One of the most abundant flowers in spring is the one that I am going to talk about next. Surely more than once you have played like when you were a child to “loves me / does not love me” with its precious petals. You already know the name of our protagonist, right? It is a very grateful plant, but … Do you want to know how to care for daisies?
Because if you questioned it, I have good news for you: can be found available to plant in the garden or have on the terrace.
What is the care of daisies?
La margarita it is a plant that, like all beings, has its own needs. And although we could say that it is not demanding nor, therefore, difficult to care for, we will have to attend to it from time to time so that it grows without problems, especially if we are going to have it in a pot since in these conditions the importance that they have the irrigation as the subscriber, already high, increases.
Location
These beautiful plants have to be located in full sunotherwise they may not bloom or if they succeed, the flowers will not open properly. The leaves would also have growth problems due to the lack of light, growing downwards if it is in shade, or lengthening their stems, weakening them, in search of a more powerful light if there is it.
For this reason, it is not advisable to have it indoors, unless you have an interior patio or a room with large glass windows through which a lot of sunlight enters. Of course, in the latter case, you have to rotate the pot every day so that all parts of the plant receive the same amount of light, otherwise you would see that one side – the one that receives the least – grows more than the other.
Irrigation and land
Especially if it is in the garden, the waterings should be occasional. In general and depending on the weather, the daisy must be watered every 2-3 days in summer, and 1-2 times a week the rest of the year. On the other hand, if it is going to be potted, we will water more often, especially during the summer season, since the substrate dries faster.
But in any case, it is important that the soil in which it is planted is able to absorb the waterotherwise the roots may not support it. In fact, if the drainage is not good, that is, if when we pour water we see that it takes a long time to be absorbed, we will have to take measures. These can be:
- the garden:
- Install drainage systems: they can be from pipes to sewers. Learn More.
- Make a 50 x 50cm planting hole (I recommend 1 x 1m if your garden is usually flooded when it rains a lot or torrentially), cover its sides (except the base) with shading mesh and put a thick layer, 20 centimeters as minimum, clay or volcanic clay. Afterwards, it is finished filling with universal substrate (for sale here!).
- Flower pot:
- Do not put a plate under it, because the excess water will accumulate in it and the roots will rot.
- The pot must have drainage holes.
- The substrate has to absorb the water quickly, but also allow the excess to run its course. Therefore, it is advisable to use substrates such as the universal mixed with perlite (for sale here!).
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The daisy will appreciate being periodically fertilized throughout the growing season, that is, from spring to fall. Any universal garden compost or fertilizer can be usedor a more specific one for flowering plants (for sale here!) or opt for ecological fertilizers such as earthworm humus or manure.
Plantation
If you want to plant it in your garden or in a larger pot the ideal time to do it is spring. But you have to bear in mind that it is only recommended to remove it from its ‘old’ container if it has become too small, that is, if roots grow out of the holes, and / or if at first glance you can see that it has occupied the entire flowerpot.
Change from pot to soil
To plant it in the ground you have to do the following:
- Choose a location: it is important that the sun shines directly throughout the day if possible, so it should not be placed near plants or other elements that shade it.
- Make a hole: with the help of a hoe. It should be at least a little larger than the pot. But if the soil has poor drainage, it must be at least 50 x 50cm (more information in the Irrigation and soil section).
- Fill in the hole a bit: it can be with earth itself from the garden if it drains the water well, or with universal substrate mixed with perlite if not. Keep in mind that the margarita should not be too high or too low when you plant it.
- Remove the daisy from the pot: carefully. It is important not to manipulate the roots too much.
- Insert it into the hole: plant it in the ground. Put it in the center and check that it fits well with respect to the surface of the ground.
- Finish filling and water: now what remains is to add more soil, and water.
Pot change
Follow these steps:
- Choose a pot: it has to be about 5cm larger than the one you are using and have holes in its base.
- Prepare the substrate: Remember that it must facilitate the exit of the water that it has not absorbed, so do not hesitate to mix peat with perlite in equal parts. This way your plant will grow correctly.
- Fill the pot with substrate a littleKeep in mind that the margarita must be good, not too high but not too low with respect to the edge of the container.
- Remove it from the ‘old’ pot: do it carefully. If you see that it has formed a tangle of roots and that it is impossible to remove it, break the pot with a cuttex or scissors if it is made of plastic; and if it is made of another material, water it and with a straight hand shovel or a knife separate the earth bread from the wall of the container.
- Insert it in the new– Once it’s out, place it in the center of the new one.
- Finish filling: add more substrate, and water.
Multiplication
Would you like to have your own plants? They multiply very well by seeds in spring. To do this, the first thing you have to do is choose a seedbed. It can be a pot with holes, a seedling tray, or even milk or yogurt containers as long as they are washed and a hole has been made in the base.
Then fill it with seedbed substrate, or with a mixture of peat and perlite in equal parts. When it is, water thoroughly so that the whole earth is well moistened. Next, sow the seeds, setting them apart, and cover them with a little substrate.
If the earth is kept moist, and in full sun, the first ones will begin to germinate in about 3-5 days.
Rusticity
It is sensitive to frostbut if you live in a rather cool climate you can prune it almost flush (leaving it about 5cm of stem) towards the end of autumn or beginning of winter, and during the following spring it will sprout.
How long do daisies last?
Daisy flowers remain on the plant for a long time: almost a month. But precisely for that reason they are used as cut flowers, and that is that in water they can last up to 20 days if the liquid is changed every two days and the vase is always clean.
For this reason, it is a plant that, when used in a garden or on a terrace for example, it is highly recommended to put it in a visible place, which stands out. And if you have your flowers in a jar, at the entrance of the home they will undoubtedly look beautiful.
What is the meaning of daisies?
The daisy flower, being white, is associated with purity, innocence, peace. They also symbolize joy and simplicity. It is a good gift for any special person, and an essential element for any garden or terrace that is enjoyed by the little ones in the house.
Enjoy your margaritas a lot!
