How to plant African daisies
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African daisies, also known as Gerbera, have a rich variety of colors, bright but not gaudy, with elegant and upright flowers and a long blooming period, almost flowering all year round, with the peak blooming periods being April-May and September-October. African daisies are suitable for cut flowers or potted plants and are also suitable for planting in clusters in the courtyard. If potted, it is best to choose dwarf varieties and deep pots for planting. African daisies prefer loose and fertile soil with good drainage and aeration, and the soil can be mixed in a ratio of 5:2:2:1 using decomposed leaf soil, garden soil, compost soil, and sandy soil.
When planting, the root neck should be slightly exposed above the ground, otherwise the young shoots may easily become damp and rot, and the rootstock is also easily invaded by pathogens. Keep the potting soil moist during the seedling stage, and during the flowering period, watering should be controlled to avoid excessive watering that causes the flower stems to grow weak. Watering should be done slowly from the edge of the pot, and be careful not to pour water on the center of the leaf cluster, as this can easily cause the flower buds to rot. If the plant is in the growing stage, apply a thin solution of decomposed cake fertilizer every half month, and during the budding stage, add a 0.5% solution of calcium superphosphate. Water the plant the next day after each fertilization.
In the summer, when the weather is hot, the plant enters a semi-dormant state, at which time watering should be controlled, fertilizing stopped, and the pot moved to a ventilated and cool place to prevent leaf drop. During the maintenance process, it is also necessary to frequently remove the overgrown old leaves, which helps the plant to ventilate and breathe, increases the number of flowers, and maintains a fresh and beautiful plant shape. African daisies are light-loving plants, and they require sufficient sunlight during maintenance, as adequate light makes the stems strong and upright, the leaves bright green, the flowers large and round, and the colors more vibrant.
If the sunlight is insufficient during maintenance, not only will the plant grow weak, but the leaves will also become thin and yellow, and the flower stems will be soft and drooping, the flowers small and pale, affecting blooming. Therefore, it is best to place the plant in a sunny location for maintenance during the spring, summer, and autumn seasons. After the flowers fade, promptly cut off the remaining flower stems to avoid nutrient consumption. African daisies can slightly tolerate cold, and in the northern regions, they can be moved indoors in mid-October, placed in a sunny location, watering controlled, and fertilizing stopped, with the room temperature maintained above 10 degrees Celsius.
Reasons for Root Rot
During the maintenance of African daisies, root rot often occurs due to improper care, and the main reasons for root rot in African daisies are threefold: one is excessive watering during the dormant period, which easily causes root rot, so do not water unless the soil is dry during the dormant period; also, avoid getting wet from rain, as it can easily lead to disease. The second is unsuitable potting soil; if the soil is heavy and poorly drained, it can cause root rot; therefore, it is best to choose fertile, loose, and well-draining sandy soil. The third is planting too deeply during division propagation, which can cause the young seedlings to rot and die; so, when planting, it is best to leave the new shoots exposed above the soil surface.
The above sharing on how to plant African daisies and the related techniques for planting and managing African daisies, I hope it is helpful to you!