Gatsania: growing and care

In the modern world, we have an incredible assortment of the most beautiful flowers available for purchase and breeding. In this variety there are plants known to all and only gaining their fans. Today we will talk about a little-known, but surprisingly beautiful gatsaniya. The birthplace of this miracle is Africa, which does not prevent it from feeling comfortable in the latitudes of European countries. Gatsania is a perennial plant, but only in its native weather conditions. She cannot survive the severe frosts of our climate, therefore in our regions it becomes one-year-old. Of course, there are peculiarities in the cultivation of gatsania, but its brightness and durability attract and attract our gardeners, in this article we will consider these reasons in detail.

Gatsania: description of the plant

Gatsania: photo of a flower

In our country, and in Europe, perennial gatsania has been grown completely not so long ago.

African descent gives her an edge during dry periods, but for the same reason she loves sunny areas. The gatsania flower calmly tolerates harsh cold weather and the first frost. Such qualities make it possible to grow African chamomile in combination with plants of a temperate climatic zone.

External characteristics of gatsaniya:

• bushes are not very tall, not growing above 30 cm.
• leaves of various forms, collected in well-defined rosettes, marsh-colored with a silvery shade, rather dense in structure.
• the leaves begin their growth from the rhizome.
• stem not higher than 9 cm
• flowers are large, can reach a diameter of 9 cm, sharp petals have a dense structure.
• gatsania color is found in five varieties: pink, sand, red, bronze, orange.
• a distinctive feature of gatsania is the color of the base of the petals, it is thanks to it that a contrasting pattern is obtained.
• - the flowering period is long from the beginning of summer to the first cold weather.
• the flower can easily grow like a wild plant, that is, practically does not require maintenance.

Let us tell you a little secret: it opens its gatsania buds only in warm weather and in the sun, during periods of bad weather and at night, it will close the inflorescence into a bud. Accordingly, if you decide to plant a flower on the shady side, you will not see the beauty of its flowering.

Gatsania: growing seedlings

Gatsania: photo of a flower

Gatsania is propagated by seeds. It is up to you to buy them in a specialized store or assemble them yourself, there is no priority in the recommendation, they will sprout equally well. Sow one and a half two months before planting in the ground. The sowing time of gatsania seedlings is divided into the following time intervals:

• Early: late February early March
• Late: end of March beginning of April

Let's highlight a few rules for getting good gatsania seedlings:

• Sod land, peat, sand and humus are the main ingredients for an ideal planting substrate. All components should be combined in equal proportions, and the acidity with this combination is neutral.
• Before placing the gatsania seeds in the soil, do not forget to decontaminate it. Choose a method convenient for you: a solution of potassium permanganate, heating or freezing, the main thing is to get rid of harmful bacteria.
• The seedling mold is filled with prepared soil by 70% and watered with warm water. Gatsania seeds are spread in checkerboard order with an interval of two centimeters.
• Pressing the seeds, they are covered with 5 mm dry peat, sprayed with water and cover the container with a film.
• Before germination of gatsania seeds, the soil is moistened by spraying, and the temperature is maintained at least 20 degrees.
• The film is removed immediately after germination of the seeds, and the seedlings are transferred to a well-lit cool place.

Transplanting gatsania should be done very carefully, as there is a great chance of damaging the root system. Use peat cups or tablets, then at the right time you can simply place them in the ground. Before transferring seedlings to the ground, hardening procedures are carried out gradually reducing the air temperature.

In our latitudes, there is not enough sunlight for a flower, which is why gardeners often resort to using a fluorescent lamp.

Planting gatsania in the ground

Gatsania: photo of a flower

They try to carry out the landing of gatsania in mid-May. This time is ideal in terms of temperature and weather, at a later time your seedlings are likely to "burn". There is a generally accepted layout of 20x20 and 25x25. The finished flower bed must be watered with warm water and covered with a special material - agrofibre. Thus, you will protect the seedlings from low temperatures and direct sunlight. The fiber is removed after 4-6 days.

Note that if the soil is depleted before planting, it should be fertilized with humus, ash or mineral fertilizers.

Gatsania care

Gatsania: photo of a flower

There is nothing easier than taking care of gatsania, watering and loosening the aisles.

Let's break it down into stages:

• Water infrequently, but abundantly. It is important to remember that the African flower is calmer about dryness than about excess moisture. Water accordingly during dry periods.
• Gatsania does not need frequent feeding, once a month is enough. Mineral fertilization is preferable, but usually the fertilizer added during soil preparation is sufficient.
• Gating planting sites need periodic weeding and loosening. Use sawdust, pebbles, rubble, or stones to reduce weeds.
• Withered flowers are removed, this ensures the formation of new buds.
• The only disease that gatsania are prone to is gray rot. It is destroyed by removing the infected plants, and the remaining plants are treated with an antifungal agent.
• Aphids, spider mites and snails are pests that precipitate African chamomile. Fight them with chemicals.

Due to the unsuitable climate on gatsania, the seeds do not always have time to ripen, but if summer pleases with length and warm weather, the seeds will ripen.

Gatsania seeds are like two drops of water similar to the seeds of the well-known dandelion. The collection of seeds is carried out as follows: the bud is wrapped in several turns with gauze, plucked and dried.

Conclusion

Gatsania: photo of a flower

Perennial gatsania fit perfectly into the Russian climate conditions. Heat, drought and not big frosts are all minor troubles for the plant. Gatsania is in perfect harmony in city flower beds, gardens and parks, loved by designers and florists. Therefore, gardeners are paying more and more attention to the beautiful gatsaniya.