Cape daisies fascinate with radiant flowers in different colors. The summer flowers, which belong to the daisy family, delight with their magnificent blossoms from April until well into autumn. You can buy Cape daisies from April, but planting outdoors is only advisable from mid-May. The warmth-loving balcony plants are easy to care for. Osteospermum thrive in sunny locations in the garden, on the balcony or in the cemetery. Occasional cleaning promotes the willingness to flower and improves the structure of the plants. It is important that you plant the cape basket in a larger container with fresh soil after you buy it, as this is the only way for the bedding plants to developvigorous bushes. Important to know: The Cape Margarite is not hardy.
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Botanical name: Osteospermum ecklonis
Other names: Cape daisy, Cape daisy, Paternoster shrub, Bornholm daisy Use
: Balcony and bed plant, for planting in cemeteries, for bowls
Origin: South Africa
Flower colours: white, cream, yellow, orange, pink, pink, red
Flowering period: April to October
Flower shapes: simple, double, spoon-shaped (Spider species)
Special features: African daisies close their flowers when it rains. Thus, the daisy-like flowers can be seen as a weatherman. Please note that none of the varieties or colors of Cape daisies are hardy. The optimal Cape Marguerite location is sunny and, if necessary, protected from rain.
What is the optimal Cape Marguerite location? Are Cape daisies hardy?
Osteospermum prefer a sunny and warm location. African daisies thrive best in well- drained soil, without waterlogging or drying out completely. Places near walls, house walls or in the rock garden are ideal, where heat is stored and released again. Cape daisies are ideal for planting in bowls, balcony boxes or pots. It is important that the vessels have water drainage holesand in the case of mixed plantings, the plants are selected according to the water requirements. Beautiful combinations result from planting several colors in a large container. The Cape daisy can also be used well for summer planting in the cemetery. Make sure you plant out from mid-May, because the Cape Marguerite is not hardy and suffers from night frosts.
How do I plant my Cape daisy in the garden — what is the best Cape daisy location?
Planting in the ground or transplanting into a larger container immediately after purchase is important for the development of balcony flowers. Cape daisies need permeable soil with a pH value of around 6. Make sure that the bed is well loosened before planting out and that some sand is mixed in if necessary. If the plant is left in the culture pot, the development of the bedding plant is hindered and flowering is restricted. Important: The Cape daisy is not hardy! If purchased in April, store in a sheltered place until the danger of post-frost has passed. The Kapkörbchen location should be bright and frost-free at temperatures of 15 to 20 °C.
What is the correct way to care for Osteospermum?
An even supply of water without waterlogging is important when caring for Osteospermum. Basically, Cape daisies tolerate dry phases rather than too much moisture. According to their origin, the summer flowers are undemanding, but they develop best when the soil is evenly moist. By regularly cleaning out the faded flowers, you prevent seed formation and promote flowering. To do this, cut off the stem at the base after flowering. You can also snap it out with your fingertips. A cutbackof the plant is not necessary. The Cape daisy grows branched and bushy by nature. Cape daisies are not hardy. Overwintering Osteospermum is possible, but buying a new one usually makes more sense, since overwintered specimens no longer grow and bloom as luxuriantly. Note that Cape Marguerite is not hardy and suffers at temperatures below 10 °C. You should therefore only plant out the summer flower after the last frosts in May. In the short term, the location for the Cape Marguerite can be indoors. The popular summer flowers are decorative as Easter table decorations or for festivals. Attention, however, the flowers close when there is a lack of sun and heat.
How do I water my cape daisy correctly?
Osteospermum water requirements are highly dependent on temperature and plant size. Freshly planted specimens need water every 2 to 3 days at most in May. Large potted specimens may need daily watering on a hot summer day. At their home location, Cape daisies grow in stony places with well-drained soil and also survive phases with less precipitation. However, even soil moisture is an advantage for lush growth and abundance of flowers. Make sure the soil dries out a bit between waterings before watering again. Waterlogging should never happen.
Our gardening tip: How often you have to water depends largely on the temperatures, precipitation, the storage capacity of the soil and the volume of soil in the container. Make sure that you do not keep the water reservoir in water storage boxes constantly full during cool phases or in rainy weather. The basic rule is: Pour the Cape daisies depending on the location.
How do I fertilize my cape basket correctly?
Osteospermum need regular fertilization for growth and flowering. If you have used high-quality potting soil when planting in the ground or planting in balcony boxes or pots, the Cape daisy is initially supplied with fertilizer. The long-term fertilizer contained in the potting soil releases the nutrients depending on the temperature and soil moisture. Re -fertilization with liquid fertilizer can be carried out at intervals of 1 to 2 weeks from the end of Junetake place. Well suited are Kölle’s Beste Flower Fertilizer with Guano or Kölle’s Beste Bedding and Balcony Plant Fertilizer with humate. You can also use long-term fertilizer sticks for individual pots. Basically, the need for fertilizer depends on the location. Cape daisies planted in the ground require less fertilizer than specimens in a container. If there is a lack of fertilizer, the leaves of the Cape daisy turn light green and the formation of flowers is reduced.
How do I plant my Cape daisy in a container?
Even without a garden, you can enjoy the fascinating flowers of the Cape daisy. Osteospermum are ideal for planting in large containers or balcony boxes. It is important that the vessels have a water drainage hole and that they are combined with plants that have similar soil requirements.
Plant daisies in 3 steps:
- Place the pot of Cape daisies in a bucket of water and wait until no more air bubbles appear.
- First put a drainage layer in the window box, bowl or pot. This prevents waterlogging. Make sure the water drainage hole is clear.
When planting, only use Kölle organic potting soil or Kölle’s best peat-reduced potting soil. The soil should be structurally stable and be able to store moisture and nutrients well.
Water the African daisies immediately after planting and place the pot in a sunny spot outside from mid-May. Caring for Osteospermum ecklonis in a pot is a little more demanding than for specimens planted out. Avoid waterlogging and dryness !
Which pests and diseases can the Cape daisy get?
With the right site conditions and optimal care, Osteospermum are robust bedding and balcony plants. Usually wilting caused by too much water is a problem. The following pests can cause problems with Cape daisies:
aphids
Especially in phases with less light and less growth, Cape daisies are more susceptible to aphid infestation. Rinse the plants thoroughly with a water jet at the first infestation. This first measure usually helps. Natural plant strengtheners help the plant to grow stronger tissue, which is less likely to be attacked by sucking insects.
miner flies
Miner flies are very small, dark-colored flies with a body size of two to three millimeters. The females lay the eggs in leaves, and the larvae that develop from them eat what are known as mines in the leaf tissue. The damage is visually visible, the leaves are eaten away so that the outermost skin of the leaf remains intact. At the first infestation, remove the affected leaves with the household waste. Control in the field is difficult. In the greenhouse/house, the use of beneficial insects against leaf miners is very efficient.
Are you looking for more information about pests and diseases or do you have questions about a plant problem? Our plant doctors will be happy to help you – in person and online!
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about the cape basket
Which plants can Cape daisies be combined with? What goes well with Cape Marguerite?
All balcony plants that prefer sun and have similar water requirements are ideal. Good planting partners are: magic snow, purslane, Felicia or hussar buttons.
Why do Cape daisies let their flowers hang?
Hanging heads are often the result of too much moisture, and temperatures that are too low can also be responsible. Cape daisies are not hardy.
When do Cape Daisies bloom?
Depending on the location and cultivation in the greenhouse, Cape daisies bloom from April. Make sure you have a frost-free place outside from mid-May, because Cape Marguerites are not hardy. Basically, Cape daisies flower from May to September/October.
Are Osteospermum poisonous?
Cape daisies are non-toxic, making them ideal for homes with children or pets.
Can Kapkörbchen stand in the apartment?
For short-term decorations, cape bodies can stand in the apartment. The durability is comparable to that of a bouquet of flowers. A sunny spot outdoors is necessary for lush blooms. It is important that Kapmargeritten are planted in larger containers and not just in pots.
Are Cape baskets also daisies?
Due to the flower, Cape baskets are often referred to as a kind of marguerite. Botanically, however, Osteospermum are not directly related to daisies. Both summer flowers are daisy family.
How often do Cape baskets need to be watered?
The water requirement essentially depends on the location. Cape daisies planted in the ground can do without watering for a good 2 to 3 days after rooting in humus-rich soil. Planted in containers, daily watering may be necessary during hot periods.
Are Cape daisies hardy?
Osteospermum are not hardy, but can be overwintered.
Cape daisies hibernate in 4 steps:
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- Bring the plants indoors before the first frost.
- Make sure that the wintering place is frost-free (around 10 °C) and bright.
- It is important that the soil is evenly moist (keep dry).
From March it is advisable to increase the temperature to 15 to 18 °C.
How are Cape daisies propagated?
The popular summer flowers are mainly propagated by cuttings. Sowing seeds is also a possible way of propagating Cape daisies.
Are Osteospermum perennial?
Planted in the garden, Cape daisies are annual in Germany. Low temperatures and moisture cause bedding and balcony plants to die off.
Are Cape daisies also suitable for the shade?
Native to South Africa, the species prefers full sun. Half-shady locations are possible, but not quite optimal. Planted in the shade, the Cape daisy takes care of it.
Are there also filled cape baskets?
A large number of flower farms and flower forms have emerged through selection and breeding. Filled cape baskets are also available.
Does the cape daisy have to be cut?
A pruning is not necessary with Osteospermum. Fading is removed regularly.
Why don’t Cape daisies bloom anymore?
Plants that have not been repotted often do not bloom. A lack of sun and heat can also be the cause of missing flowers in Osteospermum.
