The gain It is a small but very decorative herbaceous plant, and one of the most curious: its flowers only open with the sun and remain hidden at night and, also, when the sky is covered with clouds.
It is very easy to care for and grow, since it can be kept both in a pot and in any type of garden, whether small or large. Get to know this pretty little plant better.
Origin and characteristics of gazania
Our protagonist is a perennial herbaceous plant native to southern Africa. The genus is made up of 19 species, the best known being the Gazania freezes. They are characterized by having thin, more or less linear leaves, green on the upper side and glaucous on the underside. Its flowers, which sprout from early spring to summer, are large, about 2-3cm in diameter, and of very different colors. (yellow, pink, red, orange).
It has a fairly fast growth ratereaching 30 centimeters in height in just one year. In addition, it does not need much care to be perfect, but let’s see this in more detail.
What are the care it requires?
If you want to get a copy, we recommend providing the following care:
Location
It is very important that it is abroadin full sun since its flowers will only open if they are exposed to the rays of the sun.
Irrigation
It has to be frequent, especially in summer which is when the earth loses its moisture more quickly. A) Yes, in the hottest season we will water every 2 days, while the rest of the year we will do it once or twice a week. In the case of having it in a pot with a plate underneath, we have to remember to remove the excess water ten minutes after watering.
Earth
- the garden: grows on all types of soils, although it prefers light ones.
- Flower pot: we can use universal growing medium mixed with 30% perlite.
Subscriber
Throughout the growing season, that is, from early spring to late summer, it is highly recommended to fertilize it with liquid fertilizers for flowering plants that we will find for sale in the nurseries. To avoid the risk of overdose, it is important that we follow the instructions specified on the product packaging.
Pruning
So that it continues to look pretty and, also, to avoid problems, we have to go removing the withered flowers and those leaves that look dry.
Plagues and diseases
Does not usually have. In dry and warm environments we can see some aphid that will be deposited in the flower buds and / or in the most tender leaves, or some cochineal. As the plant is really small, we can remove both pests with a swab from the ears soaked in pharmacy alcohol.
Planting or transplanting time
The best time to plant it in the garden or transplant it, something that by the way we have to do every 2 years, is in springwhen the risk of frost has passed.
Multiplication
Gazania multiplies by seeds in early spring following this step by step:
- First, a seedbed (pot, seedling tray, milk containers or yogurt cups) is filled with universal growing medium. To improve drainage, we can mix it with 30% perlite.
- Afterwards, a maximum of three seeds are spread in each seedbed or socket and covered with a thin layer of substrate.
- Finally, it is watered and the seedbed is placed in full sun.
The first seeds will germinate in the next 7-14 days at a temperature of 18-20 degrees Celsius.
Rusticity
Withstands frosts up to -5ºC as long as they are punctual and of short duration.
What is gazania used for?
This little plant looks great in any corner. It can be had as a table plant or in the garden as low borders. We can combine it with other species of similar bearing, such as petunias or pansies, to create very beautiful compositions, both in planters and on the ground.
As we have seen, with a minimum of care we can have it perfect. It withstands frost and can be grown outdoors in a wide variety of climates, from tropical to warm temperate. Likewise, we have to know that although we live in an area whose winter is extremely cold, we can keep it indoors in a room where a lot of natural light enters until temperatures rise above 10 degrees Celsius.
Where to buy it?
Being such a beautiful plant, we can really get it anywhere: nursery, garden store, local markets. Its price is very low, only 1 euro already with flowers, so it is sometimes difficult not to take more than one specimen.
And if we want to save a little, what better than to buy an envelope of seeds that costs 1 euro too? Following the steps that we have explained previously, we can have many more copies for the same price, which is not bad at all, right?
What did you think of the gazania? You have someone?
