Crazy Daisy

Culture guide

Usage

Plants for border, pot and container plants, plants attract bees and butterflies, cut flower production, plants for rock garden

Sow time

January-April for green pots and cut flower production; outdoors June-August for flowering in pots the following year; June-August for cut flower production indoors with wintering

Sowing method

3-4 seeds per plug, sowing directly into pots is possible

Germination

Germinates in 9-12 days at 65-77 °F (25-25 °C). After sowing, cover seed lightly with vermiculite.

Growing on

Transplant plugs after 6 weeks. Grow on at 50-55 °F (12-13 °C) in a well-drained humus medium. Vernalization is required for flower initiation in all varieties. After vernalization, begin forcing plants at 60-65 °F (15-18 °C) for 7-8 weeks under long days.

Media

Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-20 % parts (e.g. perlite, sand), 1,5-3 kg/m³ complete balanced fertilizer, 0-3 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer (3-9 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.8-6.5. Field: loamy sandy to sandy humus soils with good drainage and good nutrition levels. Standard fertilization: 80-100 g/m² of a slow release fertilizer.

Temperature

Grow at 10-18 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. Outdoors fleece cover needed. In spring the plants start to grow for 5-10 weeks at 13-18 °C and long day. Temperatures above 20 °C will increase the risk of infection with fungi and make the plant habit worse. Cold temperatures will increase the cultivation time. If cultivated at low light levels, the temperature should be cool for good stem quality. A chilling period (vernalization) for 10-12 weeks is recommended for flower initiation. This will improve uniformity and the quantity of the flowering. Without a chilling period the flowering is very limited.

Fertilization

Moderate-high fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-150 ppm nitrogen (at 3 kg/m³ slow release fertilizer in substrate), using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Don’t fertilize after mid September. In spring fertilize 100-150 ppm nitrogen of a potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K₂O-ratio: 1:1,5). Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,05 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency (above pH 6.0) apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times. Field: If necessary according to analysis, improve the soil with 80-100 g/m² of a slow release fertilizer, applied in several portions. Take care of possible iron deficiency and apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times. N min soil value: approximately 130 g N/m².