Gazania ∗ The 10 best care and planting tips (midday gold)

Origin and Distribution

the Gazania (bot. Gazania) are a genus comprising around 19 different species within the sunflower family (bot. Asteraceae). Because of their property of only opening the brightly colored flowers on sunny days from morning to early afternoon, they are sometimes incorrectly assigned to the midday flowers. The bushy growing summer flowers have their home in South Africa, where they mainly occur in low elevations and in sandy locations. The specimens available from us under the name “Mittagsgold” are mostly hybrid breeds from the species Gazania rigens, Gazania nivea and Gazania krebsiana.

use

Because of their lack of winter hardiness, Gazania is mainly sold as annual summer flowers for planting in pots and on balconies. But they also cut a fine figure in colorful summer flower beds in the garden, especially if they are planted in groups that match each other. The South African beauties harmonize particularly well with flowers and perennials that bloom in equally strong, bright colors, for example Tagetes (Marigolds), rudbeckia, lobelia, zinnias or marigolds. The numerous varieties - often hybrids - are used around the world as ornamental plants in gardens and parks.

Appearance and stature

Most of the Gazania species are perennial, herbaceous plants. They remain quite low in their height and, depending on the species and variety, only between 15 to 30 centimeters high and just as wide. However, the small bushes spread very quickly and form real cushions, the shoots of which overhang slightly. The narrow, lanceolate leaves sit on the woody stem axes, which in turn often form a rosette. The foliage is fresh green on the upper side and slightly silvery on the underside. Since the midday gold is not hardy, but can easily be propagated from seeds, the plants in this country are usually only cultivated as an annual.

Blossoms and flowering period

The margarite-like flower heads up to ten centimeters in diameter sit in large numbers on the 15 to 30 centimeter high flower stalks. There are many varieties in different colors from white to pink to red and darker red-brown tones. Hybrid varieties with striped petals are particularly attractive. The black spots on the tubular flowers are characteristic of many species and varieties. Gazania are, provided they are in a suitable location, tireless permanent bloomers and show their splendor throughout the summer from June to well into September.

Toxicity

Gazania, in bloom, is not poisonous.

Which location is suitable?

Since Gazania only open its magnificent flowers on sunny days, they need a full sun and warm location. If the selected place is too shady or if the summer is cloudy and rainy, the flowers are rather sparse. Always combine the midday gold with other, blooming summer flowers - otherwise the flowerbed could remain bare with a little bad luck. However, if the sun means well and shines from the sky, Gazania are easy-to-care for permanent bloomers. The plants are not only suitable for planting flower borders and Window boxes,(€ 7.99 at Amazon *) but also feel very comfortable in the rock garden.
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Soil / substrate

Since Gazania grows on rather barren, sandy subsoil in its natural habitat, you should also get poor and well-drained soil in the garden. A looser, loamy-sandy one is particularly suitable Garden soil with high water permeability - the flowers tolerate drought very well, but no moisture. If, on the other hand, the location is too rich in nutrients (which is the case in humus soils, for example), more foliage is formed. Flowers, however, can only be seen a few.

If the midday gold is in the bucket, mix a good standard humus-based soil about halfway with coarse sand. Pot drainage is also important so that waterlogging does not arise in the first place. Clay planters not only look attractive, but also prevent the roots from overheating thanks to their breathable material.

Planting Gazania properly

You can plant the midday gold in locations with sandy, poor soil: stone or prairie gardens as well as dry beds are ideal for the beauties. If, on the other hand, you want the flowers in borders with dark, humus soil, you should use them for a Dig up healthy growth thoroughly, loosen it up and also have a high proportion of gravel or sand mix in. Soils with a high water storage capacity also need a five to ten centimeter thick drainage layer for the planting to be successful. From the end of May - there must be no late frost - plant the Gazania in groups of four to five plants in the bed. Maintain a planting distance of about 15 to 20 centimeters.

Tub planting

On a sunny balcony or terrace, the midday gold also feels at home in window boxes, bowls or other suitable planters. Put a drainage layer of gravel or Expanded clay(€ 16.35 at Amazon *) and make sure that excess water can drain out of a drain hole at the bottom of the vessel. Put the plants in potting soil that has been emaciated with plenty of sand (alternatively you can Cactus soil take) and socialize them with flowers that have similar needs in terms of location, substrate and care. For example, they are good Convertible rose, Magic bells or Hussar button.

Watering and fertilizing

When it comes to maintenance, Gazania is not very laborious: fertilization should not be carried out on potted specimens either, because too many nutrients at most stimulate the growth of the leaves - but the willingness to flower undermines. Basically, the following rule applies: the barren the ground, the more luxuriant the flowers. Watering is only necessary if the soil / substrate threatens to dry out. Water rather little even on hot days - but maybe more often. For example, a small amount of water administered in the morning and evening is easier for the plant, which is used to dry locations, to cope with than a larger amount of water at once.

Cut Gazania correctly

Cutting measures are not necessary. Only that which has faded should be cleaned regularly so that the plant continuously develops new buds and blooms all the longer. With the right weather and plenty of sunshine, you can enjoy the pretty flowers until the first frost.

Increase Gazania

From January to the beginning of April you can prefer the midday gold from seeds you have collected yourself or from seeds bought from specialist shops. But be careful: Since the species cultivated in this country are often hybrid - i.e. they are hybrids - their seeds are often unable to germinate. Furthermore, the beautiful color of the flowers is no longer evident in flowers propagated from seeds. For these reasons, you should give preference to high-quality seed mixtures from specialist shops or grow offspring vegetatively from cuttings.

How to propagate from seeds:

• Potting soil use with a high proportion of sand
• Do not cover seeds with soil, as they can germinate light
• just press it down a little and moisten it lightly with water from a spray bottle
• warm and bright location
• optimal germination temperature: between 18 and 22 ° C
• no direct sun, but lots of light
• the bright east window is optimal
• Germination time: approx. 15 days
• Prick out as soon as the young plants have four to six leaves
• From May, place outdoors in a pot during the day and get used to the light
• Plant outdoors from the end of May

You take cuttings either from young shoots in early summer (which you then have to overwinter, as these plants do not bloom until the following year) or in early autumn. The cuttings are easier to overwinter than adult plants.
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Overwinter

In their homeland, the perennial Gazania often develop into small bushes that are slightly lignified at their base. They have a life expectancy of a few years. With us, the pretty flowers are not hardy and difficult to overwinter. The sun-hungry plants suffer from the lack of light in the Central European winter and therefore often develop significantly fewer flowers in the following year. If you still want to give it a try, you should definitely dig up, potted and overwintered Gazania as follows:

• bright, but not directly sunny location (east window or similar) ä.)
• Temperature between five and ten degrees Celsius
• water little, do not fertilize
• Gradually harden from April and place outdoors during the day
• Bring it into the house in case of frost and overnight
• Plant out from the end of May

Incidentally, cuttings cut in autumn are easier to overwinter than adult plants.

Diseases and pests

The easy-care gazanie is rather insensitive to diseases and pest infestation. A damp location or too generous watering behavior: if it is too wet, gray mold or even root rot develops very quickly. In this case, the affected plant can often no longer be saved and must be disposed of. In the case of planted specimens, it is essential to have one Snail protection in or around the bed, as the hungry reptiles also like to eat the delicate flowers. In unfavorable locations, weakened plants are often affected by aphids or Spider mites infested.

Species and varieties

We do not offer the botanically pure species of Gazania as garden or potted plants. Instead, there is a large selection of different hybrid strains available in a wide variety of colors, ranging from single-colored to multi-colored flowers. With the 'Daybreak' series, for example, you acquire white, pink, golden yellow and orange-flowered varieties with a spreading growth. If, on the other hand, you attach great importance to particularly large flowers, then the different varieties of the 'Big Kiss' series with their flower heads of up to twelve centimeters on average are just right. Probably the longest flowering time and duration of all varieties is the 'Talent' variety, whose flowers can appear in white, yellow, orange, pink or brown. In contrast, the 'Mini Star' variety appears rather compact.

• Yellow flowers: 'Chansonette Yellow', 'Daybreak Orange Cream', 'Kiss Yellow Flame'
• Orange flowers: 'Mini Star Tangerine', 'Daybreak Bright Orange', 'Kontiki Orange'
• Pink flowers: 'Chansonette Plus Pink', 'Daybreak Pink'
• White flowers: 'Mini Star White', 'Kiss Frosty White'