Immigrated from the sun-drenched regions of South Africa, Cape daisies transform the summer garden into a sea of flowers. The little beauties owe their middle name Cape Marguerite to their radiating flowers. The reason why the new favorites for beds and balconies are so popular with beginners and advanced growers is not least due to their uncomplicated cultivation. Read compact answers to frequently asked questions here.

Cape baskets add color to the bed

Table of Contents

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  1. Plant Cape daisies correctly
  2. care tips
  3. Which location is suitable?
  4. What soil does the plant need?
  5. What is the best planting time?
  6. When is flowering time?
  7. Cut cape cobs correctly
  8. Pouring cape baskets
  9. Fertilize Cape daisies properly
  10. hibernate
  11. multiply cape daisies
  12. Cape cobs in the pot
  13. Is cape daisy poisonous?
  14. Beautiful varieties

    15. Plant Cape daisies correctly

    At the beginning/middle of May, the time window opens to plant out the cape daisies that you have brought early or have already bought. Place the potted root ball in water until no more air bubbles rise. In the meantime, make small planting pits at a distance of 15-20 cm in the sunny location in order to place the potted young plants in them. Enrich the excavation with compost beforehand and fill the small pits with the optimized substrate up to just below the lower pair of leaves. Finally, water and spread a layer of mulch. Planting in a pot or balcony box is similar, with additional drainage made of pebbles or pieces of pottery between the opening in the ground and the substrate.

    care tips

    The supporting pillars of professional care consist of a modest water and nutrient balance as well as pruning at the right time. It depends on these measures:

    • Water the Cape Marguerite moderately without causing waterlogging
    • Fertilize the flower bed with compost twice a season, in May when planting and in July
    • Fertilize in the balcony box and pot every 2 weeks from May to September
    • Consistently prune faded flower stalks to encourage rebloom

    Carry small baskets in a pot or window box to a bright winter quarters in good time before the first frost. Water occasionally at 10-15 degrees Celsius. Don't fertilize during the hibernation.
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    Which location is suitable?

    The Cape daisy feels at home in a warm, sunny location. A wind-protected location is ideal to prevent the upright flower stalks from tipping over. A sandy-loamy, humus-rich and moderately dry soil drives the summer flower to floral peak performance.
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    What soil does the plant need?

    Planted out in the summer flower bed, the Cape Marguerite thrives vigorously and luxuriantly in humus-rich, well-drained, sandy-loamy soil. Keep an eye out for fresh to moderately dry soil, because this little beauty doesn't like waterlogging at all. For cultivation in balcony boxes or pots, we therefore recommend good quality compost-based potting soil, enriched with sand, lava granules or expanded clay.(19.73€)

    What is the best planting time?

    The departure of the ice saints in mid-May signals the beginning of the planting season for cape baskets that have already been bought or grown in the house. That makes sense, given a minimum temperature of 10-15 degrees Celsius.

    When is flowering time?

    Settled in the sunny, warm location, the Cape daisy shows its most beautiful bloom from May to September. It is not uncommon for the distinctive summer flower to take a short break from flowering. Don't let that irritate you. Cut off wilted flower stalks and continue caring for the Cape daisy. After a short time, the ray flowers unfold again.
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    Cut cape cobs correctly

    A prudent pruning at the right time elicits numerous new buds and flowers from a Cape daisy. If you continuously cut out withered flower stalks, the well-groomed appearance is retained. Don't wait for seeds to form, as these use up a lot of energy in a cape daisy, which is better invested in reblooming. To decorate a vase or a bouquet, cut the prettiest flower stalks when they have just opened in the early hours of the morning.
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    Pouring cape baskets

    Cape daisies particularly like constant soil moisture at a moderate to low level. Only water the flower in the bed when there is not enough rain. Check the moisture content of the substrate in the flower box (€16.99) every 1-2 days. If the surface has dried, add water to the root disc until the first drops run into the saucer.

    Fertilize Cape daisies properly

    For Cape daisies in the field, the nutrient supply is limited to the administration of compost and horn shavings (32.93€) in May and July. Work the organic material very lightly into the soil and then water. If the Cape daisy thrives in the window box, apply a liquid fertilizer for flowering plants every 14 days from May to September.

    hibernate

    The Cape daisy has the floral vitality for growth over several years. Since the South African beauty does not tolerate frost, the flowers in the planter can be placed in autumn. Cut the plant down to the ground once all the leaves have gathered. In the bright winter quarters at 10-15 degrees Celsius, water the root ball from time to time. Don't fertilize until next spring. Before wintering out, repot the plant in fresh substrate and gradually get the young shoots used to the sun.
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    multiply cape daisies

    To propagate a Cape daisy by cuttings, do not cut back the flower before putting it away. Instead, in February/March, select the strongest stems that are 6-8 cm long. Put them in small pots filled with poor potting soil. Any leaves are removed beforehand. Keep the substrate constantly moist at the partially shaded, warm window seat. Until mid-May you will have vital cape daisies in your hands, ready for planting out in beds and flower boxes.

    Alternatively, gather the winged seeds in the fall before the wind disperses them in all directions. Keep the seeds in a dry, dark screw-top jar until February. It is sown on lean peat sand or seed soil. At 18-20 degrees Celsius on the partially shaded windowsill, germination begins within 14 days.

    Cape cobs in the pot

    Use a light-colored pot so that the root ball does not overheat in the sunny location. A potsherd above the water drain effectively prevents waterlogging. Choose a low-peat, compost-based substrate to which you add some sand or lava granules. Water the Cape Marguerite moderately and fertilize every 14 days from May to September. Cut off wilted flower stalks promptly, the plant will continue to branch out and produce numerous fresh buds. Before the first frost, put the pot in the bright winter quarters with 10-15 degrees Celsius.

    Is cape daisy poisonous?

    Cape daisies are ideal for greening a family garden, as the flower does not contain any toxic components. Of course, another daisy family is also called Cape Daisies and also presents an aster-like growth. We are talking about the caper marigold from the genus Dimorphotheca. Their ingredients are considered harmful to humans and animals. Therefore, when purchasing it, ask exactly whether it is a Cape daisy of the genus Osteospermum.
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    Beautiful varieties

    • Double Berry White: Beautiful cape daisy with a full centre, surrounded by white-purple ray florets; 20-40cm
    • Elektra: New breed with lavender blue flowers surrounding a purple disc; 35-50cm
    • Akila Daisy White: Award-winning Cape daisy with 5 cm white flowers with a yellow heart and a very long flowering period; 25-30cm
    • Pink Whirls: Futuristic look thanks to spoon-like flowers surrounding blue, yellow-edged daisy-like flowers; 25-30cm
    • Emotion Yellow: The yellow ray flowers compete with the sun from May to September; 25-40cm

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Vegetable garden