Growing gazania from seeds is troublesome, but rewarding
Gazania is a garden flower that has recently become popular among Russian flower growers. Gazania comes from the countries of South Africa. That is why, while maintaining its thermophilic nature, gazania requires increased attention. In Germany, gazania is called "Midday Gold" (Mittagsgold) for its ability to bloom only in sunny weather.
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Common types of gazania
Gazania has about 40 species. In horticulture, its hybrids are widespread, which are grown as annuals, the main ones are:
- long-rifle gazania (Gazania longiscapa). Creeping stems, leaves are dense, oblong, bright green on the upper side and white pubescent - on the bottom. Inflorescences 7 cm in diameter, golden yellow, brown at the base. The plant reaches a height of 20 cm. It begins flowering in August and continues until the first frost.
- gazania one-flowered (Gazania unifiora). Stems and leaves are like those of Longnose Gazania. Inflorescences up to 5 cm in diameter, light yellow. Forms dense carpets, blooms from the second half of July to September, reaches a height of 15 cm.
- gazania pinnata (Gazania pinnata). It got its name from the pinnately dissected shape of the leaves. Reaches 20 cm in height. Flowers 8 cm in diameter, yellow with orange centers, blooms from July to September.
- gazania Snow white (Gazania nivea). The leaves are covered with white hairs, making them appear snow-white. The sizes of the whole plant and the flower itself are identical to the Perista Gazan. The variety with white flowers during flowering creates the impression of a snowy carpet and is perfectly combined with the bright color of Shiny gazania, has a strong peduncle, blooms from mid-summer to early autumn.
- gazania Shiny (Gazania splendens). Has another name - Harsh. Most commonly grown by gardeners. The stems reach a height of 30 cm. The leaves are dense, dark green above, and white pubescent below. The flowers reach 6 cm in diameter, the color is bright: yellow-orange, orange, red. Long flowering period - from June to November. One plant can produce up to 30 inflorescences per season.
Growing gazania from seeds
Growing gazania from seeds is a rather troublesome task. In order for the plant to gain strength and bloom, gazania seeds for seedlings are sown back in February. At this time of the year, it is quite twilight, and gazania loves light and warmth. That is why, when growing seedlings from seeds, it is necessary to equip additional lighting.
Seeds for sowing are bought in specialized stores. It is very difficult to collect your own conditioned seeds, since they ripen under the condition of a certain number of sunny days (in central Russia, such days are not enough). This is one of the difficulties in growing gazenia.
The seeds of gazania are large, which allows them to be planted one at a time in a separate container. If you do this, then the plant will not need dive, i.e. once again disturb.
The soil for sowing is prepared from peat and fertile land in equal proportions. For better adaptation of seedlings, the soil is taken from the place where gassing will grow in the future.Seedlings appear, depending on the temperature regime, after one to two weeks.
It is necessary to grow gazania seedlings in a container covered with plastic wrap, having arranged something like a greenhouse above it. And just like in a greenhouse, constant ventilation is required.
Growing gazania from seed is not easy. But once the plant gains strength, prepare for flowering, and it will delight the eye with amazingly beautiful, elegant flowers until autumn.
And this requires a certain carewhich is as follows:
- moderate watering. The homeland of gazania is South Africa, so plants do not tolerate excess moisture. She feels great in dry summers, and the weather with prolonged rains oppresses gazania;
- timely removal of wilted inflorescences, which contributes to the formation of new buds;
- feeding mineral fertilizer... It is held once a month.
Gazania in garden design
Variegated borders are formed from gazania, both monochromatic from one species, and from several species. Spectacular is the combination of gazania Brilliant rich orange color and Long-arrow with golden-yellow flowers. Snow-white gazania with white flowers next to the Shiny red gazania looks attractive.
Gazania can decorate any rocky hill or slope. It is often used in flower beds, where various patterns and compositions are formed from flowers of different colors.
Gazania in containers looks attractive, especially in combination with purple flowers of agentum. She perfectly copes with the role of decorating loggias and outdoor windowsills. Gazania is also used as a houseplant.