Blue Eyed Daisy Sowing
Today I will explain the small knowledge about the Compositae plant, the Blue Eyed Daisy, for netizens. Here are the details of Blue Eyed Daisy sowing:
Many flower enthusiasts have shared my Blue Eyed Daisy seeds. Many of those who received the seeds lack experience in caring for Blue Eyed Daisies and may fail to grow them. This article summarizes the process from sowing to flowering of Blue Eyed Daisies. Of course, there are still many shortcomings, after all, I am not a professional breeder.
1. Blue Eyed Daisy Seed Germination:
Previously, many flower enthusiasts have had issues with Blue Eyed Daisy seeds not germinating. The reason is that the freshness and plumpness of the seeds are necessary conditions. Next is "shell removal." Yes, shell removal is needed. The outer shell of Blue Eyed Daisy seeds is hard and thick, which is rare among Compositae plants. This is why some flower enthusiasts still find that their imported seeds costing 3 dollars per piece do not germinate. A few years ago, a friend asked me for Blue Eyed Daisy seeds to plant at home, sowed about 20 seeds, and only one seed germinated after a month. Scary, isn't it?
Due to my friend's complaint, I conducted repeated experiments: soaking in water, (Z-B), shell removal, and paper towel method. In the end, shell removal is the fastest and most effective method for germination. (Z-B) almost never germinates. Temperature is also important, with 20 to 25 degrees being the best, and 18 to 26 degrees will also work, but not ideally.
2. Seedling Management:
Seedlings are easy to grow, thriving in temperatures ranging from 28 to 10 degrees. The most vigorous growth occurs at temperatures between 25 to 18 degrees. After the seedlings emerge, they can be exposed to sunlight through the glass, as Blue Eyed Daisies are phototropic plants (native to South Africa, also known as South African Marigold, you can understand why it is a phototropic plant). Two pairs of true leaves start fertilizing with nitrogen, once a week, gradually increasing the concentration. Seedlings are relatively drought-tolerant and should not be watered unless dry. If you are a balcony dweller or prefer shorter flowers, you should spray dwarfing hormone when the plants reach 8 cm tall. Personally, I don't think topping is necessary. Blue Eyed Daisies have excellent branching, a large number of flowers, especially after using dwarfing hormone. Of course, pest control is essential. Aphids and whiteflies love Blue Eyed Daisies. Use pest control every 20 days to prevent infestations. Prevention is better than cure.
Two months after the seedlings emerge, reduce the use of nitrogen fertilizer, switch to phosphorus fertilizer, and start adding potassium fertilizer at two and a half months. In the later stage, use compound fertilizer mainly composed of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer until the first flower bud is seen. I usually remove the first flower bud.
3. Flowering Management:
From sowing to the first flower bud formation usually takes more than 90 days, and gradually enters the full bloom stage. Water demand increases, and it is not necessary to wait until the soil is completely dry before watering. It is time to water when the surface is dry. This is my method for determining watering. Everyone should water according to their own situation. The flowering period of Blue Eyed Daisies is long, up to 2 months. Flowers sown in September should be brought indoors for the winter, and those sown in March require continuous pest control.
4. Potting:
Many friends have this dilemma: what size pot should be used for final planting? Frankly, if you want a plant with a large area and many flowers, plant it in a large pot. If space is limited, use a small pot. Blue Eyed Daisies, with their good branching, can produce a large cluster of flowers from a single plant. The planting area of my single plant is 20 cm, with full and colorful flowers, larger than the pot itself.
Now you get it, only one plant, so don't greedy and plant 3 or 4 plants in one pot. Taking a 20 cm pot as an example, if you plant 4 plants, each plant will only have an average of 5 cm of growing space. Even for succulents, this space is considered small, let alone the leafy and branched Blue Eyed Daisies. Four plants will compete for space and nutrients, and none will grow well. Therefore, it is necessary to control the seedlings from the beginning, planting only one seed per hole. Five seedlings are enough for a balcony dweller.
The detailed content shared above about Blue Eyed Daisy sowing (from sowing to flowering) is hoped to be helpful to you!