| Description: | Osteospermum may be used as potted, tub, bed and border plant in places exposed to full sunlight. Consumer tip: Fertilize regularly and keep permanently wet in summer. Remove withered parts regularly to avoid seed setting. Hot weather may lead to flowering depression effects. |
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| Potting: | 12 cm pot; approx. 27 plants/m²; weeks 1-10. Cold cultivation is possible; weeks 42 - 50. |
| Substrate: | Substrate of type 2 with clay portions (recommended: substrate well fertilized before use). pH approx. 6 |
| Fertilization: | Very consumptive, application of 0.15 to 0.25 % complete fertilizer after full rooting, one to two times weekly. Have an eye on iron deficiency symptoms during cultivation. Should they occur, they can easily be remedied with conventional iron chelate fertilizers. |
| Temperature: | Start at 16 - 18 °C, then 12 - 16 °C after 4 to 5 weeks. In case of cold cultivation: temperatures between 2 and 8 °C are easily tolerated. |
| Light: | Full light, no shadow. If necessary use assimilation light for early flowering, 3,000 lux, day length: 16 h. |
| Flowering: | Starts early in May depending on light conditions (if no extra light is used). |
| Growth regulators: | Topflor max. 0,05%; max. 2x; Cycocel 720 0,1 to 0,15%. Take into account the compressive effect when Tilt (0.03 %) is applied. |
| Pinching: | Pinch once 1 to 2 weeks after potting or immediately in case of a suitable young plant size. Recommended: lopping to get 3 to 4 leaves. |
| Diseases and pest: | Botrytis, downy mildew, plant lice; miner flies, thrips; take hygienic measures! |
| Water balance is of importance; the plants must not stand too wet, danger of botrytis, damage to roots and irregular plant build-up are the consequences. | |