Glossy Gazania(Gazania rigens) is a popular and easy-to-care plant that is grown in gardens and balconies. From July until the first frost, it showers brightly colored flowers resembling miniature gerberas. Even though it is known as an annual plant, it can easily overwinter indoors. See whatgrowing gazania looks likeand learnthe most beautiful flowering varieties of gazaniaYou will also learn a simpleway to winter gazania , thanks to which the plant will enjoy colorful flowers again next year!
Luminous Gazania - Gazania rigens
Fig. pixabay.com
Shiny Gazania - cultivation in the garden and on the balcony
Growing shiny gazaniais not too difficult. This plant is undemanding and rarely gets sick, as long as we provide it with the right conditions. First of all,we grow gazania only in a sunny positionIn places, even slightly shaded, the flowers will not develop. On cloudy days and rainy summers, the gazania blooms poorly, and the flowers remain closed and turn pale.
Gazania requires fertile and not too moist soilThe pH of the soil does not matter. In highly drained soils, the plant will require frequent irrigation for the first two weeks after planting. Once it has taken root properly it endures a short drought. However, flowering is weaker with water shortage, soit is recommended to water gazania in hot and rainless weather However, we do not water it abundantly and too often, once a week is enough. The plant is best watered in the morning so that the water retained on the leaves has time to dry before the night. This way we will avoid fungal diseases.
Gazania can be grown in flowerbeds, rockeries or in containers.In container cultivation, gazania is more demandingIt is then necessary to regularlywatering and fertilizing the gazaniaAvoid overflowing the plants in the pot, as they tolerate it very badly. Wait for the next watering until the substrate in the pot is dry. At the bottom of the pot, it is worth pouring out a drainage guard. Every 14 dayswe feed gazania with fertilizer for flowering plants
Good to know!In order to extend the flowering of gazania, we remove the blooming flowers on an ongoing basis.
shiny gazania - wintering
Sparkling gazania is usually grown as an annual plant , but under appropriate conditions it can be stored until the next year.
In order to overwinter the plant,dig the gazania out of the ground before the first frosts and transplant it into the potBefore that, trim all flowering shoots. Place the flower pot in a dry room, well-lit with natural light, where the temperature during the winter will not drop below 0 ° C.The optimal temperature for wintering gazania is 5-10 ° CThe substrate in the pot should be kept slightly moist throughout the wintering period, so as not to dry the roots.
At the end of February, we divide the gazagne in half and replant it to fresh soil. At this time, we also move the plant to a warmer room (approx. 15 ° C) and start watering it more often to slowly wake it up from winter rest. After May 15, when the risk of frost has passed, we can plant the gazania
Luminous Gazania - Gazania rigens
Fig. © Rafał Okułowicz
Sparkling Gazania - varieties
The varieties of gazania, due to their diversity, are divided into groups:
- Kiss- these are early-flowering varieties of Gazania, flowers appear in June. Plants maintain a compact habit. They are recommended for container cultivation. This is the richest group of varieties, including:
- Frosty- with a white coating on the leaves
- White Flame- the sides of the petals are colored in contrast to the strip crossing the center of the petal
- Bronze Star- petals brown with a yellow terminal and a green ring around the golden center
- Lemon Shades- lemon yellow flowers with shaded petals
- Mahogany- mahogany flowers
- Gazoo- these varieties flower profusely throughout the summer. Pure-colored flowers. The greatest advantage of these varieties is that the flowers remain open even in cloudy weather.
- Clear Orange- orange flowers
- Clear Vanilla- creamy white flowers
- Clear Yellow- yellow flowers
- New DayandDaybreak- the flowers of these varieties are larger than those of other varieties (10-12 cm in diameter) and set on short stalks, retain the intense colors of the petals, even in poor sunlight. They open early in the morning and stay open until sunset.
- Rose Stripe- petals with a dark pink stripe on a white background
- Red Shades- dark red flowers
- Pink Shades- pink petals with a brighter tip
- Talent- varieties with decorative leaves and flowers that close only at night. The leaves have an interesting gray color that makes the plants look attractive even with the flowers closed.
- Rose Shades- pink flowers
- Red Shades- rust-colored flowers
- White- white flowers with a yellow center
- Mini-Star- these are dwarf varieties of gazania, growing up to 15-20 cm in height, forming regular, spherical tufts. Especially recommended for growing in pots. The flowers are small (6-7 cm in diameter), they come in warm shades of yellow, orange, brown and pink, and white.
- Tangerine- solid orange petals and center
MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach
