Osteospermum is a thermophilic plant. The genus includes more than seventy species of both perennial and annual shrubs and shrubs. Comes from South Africa.
Appearance
A lush and tall bush pleases the eye from early June to late October. Depending on the variety, osteospermums come in a variety of colors: blue, blue, pink, white. One drawback is that bright green leaves smell specific and unpleasant if they break off. Biological description of osteoperma: a perennial shrub, as well as a shrub up to a meter high, which is closely related to the annual dimorphotheca. It differs from other plants of the family Asteraceae. If, for example, chamomiles have reed inflorescences that direct insects to tubular flowers for pollination and seed formation, then this is not so: tubular flowers are sterile, and seeds are formed in reed ones - this is osteospermum. The photo shows quite large seeds, like a belt on the barren middle of a flower.
Types of Osteosperm
Osteospermum ecklonis
Eclonis, or Eclon's osteospermum, is used most widely. It is popularly called Cape Daisy. A perennial shrub up to a meter high is very thermophilic and is used as an annual in regions with cold winters. The most elegant hybrids of a Cape daisy are: Volta, whose lilac-pink petals are gradually turning white, Bambe - white petals become purple, Congo - with pink-purple petals, Buttermilk - pale yellow, Zulu - bright yellow, Symphony Cream - lemon with a narrow purple stripe, Silver Sparkler - white flowers and speckled leaves, Sky and ice - blue and white. These are all tall bushes. Low bushes for containers are much more in demand - up to 30 centimeters, compact. This, for example, Pashn - with shiny pink petals of different shades with a bright blue center. Osteospermum having a spoon-shaped petal shape is also interesting for flower growers. These are Pink Lace and Gnome Salmon. Also beautiful are white, lilac, red, yellow, orange flowers of Springstar, Cap daisy, and Sunny varieties, which grow magnificently at a height of only 25-60 centimeters.
Osteospermum jucundum
This osteospermum is extremely effective. The cultivation, however, is somewhat complicated by the special properties inherent in the plant. This species, called pleasant osteospermum, is an evergreen but slightly winter-resistant bush that is suitable only for regions with a warm climate. Petals in the process of flowering change their color from white to purple, and their inside is purple. Breeders produced beautiful varieties: Lady Leytrim - 30 centimeters in height, white with pink marks flowers, buttermilk - pale yellow petals, bronze from the inside, Bengal fire - white, and from the inside blue large petals, leaves with a golden border.
Osteospermum: growing
Low plants are great for containers and window boxes. Osteospermum grows well, it is branched, creeping shoots can be used as a groundcover. It also multiplies well by seeds that are sown in a light substrate, adding sand. Seedlings suffer greatly due to trauma to the roots, so it is better to sow them in separate cups or peat pots. In the boxes you need to sow at a great distance, and carefully transfer to the garden, along with an earthen lump on the roots. Sowing - in the last decade of March or in the first - April. Shoots appear quickly. Seedlings need bright light and a fairly moderate temperature, humidification is also moderate. In tall varieties, it is better to pinch the tops of seedlings, so the osteospermum thickens. Growing by seedling method has a positive effect: subsequently in the flower garden, the bush blooms more abundantly and continuously. Pests and diseases were not noticed.
Osteospermum: growing in favorable conditions
This flower is light and thermophilic. It is necessary to protect the place where it grows from the cold wind, but there must necessarily be sunny or at least partial shade. Its beautiful flowers are fully revealed only in bright light. The soil is best light, drained and fertile. The distance between the plants is about twenty-five centimeters. Seedlings need to be hardened, and after being transferred to the garden, water for a while. A rooted plant becomes both drought tolerant and resistant to cold. Top dressing contributes to both proliferation and increase the number of buds. Faded inflorescences are best removed. Osteosperm uterine is stored all winter in a bright, cool place, moistening the soil from time to time.
