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| Osteospermum | Common name; African Daisy |
A bushy half hardy perennial, often grown as an annual in the UK, that grows to around 600mm (24") high and flowers from July onwards.
Week 3; If more stock is required start potted plants into growth by increasing the ambient temperature to 10°-16°C(50-°-60°F) to encourage new growth.
Week 7; Take tip cuttings from potted plants.
Sow seeds under glass at a temperature of 18°-20°C (65°-68°F) on a good free draining compost
Cover with a fine sprinkling of vermiculite, do not exclude light and this will assist the germination process
Germination should take around 4-5 days
Week 9; Prick out the seedlings into boxes/75mm (3") pots, and grow on at a temperature of 14°- 16°C (57°- 60°F).
Week 13; Gradually harden off seedlings and cuttings in a frost free coldframe.
Week 14; To increase stock; divide potted plants and or established plants in the border, pot them up into individual pots and grow them on in a coldframe until planting out time.
Week 22; Plant out when all fear of frosts have passed.
Plant 300mm (12") apart in a warm, sunny location in light well drained soil.
Dead head regularly to encourage repeat flowering.
To flower under glass from April to July, grow three plants in a 150mm (6") diameter pot of John lnnes No1 potting compost (or similar)
Maintain a winter temperature of 8°C (45°F) and water sparingly.
Week 43; Cut old stems down to ground level in October.
Use cloches to protect the plants from excessive dampness in winter.
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