2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
The colorful, cheerful dimorphic daisies will wonderfully decorate any balcony and garden flower bed with their sunny smile. Her gentle disposition, friendliness to the rest of the flower representatives and bright charm do not leave indifferent even sophisticated gardeners
Born in distant Africa
Dimorphoteku (from the Greek "dimorphos" - a double form; "theke" - a bed) was so named because of the presence of two types of seeds in a flower (rod-shaped and disc-shaped). And due to its origin - from the deserts of the Cape regions of South Africa - the plant is often called "Cape marigolds", especially since its golden, satin petals are very reminiscent of calendula. Is that the shade of the dimorphote is more pronounced. Among the variety of the palette of "Cape" flowers, varieties with bright golden petals are most often found - that is why the plant received the popular name - golden flower.
Cape marigolds are sometimes called "the gold of the Incas" from a beautiful legend about an unattainable mirage, which many dreamed of, but never managed to find it. Dimorphoteka is known - a representative of the Astrov family - since 1798. Currently, there are about twenty both annual and perennial species, among which the most popular are: rain dimorphoteca (D. pluvialis), notched diformoteca (D. Aurantiaca) and their hybrids.
Loves the sun
Due to its African origin, the golden flower is very fond of the sun. It blooms from mid-June to September, and only as long as the sun's rays touch its petals. Before sunset, after 17-18.00, the flowers begin to slowly "fall asleep", closing into a bud. On cloudy days, do not expect a "smile" of dimorphoteka - the plant seems to be afraid to wet its precious pollen.
Annual goldflower usually reaches 40-50cm and is perfect for a balcony flower garden. But his perennial brother grows up to 70-80cm and will look better on garden beds. Both species are distinguished by the presence of whole, or pinnately-separated, juicy green leaves, located alternately on an elastic, branched stem. Peduncles are collected in variegated and rather large baskets (with a diameter of 7-9 cm). They also conceal the meaning of the name dimorphote - "double form": ligulate flowers (above are bright yellow, orange, or whitish, and below purple, lilac, or brown) are surrounded by smaller tubular flowers, usually brown.
Closer to autumn, the fruit is formed - a grayish-yellow, oblong achene. Within a year, you can easily collect up to 500-600 seeds and safely store them for up to 3 years, since their germination is not lost. Dimorphoteka is one of those plants that reproduce themselves without difficulty.
The more fertile the soil, the worse …
Well, where is there black soil in Africa? That is why the golden flower is not spoiled by them, so much so that it requires a rather loose, permeable soil with a minimum content of nutrients. If in the garden there is a long not fertilized and sunny area - it is just right. Sow the plant directly into the ground, or sow seedlings in April. But in any case, you need to leave a sufficient amount for the golden flower bushes - about 20-25 cm between the holes.
Dimorphoteka seeds are harvested practically during the summer, since they do not ripen in the same way. Some gardeners spread unripe seeds on the windowsill and dry them. Sowing can be done in early May. But at the same time, the soil must be sufficiently warmed up. If it is 15-16 C outside, then the sprouts can be expected in a week, and the first flowers after two months.
Down with dry leaves
Caring for Cape marigolds is simple: loosening, watering as needed and weeding. The plant perfectly tolerates both dry and frosty periods. When dried leaves and buds appear on the stem, it is better to tear them off. Then the golden flower will delight the eye with its flowering longer. There is no urgent need for top dressing. But they will not be completely superfluous. Fertilize 2-3 times until the flowers appear. Dimorphote pests, as a rule, are of little interest. But excessive moisture can provoke gray rot.
If, when planting some garden plants, you still need to think: with whom they will get along, and with whom they will not, then with dimorphoteka everything is much easier - she is glad to any neighborhood! The only thing that needs to be foreseen when choosing her friends is their sufficient drought resistance (petunias, ursinias, arctotis, ageratums, pelargoniums, etc.).
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