How to Grow Blue-Eyed Daisy? Master the Growing Methods and Precautions

Blue-eyed daisy, also known as African daisy, is a plant native to southern Africa. Its blooms are very beautiful, with diverse colors and lovely, fresh flowers, and it is loved by many flower enthusiasts. The blue-eyed daisy can be considered a tropical plant, and its intolerance to cold is one of its major weaknesses. How should the blue-eyed daisy be grown? And what precautions are there?

How to Grow Blue-Eyed Daisy

1. Temperature: Give appropriate temperature according to the requirements of the specific blue-eyed daisy variety. The germination temperature for most blue-eyed daisy seeds is between 20-25°C. Too high or too low a temperature will directly affect the germination rate of blue-eyed daisy seeds.

2. Humidity: When sowing blue-eyed daisy seeds, water management is very crucial. Before sowing, use a fine nozzle to water thoroughly until the bottom water is saturated; the size of the water droplets should be such that they do not impact the soil surface and keep the soil surface level. After watering, water again with a fungicide solution; the commonly used agent is chlorothalonil. After sowing or covering, spray water once more with a fine mist nozzle, watering thoroughly, so that the seeds fully contact the substrate and covering material.

3. Light: Blue-eyed daisy seeds germinate better under light conditions. After the seeds germinate, they must receive light, otherwise the blue-eyed daisy seedlings will become leggy. If sowing in summer, shade must be provided, otherwise the light will be too strong and water will evaporate rapidly, which will affect seed germination.

4. Covering: After sowing blue-eyed daisy seeds, cover the sowing pot with glass, plastic film or plastic sheeting, which can maintain air humidity and also keep warm and increase temperature in winter. In summer, the film may be omitted, and if covered with film it must not be sealed; both sides must be ventilated. After the blue-eyed daisy seeds germinate, promptly remove the covering.

5. Transplanting: When the blue-eyed daisy seedlings grow to a suitable size for transplanting, promptly prick out or plant them in their final position, otherwise it is easy to cause the seedlings to become leggy and delay production.

Blue-Eyed Daisy Growing Methods and Precautions

I. Blue-Eyed Daisy Growing Methods

1. Growth Habits

The blue-eyed daisy likes a warm environment with sufficient light and fertile soil, but they can also grow tenaciously in poor soil, high-salinity or arid environments. It should be noted that the stress resistance of different blue-eyed daisy varieties varies considerably. Generally speaking, blue-eyed daisies with relatively strong stress resistance have spreading leaves, prostrate plants, and flower colors mostly in purple, pink, white, etc., with flower centers mostly dark blue.

2. Propagation Methods

Two propagation methods: seed propagation and cuttings propagation. Seeds are generally sown in autumn, winter or spring, and cuttings propagation is generally carried out in autumn and winter.

3. Care

Because the currently cultivated blue-eyed daisy varieties have a relatively long flowering period, maintaining proper watering and fertilization alone can keep the plant blooming continuously. There is no need to cut off faded flowers, otherwise it will be detrimental to seed setting. If the blue-eyed daisy is grown in a container, the soil must be kept moist; once the soil dries out, the blue-eyed daisy will enter a dormant period, causing flower buds to drop, and it will not be easy for it to bloom again afterwards. If watering again after drought, do not water too much; excessively moist soil will cause root rot.

4. Pest and Disease Control

Because the cultivation and management of the blue-eyed daisy is relatively simple, there are rarely pests and diseases. The common pest is aphids, and at this time 80% dichlorvos emulsifiable concentrate at 800-1000 times dilution or Yibianjing at 1000 times dilution can be sprayed on the plants.

II. Precautions

1. Safety through summer.

The blue-eyed daisy is said to be afraid of heat, but last year two plants placed on the windowsill both got through it safely.

2. No direct sunlight needed; sufficient light is enough for the blue-eyed daisy. It can bloom on a windowsill without direct sunlight, and on cloudy days it can also bloom if there is enough scattered light.

3. The flowering period is early and the flower quantity is not small.

The blue-eyed daisies on the windowsill bloomed about half a month earlier than those outdoors; the reason may be that the outdoor temperature is lower. As for the flower quantity, just look at the pictures; this is a picture from half a month ago, and the flower quantity was already quite large at that time.

When Does the Blue-Eyed Daisy Bloom

Generally, its flowers bloom in summer and end in late autumn, but in some areas with higher temperatures, it can last from April in spring until the flowers fade in November, equivalent to blooming for 2-3 years.

How to Take Blue-Eyed Daisy Cuttings

1. Season Selection

Cuttings of blue-eyed daisy branches should preferably be taken in spring, which is conducive to rooting and sprouting. It is best not to take cuttings in summer, as this will greatly reduce the survival rate of cuttings and affect propagation.

2. Selection of Soil Substrate

The blue-eyed daisy has strong adaptability to the environment and vigorous vitality. Therefore, the requirements for the soil substrate are not high. Generally speaking, sand, soil, perlite and their mixed media are all acceptable. Mixing in sand is mainly to ensure the water permeability of the potting soil, making it easier for branches to root. Then, cut a section of blue-eyed daisy branch from a mature, well-growing mother plant, give it simple treatment, and gently insert it into the potting soil.

3. Watering

When watering after cuttings, be sure to water thoroughly, then place the plant in a ventilated and shady place to avoid a dry environment caused by rapid water evaporation from direct sunlight. You may also choose to cover the plant with plastic film or a plastic bag to maintain humidity. Later, after the blue-eyed daisy branches from the cuttings have successfully grown new tender shoots, they can be moved to a relatively warm place with sufficient light. After that, simply keep the potting soil moist and water the blue-eyed daisy plant regularly, but be careful that the frequency does not cause water to accumulate in the pot.

4. Fertilizing

The blue-eyed daisy has a relatively long growth period, lasting from spring to late autumn, during which it will be pinched twice. When it is planted in its final position, an appropriate amount of base fertilizer can be applied, which helps more with blooming. If there is sufficient light and suitable humidity, the blue-eyed daisy needs at most only two months from seedling to blooming.

The blue-eyed daisy is a rising star in the flower market and likes a warm growing environment with sufficient light. Its growing methods are not difficult, and they have all been explained in detail above. I hope it can help everyone. If growing in a container, the soil must be kept moist.