Osteospermum: growing from seeds and cuttings, planting, home care and photo

Osteospermum are perennial and annual grasses, shrubs and shrubs native to South Africa, belonging to the Asteraceae family.

Varietal variety is used mainly for decorative purposes. Due to its direct resemblance to chamomile, it is not uncommon for the plant to be referred to as African, Cape or blue-eyed chamomile, as well as Cape daisy.

Origin and appearance of osteospermum

In natural conditions - on the Arabian Peninsula, in the hot countries of Africa, botanists found more than 70 representatives of the family. There, the osteospermum flower does not shed its foliage, but only stops flowering for a short time. In temperate climates, the plant opens its first inflorescences in June, continues flowering until the onset of frost.

Osteospermum flower description

Osteospermum is a herbaceous perennial shrub of the Asteraceae family, a representative of the Asteraceae species. Stems from 20 cm to a meter high form a loose bush. Stems are erect, well branched. Inflorescences-baskets with one row of ligulate flowers with a diameter of 2 to 8 cm, in the center are tubular flowers of a contrasting color (smoky, blue, blue, black) with yellow pistils. After flowering, they form an achene with a dark long seed.

Description

Osteospermum is grown in gardens as an annual plant. It forms a branchy bush more than a meter high, although more often specimens with a bush height of no more than 50 cm are grown in flower beds. The stem and foliage of the plant are slightly pubescent, emit a pleasant tart smell.

Osteospermum blooms in June and continues to form new buds until the first frost. The osteospermum flower looks like a chamomile or daisy in a variety of shades: white, purple, purple, orange, red. The size of one flower is from 3 to 8 cm, they are revealed only in sunny weather.

Appearance

Types and varieties

In horticulture, the most popular are seven varieties of "African chamomile", which formed the basis of all ornamental plant varieties. Here is some of them.

Osteospermum of Eclone. The plant forms strong branched bushes up to a meter high. In temperate climates, it is grown as an annual, as it does not tolerate low temperatures.

Osteospermum Eklona
Osteospermum is pleasant. An attractive thermophilic perennial that can be grown in container culture. Under favorable conditions, the plant is strewn with large purple-pink flowers almost all year round.

Pleasant
Osteospermum is hybrid. Varieties obtained by crossing osteospermum varieties with each other. Plants are distinguished by their unpretentiousness and long-term abundant flowering.

Hybrid

Varieties:

Congo - a variety with pink petals with a slight purple tint;
Sky and Ice - simple snow-white "daisies" with a blue center;
Peshn - flowers are simple, pink or purple, 4 - 5 cm in size, the bush is low;
Akila - fragrant purple flowers;
Bengal fire - a variety that forms a bush, only 25 cm high and two-colored white-blue petals;
Buttermilk - the color of the petals is light yellow;
Cool is a cut-off variety with large white flowers, with a purple core, used in wedding bouquets.

You can admire the touching beauty of osteospermum by looking at a photo of flowers.

Dimorphoteka and osteospermum: are they the same or not?

Clerodendrum liana - varieties and varieties

Plants belong to the same type of asteraceae, their buds are similar in structure and color. Gardeners often confuse dimorphoteka and osteospermum, but these are not the same plant, but two different ones. The first has glossy flowers, slightly collected towards the center. The second has a matte, disc-shaped bud with a dense wrapper of green small leaves. You can recognize dimorphoteka:

at the core: it is always brown, there are no other options;
colors: there are salmon, orange, light cream;
seeds: they are flat in an oval shell;
pubescent stem, fleshy leaves.

By the way, Dimorfoteka blooms for a short time, only in June. The flower in color, inflorescences outwardly resembles an ordinary calendula.

Osteospermum

An annual or perennial herb such as osteospermum (Osteospermum) belongs to the Asteraceae or Compositae family. This genus is represented by shrubs and semi-shrubs, which can be found in the wild on the territory of the African continent. The name osteospermum is derived from the Greek word for "bone" and also from the Latin word for "seed." Such a plant is also called "Cape daisy", "blue-eyed chamomile", "Cape chamomile", "African chamomile", and also "South African chamomile". Osteospermum is called chamomile, because the flowers of representatives of this genus are outwardly similar to the inflorescences of plants belonging to the genus Nivyanik. Only a few types of osteospermum are grown by gardeners as ornamental plants.

"African chamomile" in garden design

Osteospermum is planted in mixed flower beds, rockeries, mixborders. Looks beautiful "African chamomile" in the garden of stones and planted along the paths. Discrepancy and simplicity of the flower makes it a versatile companion for a variety of plants. Lush bushes of osteospermum, abundantly covered with large "daisies", are good on the lawn in single plantings.

Low-growing varieties feel great in pots and flowerpots, they are used to decorate terraces, balconies, patios.

Watch also a video on the topic:

Use of osteospermum

Beautiful bushes, densely covered with multi-colored daisies, are actively used in landscape design. They are good in group plantings in the middle of a lawn, along a curb, in a rabat or in a mixed flower garden. Osteospermum creates bright accents and delights with beautiful and fragrant flowers for a long time. Low-growing or creeping varieties are suitable for creating a solid carpet or ampel cultivation. Dwarf varieties grow well in flowerpots and pots, which are placed on verandas, balconies and indoors.

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3. Varieties:

3.1 Osteospermum perceptible - Osteospermum jucundum

Abundantly flowering low-growing, hardy, perennial plants, the height of which often does not exceed 15 cm. Tall varieties can reach 90 cm in height. Stems are erect, strong. The leaves are lanceolate, gray-green, when damaged, they emit a specific odor. The edges of the leaf plates can be either whole-edged or have small denticles. Flower baskets are most often colored in shades of white, pink or lilac. There are plants with yellow baskets. The flowers reach 5 - 6 cm in diameter. Flowering begins in May and may end in mid-summer.

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3.2.Osteospermum shrub - Osteospermum fruticosum

Plants of this variety are distinguished by abundant and long flowering, as well as great stress resistance - the bushes are easily grown in gas-polluted spaces and can withstand severe temperature fluctuations. These herbaceous perennials grow up to 45 - 60 cm.

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Varieties

Numerous varieties of osteospermum flowers (pictured below) are available in garden stores. The most popular ones are:

Buttermilk is a tall shrub (about 60 cm tall) with greenish gray leaves. The inflorescences consist of light yellow marginal flowers, and the middle ones are dark.
Cannington swarm is a low-growing creeping dwarf shrub. Flower baskets up to 8 cm in diameter form white corollas with purple ends. Over time, they turn purple-pink.
Read also: The best ornamental shrubs for the garden, a review of varieties, recommendations, 60 photos
Congo is a cultivar with small purple-pink flowers.
Lusaka - with long ligulate flowers of a pale purple color.
Volta - pink-lilac inflorescences become almost white over time.
Silver sparkler - the plant reaches about 40 cm in height. Inflorescences are white. There are light blotches on the leaves.
Sandy pink - a shrub grows up to 40 cm. The inflorescences are pink, the edge flowers are in the shape of a spoon.
Starry eyes is a tall shrub (over 50 cm in height). The lower ligulate flowers are bluish-gray in color and folded in half lengthwise, and the upper ones are white.

Planting osteospermum in open ground

Under natural conditions, the bushes reproduce by self-seeding. Tropical culture is afraid of return frosts, sudden changes between day and night temperatures. In the southern regions, on glazed balconies, loggias, you can often see osteospermum, growing it in decorative outrigger pots, on balconies is not uncommon. In the southern regions, the flower grows like a perennial in the open field.

Growing osteospermum from seeds

The seeds are immediately embedded in the soil, slightly pressed into them so that the birds do not eat them. It is convenient to plant large seeds one at a time, observing the interval between the bushes from 20 to 40 cm, depending on the height of the shoots. For seedlings, the seed is laid out on the ground in greenhouses, hotbeds, the soil is well moistened, covered with a film - they create tropical conditions.

Important! With a strong deepening of the seed, the sprout may die. Some growers prefer to plant peeled seeds; before sowing, peel off a strong skin or make a crack on it for water to enter.

What is needed to plant osteospermum? The shrub grows well, blooms profusely on neutral soil, fertilized with humus, mineral fertilizers. For an unpretentious osteospermum, planting and care is reduced to weeding, watering.

Optimal site for osteospermum

African chamomile loves the sun, tolerates partial shade well. Like all Asteraceae, the plant is prone to root rot. Flooded areas will not work. The earth should warm up well. Drainage is required if the groundwater table is high.

How to feed osteospermum for lush flowering

To grow full-fledged bushes, handfuls of humus and ash are added to the planting holes. During the budding period, foliar dressing (spraying) with complex fertilizers for indoor plants is recommended. Minerals are diluted according to the instructions, then the volume of water is doubled so as not to burn the greens. You can feed the flowers at 3-week intervals. The prepared solution of superphosphate, potassium nitrate is added to the water for irrigation, a concentration of 1: 3 is made (one part of the fertilizer is diluted with three parts of water).

Important! If you pinch the upper shoots, lateral peduncles are massively formed.

Osteospermum: how to preserve in winter

In regions where the temperature does not drop below -10 ° C in winter, the bushes are well preserved under cover of branches, under a layer of peat. In temperate latitudes, the bushes are transferred to pots by the transfer method, brought into the house. The plant recovers well after transplanting. The bush will bloom until the end of December, then you need to pause, move the flower to a cool place, and reduce watering.

Use in landscape design

Cape chamomile is a welcome guest in any flower garden. It is very good on rocky flower beds, in the foreground of the borders. Osteospermum is suitable for cultivation in pots, containers, tubs. With this method of growing, do not allow the soil in the container to dry out, otherwise the plants will die. Osteospermum is used to decorate balconies, terraces, patios.

When planting in a flower garden, observe the minimum step between plants of 10 cm. The height of adult specimens depends on the variety and ranges from 15-60 cm. Some varieties grow up to 1 meters or more! The chamomile-like inflorescences reach a diameter of 4–10 cm. They are extremely attractive in bouquet.

Osteospermum is versatile and can be combined with almost all plants. It is especially beautiful next to petunias, lantana, verbena, scovola, diastia, brachycoma, ageratum, sage, morning glory.

Osteospermum photo in a flower garden:

The multi-colored varieties planted in a row look spectacular.

This container comfortably accommodates Cape Chamomile, Petunia and Lantana.

The border of different varieties of osteospermum is incredibly beautiful. Each leaf and flower is clearly visible against the background of the paved path.

Osteospermum looks harmonious against the background of stones, ideal for decorating rockeries.

You have met a very exotic, but unpretentious plant - osteospermum. Information about planting and care in the open field, photos in the landscape will help you create your own ideal flower garden, pleasing to the eye all season!

Flower care

Osteospermum is a relatively unpretentious flower. The agrotechnology of its cultivation includes several important points:

landing;
watering;
feeding and pinching;
preparation for wintering.

For planting Cape chamomile, it is better to choose a well-lit area with fertile, loose soil.

The landing itself takes place in several stages:

dig up a land plot;
dig a hole;
to plant a herb;
lightly tamp the earth around it;
water.

Despite its drought tolerance, the crop needs regular, moderate watering. This is necessary to maintain abundant flowering.

Many novice gardeners are wondering whether it is necessary to pinch Osteospermum. Experts with many years of experience do indeed recommend using the pinching method to stimulate branching.

For long-term abundant flowering, professionals advise also to apply fertilizers under the plants. This procedure must be carried out 3 times per season:

2 weeks after disembarking to a permanent place;
with budding;
at the end of the summer season.

For the same purpose, it is advisable to remove dried inflorescences.

To preserve Osteospermum in winter, in the southern regions, it is enough just to cover it with foliage.

In areas with more severe climatic conditions, the plant will die in winter.

To avoid this, you must:

dig up a bush;
place it in a large container;
send for storage in a cool room;
occasionally moisten the earthen lump of the plant.

In the spring, the shrub can be planted in its place. Osteospermum overwintering:

Osteospermum - growing from seeds

African chamomile can be grown from the seeds of dead plant buds. They are sown for seedlings in late March - early April. For these purposes, peat tablets or pots filled with sand and peat are used. Planting material will germinate better if you put it in a damp cloth for a couple of hours. It is not recommended to soak the seeds, this has a bad effect on their quality. Each seed should be deepened into a moist soil mixture in a container with a toothpick 1.5-2 cm deep. After that, the container with the sowing should be kept in a warm place at a temperature of 20-22 degrees. A week later, the first shoots appear, which need a lot of light for further development.After the formation of 2-3 leaves, you should dive the seedlings and transplant each specimen into a separate pot, slightly deepening part of the stem. At the beginning of May, the seedlings are gradually hardened - they are transferred to the balcony or open the window in the room for 10-15 minutes.

Reproduction

The flower propagates vegetatively and by seed. It is better to grow a varietal hybrid from a cut, then the plant will inherit all species characteristics. Gardeners do not collect seed material, but prefer to purchase it in specialized departments or on web resources. Seeds retain their germination capacity for 3 years.

Osteospermum, seeds. They are protected by a dense shell, for abundant flowering they are recommended to be soaked in a biostimulant solution

Osteospermum: growing from seed - when to plant seedlings?

You can sow a flower:

in cups;
general capacities.

The seeds are pressed or covered with a 2 mm layer of soil. The container must be covered with a film, removed to heat. Open it after germination.

Most often, the reproduction of osteospermum is practiced by growing from seeds - when to plant seedlings, gardeners decide on their own. Planting dates are the same as for asters: March - early April. March seedlings will bloom in June, April ones in July.

Planting seedlings in open ground

Shoots are transplanted to a permanent place after recurrent frosts. Two weeks before planting, the plants are hardened: they are taken out into the street during the day. The interval of stay is gradually increased to 6 hours. After hardening, the shoots will firmly endure small nighttime cold snaps.

Reproduction methods

Most often, osteospermum is propagated by seeds. Near the flower bed, if the inflorescences are not removed in a timely manner, abundant self-seeding will certainly appear. You can sow the seeds yourself directly into the open ground at the end of May. However, flowering will come only by August. To see the first flowers in June, seedlings are grown. During seed propagation, the decorative features of the varieties (color and terry) are not preserved.

In early March, seeds are sown in peat pots or tablets in groups of 2-3 pcs. They are buried 5-10 mm. The soil is moistened and covered with foil. They are kept in a room with a temperature of + 18 ... + 20 ° C. Seedlings will appear in a week. In a cooler place, some of the seeds may not sprout. With the appearance of a pair of true leaves in the seedlings, they are transferred daily for several hours to a cool place for hardening. The temperature is lowered gradually, by the time of planting in open ground, it should be + 12 ° C.

To preserve rare varieties, they are propagated by cuttings. Use the upper part of the scion 7-9 cm long with 3-4 leaves. Cuttings can be cut all year round. The lower leaves are removed and the twigs are placed in a glass of water. They are kept at a temperature of about + 20 ° C. With the appearance of roots, cuttings of osteospermum are planted in small pots with a mixture of sand, deciduous humus and greenhouse soil. Watering is carried out in moderation. On warm days, plants are exposed to the street. An open ground transplant is planned for next spring.

Growing osteospermum by cuttings

Reproduction by cuttings is carried out according to the following scheme:

in March, an apical cutting about 7 cm long is cut on an adult plant;
remove the lower leaves on it;
update the cut with a sharp knife;
place the cuttings in moist soil;
set a plastic bottle over the stem;
place containers with cuttings on a well-lit windowsill;
periodically ventilate and moisten the soil.

The first roots will appear approximately 10 to 12 days after planting the cuttings.

It is better to use a composition of sand with vermiculite or a hydrogel with sphagnum moss as a soil for planting.

Sowing osteospermum with seeds

Osteospermum can be propagated in two ways: by seeds and cuttings. If the osteospermum variety is very valuable, then to preserve all its properties it is better to use cuttings.Growing a plant from seeds is the easiest option, but it allows you to get good shoots (varieties - not all - look at the photo).

What time and how to plant

You can start planting seeds in the middle of spring, and observing such planting dates will allow you to enjoy the flowers of osteospermum already at the beginning of summer. The seeds are quite large in size, so they can be safely planted in pots, without carrying out the picking procedure. Osteospermum loves loose and slightly moist soil, the constituent components of which are humus, sand and turf. In a prepared container, the seeds are immersed in the ground to a shallow depth and lightly sprinkled with soil. They can be covered with glass from above, which will create a greenhouse effect and accelerate the process of emergence of young shoots. The seed container is placed in a bright place where the air temperature is 20 degrees. If these conditions are met, young shoots can be detected in 5-7 days.

Some summer residents who grow osteospermum immediately plant seeds in an open garden. This method is allowed in the agricultural technology of growing this flower, but you will have to admire the flowering shrubs much later. In addition, direct planting of seeds in the soil without shelter does not guarantee 100% seed germination.

Watering and feeding

It is better to choose liquid ready-made dressings, they are added to the water for irrigation at the rate of ¼ of the recommended amount. Astrovids do not like an overabundance of trace elements, they can get sick.

With insufficient watering, the inflorescence baskets become smaller. With excessive moisture, root rot develops.

Subject to the basic rules of agricultural technology, the plant will delight with flowers for a long period. Dense petals of African daisies do not lose their fresh appearance for a long time. The plant is suitable for summer cottages, city flower beds, and home cultivation.

Diseases and pests

Cape chamomile is highly resistant to various diseases and pests.

Only occasionally, with excessively moist soil, the plant can suffer from root rot. To eliminate the problem, the shrub is treated with fungicides.

Of the insects, only aphids can be interested in African chamomile (and then, when there is nothing more to "eat" on the site). If the leaves on the plant turn yellow and fall off, this is a sure sign of the presence of this pest. To combat aphids, the shrub is sprayed with insecticides.

Pests and diseases

Despite the fact that osteospermum is highly resistant to diseases and pests, it can still have problems of this kind. For example, if a flower grows in a shaded place and at the same time is watered quite often and abundantly, then its defense system weakens, which leads to the defeat of fungal diseases. This is manifested in the fact that the root system of the bush rots, and he himself dries up. In this regard, it is best to grow osteospermum in a sunny area, while remember that between waterings, the soil surface must definitely dry out well. Treat the affected specimens with a fungicide.

If the plant is weakened, then aphids can settle on its shoots and leaf plates, sucking juice from it. In the affected bush, the leaves turn yellow and fall off, while the plant itself withers. In order to get rid of aphids, it is necessary to treat the bushes with acaricides (Aktara, Aktellik or Karbofos).

Possible difficulties

Problems with protective functions begin only with improper plant care. Adult osteospermum is not susceptible to infection by infections, pests.

If the immune system weakens, then it's time to treat the flower. Reasons for weakening:

lack of sunlight, heat;
frequent watering, due to which stagnant fluid occurs;
a large number of ants and the presence of aphids.

The therapy is carried out taking into account the elimination of the root causes. So the first point involves an urgent transplant to a sunny place.

In the second case, you will need to treat with disinfectants, remove infected plants, do not water until the soil is completely dry. As for the latter reason, it is enough to treat areas with insects by any means (folk or purchased).

We create favorable conditions for the growth of seedlings

Caring for the emerging seedlings is an important point for the grower. The main thing here is to follow the rules of watering, apply fertilizers in a timely manner, and do not forget about hardening. At the same time, overdoing it means destroying your work.

Watering

Water is supplied in a metered dose so that the earth is slightly moistened. Stagnant fluid leads to root rot.

Airing

The airing procedure begins 2 days after sowing. Opening the container with osteospermum for the first three days is allowed for 3-5 minutes to remove condensation.

Planting and leaving

Osteospermum is considered a very easy plant to care for. It should be planted in open, well-lit places, since in the shade the flowering will be less abundant and the buds will often close. The soil can be of any density, but flowers grow best on loose, nutrient soil with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction. To determine the planting density, the height of the variety is taken into account. On average, the distance between the bushes is about 30-50 cm. The top of the young plant is pinched for better branching.

Osteospermum can withstand cold snaps down to -5 ° C and extreme heat. The first wave of flowering occurs in June. On hot July days, there is a short period of rest. In mid-August, when the heat subsides, flowering begins with renewed vigor.

Water the osteospermum in moderation. The plant tolerates mild drought well, but may reduce the number and size of flowers. It is important to ensure that water does not stagnate in the soil, otherwise root rot will develop.

Since the beginning of May, osteospermum is fertilized twice a month. Organic and mineral complexes for flowering plants alternate. Young plants can suffer from weed dominance. The soil near the flower garden should be weeded regularly. The stems of tall varieties are tied up so that the bush does not fall apart from gusts of wind or heavy rain. Withered inflorescences are promptly removed, then new buds will soon appear in their place.

If the air temperature does not drop below -10 ° C in winter, osteospermum will survive safely until spring, preserving foliage and shoots. In colder regions, to preserve flowers, plants are dug up for the winter and transplanted into pots. Osteospermum tolerates transplantation well and recovers quickly. In winter, plants are kept at a temperature of + 5 ... + 10 ° C and good lighting. Watering is significantly reduced. In the spring, the bush is planted again in the garden or taken out on the veranda right in the flowerpot.

With proper care and moderate watering, osteospermum does not suffer from diseases and parasites, so there is no need to worry about prevention and treatment.

Conditions for growing Cape daisies

Caring for osteospermum does not require any special tricks, but it will not be possible to grow it according to the "plant and forget" principle.

The main thing to remember is that it is more drought-resistant than moisture-loving. If the soil is allowed to dry out, the plant will drop its leaves, begin to fade, but as soon as moisture gets in, it immediately revives and recovers. Stagnant water is more dangerous - the flower will die irrevocably.

A bed with osteospermum bushes should be constantly loosened, weeds should be removed at first. Further, with proper care, the bushes grow, create a continuous cover that does not give any chance of survival for the weeds. In order for osteospermum to reveal its full charm, it is placed in a sunny place and fed. Here, as in the case of watering, you cannot overdo it.Fertilizers are especially needed during budding. Superphosphate and potassium nitrate are used for this (according to the instructions), but complex fertilizers for flower crops can also be used. To preserve the decorative effect of the bush, wilted flowers are subject to regular removal.

If the plant is slightly huddled, it will grow compact. If the bush stretches up, you should pinch the top - this stimulates the appearance of new buds.

In the room, this plant blooms for a long time - for almost 8 months, but a break is needed to rest. They arrange it from December to March. For this, suitable conditions are needed: a cool, unlit room and the most minimal watering.

Osteospermum in a flower garden

The best varieties for growing seedlings

The culture has more than 50 species. The shape of the petals, the color of the inflorescences directly depends on the variety. There are double, semi-double osteospermums. It will be easier to choose a view for yourself if you know the species forms, their features.

Interesting fact! Initially, breeders only popularized two varieties: Eklonu and Eklonis. These are the progenitors of most hybrid forms of African chamomile.

Not all perennials have gained the greatest popularity, since more than half of the varieties are wild-growing. The cultivars are as follows:

Scientific description of the plant osteospermum

Osteospermum is a herbaceous perennial plant. When grown on plots, in most cases, it is used as an annual or biennial. Its shoots begin to branch out at the very base, subsequently forming a spherical bush. Some African chamomile species can grow vertically. Plant height in natural conditions can reach one and a half meters. In cultural cultivation, varieties that do not exceed 0.5 meters in height are more popular.

These plants begin to bloom in the first month of summer and end in late autumn. At the same time, large inflorescences in the form of baskets begin to bloom on top of the stem. Their size ranges from three to eight centimeters. Each basket blooms for no more than five days. After that, their place is taken by newly blossoming buds and the cycle repeats. The central part of the inflorescence consists of sterile tubular flowers of purple or dark blue color. On top of the core, you can see orange dots with a slight slope of red. Inflorescence petals can be of a wide variety of colors and shades:

orange;
red;
yellow;
purple;
pink, etc.

In addition, they can be not only monochromatic, but also with overflows from one color to another. Also, the petals can have different shapes: flat or twisted into a kind of tube.

The main difference between osteospermum and other flowers is that the seeds ripen not in the central part, as in most plants, but in reed flowers located at the edges. After they are pollinated by insects, seed ripening begins. Moisture on them will lead to rapid wilting. To avoid this, their petals close when light levels drop to protect against possible rain or dew. When the first rays of the sun appear, these buds open again.

Osteospermum: Description, varieties and photos

Osteospermum is a tall shrub with branching, erect stems that are covered with dense foliage. The irregularly toothed and spatulate leaves of this flower have an oblong ovoid shape and are variegated, gray or bright green.

Semi-double or double inflorescence in size can reach 4-7 cm... It consists of marginal ligulate flowers and central tubular barren flowers. Depending on the variety and species, the central flowers are usually blue or light blue. Edge flowers come in a variety of colors. from purple to white... It is very rare to see varieties with yellow, red, orange, pink, purple flowers.

The inflorescence lives no more than 5 days. However, new buds quickly appear in its place, thanks to which the bush blooms for a long time and constantly. Under favorable weather conditions flowering can last almost until October.

The bright flowers of African chamomile open during the day in clear weather, and close in cloudy weather and at night. This property of osteospermum protects flower pollen from the negative effects of rain or night moisture.

Those who are fond of exotic will be interested in the article about caring for haworthia at home.

How to sow and care for seedlings

Seeding sequence:

Prepared seeds of osteospermum are deepened into the ground by 0.5-0.7 cm and covered.
Cover with glass or stretch plastic wrap.
They rearrange the seedlings where there is a lot of light and warmth. The comfortable temperature for germination is + 20… 22 ° C.
With the appearance of the first sprouts, the containers are rearranged to a cooler place (for example, a glazed balcony).

Further care of the seedlings involves the following activities:

systematically dosed water without creating stagnant water;
raise the surface protection for ventilation every day;
2-2.5 weeks before moving to a permanent place of growth, seedlings are fed by spraying with dissolved organic or mineral fertilizers;
shortly before transplanting, the seedlings are hardened, gradually lowering the temperature in the room (they start from 10-15 minutes with a daily extension of the time);
the pick is carried out as needed, when the first 2 strong leaves are formed.

Tall varieties must be pinched at least twice at the stage of growing seedlings. This will slow down its excessive stretching and thinning.

Types and varieties of osteospermum

International organizations count about 70 species of plants and their hybrids.

Ecklona

The branched annual grows up to 1 m in height. Not wide leaves are pointed to the edge with several teeth.

The petals are predominantly white in color with veins at the base, frame a dark basket.

Hybrid varieties

Varieties	Inflorescences
Zulu	Bright yellow.
Bamba	Shades from white to purple.
Sky and ice	White, blue core.
Volta	The pink petals turn white as they bloom.
Buttermilk	Bright yellow, turns pale during flowering.
Silver Sparkler	White.
Congo	Purple, pink.
Pemba	Half collected in a straw.
Sandy Pink	Pink.
Starry Ice	Blue inside, white outside. Spoon-shaped reed inflorescences.

Conspicuous

Low annual, up to 0.5–0.7 m in height. Flowers change their color as they bloom.

Hybrid varieties

Varieties	Inflorescences
Buttermilk	The yellowish tint is replaced by a bronze one on the shady side.
Lady Leitrim	Lilac petals frame a dark core.
Sparkler	White with blue.

Shrub

The small size is made up for by the high density of flowers on one shrub.

Hybrid varieties

Varieties	Inflorescences
Aquila	They include a varied palette - from white to purple tones.
Passion	The inflorescences are simple lilac, pink, or white, about 5 cm. Decorated with longitudinal stripes.
Ice White	Well-defined white petals frame a dark core with an admixture of yellow stamens.
Sunny Philip	The purple edges curl up to form a tube, the rest of the area is white.
Double Parple	Characteristic purple color, tubular petals in the center.

Description and features

Osteospermum is an evergreen plant that grows up to 100 cm high. Bushes have erect stems, but there are species and creeping. The edging of the leaf blades is unevenly serrated. The flowers are similar to baskets, 5-10 cm in diameter. They are lilac, pinkish, yellow, white, purple, blue or orange.

The plant differs from its relatives in that its median tubular inflorescences are sterile, and the seeds are tied with reed flowers.The culture is widely used to decorate patios, flower beds, and is grown in tubs and pots. Lush bloom ends only in November. Osteospermum is resistant to hot weather, dry periods, frost. In mid-latitudes, the crop is grown as an annual flower.

Botanical description

Stems are erect, less often creeping. The height of the plant is about 30 cm, varieties are bred up to 75 cm high. The leaf plates are dense, ovoid, oblong, with even or jagged edges. Stems and leaves can be bright green or grayish in color.

Delicate inflorescences are like chamomile. The core can be blue, blue, smoky black. The color of the petals (reed inflorescences): white, various shades of purple, pink, yellow, orange, blue. Their shape is oblong with pointed tops, but the so-called spoon osteospermum are derived: the shape of the reed inflorescence resembles a spoon.

The diameter of the inflorescence is 3-8 cm, they are simple, terry and semi-double bred by breeders. It blooms almost throughout the summer, and if the weather is favorable, it can bloom until October. Each inflorescence lives for about 5 days, they continuously replace each other. Flowers open in clear weather.

A variety of shades, long flowering, unpretentious care contribute to the popularity of osteospermum.