Can osteospermum be grown as a houseplant?

Osteospermum is a beautiful perennial flower that came to us from South Africa and is successfully cultivated in the open field of our latitudes. He belongs to the Astrov family. The genus includes over 60 species.

General information

The bushes of the plant are branched, a large number of flower baskets resembling chamomile are formed on them, due to this osteospermum is called "Cape chamomile". The flower stems are high - up to 30 cm. The inflorescences reach 5 cm, but varieties have already been bred, the flowers of which grow up to 9 cm, and the stems up to 75 cm. It is almost impossible to find them here, they are grown only in Europe.

The color of the inflorescences is white, pink, orange and purple. The center of the flower is mostly blue, but in some varieties it is orange, white, deep pink. The leaves are bright green, dense. The flower is unpretentious and blooms almost all summer.

It happens that the plant is confused with dimorphoteka, since these flowers are relatives. It often happens that dimorphoteka is sold not under its own name, but as a relative. The difference between these flowers is that osteospermum is perennial, while dimorphoteka is an annual plant.

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Varieties and types

One of the most popular varieties is osteospermum eklona... It grows widely and has a very massive stem. Loves a temperate climate, dislikes cold. Many hybrids were created from it with different colors and shapes of petals - Buttermill, Congo, Zulu, Volta, Silver sparkler and others.

Osteospermum ampelous Is a variety whose flowers have a large bush with many flowers. It blooms best in the sun and is very thermophilic. To preserve the flower as a perennial in cold winter conditions, it must be placed in a cool place with good lighting and rarely watered.

Osteospermum cool - this variety is resistant to cold weather, and therefore continues to bloom until frost. He is also not afraid of heat and wind. But, unfortunately, this flower is annual. Apparently he was taken out with the help of dimorphoteka.

Osteospermum mix - mainly grown as an annual due to climatic conditions, but it is a perennial. He loves the sun, but also grows well in the shade. Withstands both cold and heat. If you want the flower to be perennial, then for the winter keep it in a cool room, light with little watering.

Osteospermum Passion - an annual low-growing flower, which is mainly kept indoors, but can also be planted in the garden. This is also an annual Dimorphoteka variety.

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Osteospermum cultivation and care

Some of the features of different varieties were mentioned above, now let's talk about leaving, in general. A loosened area well-lit by the sun is suitable for planting it. In the shade, the plant will also grow, but flowering will be negligible.

It is advisable to fertilize the land with humus, sand and sod land. The same amount of all components. Regarding the temperature, as already mentioned, this flower tolerates heat and cold well, but not excessive.

If you're growing a potted plant, water it regularly, but don't overdo it. It's great if you can fertilize the flower weekly.If this condition is met, its flowering will not be long in coming.

Pinching the osteospermum is necessary to make the bush thicker. This procedure must be done at least a couple of times. And another important point is the removal of withered and dried inflorescences.

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Osteospermum growing from seeds at home

If the varietal characteristics of the flower are not important to you, then you can use the method of growing from seeds, as it is simpler. The seeds of osteospermum are large and due to this, you can skip the picking stage, and immediately plant in separate containers (so the plants will not suffer from transplantation).

Sowing is carried out in March. For planting, turf, sand and humus or peat tablets are taken. It is better to plant seeds no deeper than 5 mm, so they will sprout faster. Keep the pots indoors at a temperature of about 20 ° C, when sprouts appear, then slightly lower it.

After a couple of real leaves appear, deepen the stem a little and pinch the top. In May, you need to start accustoming the osteospermum seedlings to the coolness - take the flower out to the balcony or into the garden for fresh air.

Landing in open ground is carried out at the end of May. Plant osteospermum at a decent distance from each other, at least 20 cm, as the bushes will grow a lot. After planting a flower, water it in the morning and evening for several days.

In the fall, you need to transplant the plant into a pot and bring it into the house. Keep it moderately cool. To collect the seeds, inspect the outer petals (tongues) - they form on them, not inside the basket.

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Osteospermum propagation by cuttings

Osteopermum can be preserved at home in winter, and in spring it can be propagated by cuttings.

Cut off the tops with a sharp knife and plant them in damp soil or moss with hydrogel. Place the cuttings in a warm, well-lit area, creating a greenhouse-like environment. A little more than a week will pass, and you will understand which of them have taken root.

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Diseases and pests

There is absolutely no need to worry about diseases and pests. This plant is practically immune to them and cases of diseases are extremely rare.

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Osteospermum is an annual garden flower belonging to the Aster family. The plant is only gaining popularity among gardeners, mainly due to the similarity of osteospermum with daisies, asters, and also chamomiles. The homeland of the flower is African countries, because of this, the plant is popularly known as African chamomile. At the beginning of summer, you can see the first buds on the plant, the flowering of which continues until the autumn frosts. More details about growing osteospermum from seeds will be discussed in this article.

Osteospermum - growing from seeds at home

Plant features

There are other names for this wonderful flower - Cape daisy or Cape daisy. Osteospermum is often confused with chamomile due to its appearance (we are talking about the shape of the petals and flowers). Despite the hot homeland of the plant, it is now grown almost everywhere. The list of exceptions should include only the northern regions with a cold climate.

Osteospermum is a plant that blooms for a long time and is popular in the design of many places.

A lush osteospermum bush with a large number of leaves is decorated with delicate and beautiful flowers that begin to bloom from the first half of June. The diameter of the flower rarely exceeds 5 cm. This is a chamomile-like inflorescence, the ligulate flowers of which can have a different color, depending on the type of plant or its variety. These flowers take part in the formation of seeds. The color of the central tubular flowers can range from bright blue to dark blue, but they themselves are sterile.

On a note! The leaves of osteospermum, which have a bright green color, are distinguished by their specific smell, which may not please everyone.In addition, if the crop is damaged, this unpleasant odor increases.

Osteospermum - propagation by cuttings

Popular hybrids and varieties

To begin with, it is worth deciding on the type of plant, because there are more than 70 different plant varieties, among which there are both annual and perennial crops. Of course, most of them are wild plants, so it is worth choosing a suitable variety before planting osteospermum seeds.

Osteospermum

Osteospermum - photo

The most popular types of breeders include "Eklonis" and "Eklona", which were taken as a basis for breeding a large number of plant hybrids, including the following.

Osteospermum "Eklona"

1. Zulu... A popular hybrid used to decorate home gardens. It differs from its counterparts in bright yellow flowers, which make the plant very similar to calendula.
2. "Bamba"... Some gardeners jokingly call it a chameleon flower, because the plant gradually changes its color from white to purple. Great for balcony cultivation.
3. "Sky and Ice"... An unusually beautiful plant that can overshadow the flowers growing nearby with its beauty. Based on the name, it is easy to guess that the flowers are painted in two colors - blue and white. The central part of the flower is blue and the petals are white.
4. Volta... Another hybrid of osteospermum, which changes its color during development. In this case, the petals of the plant, which were originally pink with a lilac tint, gradually turn white.
5. "Buttermilk"... A very common hybrid of a plant on the territory of Russia, which differs from other plants in unpretentiousness. The petals are colored bright yellow, but over time it changes to white, which is typical for some types of osteospermum.

Hybrid variety Osteospermum Pink Whirls

Osteospermum barberiae

Hybrid variety Tradewinds Deep Purple

There are also other hybrids of this plant - for example, "Osteospermum pleasant", which is also able to change its color. But the main difference between this hybrid is that its petals can be wrapped in a tube. The disadvantages of this species and hybrids based on it include weak resistance to low temperatures.

A bright accent in the flower garden - osteospermum

Pay attention when choosing a suitable option for growing is worth such varieties.

1. "Buttermilk"... An unusual variety, a distinctive feature of which, in comparison with other species, is its height - up to 50 cm. The flowers are painted in a pale yellow color, although the lower part of them acquires a bronze tint over time.
2. "Lady Leitrim"... A very beautiful plant, the petals of which are painted in a light lilac color. Its appearance resembles a chamomile, but color differences give it away. The central part of the inflorescence is yellow with a black dot in the middle.

Shrub osteospermum (Osteospermum fruticosum)

Hybrid cultivar Flower Power Spider Purple

Growing from seeds

When choosing a method for growing osteospermum, they usually give preference to seed, because the plant develops quickly and does not require special care. This is a unique method for this plant, but if you are looking for varietal qualities, then growing by seeds is not the best choice. This is due to the fact that the seeds do not convey all the parental qualities, therefore, as a result, the plant may turn out to be a little different - for example, the shape of the inflorescences will be different, as well as the color. But in other cases, growing by seed is considered the most suitable method.

Growing osteospermum

First you need to take care of the preparation of the soil mixture, seed and container. Only then can you start sowing.

Soil preparation

To grow osteospermum, you need to prepare fertile soil, which can be purchased at the store.Despite this, experienced gardeners prefer to use their own prepared potting mix, because they do not trust store products. For cooking, you need to mix sand, humus, turf and leafy soil in equal proportions. For disinfection, it is recommended to hold the soil mixture in a steam bath or in an oven for 10-15 minutes. This will kill all harmful germs. Then you can proceed to the next step.

Universal soil for vegetables and flowers

Peat tablets are another possible option

Seed preparation

Only dry seeds should be used for sowing. Otherwise, the plant may not develop properly. If, when planting some crops, it is necessary to soak, then in the case of Cape chamomile, this is not recommended, because wet seeds in the soil can rot. The maximum that can be done with the seeds is to cover them with a damp cloth for 20 minutes before sowing.

Osteospermum seeds

On a note! In order for the planted osteospermum seeds to germinate quickly, their shell can be slightly damaged by slightly breaking or biting.

Choice of capacity

You also need to take care of a suitable container for future seedlings. In the case of osteospermum, it is advisable to use individual containers. This is due to the high sensitivity of the root system, which responds negatively to flower transplantation. If you are the owner of a large nursery, then over time, a pick will be required, which must be started after the appearance of several (2-3) leaves.

Plastic Seedling Pots

If possible, it is better to use peat pots for sowing, although you can also use small plastic containers, which must be disinfected with boiling water before sowing. This procedure will protect the flower from fungus, which will ensure rapid and active growth.

Seedling cassette

Sowing

Having decided on the variety and having prepared everything you need, you can start sowing. This process is not difficult if you follow the step-by-step instructions below.

Table. Instructions for sowing osteospermum seeds.

Step one	Fill containers with potting soil or place peat tablets in them (depending on what you choose to grow the plants in). In this case, a cassette container with peat tablets is used.
Step two	Using a marker, felt-tip pen, or other object of appropriate thickness, poke small holes in each tablet for seeds, approximately 1-1.5 cm deep.
Step three	Gently pour the contents of the bag of seeds onto a plate and distribute them among the containers. This can be done with tweezers or with your hands. Since the seeds are large enough, special tools can be dispensed with.
Step four	After planting the seeds in the holes made, treat each peat tablet with a growth stimulant. You can also fill the holes with sand, but often gardeners do not do this - they sprinkle the formed stalks with potting soil from the store or vermiculite.
Step five	Cover the container with a plastic lid or plastic to create a greenhouse environment. The container should then be transferred to a windowsill for seed germination.

Planting seedlings

To obtain a bright and long-lasting flowering, seedlings need to be planted in a sunny place of the site, since hot Africa is still the homeland of this plant. A light partial shade may also work, although in this case the plants will stretch strongly and, as a result, not such a compact bush will grow as originally planned. Make sure that the soil on the site is sufficiently nutritious and loose, but do not overdo it when fertilizing - the plant does not like this, as well as excess moisture.

Seedlings of osteospermum

On a note! You need to start planting seedlings only after the threat of night frosts has passed.In theory, osteospermum can withstand quite low temperatures (down to -5 ° C), but risking is undesirable, because you can lose plants.

After waiting for a suitable warm day, prepare the holes for seedlings, and then move the seedlings into them along with the earthen clod. Then gently compact the soil and water the plant with warm water. When transplanting, try not to damage the measles system. The optimal distance between seedlings is 35-40 cm.

Osteospermum in a flower garden

Follow-up care

Osteospermum in care is quite demanding. This must be taken into account even before you plant plants on your site. In addition, to ensure flowering throughout the season, you need to devote your time to the plant daily. First of all, it is necessary to remove faded African chamomile inflorescences. Also remember that after blooming, the flower lives for only 4-6 days, and then immediately fades. After you cut the inflorescences, new buds grow in their place. This continues throughout the season.

Osteospermum flower

On a note! To obtain not only lush and long flowering, but also beautiful bushes, you need to pinch the shoots at an early stage of development. As they dry, the leaves should also be carefully removed.

When watering, you need to be extremely careful, since excess moisture can negatively affect the plant. Water about 4 times a month - this will be enough, and in case of heavy rains, you do not need to water the flower at all.

The wrong watering regime is the main cause of osteospermum diseases

Feeding is even easier. For normal growth, it is necessary to feed the plant no more than 2 times a month. Moreover, for this it is desirable to use only mineral fertilizers. If you use organic matter, then you need to add it to the soil once a month, not more often, because an excess of fertilizer can destroy the plant.

Apply complex fertilizers regularly, and the abundance of flowering of the plant is guaranteed to you

If we talk about diseases, then gardeners can be calm here, because osteospermum is considered very resistant to various pests and diseases. The main thing is to monitor the moisture content of the soil, regularly feed the plant, remove dried leaves and faded inflorescences. If fungal diseases appear, use a store-bought antifungal agent.

Osteospermum needs constant care

Video - Tips for growing osteospermum from seed

The duration of flowering of osteospermum makes it in demand not only in the design of flower beds and flower beds. Compact multi-colored bushes are ideal for decorating balconies, small gardens at the entrances, for hanging planters and even for indoor landscaping. He came to us from African countries, having long become very popular in European countries. Growing and caring for osteopermum is not difficult, and flowering continues from June until the very frost.

Osteospermum types

Before you start growing osteospermum, you should decide on its varieties. After all, some of them grow up to a meter in height, which may not be suitable for a certain place of their landing.

The most common type is the Eklona or Cape daisy. Very neat, compact plant, stem height from 30 to 100 cm, depending on the variety. This southern perennial is afraid of winter frosts, therefore in the middle lane it is grown as an annual. Some growers manage to dig up the plant before frost, store it in a cool room with moderate watering, in order to plant it on a flower bed in spring. The plant tolerates such a procedure well, quickly recovers after transferring to open ground and already from June begins to delight with beautiful chamomile-like flowers.

The most popular varieties of osteospermum (photo):

• With white petals - "Sky and Ice", "Silver Sparkler";
• Yellow flowers - "Zulu", "Buttermilk";
• Multicolor - lilac-pink "Volta", purple-pink "Congo", lemon "Cream Symphony" with a purple stripe;
• Series with embossed petals, which include the varieties "Pink Lace", "Dwarf Salmon";
• Low-growing varieties suitable for growing in flowerpots and pots, decorating balconies and windows, from the Pass series grow up to 30 cm, have all shades of pink with a deep blue center;
• Differing in a large color range of varieties Sunny, Cap Daisy, growing up to half a meter.

Today, breeders have brought out a new type of flowers, osteospermum pleasant (photo), a distinctive feature of which is the change in the color of the petals from white to purple as the flower blooms. The back of the petals is always darker than the top. The flowering period of each flower is 10-15 days, after which its color gradually becomes lighter and it withers. It is more difficult to grow than Cape daisy due to some breeding characteristics. These include the varieties "Buttermilk", "Bengal fire", "Lady Leitrim". They are evergreens that can withstand winter in warm regions under cover.

Sometimes low-growing varieties of osteospermum are confused with dimorphoteka. They are very similar in appearance, bloom until frost, love the sun and warmth. But osteospermum is perennial; in cold winters, the flowerpot with it can be removed indoors and in the spring the plant can be transplanted into open ground, and dimorphoteka is an annual plant and cannot be stored in winter.

Reproduction

Osteospermum propagates by cuttings or seeds.

Cuttings

This method can be used only when you need to grow a specific variety that you really like, or you have a desire to start breeding. After all, osteospermum grown from seeds may not completely copy the external characteristics of the mother.

The selection of cuttings should be carried out in January-February, carefully cutting off the tops of the mother plant. These sprouts should be kept in water for at least a month before root formation. The room temperature most suitable for rooting is +20 degrees Celsius. The soil for planting sprouts should be loose, consist of equal parts of humus, sand and soil in which they will grow in summer, watering moderately.

Sowing seeds

Growing osteospermum from seeds is a very simple and rather productive way to get young plants. The seeds of osteospermum are rather large and have good germination. To get the first bloom in June, you should sow in March. The root system of the plant is very sensitive to transplants, therefore it is better to place the seeds in peat tablets or in several pieces in separate cups, which does not require picking.

Bury the seeds in the moistened soil by half a centimeter, sprinkle on top with a thin layer of earth. Cover the container with seedlings with glass or foil, put in a warm, well-lit place. Can be placed on the windowsill, removing from it with each airing. At a temperature of 18-20 degrees and moderate watering, the first shoots will appear in 7-8 days.

Despite the fact that the plant is quite cold-resistant, its seedlings must be hardened in the open air immediately after the appearance of the first leaves, increasing the duration of air baths every day. You can open the window for a few minutes every day, making sure that there is no strong draft.

Planting plants grown from cuttings or seeds in open ground should be carried out in the second half of May, when the threat of night frosts disappears. For planting, you need to choose a well-lit, warm place. The distance between the bushes depends on the variety and the intended branching, but not less than 30 cm. By the middle of June, the first flowers will appear on the seedlings. Osteospermum can be sown directly into open ground in early May. But in this case, it will bloom much later than the seedlings.

Features of growing and caring for osteospermum

To grow osteospermum, you need to find a sunny place with loose, fertile soil. In shade or partial shade, its gorgeous flowers may not open. Groundwater should not be located too close to the surface, otherwise the root system of the plant will quickly rot, leading to death.

See also: When to plant godetia seedlings

Rooted osteospermum will easily tolerate high temperatures and short-term lack of watering, and will feel quite comfortable at temperatures down to -5. It is enough only to periodically feed it during budding and flowering, and sometimes water it in a particularly dry summer. Faded inflorescences do not leave the stems for a long time, therefore, to maintain decorativeness, they must be removed by hand.

For continuous and abundant flowering under osteospermum, fertilizers should be applied weekly, alternating mineral with organic matter. Periodically rapidly growing bushes, especially in tall varieties, should be pinched in order to provoke their additional branching. At very high summer temperatures, the plant can "hibernate", stopping flowering and laying new buds. In August, when the heat subsides a little, it makes up for lost time, actively forming buds.

Osteospermum brought into the house for the winter period needs a rest period. And no matter how great the temptation may be to extend the summer on the windowsill, it is necessary to create the proper conditions for hibernation from December to March. The pot with the plant should be placed in a cool but not cold room, isolated from light, limiting watering to a minimum. The most suitable temperature is + 15-17 degrees.

Pests and diseases

Osteospermum is not susceptible to disease, resistant to pest attacks. But by planting it in partial shade or regularly exposing it to overflows, you can provoke a weakening of immunity, which will lead to wilting and deformation of the growth from the attack of aphids.

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Osteospermum is a delicate flower that looks like a chamomile. Other common names include Cape Daisy and African Chamomile. The plant belongs to the Astrov family. The flower was brought to Europe from Africa.

It has a long flowering time, ease of cultivation and maintenance. The presence of high decorative qualities is characteristic. It is widely used to decorate terraces, balconies and loggias. Found in many flower beds and flower beds.

Description of the external characteristics of the flower

The plant has the shape of a branchy bush with dense foliage. There are a large variety of basket flowers on rigid, straight stems. In height, it can reach up to 25-30 cm, some species - up to 80 cm. On average, the diameter of the inflorescence of osteospermum flowers is about 5 cm, in some varieties - 8-9 cm.

Flowering begins in June and lasts until the first frost in September. Osteospermum is unpretentious, easy to grow at home. In the center of the inflorescences are tubular sterile flowers, along the edges - ligulate. The buds bloom only in sunny weather, protecting the pollen during rain from moisture. The flower pleases with bright colors for about 5 days, and then fades, new baskets appear in its place.Among the common colors, the dominant palette ranges from dark purple to bright orange, pink and white. There are blue and purple species... The middle may have a blue color interspersed with orange-red dots.

Bright green succulent leaves have a dense structure. They have a characteristic unpleasant odor, which only intensifies when the protective shell is damaged.

Main plant varieties

There are about 70 species of one- and perennial osteospermum. Among the most popular and common species among breeders are Eclona or Eclonis. The plant has a massive, branched stem and jagged leaves along the edges.... It is thermophilic, does not tolerate the onset of cold weather.

On its basis, a considerable number of hybrid varieties were bred. Among them are:

• Silver Sparkler... Inflorescences are pure white, green leaves with white spots;

Silver Sparkler

• "Sky and Ice"... The color of the petals is white with a characteristic blue edging;
• "Buttermilk"... Pale yellow flowers;

"Buttermilk"

• "Bamba"... White flowers turn purple over time;
• Volta... Young inflorescences of a lilac-pink hue become white with development;

Volta

• Congo... Differs in rich pink-purple flowers;
• "Cream Symphony"... Lemon petals with a narrow purple stripe at the base;

"Cream Symphony"

• Zulu... The color of the inflorescences is light yellow.

Among breeders, undersized plant varieties are in special demand. Their compact size allows you to grow flowers in small decorative containers.

Especially popular are "Salmon", "Peshn", "Gnome", "Pink Lace" and "Akila". Early flowering species "Sunny", "Springstar" and "Cap Daisy" with various rich colors are able to delight with lush flowering immediately with the onset of warmth.

In addition to Eclona, ​​pleasant osteospermum is often used. The variety is weakly resistant. The petals can have different colors on both sides. Among its hybrids:

• "Buttermilk"... Differs in pale yellow flowers, bronze underneath. Grows up to 45 cm;

"Buttermilk"

• "Sparkler"... It has white flowers on top and blue flowers on the back. It reaches a height of no more than 25-30 cm. Leaves are light green, bordered with a golden cream strip;
• "Lady Leitrim"... White inflorescences with special pink markings. It grows no more than 30 cm.

"Lady Leitrim"

The tints of the colors in the view can range from white to magenta... They are used to decorate lawns, many flower beds and flower beds.

Reproduction methods

The plant is unpretentious, but has its own characteristics of cultivation and reproduction. It loves fertile, loose soil. Grows well in sunny open areas. Dilution of osteospermum is carried out in two ways: by sowing seeds and cuttings. The first option is lighter and gives a good result, the second one allows you to preserve the characteristics of the variety. But when to plant marigolds on seedlings, this article will help you figure it out.

Germinating seedlings from seeds

Flowers do not require any special care. To obtain seedlings, it is necessary to soak the seeds in warm water or a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 20-30 minutes. This will increase the germination of young shoots in the future. The processed seeds are then placed in a prepared container with a mixture of river sand, turf and part of humus.

For effective germination, it is enough to deepen the planting material into the soil by no more than 0.5-1.5 cm. The container is not covered with a film, but simply moved to a warm, bright place. In apartments and houses, this can be an ordinary window sill. It is important to monitor the constant moisture content of the substrate. Water the seeds every 2-3 days with settled warm water.

Seedling preparation begins in mid-March, by April it fully germinates... Plant picking is performed after 3-4 leaves are formed on young stems.

Shoots are planted in separate cups. This approach further facilitates the process of transplanting plants into open ground. If the flower will be grown on the balcony, you can immediately place it in a pot of the right size.

A comfortable temperature for the growth and active development of seedlings is 10-15 degrees. Planting in open soil is carried out in early May. By the end of the month, with strict adherence to the timing of germination, young shoots will bloom. In 2-3 months, the plant turns into a profusely flowering bush. In the fall, it can be divided into several branches, forming new plants. For the winter, osteospermum must be dug up and transferred to the house. And how pansy flowers are grown, you can read in the article.

Germination of osteospermum seeds

Breeding by cuttings

For propagation by cuttings, they must be prepared in advance in January-February. For cutting, use a clerical knife with a sharp blade. Planting material is obtained from the upper part of the plant, cutting it off by 5-7 cm. The lower leaves are cut off. For the appearance of root processes, the cuttings are placed in water and left in it for about a month.

After they are placed in pots with prepared soil from earth, sand and humus. Cuttings are planted in open ground in mid-May, after the soil has completely warmed up. There should be about 20-30 cm between the seedlings. Rooting takes place at a temperature of at least 20 degrees.

The landing site can be either sunny or slightly shaded.

Plant care

Proper care can ensure abundant and long-lasting flowering of the plant. It is worth preparing the soil in advance for growing in containers. For this, a mixture of sand, turf and earth is used. Osteospermum tolerates bad weather and temperature fluctuations well, does not tolerate frost. It is wind resistant.

Often, the plant is combined with other flowers, more hardy and taller. It gets along well with peonies, tulips, daffodils, irises and roses.

Immediately after planting, he needs to provide regular, moderate watering. After rooting, the amount of water can be reduced. It is important to ensure that the soil does not dry out, but it cannot be flooded too much. During the bud formation period, mineral fertilizers are applied every week.

Pinching will produce lush bushes with dense foliage and branches. The procedure is carried out twice as needed. Timely pruning of faded inflorescences allows you to extend the flowering period.

You can collect seeds for further breeding from August.... Fruits appear on the stems, which can be used with their darkening. Unripe bolls are placed in places with good sunlight to fully ripen. It is advisable to choose early flowering bushes with the largest diameter of inflorescences for collecting seeds.

Winter storage

With the onset of cold weather, the southern plant may die. To preserve the variety, cuttings are used or just a bush transplant. Osteospermum is placed in a large pot and transferred to the house. It is grown all winter as a houseplant.

It is better to keep flowers on well-lit windowsills. Otherwise, they will give poor flowering in the new season, and their stems will be very elongated. In winter, it is worth reducing the frequency of watering.

Video

For more details on growing and caring for Osteospetmum flowers, see the video below.

Disease and pest control

Osteospermum is resistant to various diseases, does not attract pests. When keeping a flower, there is practically no need to worry about its additional protection. Rarely, a plant can be affected by aphids, but it is easily removed with available means in specialized stores.

Plant damage by aphids

Abundant soil moisture, planting in dark or too shaded places can lead to the death of the bush. This causes decay of the root system. It is no longer possible to save the plant.

Osteospermum is one of the vibrant exotic flowers that thrive in temperate climates. It is unpretentious and easily grown in a summer cottage. Abundant flowering of lush bushes can become a real decoration for flower beds, balconies and terraces. A wide variety of shades allows you to create rich and contrasting compositions in flower beds.