties

What every gardener should know before sowing osteosperm seeds:

• Growing osteospermum from seeds at home should be started in March, then the plant will bloom in June.
• You can sow directly into pots.
• Make the soil loose: mix sand (previously heated in a pan to destroy pathogens) with soddy soil and humus.
• Place the containers in a warm, sunny place in the house.

Growing from seeds - more about preparation and planting

To grow a plant in the garden, you can immediately sow the seeds in open ground at the end of March (or at the beginning of April), but in this case it is impossible to guarantee their germination by 100%. So it is better to start with seedlings.

So, before sowing, it is necessary to soak the seeds in warm water for half an hour. You can make a solution of potassium permanganate and place the seeds in it. While 30 minutes pass, you need to prepare the trays - pour the soil mixture into them. Seeds are laid out to a depth of no more than 1.5 cm, then they are covered with earth, watered and ready.

Seedlings do not need to be covered with glass or film, just put in a sunny place. If it is a window sill, it should not be cold. While waiting for seedlings, the only thing to do is to make sure that the substrate remains moist. You can only water with non-cold water, which was settled for 2-3 days.

When the sprouts acquire 3 sheets, you can pick. Take the same soil and pre-moisten it. Simple plastic cups with drainage holes or peat pots will do.

It is noteworthy that dived specimens can immediately be placed in an outdoor flowerpot or planter, since the osteospermum does not need to be hardened and can tolerate temperatures of +10 - +15 degrees.

Osteospermum care - important points for indoor and garden "residents"

Growing osteospermum from seeds right at home is not a difficult task, but the rules of care must be followed.

1. Firstly, the selected area in the garden should be well lit and protected from the wind.
2. Secondly, you need to remember that drought and waterlogging are equally harmful to the plant. Therefore, you need to water wisely. By the way, if the landing site is a flower bed, it is imperative to make drainage - pour a layer of pebbles or expanded clay to the bottom.
3. Thirdly - do not overdo it with. Feeding will be needed only during the formation of buds (it is better to stop on minerals). Bring them every 2-3 weeks.

The African guest is a heat-loving creature, so if you want to register it for life on your site, you need to dig it out of the open ground in time and transplant it into a pot so that the osteospermum winters in the house. Care at room conditions is also simple - watering, a sunny place and top dressing. And then "summer" in the house will be all year round!

Video: Osteospermum FLOWERING - indescribable beauty!

Osteospermum (African chamomile, Cape daisy) - in the natural environment is a perennial herb, shrub, shrub. In a cold and temperate climate zone, it is cultivated as an annual or biennial plant. Belongs to the Astrov family, originally from South Africa, the Arabian Peninsula.

Botanical description

Stems erect, rarely creeping. Plant height is about 30 cm, varieties up to 75 cm high are bred. Leaf plates are dense, ovoid, oblong, with smooth or jagged edges. Stems and leaves may be bright green or grayish in color.

Delicate inflorescences look like daisies. The core can have a blue, blue, smoky black color. The color of the petals (reed inflorescences): white, various shades of purple, pink, yellow, orange, blue. Their shape is oblong with pointed tops, but the so-called spoon osteosperms have been bred: the shape of the reed inflorescence resembles a spoon.

The diameter of the inflorescence is 3-8 cm, they are simple, terry and semi-double are bred by breeders. It blooms almost throughout the summer, and if the weather is favorable, it can bloom until October. Each inflorescence lives for about 5 days, they continuously replace each other. Flowers open in clear weather.

A variety of shades, long flowering, unpretentious care contribute to the popularity of osteosperm.

Growing osteospermum from seeds at home

The plant successfully reproduces by seeds: they remain viable for up to 4 years, friendly seedlings appear 7-10 days after sowing. It reproduces well by self-seeding.

In open ground, seeds are sown in April. No seed pre-treatment is required.

When to plant osteospermum for seedlings

To get more viable plants that bloom earlier, seedlings should be grown.

• Sowing seeds of osteospermum for seedlings should be done in early March.
• It is better to sow one or two seeds at a time in separate pots - the seeds will definitely sprout and you will not have to carry out an intermediate transplant.
• If there is no possibility or a lot of space, you can sow the seeds in a common container at a distance of 3-5 cm from each other, and then carefully transplant them into separate cups.
• To grow seedlings, loose soil is needed (a mixture of humus, soddy soil and sand).
• The seeds are simply shallowly pressed into the soil.
• Maintain the air temperature at 20 ° C, lighting should be diffused.

• When 5-6 true leaves appear, pinch off the tops to encourage forcing of side shoots and good bushiness.
• Harden seedlings, gradually lowering the temperature to +12 ° C. You can simply take it out to the balcony for a short time at first, and then increase the time spent on the street.

As soon as the threat of frost recedes, transplant the seedlings into open ground.

How to plant osteospermum with seeds for seedlings, the video will tell:

Hardened seedlings, planted by transshipment, practically do not get sick and take root immediately, especially with careful care. Do not be too zealous and flood the plants: it is enough to keep the soil slightly moist.

Propagation of osteospermum by cuttings

To preserve varietal characteristics, propagation by cuttings is used. This method is suitable for plants that have been moved indoors for the winter.

• In February, select a shoot that has not bloomed and cut off the apical stalk, the cut should pass under the node.
• Remove the leaves from the bottom and plant a cutting to root.
• The soil is a mixture of peat, sand and perlite.
• Cover with a jar, cut plastic bottle or cling film.
• Rooting lasts about a month. Ventilate regularly, moisten the soil.
• With the onset of heat, transplant rooted cuttings into open ground.

Landing in open ground

The best place to plant will be an open sunny area, light shading is possible.

The soil requires loose, moderately fertile, permeable, neutral or slightly acidic.

• Dig up the area, loosen the earth and let it settle.
• Plants are transshipped along with an earthen clod - the hole must correspond to this size.
• Keep a distance of 30-40 cm between the bushes.
• Press the surface of the soil around the seedling a little, water well.

How to care for osteospermum in the garden

Osteospermum Sky and ice - blue-eyed daisy photo

Watering

The plant is drought tolerant, but moderate watering is required to maintain abundant flowering. Do not overwater, water only during severe drought.

Pinching and feeding

• Pinch off the tops of the shoots to encourage branching.
• Feed three times a season: a couple of weeks after planting in open ground, then during bud set and at the end of summer. Use complex mineral fertilizers for flowering plants.
• Constantly remove wilted inflorescences.

Wintering

Osteospermum in open ground hibernates only in regions with warm winters (maximum temperature drop to -10 ° C). For a successful wintering, it is necessary to cover the plants with dry leaves in the fall.

If the temperature drops below -10 ° C in your area, the plants will die, but in order to keep them until spring and propagate by cuttings, you can dig up the bushes and keep them in a cool room. Carefully dig up the bush without disturbing the earthy coma and place in a wide container. Keep at low air temperature, water occasionally. In the spring, replant in open ground.

Diseases and pests

From waterlogging the soil, rot is possible - remove the affected areas, treat with a fungicide, and adjust watering.

Aphids may be affected - treat the plant with an insecticide.

Types and varieties of osteospermum with photos and names

There are more than 70 species, many species, varieties, hybrid forms are cultivated.

Osteospermum Eklona Osteospermum ecklonis

Grown as an annual crop. The shrub is strongly branched, erect stems are extended by 1 m, the leaves are narrow with jagged edges. The core of the inflorescence has a red-violet hue, the petals are white, and pink veins are similar along the lower part.

Varieties:

Osteospermum Eklon Osteospermum ‘Sunny Philip’ photo

Zulu - inflorescences of a bright yellow hue.

Bamba - the color of the inflorescence varies from white to purple.

The sky and ice - the core is blue, the petals are snow-white.

Volta - pinkish petals turn white as they bloom.

Buttermilk - bright yellow petals turn white as they bloom.

Silver Sparkler - white inflorescences.

Congo - purple-pink inflorescences.

Pemba - reed inflorescences are twisted into a tube up to half.

Sandy Pink - spoon-shaped pink petals.

Sterry Ice - the reed inflorescence folds in half lengthwise, the inside is white, the outside is gray-blue.

Peshn is a hybrid series of this species. Here it should be noted the varieties Pink Lace, Dwarf Salmon, notable for the spoon shape of reed inflorescences.

Osteospermum conspicuous Osteospermum jucundum

The color of the petals is white, purple, the reverse side may have a lilac-violet tone.

Varieties:

Buttermilk is a plant up to half a meter high. The color of the petals is pale yellow, their reverse side acquires a bronze hue.

Lady Leitrim - the core is almost black, the petals are light lilac.

Bengal fire - the inside of the reed inflorescence is white, and the outside is blue.

Osteospermum fruticosum

It has the form of a compact bush. The color of reed inflorescences is white, pale lilac, red.

The best varieties of osteospermum with photos and names

Variety Akila has many shades from white and pink to burgundy and dark purple. Looks great in mixed plantings.

Passion is also great in mixed beds, its compact, low bushes with powerful erect stems are densely dotted with beautiful flowers with neatly outlined petals, on which longitudinal voluminous stripes are pronounced.

It is impossible not to admire the white daisies with blue centers, which are scattered with rare yellow spots of stamens. This is a unique variety Ice White.

Osteospermum Sunny Philip Osteospermum ‘Sunny Philip’ photo

The stunning Sunny Philip variety really resembles small suns with radial rays. The tips of the petals seem to be pinched, curled into tubules.

The Impassion variety has a special shape of petals, the flowers look very neat, as if stamped, one to one are similar.

Terry variety Double Parple With tubular central petals, it is somewhat reminiscent of a chrysanthemum.

Another stunning 3D terry variety with several rows of petals is crowned with a central tubular center. The color is saturated, the lower petals are oval-elongated, the middle petals are slightly shortened and dissected at the tips.

Osteospermum in landscape design

Low-growing species are planted as ground cover plants. They are also good in pots for decorating balconies, terraces, porches.

Osteospermum will become a bright accent in any flower bed, looks good in rocky gardens, frame borders, plant in groups in mixborders.

Cuff, yaskolka, geranium, cinquefoil.

Osteospermum is an annual garden flower belonging to the Asteraceae family. The plant is only gaining popularity among gardeners, mainly due to the similarity of osteosperm with, asters, and daisies. The birthplace of the flower is African countries, because of this, the plant is popularly known as the African chamomile. At the beginning of summer, you can see the first buds on the plant, which continue to bloom until the autumn frosts. More information about growing osteospermum from seeds will be discussed in this article.

There are other names for this wonderful flower - Cape daisy or Cape chamomile. Osteospermum is often confused with chamomile because of its appearance (we are talking about the shape of the petals and flowers). Despite the hot homeland of the plant, it is now grown almost everywhere. The list of exceptions should include only the northern regions with a cold climate.

A lush bush of osteospermum with a large number of leaves is decorated with delicate and beautiful flowers that begin to bloom from the first half of June. The diameter of the flower rarely exceeds 5 cm. This is a chamomile-like inflorescence, the reed flowers of which can have a different color, depending on the type of plant or its variety. These flowers take part in the formation of seeds. The color of the central tubular flowers can vary from bright blue to dark blue, but they themselves are sterile.

On a note! The leaves of the osteospermum, which have a bright green color, are distinguished by their specific smell, which not everyone may like. In addition, when the culture is damaged, this unpleasant odor increases.

Osteospermum - propagation by cuttings

Popular hybrids and varieties

To begin with, it is worth deciding on the type of plant, because there are more than 70 different plant varieties, among which there are both annual and perennial crops. Of course, most of them are wild plants, so before planting osteosperm seeds, you should choose the right variety.

Osteospermum - photo

The most popular types of breeders include "Eklonis" and "Eklona", which were taken as the basis for breeding a large number of plant hybrids, including the following.

Osteospermum "Eklona"

1. "Zulu". A popular hybrid used to decorate home gardens. It differs from its counterparts in bright yellow flowers, which make the plant very similar to calendula.
2. "Bambe". Some gardeners jokingly call it a chameleon flower, because the plant gradually changes its color from white to purple. The variety is great for growing on the balcony.
3. "Sky and Ice". An unusually beautiful plant that can overshadow the beauty of nearby flowers. Based on the name, it is easy to guess that the flowers are painted in two colors - blue and white. The central part of the flower is blue, and the petals are white.
4. "Volta". Another osteosperm hybrid that changes color during development. In this case, the petals of the plant, which were originally pink with a lilac tint, gradually become white.
5. "Buttermilk". A very common plant hybrid in Russia, which differs from other plants in unpretentiousness. The petals are bright yellow, but over time it changes to white, which is typical for some types of osteosperm.

There are also other hybrids of this plant - for example, "Osteospermum pleasant", which is also able to change its color. But the main difference of this hybrid is that its petals can be wrapped in a tube. The disadvantages of this species and hybrids based on it include poor resistance to low temperatures.

Bright accent in the flower garden - osteospermum

When choosing a suitable option for growing, pay attention to such varieties.

1. "Buttermilk". An unusual variety, the distinguishing feature of which, compared with other species, is a height of up to 50 cm. The flowers are painted pale yellow, although their lower part eventually acquires a bronze tint.
2. "Lady Leitrim". A very beautiful plant, the petals of which are painted in a light lilac color. Its appearance resembles a chamomile, but it is given out by color differences. The central part of the inflorescence is yellow with a black dot in the middle.

Growing from seed

When choosing a method of growing osteosperm, they usually prefer seed, because in this case the plant develops quickly and does not require special care. This is a unique method for this plant, but if you are looking for varietal qualities, then growing from seeds is not the best choice. This is due to the fact that the seeds do not convey all parental qualities, so as a result the plant may turn out a little different - for example, the shape of the inflorescences will be different, as well as the color. But in other cases, growing from seeds is considered the most suitable method.

First you need to take care of the preparation of the soil mixture, seed and containers. Only after that you can start sowing.

Soil preparation

To grow osteosperm, you need to prepare fertile soil, which can be purchased at the store. Despite this, experienced gardeners prefer to use their own potting mix, as they do not trust store-bought products. For cooking, you need to mix sand, humus, turf and leafy soil in equal proportions. For disinfection, it is recommended to hold the soil mixture in a steam bath or in the oven for 10-15 minutes. This will kill all harmful microbes. Then you can proceed to the next step.

Peat tablets are another option.

Seed preparation

For sowing, use only dry seeds. Otherwise, the plant may develop defectively. If, when planting some crops, soaking is necessary, then in the case of Cape chamomile, this is not recommended, because wet seeds in the ground can rot. The maximum that can be done with the seeds is to cover them with a damp cloth for 20 minutes before sowing.

On a note! In order for the planted osteosperm seeds to sprout quickly, their shell can be slightly damaged by a slight split or biting.

Capacity selection

You also need to take care of a suitable container for future seedlings. In the case of osteospermum, it is advisable to use individual containers. This is due to the high sensitivity of the root system, which responds negatively to a flower transplant. If you are the owner of a large nursery, then over time it will be necessary, which you need to start after the appearance of several (2-3) leaves.

If possible, it is better to use peat pots for sowing, although small plastic containers can also be used, which must be disinfected with boiling water before sowing. This procedure will protect the flower from the fungus, which will ensure rapid and active growth.

Sowing

Having decided on the variety and having prepared everything you need, you can start sowing. This process is simple if you follow the step by step instructions below.

Table. Instructions for sowing osteospermum seeds.

planting seedlings

To obtain bright and long flowering, seedlings must be planted in a sunny place on the site, since hot Africa is still the birthplace of this plant. Light penumbra may also be suitable, although in this case the plants will be very stretched and as a result the bush will not grow as compact as it was originally planned. Make sure that the soil on the site is sufficiently nutritious and loose, but do not overdo it when fertilizing - the plant does not like this, as well as excess moisture.

On a note! Seedlings should only be planted after the threat of frost has passed. In theory, osteospermum can withstand quite low temperatures (down to -5°C), but it's not worth the risk, because you can lose plants.

After waiting for a suitable warm day, prepare the seedling holes, and then move the seedlings into them along with the earthy clod. Then gently compact the soil and water the plant with warm water. When transplanting, try not to damage the measles system. The optimal distance between seedlings is 35-40 cm.

Aftercare

Osteospermum care is quite demanding. This must be considered even before you plant plants on your site. In addition, to ensure flowering throughout the season, you need to devote your time to the plant every day. First of all, it is necessary to remove the faded inflorescences of African chamomile. Also remember that after blooming, the flower lives only 4-6 days, and then fades immediately. After you cut the inflorescences, new buds grow in their place. This continues throughout the season.

On a note! To obtain not only lush and long flowering, but also beautiful bushes, you need to pinch the shoots at an early stage of development. As the leaves dry, they should also be carefully removed.

When watering, you need to be extremely careful, because excess moisture can adversely affect the plant. Water about 4 times a month - this will be enough, and in case of heavy rains, you do not need to water the flower at all.

Improper watering is the main cause of osteosperm disease

Feeding is even easier. For normal growth, it is necessary to feed the plant no more than 2 times a month. And for this it is desirable to use only mineral fertilizers. If you use organic matter, then it should be applied to the soil once a month, not more often, because an excess of fertilizer can destroy the plant.

If we talk about diseases, then gardeners can be calm here, because osteospermum is considered very resistant to various pests and diseases. The main thing is to monitor the soil moisture, regularly feed the plant, remove dried leaves and faded inflorescences. If fungal diseases appear, use store-bought antifungal agents.

GARDENER'S REMINDER Onions: - Before planting: 1 tablespoon of salt per 1 liter of water, pour for 3 hours. - After salt: a dark solution of potassium permanganate for 2 hours. Be sure to rinse. - From an onion fly: 1. The first leaf appeared 1) Spill with water. 2) Watering 2 tablespoons of ammonia on a bucket of water (3 watering cans per 6p.m. beds) 3) Spill with water. 2. After 10-14 days. According to the same scheme, watering 1 tablespoon of salt per 1 liter of water 3. After 10 days. According to the same scheme, watering with a strong solution of potassium permanganate. - Top dressing: Likes yeast infusion: 100g. yeast per 1 bucket for 1 hour insist, shed, feed, shed. - Thin out shallots, don't be sorry. - Finish watering, rake the land. - Roast in the sun in the garden, do not drag it to the attic. Cucumber: - Before sowing for 5-6 days, spill the earth with hot water and 1 tablespoon of copper sulfate in a bucket of water, cover with a film. - Watering only with warm water in the evening. - Top dressing: love yeast, 100g. yeast for 1 bucket, insist 1 hour, shed, feed 1 glass of infusion per bush, shed. The best feed: nettles with ashes, so put it in the greenhouse. - Make a frame for the whips on top. - Loosen very carefully, trying not to damage the roots. - Put a bucket of slurry or grass. - Spraying against the disease 1 liter of skimmed milk + 20 drops of iodine per bucket of water. As a preventive measure once every two weeks, you can add a host. soap ... You can use a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Tomatoes: - Before sowing for 5-6 days, shed the earth with hot water and 1 tablespoon of copper sulfate in a bucket of water, cover with a film. - Plant: in the greenhouse and on the bed of nasturtium - from the whitefly, basil - from the disease and just loves the neighborhood, smear Vaseline on a yellow piece of paper. - Keep the greenhouse open, don't close it. - Mulch when the ground warms up with grass, hay. - Watering under the mulch. - Do a couple of steaming: close the greenhouse for half a day, then ventilate well. -.For better flowering and fruit set, spray plants with boric acid. -. In the form of prevention, the soil is sprinkled with ash or watered with ash infusion (a glass of ash is boiled for 10-15 minutes in 1 liter of water, drained and poured into 10 liters of water). - Pierce the trunks with copper wire or a toothpick. - Chop the tops, fill in the ground. - Prevention of late blight: five days after planting seedlings 1g. CuSO4 in 4 liters of rain soft water - spray. Five days after the first treatment from a watering can: 40g. pour dry horsetail with water, boil for 15 minutes, drain the broth and save. Pour the precipitate and boil for 10 minutes. Combine decoctions, bring to 5 liters. - Five days after the previous treatment. 0.5 liters of skimmed milk + 50 drops of iodine per 5 liters of water. - 7-10 days after the previous treatment 1 ml. Epin for 5 liters of water. Raspberry: - Do not untie the raspberry until you have processed it. - In the spring, the first thing they do is untie the raspberries and cut all the stems to a healthy bud. - Draw large-fruited and yellow. For a week in wet moss in a barn, for 1-3 days on a veranda, then sit in cups under a film. - First treatment - Bordeaux liquid with a broom. - The second in a week - a matchbox of urea on a bucket of water from a watering can. - From the raspberry beetle and weevil on the buds - actellik, fufanon, karbofos. Remember, at +13 degrees, he has already gone hunting. Try to spray a couple of times at the end of May to the buds so that the shoots do not bend. - Folk remedy for weevil 1 tablespoon of mustard per 1 liter of warm water, also in buds, a decoction of wormwood. Spread the wormwood under the raspberries and over the strawberries. - Water, water and water again. - In August, a mandatory abundant watering is carried out so that the plants are best prepared for winter. - Weed, cut, bend. Gladiolus. - Cover with black foil to warm up. Top dressing: - 2 sheets - 1 tbsp urea + 1.5 tbsp potassium sulfate per bucket of water per 1m2, spray with zircon to form roots. - 3-4 leaves - the same + foliar top dressing with microfertilizer + 2g. (a little less than half a teaspoon) of boric acid in a bucket of water. - 5-6 leaves -1 tbsp. spoons of urea + 2 tablespoons of potassium sulfate + 0.5 tablespoons of superphosphate. - Ejection of the peduncle - 2st. spoons of nitrophoska + 2g. (slightly less than half a teaspoon) of boric acid in a bucket of water. - After flowering 1.5 st. spoon of superphosphate + 1.5 tbsp. a spoonful of potassium sulfate. At the same time, 0.5 teaspoon of KMnO4 per bucket of water over the leaves. Stop feeding in September. - Feed better when watering 1 time per week. - From diseases and pests: 100 grams of garlic per 10 liters of water, 30-40 grams. HOM on a bucket of water, phytosporin, Aktellik, fufanon, karbofos, phytoverm. - Remember, trises are updated every ten days and get used to the fungicide, change and process. - Mulch with pine needles, take your time, add little by little, let the earth warm up. - Plant nasturtium and velvet along the beds. - I dug, washed, karbofos (decis), after 4-5 days Maxim and a month or two (until it dries out) at the stove (20-25 degrees) in one layer.