Flower of the Day - African Daisy

 

Native to: Africa

Latin Name: Dimorphotheca Aurantiaca

Botanical Name: Osteospermum

Flower Type: Annual

Blossom Colors: yellow, orange, salmon or white with a brown center

Blooming Time: April - August

Vase Life: 7-10 Days

Storage Temperature: 36-38 degrees F

Ethylene sensitivity: Not Sensitive

Height: About 1 Foot

Special Care Instructions:

Plant Care:

Full sun to Partial Shade. They will bloom more profusely in full sun, but they appreciate some shade in hot weather.

Prefer an acidic soil with soil pH of 5.0 - 5.5.

Need at least an inch of water per week

Cut Flower Care:

Cut stems under water with a sharp knife.  Hydrate in a solution of warm water and commercial floral preservative / floral food for two hours before storage or usage. 

African Daisies should be suspended by their heads during the hydration process.  This can be done by positioning a wire grid over a bucket of solution, then slipping the stems through the grid.  The flower heads should rest on the grid and the stems suspend in the water without touching the bottom.  This will result in straight stems, and eliminate the need for wiring.  

African Daisies are sensitive to fluoride.  Fluoridated water can cause petal tip burn.  If flowers are properly conditioned, bent necks should not occur.  If a bent neck does occur it is probably the result of clogged stems due to dirty vase water.

African Daisies are very heavy water drinkers and will last longer in vase water than in floral foam.

Interesting Fact: Groundhogs  will devour the entire plant.