As one of the most popular flowers, daisies enjoy a cheerful appearance and versatility. From giving your garden a bright note to dimension and charm indoors, daisies are perfect. Daisies are some of the loveliest flowers to grow at home, and with our tips, you can develop these beautiful blooms in your backyard or even inside your home. This complete guide will guide you through everything you need to know if you want a daisy per home to grow.
Understanding Daisies
But before you get started, it helps to know a bit about daisies. Daisies are members of the Asteraceae family and come in multiple varieties, including:
- Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum): Large classic white petals and a yellow centre, ideal for home gardens.
- Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare): Various wildflowers are suitable for giving a naturalised appearance.
- African Daisy (Osteospermum): These flowers are popular for their bright colours and ability to deal with hot weather.
- English Daisy (Bellis perennis): Compact varieties commonly used in borders and pots.
The kind of daisy you want to grow will affect your care habits and planting spot.
Step 1: Start with the Right Variety
Depending on your aesthetics and space taste, you have a variety. For example:
- They make a great choice for a large garden, such as Shasta daisies.
- African daisies are perfect for pots indoors with their bright hues.
- English daisies are suitable for tight spots or edging.
Look into each type to learn about its growth habits, flowering season and care needs.
Step 2: Prepare the Soil
They prosper in moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Prepare the soil by following these steps:
- Test the Soil: Do a soil test using a pH test kit Daisies thrive in slightly acidic to neutral soils (pH 6.0 to 7.0).
- Amend the Soil: To enhance fertility and drainage, incorporate organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure.
- Loosen the Soil: Use a garden fork to aerate the soil and break up clumps. This will encourage you to grow the proper root growing.
Step 3: Find the Best Location
Daisies need lots of sun to grow well. Choose a location in either full sun (at least 6 hours a day) or partial or light shade. Most daisies tolerate partial shade but prefer full sun to promote optimal growth and prolific bloom.
Step 4: Planting Daisies
Daisies are propagated via seeds, cuttings or young plants. Each method has its benefits:
A. Growing from Seeds
- Soil Temperature: Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost or sow outdoors in spring once the frost has passed.
- Sowing: Indoors: Sow in a light, well-draining potting mix in seed trays. Sow the seeds onto the surface and just barely cover them. Outdoors: Braise the seeds on prepared soil and press them in lightly.
- Watering: Water sparingly enough to dampen the soil (not soggy).
- Germinating the seeds: Set the seeds in a warm spot. They generally germinate in 10-14 days.
B. Growing from Cuttings
- Choose Cuttings: Take 3-4 inch cuttings from healthy, mature plants in late spring or summer.
- Preparation: Strip the bottom few leaves and dip the cut ends in the rooting hormone.
- Planting: Place them in a pot of sand and compost. Place them in a warm, shaded spot until they are rooted.
C. Planting Young Plants
- Spacing: When planting, space your plants 12-24 inches apart to give them room to grow and for the air to circulate.
- Depth: Plant at the same depth they grew in their nursery pots to prevent stem rot.
Step 5: Watering Requirements
Daisies like to be kept moist yet do not respond well to being saturated. Here’s how to give them exactly the right amount of water:
- Once a week, water deeply, keeping the soil wet but not soggy.
- Increase the frequency of watering during hot or dry spells.
- Don’t water overhead, where wet leaves can spread fungal diseases.
Step 6: Fertilisation
Daisies do not require a lot of fertiliser, but as with any plant, giving them nutrients is always a good way to ensure good growth and flowering. Follow these guidelines:
- First off Fertilisation: Incorporate a well-balanced slow-release fertiliser into the soil during planting.
- Continuous Feeding: Every 4-6 weeks in the growing season with a liquid fertiliser.
- Don’t over-fertilise, as too many nutrients can encourage foliage growth at the expense of flowers.
Step 7: Pruning and Deadheading
Frequent pruning and deadheading promote continuous blooming and support plant health:
- Deadheading: Snip off spent flowers to focus the plant’s effort on making new ones.
- Pruning: Trim the stems one-third after flowering to encourage bushier growth.
- Prune out yellowing or damaged leaves to avoid dose spread.
Step 8: Managing Pests and Disease
Daisies are pretty easy to tend to but may occasionally cause problems with aphids, powdery mildew, or slugs. Here’s how to address them:
- Aphids: Dust plants with water and mild dish soap.
- Powdery Mildew: Maintain good air circulation and not watering from above. Use a fungicide if necessary.
- Slugs and Snails: To kill these pests, use organic slug pellets or make beer traps.
Step 9: Overwintering
In colder parts of the country, daisies need some Winter protection:
- Mulch at the base of the plants with straw or leaves to insulate the roots.
- For container daisies, bring them to a sheltered spot or inside to prevent frost damage.
- Cut the stems back to a few inches above the soil to prepare for dormancy.
Step 10: For Propagation and Division
To maintain your daisies from one year to the next, propagate or divide the plants every 2-3 years:
- Division: In early spring or autumn, lift established plants and divide them into smaller clumps. Transplant these factions into ready soil.
- Propagation: Gather seeds from dried flower heads and store them in a cool, dry location for use next growing season.
Growing Daisies Indoors
For growing daisies indoors, consider these tips:
- Use pots with drainage holes so your plants don’t waterlog.
- Put the pots in a sunny window for 4-6 hours of sunlight. Add grow lights if natural light is not enough.
- Water sparingly, allowing the top inch of soil to dry between waterings.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overwatering: Too much moisture can cause root rot.
- Soil that Accumulates Water: Ensure your soil and pots have good drainage to avoid soggy roots.
- Overcrowding: Give plants enough space to prevent competition and promote airflow.
- Skipping Deadheading: Regularly remove spent blooms to keep your plant neat and encourage new blossoms.
Conclusion
It is terrific to sow daisies at home. From a garden bed to a container or indoors, these sweet flowers will surely add beauty and joy to any area. With this step-by-step guide, you can develop a successful daisy that will light up your environment and offer you constant blossoms. Enjoy the journey of growing daisies with a bit of care and affection. They will reward you with the beauty of nature and a feeling of success.
