PERENNIALS > OSTEOSPERMUM > PROBLEMS
IN THIS GUIDE
OSTEOSPERMUM GUIDES
Common ProblemsCuttings PropagationGrowing From SeedPruningVarietiesWinter Care
The absolute majority of osteospermum varieties are tender recurrent evergreen plant and are usually grown as annuals in most regions of the UK .
These small plants ’ simple , merry flowers , astray - open and phonograph recording - shaped , almost startle the observer with their bracing innocence , specially the unity in lily-white and pale tones which are exactly what very many varieties farm .
African Daisies in the principal are plague - resistant and disease - loose plants .
Only a handful of problems and issues bear on them in most British clime and even these can be precluded under optimal growing weather condition .
The four main issues that gardeners in the UK call for to be aware of are outlined underneath .
See guidelines for dealing with each of these vulgar problem below .
1) Aphid Infestation
Aphids are midget sap - sucking pests of which there are many hoagy - mintage but all of them have two attributes in common : they cover very chop-chop and they can be destructive .
As terrifying as they may voice , aphid are not very difficult to hold in , especially if the plague is detect early or before these pests have colonize your plants .
The first trend of action at law is to endure aphid and allow the wildlife in your garden to contain aphids , which are predated by ladybird and blue tits among others .
After all , they may not cause significant damage to affected plants .
The next best approach shot is to pass over aphids colonies off plants by hired hand .
If all else fails , constitutional pesticide moderate natural pyrethrum or industrial plant oils such as Rapeseed Oil can be used which are less probable to sham larger insects such as lady beetle .
For detailed information please see our gardening guide onaphids .
2) Downy Mildew
Downy Mildew is not exactly rare in rainy England .
This is because this air - bourne fungal disease that taint foliage thrives in wet weather and is push by moist foliage .
Downy Mildew , manifesting as unsightly discoloration and blotch on the upper leaf surface and obvious grey mould on the lower foliage surface , can not be treated with consumer - category fungicides .
However , it seldom prove disastrous and can be avoided with a bit of effort .
Head off downy mildew by watering at dirt point or watering before 10 am – sooner both !
utterly do not get the foliage wet in the eve .
If an Osteospermum does get this disease , cut off and destroy the affected part , keep the foliage dry at all times , and guarantee that the plant has good air circulation and get ample sunlight .
3) Root Rot
African daisy originated in the veldt of South Africa and they flourish in the light , flaxen , and crumbly soils of their native home ground .
Also , the grease they grow in must enfeeble very well and not be waterlogged .
Clayey soils , compact soil , too much organic cloth , and damp flat coat , conversely , are not well stomach by this plant .
Such conditions may well lend about root buncombe , which is very difficult to blob , or even cause other , follow - on fungous diseases .
If your osteospermum show signs of exhaustion ( stunt plants with low vim and which droop easily ) and your soil is of the type described above , your plant may well have root rotting .
“ touched works can be identified by digging them up and washing the roots , ” shares Master Horticulturist Roy Nicol .
“ If they are dark colored and soft , these part can often be cut away and if sufficient white healthy roots continue the plant can be replant in its favoured dirt circumstance described above . ”
4) Wilting And Dieback
The wrong type of soil , overwatering , or consistently dampish soil may do , not only origin rot , but , a serious disease which will evidence in African daisy as droop and even dieback .
This disease is Verticillium wilting .
Though uncommon , it can and does dissemble African daisy .
unluckily , there is no consumer - social class treatment for this soil - hold fungal disease that lash out the beginning and then clogs up the plant life artery .
If Osteospermum industrial plant have Verticillium wilt , they must , sadly , be uproot and destroyed .
“ Plants bear on by this fungus can be identify by cutting a section of a woody stem and see to it if a rophy or part - circle of brown marks are visible , this is the dice - back of the water system - carrying vessels ( xylem ) in the plant . ”
plant susceptible to this disease should not be grow in grunge known to be infect with the Verticillium fungus .
