Big Maggy® F1 Orange Flame

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Asteraceae or Compositae

Order

Asterales

Genus

Gazania

Species

splendens

Description

An ornamental herbaceous plant belonging to the genus Gazania, comprising perennial or annual species originating in southern Africa and characterised by the typical flower head inflorescence; it has compact growth and high rusticity. It develops showy, daisy-like flowers in bright, intense colours, the corollas of which tend to close at dusk. It is suitable both for decorating gardens, creating flower carpets throughout the summer in flowerbeds and borders, and for terraces and balconies where, also in compositions with other species or varieties, it creates scenic focal points by attracting pollinating insects useful for preserving the biodiversity of the area.

Variety description

Compact Gazania variety with large two-coloured star-shaped flowers. Ideal for cultivation in packs, but especially for pots of ø 10 up to 14 cm.

Curiosities and special features

The genus name, Gazania, comes from the Byzantine humanist T. Gaza. In the Anglo-Saxon world it is often referred to as Treasure Flower, in connection with its bright blooms.

Origin and distribution

Native to South Africa, it is now one of the most popular ornamental flowering species in Europe among growers and hobbyists with numerous varieties with long, abundant flowerings and intense colour tones.

Flower size

The flower appears large when compared to other varieties of the same species, making it an attractive focal point.

Leaf

The Leaf lamina is linear and pubescent, with thick silvery hairs on the underside.

Flowering period

It flowers for a long time, from mid-spring to mid-autumn, lasting from 200 to 240 days, which allows us to design our garden or terrace considering possible associations with other ornamental flowering species or different varieties of gazania to achieve continuous flowering over the months.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence head typical of Species belonging to the botanical Family of Compositae.

Leaf colour

Solid colours, in perfect colour contrast with the flowers.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.25 to 0.3 m, making gazania suitable for compact ornamental compositions with striking colour tones, even in combination with other flowering species.

Lifespan

Plant grown as an annual.

Where to plant

Its high rusticity and large, brightly coloured flowers make it perfect for use in flowerbeds, terraces, outdoor tubs, borders, planters

It is an attractive decorative solution for both large landscaped flowerbeds and small green spaces in which the flowering is able to stand out significantly and, at the same time, create a habitat that is welcome by pollinating insects, thus helping to preserve and protect biodiversity.

Stem

The stem is herbaceous, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is daisy-shaped, large, with a symmetrical corolla and two-coloured petals. It is arranged in large flower head inflorescences. It flowers from mid-spring to mid-autumn, with a flowering period of between 200 and 240 days. It is attractive to bees, bumblebees and butterflies.

Growth

The variety shows compact and well-proportioned growth.

Plant habit

The habit is typically globular, making it possible to obtain highly scenic flowerbeds.

Branching

It develops abundant, dense branching with an even ratio of flowers to Leaf.

PH

For gazania, the ideal pH of the Soil/medium is sub-acidic, with values in the range of 5.5 to 6.5.

Soil preparation

Prior to transplanting, carry out superficial digging to remove any weeds, previous crop residues and bulky stones, then bury slow-release organic or chemical fertiliser so that the plant has the nutrients it needs for its first development phase after planting. To encourage drainage of excess water, continue by creating a raised bed by slightly bouldering the soil and finally add professional quality substrate on the surface for about 5/10 cm and carefully level it out.

Sun exposure

It develops adequately in half-shade, full sun conditions; lighting is a primary factor as gazania flowers close when exposed to low irradiation, needing light during the day to open.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 14 and 18 °C. The biological temperature is between 4 and 32 °C; it is well adapted to hot summer climates.

Use

Its globular habit as well as its conspicuous and prolonged summer flowering make gazania one of the most popular ornamental species used in
Outdoor ornamentals Landscaping

Hardiness

It is highly rustic, adapting both to use in the ground and in pots.

Soil

It prefers medium, light and well-drained soil as it fears waterlogging; the addition of sand is recommended if the soil is too compact. For pots or planters, use a substrate for spring plants containing peat and perlite.

Difficulty

It is an excellent choice among flowering ornamental plants to decorate gardens and terraces as it is easy to manage, requiring no particular effort in its maintenance.

Growing tips

To achieve lush vegetative growth and abundant flowering, consider the following aspects and cultivation measures:
With too little light, the flowers close Avoid over-watering The flowers need at least 6 hours of sun to open.

Combinations with other plants

In compositions with Ageratum houstonianum, Coreopsis lanceolata, Cosmos, Echinacea purpurea, Gomphrena globosa, Portulaca grandiflora, Salvia farinacea or Senecio cineraria, one can achieve results of refined beauty in flowerbeds or borders.

Planting

We recommend an average planting density of 20 plants per square metre in a flower bed so that each individual specimen can develop compact growth and thus obtain a proportionate and formally balanced overall composition. Take care to place the plant in a raised bed with the collar outside the soil surface, ensuring that the root ball is moist, also water immediately after transplanting.

Propagation

Multiplication can be by seed or by apical cuttings.

Watering

Rainwater can be used for irrigation, alternatively canal water with an optimal neutral pH, by hand-watering or sprinkling. Take extra care in the initial stages following transplanting during which the plant may be more exposed to water stress in the new site, keeping the latter at a constant humidity but not in saturated conditions. Afterwards, as gazania roots are afraid of excess water causing root rot, it is advisable to allow the soil or substrate to dry out slightly between successive transplants while preventing dryness.

Fertilising

Before transplanting, carry out a background fertilisation by burying organic or slow-release chemical fertiliser. Following proper establishment in the new planting site, during the spring-summer period, apply a balanced liquid fertiliser specifically for ornamental flowering plants to the soil or substrate; it is advisable not to exceed the doses applied and the frequency of application as delays in flowering may be caused by excess fertiliser, particularly nitrogen.

Pet safety

Ingestion toxicity for pets not known, consider case-specific and do not administer.

Edibility for humans

It is not edible.

Toxicity for humans

Ingestion toxicity not known, avoid ingestion.

Tip

The flowering of this colour of gazania is very attractive due to the burgundy rays on the orange petals. In warmer weather the flowering declines a little, but will resume in the autumn up to temperatures close to zero degrees. The well-grown plant can withstand temperatures as low as -4 °C for a few hours in winter.