Cutting is an important part of caring for the Cape daisy, at least if you want to enjoy it and its flowers for a long time. But it is not a coercive measure. Read on if you want to know how it works!
How do I cut my cape basket correctly?
The cape basket should be cut in several phases: 1. Remove withered flowers in summer, 2. Cut the plant back to 1/3 in autumn after frost, 3. Shorten shoots that have formed in spring over winter to hand height. They are also suitable for cutting vases or taking cuttings.
Extend the flowering period
The peak of the flowering period of the Cape basket is reached in summer. The flowers literally shoot up. After the first appearance, the withered flowers should be cut away - before the fruit/seed heads develop. This saves the perennial energy.
Next follows a rest period for several weeks. Do not be surprised! The second flowering phase begins in late summer or early autumn and lasts until October, depending on when the first frost sets in.
Pruning in autumn - preparing for overwintering
The second pruning takes place in autumn. After the flowers have died down due to the frost, the Cape daisy is cut down to 1/3 of its size. It can then be put back in. This cut makes sense because the plant has to provide fewer leaves with water and nutrients during winter overwintering.
In the spring, cut away shoots that have formed over the winter
As spring approaches, it's time to slowly get your Cape basket used to the sunlight again. This evergreen plant has often formed new shoots and leaves over the winter. You should now cut these down to hand height. This is followed by vigorous new growth.
Is the cape basket suitable for vase cutting?
You can cut off the freshly bloomed flowers and place them in a vase. They are well suited for vase cutting. It is best to cut them off early in the morning and renew the vase water daily so that the flowers last a long time.
Cutting to obtain cuttings
If you want to propagate the Cape basket:
- in spring or summer
- Select and cut off strong shoots
- Minimum length 10 cm
- remove lower leaves
- Put half in potting soil and keep moist
- place in a warm place
- Rooting after a few weeks
Tip
If the shoots of the Cape basket are heavily infested with aphids, it is recommended to cut off the affected parts so that the pests do not spread to other parts.
