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Gatzania … This low, but very beautiful flower has several names. Gazania was named after the Greek scientist Theodoro Gaza. The name “African daisy” and “Midday sun” the flower received in its homeland, in Africa. Indeed, Gatsania opens its petals with the first rays of the sun and closes them with the onset of evening.
Description of the plant
Gazania belongs to the Compositae family. This heat-loving flower was brought to Europe in the XNUMXth century. Considering that Gazania was brought from the continent, where the sun is always hot and bright, then the conditions for this plant must be created appropriate.
Gatsania fully justifies its second name. Her flowers, similar to small suns, will decorate any flower bed and give flower growers a great mood. Often, an African flower is planted for decorative purposes or to create compositions in landscape design.
The height of Gazania does not exceed 30 cm. These parameters depend on the variety and on the conditions for growing Gatsania from seeds: when to plant, what kind of soil the flower likes, how often to water. Therefore, it is very important to approach this process with due responsibility in order to subsequently enjoy the beauty of these extraordinary flowers to the fullest.
Variety of varieties
The inflorescences of Gazania flowers are small, up to 15 cm in diameter. Their size and color depend on the variety. But for the most part, the color scheme of shades is represented by warm tones.
At the moment, several types of African chamomile are known:
- harsh (or it is also called brilliant);
- long-range;
- peacock;
- one-flowered;
- snow white;
- pinnate.
However, thanks to the work of breeders, new, hybridized varieties of Gazania were bred, which have a rich palette of bright flower baskets. Yellow, orange, red, pink – the magnificence and saturation of colors is simply amazing! In total, there are more than 40 varieties of Gatzania flowers in nature.
Despite the fact that African chamomile is considered a garden flower, you can grow Gatzania from seeds at home. Bright, unique flowers will decorate your window sill and cheer you up in winter frosts.
The author of the video will tell you how to grow Gatsania on the windowsill:
You can see some of the most beautiful varieties of Gatzania flowers in the photo:
Dybrek Orange Cream
Kiss Flame F1
sunshine
Frosty Kiss Red
Frosty Kiss White Flame
New Day Pink Shades
Kiss White
Dawn F1 brindle pink
Dawn F1 brindle red
Gatsania Pavlinha
A brief description of each type of Gazania flowers is presented in the form of a table
The name of the type of flowers Gatsania | Plant height, cm | Flower diameter, cm | The color scheme of this type | Characteristics |
long rifle | 15 – 25 | 7 – 8 | bright yellow | Brown petals at the base |
Brilliant | to 30 | 4 – 6 | dark red, sunny yellow, bright orange | The bases of the petals are black or red |
Peacock | to 30 | more than 8-10 | deep pink, yellow, orange | Flowers have narrow petals. The base of the reed-shaped petals is predominantly black. |
White | up to 25-30 | more 10 | reed petals dazzling white, tubular – yellow-brown | May bloom in low light. Flowers close their heads only at dusk. |
Single flowered | to 15 | 5 – 7 | pale yellow | The most compact flowers. It can be classified as curb. |
The first flowers bloom on the bushes in mid-June, and Gazania blooms until late autumn.
Growing conditions
Gatsania flower, as a representative of the African flora, is a light-loving and heat-loving plant. It is unpretentious in care and calmly tolerates such phenomena as drying out of the soil, lack of watering or short-term, slight frosts. Therefore, when growing Gatsania from seeds at home, there are no particular difficulties.
Having a core structure of the root system, the plant is able to absorb life-giving moisture from the lower layers of the soil. And the villi on the underside of the leaf allow you to save it during a drought.
In South Africa and Mozambique, the Gatzania flower is a perennial. But winter frosts do not allow growing Gazania all year round, and therefore the plant is considered an annual.
But flower growers have found a way out and transplant Gatsania into deep boxes in the fall, store it in a warm room at a temperature not lower than + 5 ° C + 10 ° C, and plant it again in a flower bed in the spring.
You can avoid unnecessary trouble and grow the Gatsania flower immediately in large pots or flowerpots, and with the onset of autumn, simply transfer the containers to the house. In the spring, without making any special efforts, you can again admire the unique colorful flowers.
The author of the video will tell you how you can save Gatsania until spring:
Methods of reproduction
Despite the fact that Gazania is a perennial, in Our Country it is mainly grown as an annual. Gatsania can be grown from seed or propagated from cuttings.
Seed collection
Seeds for growing Gatsania flowers at home can be purchased from online stores, or you can prepare them yourself. But not in all regions, seed pods have time to ripen due to early autumn.
Flower seeds ripen 1,5-2 months after the flower baskets have faded. The peculiarity of Gatzania seeds is that they are very similar to dandelion seeds, and as soon as they ripen, they can be blown away by the first gusts of wind.
Therefore, as soon as the Gazanias bloom, put thin cotton or gauze bags over the withered flowers. That way, when the seeds mature, you can harvest them.
Cutting
Propagating Gazania flowers using rosette cuttings will help you maintain the varietal characteristics of the plant. Unlike growing Gatzania from seeds at home, in this case you will save the precious time it takes for the plant to form and grow the root system.
You can combine the breeding process with autumn work in the garden. It is necessary to dig up the roots for long-term storage in late September – early October.
You need to dig out Gatsania with a pitchfork so as not to damage the root system. Examine the plant and roots carefully. Only healthy, powerful shoots are suitable for vegetative propagation. There should be a slight bulge at the base of the outlet.
Carefully remove the bottom two sheets, separate healthy rosettes with clean scissors or a knife. Treat all sections with Kornevin’s solution to stimulate active root growth. Plant the separated cuttings of Gatzania flowers in pots with a diameter of at least 10-12 cm. Water the flowers.
Place containers with Gazania in a warm, bright place. But keep in mind that direct sunlight should not fall on landings. It will take at least 1-1,5 months to root Gatsania. So be patient. Plants should be watered as the soil dries out.
Gazania can be planted in a flower bed in the spring, in mid-late May.
The author of the video will tell you how to grow Gatsania without crops, as well as how to properly propagate a flower by cuttings:
Agrotechnics of cultivation
Growing Gatsania from seeds at home is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. The main thing is to observe the planting dates and recommendations for caring for plants.
Terms of planting
Considering that Gatsania is gaining color 2,5-3,5 months after the appearance of the first green sprouts, then you need to prepare for planting seeds in advance. Therefore, when determining the timing when it is time to plant Gatsania for seedlings, you need to focus on the climatic conditions of the region.
It is undesirable to grow Gazania in a seedless way, as the plant simply does not have time to grow and please you with a variety of bright colors. Moreover, young sprouts are not resistant to low temperatures. Grown in the open field, during the spring return frosts, Gazania may not bloom, or even freeze out altogether.
At the same time, it is not necessary to plant Gatsania seeds for seedlings too early, or later than the recommended dates.
Early planting will require additional hassle in the form of daily illumination with phytolamps or fluorescent lamps. With a belated planting of seeds, Gatsania may not bloom at all.
For residents of the southern regions, the optimal time for sowing Gatsania for seedlings occurs in mid-late February. But in the Central zone of Our Country and Siberia, seeds can only be sown in early to mid-March.
Preparing for planting
Before you grow seedlings of Gatzania from seeds, you need to prepare suitable containers and soil. Seedlings can be grown both in shallow dishes with subsequent picking, and in bulk containers. It is important to remember that the root of Gatsania is pivotal. This means that the planting containers must be spacious so that the root does not bend, but grows straight.
The soil for growing Gatzania from seeds at home should be loose and fertile, with acidity in the range of 5,5-6 Ph. You can also use ready-made soil for this purpose, balanced in terms of the composition of mineral and nutrients.
Before planting, do not forget to lay a drainage layer on the bottom of the planting containers to drain excess water.
Sowing technology
Before planting, the seeds of Gatzania flowers do not need pre-treatment. But if you wish, you can soak them in water or a growth stimulant for several hours.
The algorithm of actions when planting Gatsania for seedlings will look like this:
- pour soil into prepared containers by 2/3 of the total volume;
- carefully spread the seeds of Gatzania in a checkerboard pattern at a distance of 2-2,5 cm from each other;
- pour soil on top with a height of not more than 1 cm;
- water the plantings, cover with transparent polyethylene, and place in partial shade.
And now, until the first green sprouts appear 2-3 times a week, open the plantings for aeration and promptly remove excess moisture that accumulates in the form of condensate on polyethylene.
Gatsania should be watered no more than 2-3 times a week. Do not overmoisten the soil, otherwise the seeds may rot. But it is also not worth allowing drying out, otherwise it will be difficult for the weak shoots of Gatsania to break through the dry crust of the earth. Keep the soil moist.
When growing Gatzania from seeds, create the right microclimate for the flowers. The optimum air temperature in the room with seedlings should not be lower than + 18˚С + 20˚С. Do not create drafts and avoid direct sunlight on boxes with future flowers.
Gatsania flower seeds germinate in 1,5-2 weeks. Further care for seedlings is regular watering.
The author of the video will share with you the secrets of growing Gatsania from seeds:
Picks
You can start picking Gatzania in the phase of the appearance of 3-4 leaves. It is best to dive seedlings into separate containers in order to avoid injury to the root system of each seedling during subsequent transplantation.
When planting seedlings of Gatzania, follow these recommendations:
- Prepared containers (plastic, peat glasses, cut bottles, flower pots, boxes, flowerpots) fill 2/3 with earth. Flowerpots or boxes need to be filled with soil by 3/4.
- Make small holes 10-15 cm deep, pour well with warm water.
- With a spoon or spatula, carefully remove the sprout along with a clod of earth, being careful not to damage the roots, and transfer to the prepared planting holes.
- Level the hole and compact the soil a little around the plant.
Put the dived flowers of Gatzania in partial shade. It is undesirable that direct sunlight falls on it for 1,5-2 weeks. After this period, you can rearrange the plants to a brighter place.
Before transplanting Gatzania into open ground, you will have to take standard procedures for caring for seedlings: watering and gently loosening the topsoil. Gatsania will not require more from you.
The author of the video will show you how to dive seedlings of Gatsania correctly:
Transplantation in open ground
Gatsania can be transplanted into open ground no earlier than mid-May. Adult flowers are not afraid of lowering the temperature to -5˚С -7˚С, however, young bushes will invariably die under these conditions, since they do not have sufficient resistance to spring frosts. Therefore, it is not worth rushing with a transplant.
Hardening
Delicate seedlings of Gatzania flowers must be hardened before transplanting to a flower bed or flower garden. Hardening begins 2-3 weeks before transplantation with daily airing of the room in which there are boxes with seedlings.
After a few days, the seedlings should be taken out for a short while, provided that the weather is good. The first hardening procedure – no more than 20-30 minutes. Gradually, the time of the “walk” should be increased.
Only after the plants get stronger, they can be transplanted to a permanent place.
Choosing the right place
Gatzania is the flower of the sun. Therefore, a sunny area with loose and fertile soil will be a suitable place for growing African chamomile.
It is undesirable to plant Gazania in a windy place.
The area intended for flowers must be carefully dug up and, if necessary, fertilized.
On the site prepared for Gatsania flowers, make holes 15-20 cm deep at a distance of 20-25 cm from each other. Transplantation of seedlings is carried out in several stages:
- Water the seedlings at least a day or two before transplanting. Do not over-moisten the soil. Yes, and start transplanting, if the soil is dry, is also not worth it. In both cases, you risk causing irreparable harm to plants.
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- You need to get the seedlings out of the container along with the ground, so as not to damage the roots.
- Place Gatsania in the planting hole, gradually filling the voids with soil.
- Firm the soil at the base of the flower and water well.
As you can see, special skills and abilities are not required when growing Gatsania flowers. And when in a few weeks these bright, unusual and beautiful flowers bloom in your flower garden, you will get real pleasure.
Further Care
Gatzania is unpretentious, and further flower care will consist in observing the usual activities familiar to every grower:
- weeding;
- loosening;
- top dressing;
- watering.
If there is a threat of frost, cover the plantings with lutrasil or plastic wrap. Gatsania flowers need to be fed no more than 1-2 times a month.
For abundant flowering, it is recommended to remove wilted inflorescences once every 2 weeks.
If desired, you can mulch the flower garden to avoid unnecessary trouble with weeding and frequent watering. You need to water the flower beds as the top layer of the soil dries up.
What problems may arise
When growing Gatzania, problems may arise, the causes and methods of dealing with which are indicated in the table.
Problem encountered | Probable cause | Possibility of elimination |
No seedlings | 1. Failure to comply with the rules of agricultural technology when planting and growing 2. Seed expiration date | Follow the recommendations for growing and caring for flowers. |
Weak sprouts | 1. Non-compliance with recommendations regarding the microclimate in the room 2. Poor lighting | 1. Create favorable conditions for the growth of seedlings 2. If there is a lack of sunlight, provide additional lighting for plantings for 2 hours in the morning and evening |
Diseases (gray rot and other fungal diseases) | 1. Soil waterlogging 2. Insufficient aeration 3. Thickened fit | 1. Regulate watering 2. Weed the flower garden in a timely manner and remove wilted buds 3. Loosen the soil regularly 4. Remove affected areas of plants 5. Treat flower beds with antifungals |
Pests: aphids, snails, spider mites | 1. Pereuvlažnenie 2. Lack of lighting 3. Thickened fit
| 1. Stop watering for a while 2. Provide free access to fresh air for plants. If the plantings are thickened, it is worth thinning out the flower bed. 3. Collect snails by hand 4. Treat your flower garden with pest control |
No buds or poor flowering | 1. Violation of the rules of care 2. Late transplant in open ground 3. Excessive waterlogging of the soil 4. Flowers grow in the shade | Follow the recommendations for growing and caring for flowers. |
In general, Gatzania flowers are highly resistant to common diseases and most pests. As can be seen from the data presented in the table, most problems arise when the recommendations of experienced flower growers are not followed.
To avoid difficulties and fully enjoy the beauty and grace of flowers, follow the rules for the care and cultivation of Gatzania.
Conclusion
As you have probably seen, growing Gatsania from seeds at home is not such a difficult process. And when the Gazanias bloom, a truly enchanting sight awaits you. At first, the first flowers appear in the flower bed, but as they develop, more and more inflorescences bloom on the bushes, painting the flower garden with bright, unique colors.