Growing African Daisies - Tips For Growing Osteospermum

Growing African Daisies from Seed African daisies need light to germinate, so you simply need to sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil to plant them. Do not cover them. Once you have them on the soil, place them in a cool, well lit location. Do not use heat to germinate them.

1. Do Osteospermum come back every year?
2. How do I care for my osteospermum plant?
3. How do I get my osteospermum to bloom?
4. Should I pinch out osteospermum?
5. Is osteospermum annual or perennial?
6. Can Osteospermum be grown in pots?
7. When should Osteospermum be pruned?
8. What do you do with Osteospermum in the winter?
9. Should I deadhead my daisies?
10. How far apart do you plant African daisies?
11. What can I plant with osteospermum?
12. What is the common name for osteospermum?
13. Why is my African daisy dying?
14. Do African daisies bloom all summer?
15. Do you deadhead osteospermum?
16. Do African daisy come back every year?
17. Do African daisies attract butterflies?
18. How long does it take African daisies to grow?
19. How long do potted daisies last?

Do Osteospermum come back every year?

Osteospermum are perennial flowers that can survive winter in regions with mild climates. The more they're sheltered and protected from the cold, the higher the chance of keeping them year after year.

How do I care for my osteospermum plant?

Plant Care

1. Position. Osteospermums need a sunny aspect, so always plant in a sunny border. ...
2. Watering. Water regularly to avoid the plants from drying out. ...
3. Feeding. For best results feed your Osteospermums on a weekly basis with a general fertilizer such as phostrogen. ...
4. Dead Heading. ...
5. Pruning. ...
6. Over Wintering.

How do I get my osteospermum to bloom?

Water the plants whenever the soil feels dry. Because osteospermum prefers cool temperatures, plant them in the early spring, being sure to protect them from an unexpected frost. Remove the flowers as they fade to promote additional flushes of bloom.

Should I pinch out osteospermum?

If you decide to pot up, you should pinch out the tips of the cuttings two weeks later to promote a bushy growth. Rooted cuttings may also be pinched out an an early stage. All plants should be hardened off 1-2 weeks before planting out in May (after any threat of frost has past).

Is osteospermum annual or perennial?

A member of the daisy family (Asteraceae), osteospermum is a half-hardy perennial or subshrub most commonly grown as an annual. A relative newcomer to the horticultural industry, African daisies first become available to home gardeners in the 1990s.

Can Osteospermum be grown in pots?

Osteospermums are perfect for growing in pots, offering a long season of pretty flowers for a sunny corner. Here, we've combined osteospermums with ornamental grass and santolina, whose foliage brings out the purple of the flowers.

When should Osteospermum be pruned?

Cut back hardy osteospermums in early spring or after flowering in autumn. All osteospermums need watering regularly – don't allow them to dry out. Feed weekly through the growing season with a general plant food to encourage continuous flowering and dead head as flowers fade.

What do you do with Osteospermum in the winter?

Osteospermum. African daisies can be difficult to overwinter as plants if your soil is heavy. On light soils you can get them through the winter by covering with open-ended cloches. However, on heavy soil you'll be better off overwintering rooted cuttings.

Should I deadhead my daisies?

So yes, deadheading Shasta daisies (and other varieties) is a good idea. Deadheading daisies not only improves their overall appearance but will also inhibit seed production and stimulate new growth, which encourages additional blooms. By deadheading regularly, you can extend the flowering season.

How far apart do you plant African daisies?

Space plants 12 inches apart for good air circulation.

What can I plant with osteospermum?

Ageratum and Petunia. African daisies look best when planted in groups or masses, perhaps framed with cineraria, ageratum or annual verbena. Osteospermum make great flowers for containers.

What is the common name for osteospermum?

The scientific name is derived from the Greek osteon (bone) and Latin spermum (seed). It has been given several common names: African daisy, South African daisy, Cape daisy and blue-eyed daisy.

Why is my African daisy dying?

Wilting and death in African bush daisies is typically caused by nematodes, although there are other, more minor potential causes. Poor growing conditions or insufficient care may also cause wilting, but typically less severe than during a nematode infestation.

Do African daisies bloom all summer?

In its native South Africa, the African daisy bursts into bloom when the spring rains come, although in gardens plants bloom copiously all summer. A tender perennial, it is grown most commonly as an annual. ... The plant needs full sun and will tolerate lots of abuse.

Do you deadhead osteospermum?

Although Osteospermum does not need pruning as such, it always helps. What it does need is deadheading. As soon as flowers wilt, cut them to the level of the set of leaves just below. Thus, flowers will not go to seed and, therefore, blooming will be prolonged.

Do African daisy come back every year?

African daisy is a perennial in the warm climates of USDA plant hardiness zone 9 or 10 and above, depending on the variety. Otherwise, the plant is grown as an annual. ... Like many plants, African daisies can get long and leggy in midsummer. A light trim keeps the plant neat and tidy while encouraging new blooms.

Do African daisies attract butterflies?

Osteospermum (also called African or Cape Daisies) are a big hit with bees and butterflies. They also tolerate cooler, early spring weather, taking a break during the hottest part of summer before giving an encore of blooms in the fall.

How long does it take African daisies to grow?

African Daisy plant grows approximately one foot high. The plant grows quickly. It blooms in just 50 to 60 days. Deadhead spent flowers to produce a continuous bloom into the Fall months.

How long do potted daisies last?

So they usually survive for about only three years as potted houseplants. Provide indoor, potted Gerbera daisies with bright, all-day sunlight in spring, summer and fall. Supply them with at least three to five hours of direct, morning sunlight, and provide them with afternoon shade.