Gazanias are graceful beauties that look good in light-flooded gardens. If the site conditions are not right, the flowers will fade quickly. You should know the requirements of these South African exotics if you want to enjoy the sea of colorful flowers all summer long.
How to properly care for a Gazania plant?
Gazania plants require particularly sunny locations, lean, permeable soil and economical watering. Be careful not to over-fertilize, as too many nutrients lead to increased leaf formation and reduced flower development. Gray mold and mildew caused by fungal infestation can be avoided by ensuring good soil aeration.
Origin
Gazanias are a genus of the daisy family. Breeds 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 colonizes sunny places.
Growth
Gazanias are herbaceous plants with bushy growth habits, some of which are perennial. These plants develop partially woody rootstocks. The cultivated varieties usually grow as annuals with a fine root system without a rhizome. They reach heights of between 15 and 20 centimeters and usually develop compressed shoot axes. This makes the plants appear cushion-shaped with slightly overhanging shoots.
leaves
The leaves of most cultivated Gazania are arranged in dense rosettes at the base. Few species develop leafy stems. They have a narrow, lanceolate shape and are colored light green on the upper side. The underside of the leaf appears silvery due to the fine hairiness.
Bloom
The splendor of the midday gold flowers is striking. Large basket flowers sit on stems about 15 centimeters long. From a botanical perspective, these structures are inflorescences composed of numerous individual flowers. Many tubular flowers are crowded together in the center. They are surrounded by enlarged ray florets that radiate outward and are strikingly colored. Typical for Gazania are golden yellow flowers whose ray florets are black at the base.
Flowering time
The inflorescences, which are reminiscent of daisies, appear between May and September. They open when exposed to sunlight. In shady locations, the flowers, which are between eight and ten centimeters in size, remain closed.
Usage
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 colors. Gazanias are suitable for edging garden paths. Male faithful, creeping morning glory, marigold or liver balsam prove to be good planting partners. Rudbeckias can also be planted between the midday gold for a colorful accent. The daisy flowers beautify flower boxes and pots with their low height.
Which location is suitable?
Gazanias grow in sunny locations with warm conditions. The more sun they get, the better the flowers will shine. Fully sunny garden beds or front gardens are ideal. Rock gardens and walls ensure similar conditions. Plants grown in pots prefer south-facing balconies or unshaded terraces.
What soil does the plant need?
The midday gold grows on poor soils that have a good structure and are permeable. The pH value is in the neutral to slightly acidic range. Nutrient-rich soils cause the plants to form many leaf rosettes and hardly flower. The Asteraceae prefer moderately dry conditions. They tolerate low levels of moisture. Loamy substrates provide a good base. Mix sand into the substrate and ensure drainage when planting in containers.
The correct planting distance
Gazanias are not planted in the bed until after the Ice Saints at the earliest. Place the summer bloomers in the bed at a distance of 15 to 20 centimeters so that they can develop fully. When planting in groups, there are four to five plants next to each other.
Planting procedure:
- Thoroughly loosen the substrate and improve it with sand or gravel
- Dig a planting hole twice the size of the root ball
- Insert plant balls and fill gaps with excavated soil
- Press and water the substrate
Cuttings
Not all species are recommended for propagation from cuttings, as most plants do not develop leafy stems. If you have Mittagsgold whose shoots form leaves, you can cut off these shoots and take them as cuttings. The shoots should be at least ten centimeters long. Remove the lowest leaves and place the shoots in nutrient-poor growing substrate. Moisten the soil and place the container in a bright and warm place.
As soon as new leaves develop, the pots can be moved outside. A sheltered place is ideal. At night the temperature should not drop below ten degrees Celsius.
Sowing
Seeds can be sown between February and April. These are available commercially or collected directly from the plant. Mix potting soil with sand and fill the substrate into a planting bowl. The seeds are scattered on the substrate and not covered because they need light to germinate. Place the container in a bright location and keep the substrate evenly moist.
So it continues:
- Germination after two weeks
- Prick out young plants with four to six leaves
- Starting in May, put pots outside during the day and bring them in at night
- from the end of May the plants stay outside
Gazania in pot
Gazanias are suitable for planting in containers. Use clay or terracotta planters. In the pot they harmonize with other summer bloomers that are equally sun-hungry and heat-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 or gravel and fill the pot with a mixture of sand and potting soil. After planting, the daisy family should be watered and placed in a full sunny location.
Watering Gazania
The water requirement is relatively low. You should water the plant regularly but sparingly during the growing season. In winter, reduce watering so that the root ball does not dry out completely. The roots of this decorative perennial bloomer cannot tolerate waterlogging. Water at the base of the stem in the morning or during the evening hours. Leaves and flowers should not get any water to prevent diseases from developing.
Fertilize Gazania properly
The plants need few nutrients. When gazanias are given fertilizer, they develop more leaves and stop producing flowers. Therefore, avoid recurring fertilization.
Cut Gazania correctly
Regular pruning is not necessary as the plants naturally grow compactly. If you clean out dead stems, you will stimulate the development of fresh shoots. This is how you can extend the flowering period of Gazania.
After the hibernation period, the daisy plants may become out of shape. Remove shoots that have become too long and become annoying. Old leaves and dried plant parts are removed as part of the cleaning campaign.
hardy
The plants, which come from southern Africa, can tolerate temperatures down to -5 °C. To avoid frostbite, you should move the midday gold to winter quarters before the first frosts. Cool temperatures between five and ten degrees Celsius and bright conditions prevail here.
Water moderately during the rest period so that the roots do not dry out. Specimens planted outdoors should be placed in a pot and overwintered in the same way. Gazania can be put outside again next April. They are slowly getting used to the temperatures. Place the buckets indoors at night. Between mid and end of May the plants remain permanently outdoors.read more
Fungal infestation
If the site conditions are not right or care is carried out incorrectly, infestation by various fungi often occurs.
Gray horse
A substrate that is too wet causes the roots to rot. Gray mold fungal spores settle in these places, penetrating the organism and disrupting growth. If the plant has wilted leaves and flowers, it should be dug up and checked for mold.
Cut off any rotten roots and place the gazania in fresh substrate. You should avoid watering in the next few days so that the plant can recover. Make sure the soil is well aerated. Gray mold spores do not find optimal growth conditions in a permeable substrate.
Mildew
This fungal infection results in a mealy coating on the leaves that can be easily wiped off with your finger. To prevent the spores from spreading further, you should generously remove affected parts of the plant. Spray the entire plant with a mixture of 90 percent water and ten percent milk.
Pests
Gazanias can be attacked by pests both in spring and during the break in winter quarters.
Snails
When the plants develop fresh leaves in spring, gazanias become a popular meal for snails. You can protect the plants with barriers that are insurmountable for snails. Crumbled eggshells or plant collars have proven successful. The aroma of old coffee grounds deters the voracious pests.
Aphids
They are one of 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 sprayed with a hard jet of water. Plant decoctions have a preventative effect, but should not be used too frequently. They also supply the plants with nutrients, so over-fertilization can quickly occur.
Gazania is not blooming
The midday gold is considered a tireless, continuous bloomer. If the plant does not develop flowers, a suboptimal location may be the cause. If the perennials are too dark, they will not develop flower buds. They need a lot of light from spring to autumn.
Excessive leaf development without flower formation indicates too many nutrients in the substrate. While the flowering period of many flowering plants can be extended through fertilization, gazanias react with reduced flower development.
Tip
Gazanias look particularly attractive in old flea market finds. Place the perennial in an old wooden wine box or wooden barrel.
Varieties
- Daybreak Red Stripe: Blooms between May and September with orange-yellow ray flowers that are streaked with dark red. Up to 25 centimeters high.
- Big Kiss Rose: Flowers up to twelve centimeters large 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.
