African chamomile in the country: planting and caring for perennial gatsania

Description of gatsania

Gatsania is a member of the Astrov family. A plant native to South Africa.

The average height of the shrub is 20-30 cm. The root leaves are collected in rosettes. The color of the leaf blades is predominantly dark green. The outer side is covered with a fine silvery pile.

It blooms in baskets with a diameter of 5 to 9 cm. The color and shape of the petals depend on the variety. The most common flowers are yellow, orange, bronze, sand, pink, red and white. The bases of the petals have dark spots.

Interesting species and varieties

The genus gatsania has more than 40 varieties. However, only a few of them have taken root on the territory of Russia.

Gatsania long-rifle (Gazania longiscapa)

It grows up to 15–20 cm in height. Differs in rich color of leaf plates. The petals are characterized by a bright yellow color. The diameter of the inflorescence is 7 cm.

Gatsania harsh, or shiny (Gazania rigens, Gazania splendens)

It blooms brightly and vividly. The color of the petals is deep yellow, orange or red. The diameter of the inflorescence varies from 4.5 to 6 cm. A characteristic feature of the species is the whole basal leaves.

Gazania pottsii

Externally, pottsi gatsaniya is very similar to the previous view. The main distinguishing feature is the large size of the inflorescences. The diameter of the opened flower reaches 12 cm.

Gazania peacock (Gazania pavonia)

Differs in narrow elongated sheet plates. The color of the leaves is deep green. The petals are yellow with a dark base. The average diameter of the inflorescence is 8 cm.

Video "Gatsaniya flower: planting and care"

This video tells about the features of planting and growing perennials in the open field.

Growing gatsania from seeds

The seed propagation method of gatsania is characterized by a high germination rate. When choosing a seed, you need to pay attention to the date of its collection (manufacture).

Sowing seeds

The substrate for sowing African chamomile seeds should be light, airy and nutritious. You can prepare a soil mixture yourself by mixing fine river sand, humus, deciduous and sod soil in equal proportions. As containers for growing seedlings, ordinary plastic pots are used. The capacity should be deep and roomy so that the root system has space. Instead of plastic pots, you can use peat pots. When planting seedlings in open ground, the peat pot is not removed - it serves as a fertilizer.

The optimal period for sowing seeds is mid-March.The seeds are planted in shallow "holes", maintaining a distance of 2.5–3 cm. A thin layer of earth is poured on top. The soil is sprayed with a spray bottle and covered with foil or glass. Periodically, the glass (film) is removed to give access to oxygen.

Seedling care

At first, containers with planted seeds are kept in a room where the average daily air temperature is + 19 ... + 23 ° C. After 10-14 days sprouts begin to hatch. The soil is periodically sprayed with a spray bottle, avoiding excess moisture in the flower pots.

Keep track of the amount of lighting. With a lack of light, young shoots stretch upward. If the weather outside the window is damp and cloudy, you need to install additional artificial lighting on the windowsill.

Picking and hardening of seedlings

Densely planted seedlings need a pick. Weak-looking and small young shoots are subject to removal. Picking is not carried out if the recommended interval was observed when planting seeds.

Containers with seedlings are moved to a cooler room. The optimum temperature range is from +12 to +16 ° C. Plants begin to harden. Tempering means daily airing of the room. Please note that young sprouts do not like drafts.

Planting gatsania in open ground

When the seedlings get stronger, you can proceed to transplanting flowers into open ground.

Landing dates

You can plant mature seedlings in open ground from May 15 to June 15. The day should be warm and sunny. Wet and cloudy weather is not the best time to plant African chamomile. Excess moisture in the soil and lack of sunlight can negatively affect the seedlings.

Landing rules

African chamomile is afraid of wind and draft, but loves abundant sunlight. Therefore, try to avoid areas of the garden shaded by trees and shrubs.

For the growth and development of perennial crops, nutrient-rich soil with various microelements is suitable. The acidity level should be neutral. Flowers growing in peat pots are transplanted together with containers. Seedlings from plastic pots are removed very carefully and carefully. The slightest damage to the root system will lead to the death of the flower.

When planting perennial gatsania, they maintain an interval of 20–25 cm. Densely planted seedlings can clog each other.

African chamomile care

The duration of flowering and the preservation of the viability of the flower depend on the correct care.

Watering and soil care

African chamomile is a drought-resistant garden crop. The plant tolerates a lack of moisture better than an excess of it. With a sufficient amount of rainfall, gating need not be watered.

For oxygen access to the roots, the topsoil is periodically loosened. To protect the flower from weeds, you need to use mulch.

Top dressing and fertilizers

The garden flower is fed once a month. For this, complex mineral fertilizers are used. On average, 1 m² of a flower bed requires about 20–25 g of the preparation. Fertilizers are preliminarily diluted with water - the recommended rates should be found in the instructions for use.

Pruning

Pruning refers to the removal of dry flowers and peduncles. This procedure is necessary for the formation of new buds.

Preparing for winter

Perennial gatsania belongs to winter-hardy crops. On the eve of cold weather, the flower is cut almost to the very root. You do not need to cover the plant.

To preserve the annual, gatzania is transplanted into wooden tubs or plastic containers. Store the transplanted garden flower in a cool room with bright lighting. The optimum air temperature is from +8 to +10 ° C.

Diseases and pests

One of the features of African chamomile is its high resistance to pathogens of various diseases. With an excess of moisture, the flower is affected by gray rot. Affected plants should be treated with Fitosporin solution.

As for harmful insects, the flowering bush attracts the attention of common aphids, spider mites, snails and slugs. Parsley, sage, onions or garlic planted nearby will help prevent the appearance of parasites.

In case of an abundant invasion of insects, insecticides "Akarin" and "Ditoxin" are used.

How to propagate African chamomile by cuttings

African chamomile can be propagated by both seed and vegetative methods. But the latter option is rarely used. The grafting method is applicable to some varieties of annuals and perennials that do not have seeds. Cuttings of a garden flower are carried out in the middle of summer.

The length of the cutting with a healthy and well-developed bud is at least 10 cm. The lower leaves can be removed. Then the cutting is immersed in the Kornevin solution prepared according to the instructions. This manipulation is carried out in order to stimulate the growth of the root system. After 2-3 hours, the plant is planted in a small container, watered abundantly and covered with a glass cover. Transplanting into open ground is carried out in the spring. Until the moment of planting in the soil, the cutting is periodically watered and ventilated.

Gatsania in landscape design

African chamomile is actively used in landscape design. The unpretentious and sun-loving plant will be a worthy decoration of the garden plot or the local area. Flowers can be used to decorate garden paths and curbs, alpine slides and rockeries, open altans and various kinds of fences.

To increase the decorative effect, we recommend planting annual and perennial crops in groups of 3-4 bushes.

Gatsania is considered a good-natured "neighbor" and gets along well on the same bed with many garden crops. However, the most successful "neighbors" are common chamomile, Iberis, gypsophila, dimorphoteka, venidium, lobelia, dorotheanthus, ursinia, arctotis, gray fescue, seaside cineraria, ageratum and dwarf phloxes.

Gatsania can be grown outdoors and in flower pots. The plant looks interesting both in the garden and on the windowsill. In addition, African chamomile is often used to draw up floristic compositions. A wide range of applications is the reason for the increased interest of plant breeders in perennials.