The Cape basket, also known as Cape daisy, is extremely popular with gardeners and anyone who wants to add colorful plants to a balcony, although it requires a lot of warmth. How to care for it to stay he althy and blooming?
How do I properly care for my Cape basket?
When caring for Cape baskets, make sure that the soil is kept evenly moist. Fertilize every 1-2 weeks, cut back after the main flowering period and provide winter protection at temperatures below -5°C. Natural home remedies help with aphids.
Can the cape basket tolerate dry soil?
While the cape basket can tolerate dryness at times, accumulating moisture quickly damages it. Water in the saucer should be thrown away. Water the perennial as soon as the top layer of soil in the planter has dried! Planted specimens only need to be watered in the first few weeks and when it is hot and dry. Ideally, the environment is kept evenly moist.
How often and with what should you fertilize?
Outdoor plants do not necessarily need fertilization. It is enough to freshen up your soil with compost when planting. This nutrient supply is sufficient for several years. If you still want to fertilize every year, use nettle manure, comfrey manure, horn shavings or lawn clippings mulch.
On the other hand, Cape baskets grown in pots should be fertilized occasionally. Ideally, they receive fertilizer every 1 to 2 weeks. They should receive new nutrients at least every 4 weeks. Fertilization is important so that the plants can produce many flowers. Liquid fertilizers are suitable (€18.00 on Amazon), but also long-term fertilizers. Fertilizer application is stopped in August as the rest period now begins.
When is the best time to cut and how far should it be cut?
This is worth paying attention to when cutting:
- cut back after the main flowering in summer
- this cut causes strong new growth and bushy growth
- new flowers are formed
- cut down to 1/3 in autumn
- After the autumn pruning you can overwinter
What helps against aphids on this perennial?
Aphids sometimes appear, especially during dry periods. Stinging nettle broth, horseradish broth or horsetail broth can help prevent this. Once the cape basket is infested, spraying with soft soap or a nettle decoction will help against the pests.
Does the Cape basket need winter protection?
Since the Cape daisy is not hardy, it should be overwintered:
- can tolerate temperatures down to -5 °C for short periods
- overwinter frost-free
- winter in pots
- Wintering location: bright, 5 to 15 °C mild
- water little
- do not fertilize
- cut everything back hand-high in spring
- out from May
Tip
No precautionary measures are necessary when handling the Cape daisy. It is completely non-toxic.