- origin
- growth
- leaves
- blossom
- heyday
- use
- Which location is suitable?
- What soil does the plant need?
- The right planting distance
- cuttings
- sowing
- Gazania in a pot
- Pour Gazania
- Fertilize Gazania properly
- Cutting Gazania properly
- hardy
- fungus
- pests
- Gazania does not bloom
- sorts
Gazania are graceful beauties that do well in light-flooded gardens. If the site conditions are not right, the flowering splendor quickly fades. You should know the requirements of these South African exotics if you want to enjoy the sea of colorful blooms all summer long.
The Gazania is a pretty ornamental plant for the garden and patio
Table of Contents
Show all- origin
- growth
- leaves
- blossom
- heyday
- use
- Which location is suitable?
- What soil does the plant need?
- The right planting distance
- cuttings
- sowing
- Gazania in a pot
- Pour Gazania
- Fertilize Gazania properly
- Cutting Gazania properly
- hardy
- fungus
- pests
- Gazania does not bloom
- sorts
- Loosen the substrate thoroughly and improve with sand or gravel
- Dig a planting hole twice the size of the root ball
- Insert plant balls and fill gaps with excavation
- Press and water the substrate
- Germination after two weeks
- Prick young plants with four to six leaves
- From May put pots outside during the day and bring them in at night
- from the end of May the plants stay outside
- Daybreak Red Stripe: Blooms between May and September with orange-yellow ray florets streaked with dark red. Up to 25 centimeters high.
- Big kiss rose: Flowers up to twelve centimeters between July and September, pink. Growth height between 20 and 25 centimeters.
- Mini Star: Compact growth. Flowers shine white, yellow, orange, pink or brown-red. Up to 25 centimeters high.
origin
Gazania are a genus of daisy family. Breedings of the species Gazania rigens, Gazania nivea and Gazania krebsiana are cultivated as ornamental plants. They are also offered under the name Mittagsgold. The plant occurs in South Africa, where it inhabits sunny places.
growth
Gazania are herbaceous plants with bushy habit, some of which are perennial. These plants develop partially lignified rootstocks. The cultivated varieties usually grow as annuals with a fine root system without a rhizome. They reach growth heights of between 15 and 20 centimeters and usually develop compressed stems. This gives the plants a cushion-like appearance with slightly overhanging shoots.
leaves
The basal leaves of most cultivated Gazania are arranged in dense rosettes. A few species develop leafy stems. They are lanceolate and narrow in shape and light green in color on the upper side. The underside of the leaf appears silvery due to the fine hairs.
blossom
The blooming splendor of the midday gold is striking. Large capsicum flowers sit on stems that are about 15 centimeters long. From a botanical point of view, these structures are inflorescences composed of numerous individual flowers. In the center many tubular flowers crowd together. They are surrounded by enlarged ray florets that radiate outwards and are strikingly colored. Typical of Gazania are golden-yellow flowers whose ray florets are black at the base.
heyday
The inflorescences, reminiscent of daisies, appear between May and September. They open when the sun shines. The flowers, which are between eight and ten centimeters in size, remain closed in shady locations.
use
Since the plants grow compactly, they like to be put together in small groups. They line flower beds and harmonize with low perennials that bloom in intense shades. Gazania are suitable for edging garden paths. Loyal to men, creeping bindweed, marigold or liver balm have proven to be good planting partners. Rudbeckias can also be planted between the midday gold for a color accent. The daisy flowers embellish flower boxes (€16.99) and tubs with their low growth height.
Which location is suitable?
Gazania grows in sunny locations with warm conditions. The more sun they get, the better the blooms come into their own. Garden beds in full sun or front gardens are ideal. Rock gardens and walls ensure similar conditions. Plants cultivated in tubs prefer south-facing balconies or unshaded terraces.
What soil does the plant need?
Midday Gold grows on lean soils that are well structured and well drained. The pH is in the neutral to slightly acidic range. Nutrient-rich soils mean that the plants develop many leaf rosettes and hardly bloom. The composite flowers prefer moderately dry conditions. They tolerate a small amount of moisture. Loamy substrates provide a good basis. Mix sand under the substrate and pay attention to drainage when planting in containers.
The right planting distance
Gazania are planted in the bed after the ice saints at the earliest. Place the summer flowering bulbs 15 to 20 centimeters apart in the bed so that they can unfold freely. In group plantings there are four to five plants next to each other.
How to plant:
cuttings
Not all species are recommended for propagation by cuttings, as most plants do not develop leafy stems. If you have midday gold whose shoots develop leaves, you can cut off these shoots and pull them out as cuttings. The shoots should be at least ten centimeters long. Remove the bottom leaves and place the shoots in nutrient-poor growing medium. Moisten the soil and place the jar in a light and warm place.
As soon as new leaves develop, the pots can be placed outside. A sheltered spot is ideal. At night, the temperature should not drop below ten degrees Celsius.
sowing
Seeds can be sown between February and April. These are commercially available or collected directly from the plant. Mix potting soil with sand and fill the substrate in a planting tray. The seeds are scattered on the substrate and not covered, as they need light to germinate. Place the container in a light location and keep the substrate evenly moist.
This is how it goes on:
Gazania in a pot
Gazania are suitable for container planting. Use clay or terracotta planters. In the pot, they harmonize with other summer bloomers that are equally sun-loving and warmth-loving and prefer drought. Choose a pot with a drainage hole so that water does not accumulate in the substrate. Cover the bottom of the pot with expanded clay (€19.73) or gravel and fill the pot with a mixture of sand and potting compost. After planting, the daisies should be watered and placed in a full sun location.
Pour Gazania
The water requirement is relatively low. You should water the plant regularly but sparingly during the growing season. In winter, reduce the watering so that the root ball does not dry out completely. The roots of this decorative perpetual bloomer do not tolerate waterlogging. Water at the base of the stem in the morning or during the evening hours. Leaves and flowers should not get water, so that no diseases develop.
Fertilize Gazania properly
The plants require few nutrients. Gazania develop more leaves through fertilizer application and stop the formation of flowers. Therefore, avoid repeated fertilization.
Cutting Gazania properly
Regular pruning is not necessary as the plants naturally grow compact. If you trim faded stems, you encourage the development of fresh shoots. So you can extend the flowering period of Gazania.
After the hibernation, it can happen that the sunflower plants are out of shape. Remove shoots that are too long and disturbing. Old leaves and dead plant parts will be removed as part of the cleanup.
hardy
The plants, which originate from southern Africa, tolerate temperatures down to -5 °C. In order to avoid frostbite, you should bring the midday gold to a winter quarters before the first frosts. Cool temperatures between five and ten degrees Celsius and bright conditions prevail here.
Water moderately during the dormant phase so that the roots do not dry out. Specimens planted outdoors should be placed in a bucket and overwintered in the same way. Next April, Gazania can be put outside again. They are slowly getting used to the temperatures. Place the tubs indoors during the night. Between the middle and the end of May, the plants remain outdoors permanently.
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fungus
If the site conditions are not right or the care is wrong, there is often an infestation by various fungi.
gray mold
If the substrate is too wet, the roots will rot. Gray mold fungal spores settle in these areas, penetrate the organism and disrupt growth. If the plant has wilted leaves and flowers, it should be dug up and checked for mold.
Cut off rotten roots and place the Gazania in fresh soil. You should avoid watering for the next few days so that the plant can recover. Make sure the soil is well ventilated. Gray mold spores do not find optimal growth conditions in a permeable substrate.
mildew
This fungal infestation shows a mealy coating on the leaves, which can be easily wiped off with your finger. So that the spores do not spread further, you should generously remove affected parts of the plant. Spray the entire plant with a mixture of 90 percent water and 10 percent milk.
pests
Gazania can be attacked by pests both in spring and during the break in the winter quarters.
snails
When the plants develop fresh leaves in the spring, Gazania become the found food for snails. They can protect the plants by creating barriers that snails cannot overcome. Crumbled egg shells or plant collars have proven to be successful. The aroma of old coffee grounds deters the voracious pests.
aphids
They are among the most common pests on Gazania species. If the plants have been infested to a small extent, the pests can be wiped off with a cloth or hosed down with a strong jet of water. Plant brews have a preventative effect, but should not be used too often. They also supply the plants with nutrients, so that over-fertilization can quickly occur.
Gazania does not bloom
The midday gold is considered a tireless bloomer. If the plant does not develop flowers, a suboptimal location can be the cause. If the perennials are too dark, they will not develop flower buds. They need plenty of light from spring through fall.
Excessive leaf development without flowering indicates too many nutrients in the substrate. While the flowering period of many flowering plants can be extended through fertilization, Gazania react with reduced flower development.
tips
Gazania is particularly attractive in old flea market finds. Put the perennial in an old wooden wine box or in a wooden barrel.