African daisies, also known as osteospermums, are popular flowering plants known for their vibrant colors and striking appearance Their bright blooms can instantly brighten up any outdoor space
Transplanting established African daisy plants is an excellent way to propagate them and create more blooms in different parts of your garden. With the right technique and proper aftercare, transplanting these beauties can be easy and rewarding
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the entire process of successfully transplanting African daisy plants step-by-step
When is the Best Time to Transplant African Daisy?
Timing is crucial when it comes to transplanting any plant. For African daisies, the ideal time to transplant is during early spring or fall when temperatures are mild and the plants are not actively growing.
Mid-spring and fall are perfect as the weather is moderate, frost-free, and rain is usually plentiful. Avoid transplanting during the heat of summer or in winter when the plants are dormant. Doing so can shock the plants and jeopardize their health.
The window between early spring (March-April) to mid fall (October-November) is the safest bet for transplanting African daisies.
Step-by-Step Guide to Transplanting African Daisy
Follow this simple step-by-step guide for transplanting African daisies successfully:
Choose a Sunny Spot
Select a location that receives at least 6 hours of full sun daily. African daisies thrive best in sunny spots with well-draining soil.
Prepare the Soil
Prepare the new planting area at least 2-3 weeks in advance. Loosen the top 12 inches of soil and mix in 2-3 inches of compost or organic matter to enrich drainage and nutrition. You can also sprinkle some all-purpose fertilizer a couple of weeks before transplanting.
Water the Plants
Thoroughly water the African daisy plants 1-2 days before transplanting. Well-hydrated plants suffer less shock during transplantation.
Dig Up the Plants
Gently dig around the plants with a spade. Slowly lift the plants trying to keep as much of the root ball intact as possible. The wider the root ball, the lesser the shock.
Transplant Quickly
Immediately transfer the African daisy plants to the prepped sunny spot. Plant them at the same depth as their original planting. Gently firm the soil around the roots removing any air pockets.
Water Immensely
Water the freshly planted African daisies deeply right after transplanting. This eliminates air spaces in the soil and establishes contact between roots and soil.
Provide Shade
Place cardboard boxes, burlap sacks or row covers around the plants to provide afternoon shade for the first few days. This protects them from wilting or sun scald.
Hold off Fertilizer
Avoid fertilizing for 3-4 weeks after transplanting. Fertilizing too soon can burn roots. Wait until you see new growth before resuming fertilization.
Monitor Watering
Check soil moisture daily and water whenever top inch feels dry. Soak thoroughly to encourage deep root establishment. Avoid overwatering.
Aftercare Tips for Transplanted African Daisies
With proper aftercare, transplanted African daisies will flourish in their new home. Here are some useful aftercare tips:
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Provide 1-1.5 inches of water weekly till plants are established.
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Apply balanced fertilizer per label directions after 4 weeks.
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Prune spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming.
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Monitor for pests like aphids and treat organically if found.
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Cover with frost cloth if cold nights are expected.
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Mulch around plants to retain moisture and control weeds.
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Stake tall plants if needed to prevent toppling.
Tips for a Successful African Daisy Transplant
Follow these handy tips to ensure your African daisies transplant smoothly:
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Handle plants gently during digging and replanting.
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Keep the root ball intact while transplanting to prevent shock.
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Transplant on a cloudy or cool day to avoid sun and heat stress.
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Water heavily just before and right after transplanting the daisies.
-Allow plenty of space between plants for air circulation and growth.
-Provide temporary shade to newly transplanted plants.
-Hold back fertilizer for a few weeks until plants recover.
Troubleshooting Common Transplant Issues
Here are some common transplanting issues and how to fix them:
Wilting Plants: Increase watering frequency and provide shade. Wilting is caused by excessive stress and water loss.
Yellowing Leaves: Usually indicates overwatering. Allow soil to partially dry before watering again.
Minimal New Growth: Can signal root damage during transplanting. Make sure soil is moist and sprinkle root stimulator.
Leggy Growth: Indicates insufficient sunlight. Move plants to a sunnier location.
Failure to Bloom: Transplant shock can temporarily disrupt blooming. Allow more time to establish before flowers appear.
Propagating African Daisies from Cuttings
In addition to transplanting established plants, African daisies can also be easily propagated from cuttings. Here’s a quick overview:
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Take 4-6 inch cuttings from healthy plants in spring using clean shears.
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Remove lower leaves and dip cut end in rooting hormone powder.
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Plant cuttings in seed starting mix in small pots.
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Maintain constant moisture and provide warmth and light.
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Transplant new plants after a good root system develops in 4-6 weeks.
Benefits of Transplanting African Daisies
Transplanting African daisies offers multiple benefits:
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Propagates new, robust plants quickly.
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Rejuvenates and revives old, overcrowded plants.
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Allows you to move plants to more suitable locations easily.
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Enables you to shape and expand your garden landscape.
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Promotes continuous blooming with proper care.
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Maximizes growth, flowering and aesthetic appeal.
Final Tips for Transplanting African Daisies
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Transplant established plants only when essential as it disrupts root growth.
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Water the plants well a day before and after transplanting.
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Keep the root ball intact when moving plants to minimize trauma.
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Plant African daisies 12-24 inches apart to allow sufficient growing room.
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Provide temporary shade after transplanting until plants recover.
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Hold off fertilizer for a few weeks then resume as per directions.
With this handy guide, you can confidently transplant African daisies and enjoy their vibrant blossoms wherever you desire. Respect their care needs, allow time to establish, and your transplanted daisies will thrive gorgeously!
What You Need To Plant African Daisy
- Transplanting spade or hand spade
- Complete fertilizer formulated for blooming plants or tomatoes
- Hand pruners
- Location with full sun
- Well-draining soil
- Water source
- A mulch of organic material such as compost arborist chips or shredded leaves
Where to Plant African Daisy
African Daisy needs full sun to bloom well. Shade in the early morning or late in the afternoon is acceptable. The soil should be on the acid side of the pH scale. Well-draining and loose soil is best. African Daisy does not like wet feet. The root system is fibrous, spreading, and shallow in the ground.
African Daisy is a compact grower that does not exceed 2 feet in height. Older plants can be spreading and reach 3 feet across. Plant African Daisies in multiples of 3 or 5 if space allows. Large drifts of one color have more impact than individual plants dotted around the garden. Space the plants at 16-inch intervals so they fill in the ground entirely as the season progresses. African Daisy rarely needs staking for support and is not considered an invasive grower.
26. How to transplant African daisies | Daisy Plant
FAQ
Do African daisies transplant well?
Do African daisies like sun or shade?
Do African daisies grow from cuttings?
How do you propagate African daisies?
Here’s how to propagate African daisies: Fill a shallow tray with a sterile seed-starting mixture and dampen the mix slightly. Use sharp bypass pruners to take plant cuttings with two sets of leaf nodes or more, trimming 2 to 3 inches. Pinch off any flower buds present, and remove the lower leaves.
Can African daisies grow from seeds?
Most African daisy varieties are hybrids and won’t grow true from seeds saved from the plants. But you can easily propagate your plants by cuttings. This is also the best way to overwinter the plant outside of its hardiness zones. Here’s how to propagate African daisies:
Why are African daisies called daisybushes?
The African daisy is also known as the Cape daisy and osteospermum. However, the most fitting name for this plant is their common nickname—daisybushes. They earned this name for their unique growth pattern. When cultivated properly, African daisies form small bushes decorated with flowers on all sides.
When should I plant African daisies?
They should be started indoors around the same time as your other annuals, which is about 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost in your area. African daisies need light to germinate, so you simply need to sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil to plant them. Do not cover them.