Gazania Harsh

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Harsh gazania (lat. Gazania rigens) - flowering culture; one of the brightest representatives of the Gazania genus of the Compositae family, or Astrovye. Another name is gazania brilliant. Sometimes the culture is called harsh or shiny gatsania. Under natural conditions, it is found in South Africa, as well as in Australia. Nowadays, it is cultivated in many countries of the world, since it has high decorative properties.

Characteristics of culture

Gazania harsh, or brilliant, is a perennial plant cultivated as an annual. It is distinguished by short, rather dense stems, not exceeding 30 cm in height and bearing many elongated, pointed or obtuse, whole or incised green leaves that do not have petioles. On the underside, the foliage is pubescent, whitish in color.

Inflorescences in the form of baskets, they are single, large, up to 7-8 cm in diameter. They look very impressive and attractive against the background of foliage. Baskets consist of rich orange, red, brownish, yellow or yellow-orange marginal (ligulate) flowers, often speckled with brown, white or black spots. The tubular flowers near the baskets are blackish-purple. The bloom of gazania harsh is observed from the end of June until the onset of frost, in the southern regions until the end of October - mid-November. As a rule, up to 30 inflorescences are formed in one specimen, sometimes more.

Currently, many interesting varieties of gazani, harsh, or brilliant, have been bred. All of them are actively used in ornamental gardening. Their difference lies mainly in the height of the stems, the size and color of the inflorescences. The "Magic" variety is especially popular among gardeners and florists. Its inflorescences are incredibly beautiful and unusual, since the marginal flowers boast a variety of colors. The Talent variety is no less popular. It has silvery foliage and colored inflorescences.

Growing conditions and use

Harsh gazania is a demanding crop. For its successful cultivation, it is necessary to make efforts not only in terms of care, but also in ensuring optimal conditions. The species in question does not tolerate commonwealth with shady areas, it needs intense lighting, in extreme cases, a light openwork shadow with diffused light. Soils for cultivation of crops should be nutritious, moderately moist, non-saline, non-saline, loose. A short-term gassing harsh drought is easily tolerated.

Why does this type of gazania require a sunny location? The fact is that the flowers of the plant open only in sunny weather, in cloudy, rainy weather and at night they hide their beauty. But this aspect does not prevent gardeners and florists from growing a crop on their plots, because it is a magnificent garden decoration that can transform any corner and overshadow other plants with bright colors. In addition, the crop can be grown in pots and flowerpots. It is also suitable for decorating alpine slides and rockeries. Moreover, it can be combined with many perennials and annuals, including lobelias, petunias and pelargoniums.

Growing seedlings

Grow gazania harsh only through seedlings. Sowing dates are determined depending on climatic conditions. It is worth remembering that a lack of light negatively affects the development of seedlings, they often slow down in growth and are affected by diseases and pests. Even at home, seedlings need additional lighting. In central Russia, harsh gazania is sown no later than the second decade of March, sowing is not prohibited in early April.

For sowing, it is recommended to use deep pots or boxes, since the plant forms a long taproot during growth. Pots or boxes are filled with a nutritious moistened mixture with a pH of 5, 5. It is impossible to spread the seeds too often, it is advisable to leave a distance of 3 cm between them. After sowing, the seeds are sprinkled with soil, sprayed with a spray bottle so as not to erode the seeds, and covered with glass (or plastic wrap). The room temperature must be at least 18C. Crops are moistened and ventilated daily. As a rule, seedlings appear on the 7-10th day.

With the appearance of 3-4 true leaves on the seedlings, they are dived into separate containers, preferably in peat-humus pots. From the same moment, the plants begin to be hardened. Seedlings are planted in open ground in the third decade of May - the first decade of June (depending on weather conditions). Plant care should be regular and thorough.