Gatsania - Sunny Flower

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

The versatile gatsania flower is grown both indoors and outdoors. Huge inflorescences on short legs bloom at sunrise and delight the eye until sunset. Therefore, it is popularly called the "little sun"

Despite the fact that this plant is native to South Africa, it feels great in the conditions of the Middle Lane. The only difference from the homeland, in our area, gatsania becomes an annual. But you can always find a way out by transplanting it from the street home for the winter.

The necessary conditions

Flowers bloom only in clear weather, with direct exposure to direct sunlight. Therefore, the best location is an open, sunny place.

It responds well to soil fertility. Loves a loose, moisture-permeable structure, moderate watering.

Reproduction

For gating in the open field, only the seed propagation method is acceptable. From sowing to the first flowering, 2, 5-3 months pass. Therefore, it is grown by the seedling method. The plant tolerates transplanting well.

Seeds are sown in several ways:

• in common containers with subsequent picking;

• one at a time in plastic cups;

• in peat tablets.

In March, the ready-made, well-fertilized soil is distributed among the boxes. Grooves are cut with a depth of 0.5 cm, spilled with water with the addition of potassium permanganate. Spread the seeds at a distance of 2 cm from each other. Sprinkle lightly with soil. Cover with foil, put away in a warm place.

If the seeds are fresh, then friendly shoots appear in 2 weeks. The boxes are transferred to a bright place, slightly lowering the temperature so that the plants do not stretch.

With a lack of lighting, fluorescent lamps are installed. They include them in the morning, evening hours and on cloudy days.

The same procedure is carried out with cups. 2 seeds are placed in each, placing them closer to the edges. If both ascend, then install a partition between them from a plastic bottle trim.

Peat tablets are pre-soaked in water. They straighten out, increasing in size. A seed is placed in the middle, slightly pressing it into the ground. At the same time, it is necessary to constantly maintain the peat in a moist state, preventing it from drying out.

Before planting in open ground, be sure to remove the mesh located on top of the tablet. If this is not done, then the roots of the plant will not be able to develop correctly.

If necessary, once every 2 weeks, young seedlings are fed with liquid fertilizer for flowers, observing the rate according to the instructions.

In mid-May, the seedlings are ready for planting in open ground.

Agrotechnics

An indispensable condition for the good survival rate of gating in a new place is hardening in the open air. Only after that, the beds are prepared, and the plants are planted in a permanent place.

They dig up the ground, adding, if necessary, sand, compost, rotted manure, ash. Grooves or holes are cut (if the seedlings were grown in separate packages). Spill the soil with water with the addition of 1 tablespoon of Zdraven complex fertilizer per 10 liters of liquid.

Gatsaniya is planted at a distance of at least 20 cm from each other. The voids are filled with soil, compacting it well. At first, plants can plant. After 3 days, they restore their original appearance.

Further care consists in watering during a drought and feeding on poor soils.

Beauty in the garden

Flowering begins in June and continues until frost. Every morning you can observe how huge inflorescences "wake up" with the sunrise, and in the evening they "fall asleep" again. Each flower lives such a life for 2-3 weeks. At this time, the following bloom, so flowering does not stop all summer. The bush grows magnificently and becomes like a small beautifully blooming ball.

The colors of the petals in modern varieties are the most diverse. There are specimens of lilac, pink, yellow, orange, red and even striped color.

To preserve the plants and prolong flowering for the whole winter, gating closer to autumn are transplanted into pots and brought into the room.