How to plant gazania
Gazanias are vibrant flowers native to South Africa that can grow up to 12 inches tall. These warm-weather flowers come in colours like orange and yellow. Gazanias are also called as treasure flowers and they are known to symbolize wealth, prosperity, and joy. They are low-maintenance, heat-tolerant flowers that attract a variety of pollinators. Due to their drought tolerance, these flowers are ideal for coastal regions, and rock gardens. They can also grow well in pots and add aesthetical value.I love growing these flowers in pots. Find out how to plant gazania.
Growing conditions for Gazanias
Sunlight: Gazania grows best when it gets 4 to 6 hours of sunlight every day
Soil: Gazania grows best in well-draining fertile soil conditions. The soil pH should be between 6 to 7
Temperature: Gazanias grow best when temperatures are between 20 to 34°C. They can tolerate temperatures up to 37°C. These flowers can tolerate slight frosts but not severe ones. Gazanias grow best in zones 9 to 11.
Water: Gazanias are drought tolerant and can be watered when the soil becomes dry.
Fertilising: Gazanias grown in containers can be fertilised once a month whereas those grown in the ground should be fertilised 2 to 3 times during the growing season.
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How to plant gazania
Take a small pot fill it with seed starting mix and sow the seeds. Cover it with a thin layer of soil. Seeds should germinate within 5 to 10 days. Once seeds have germinated and grown at least 4 inches tall, you can transplant them to the soil or bigger containers. For the potting mix take 15% perlite, 15% vermiculite, 40% coarse sand and 30% compost. Gazanias can be grown in containers that are 6 inches deep and wide. Gazanias produce flowers 45 days from sowing. These plants grow again from reseeding. Deadheading is a great way to encourage more blooms.
Propagating gazania from stem cuttings
Gazanias are quite easy to grow from stem cuttings, you can propagate multiple plants from stem cuttings. Take healthy cuttings that have 3 to 5 shoots emerging from the base. Then remove the lower leaves and insert the stem cuttings in small pots with the potting mix of coarse sand, compost and coco peat. Place the small pot in the shade for a few days. Your gazanias will start to produce roots within 2 weeks.
How to collect gazania seeds
Allow the flower heads to turn brown. Then cut of the dry flower heads and rub them gently. The seeds will fall off. Allow them to dry and collect the seeds. Store them in a cool and dry place.
Pests and diseases
Aphids, spider mites and mealy bugs can harm your Gazanias. Monitor your plants regularly for pest attacks. Using diatomaceous earth is an effective way to control these pests. Gazanias are also less targeted by deers due to their tough, leathery leaves.
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