| I have planted in a nice size container on my front porch a Cape Daisy "Purple Daisy" Osteospermum fruiticosum. It has been planted 4-5 weeks and is watered and fed regularly. The plant is growing to a pretty large plant however, is has only a few flowers. Mostly this straggly green plant exists. I have tried pinching the old dead blooms and the plant gets sun from early morning till 1-2 P.M. then light shade. What can I do to increase the flowers? I do feed everytime I water with Miracle-Gro however it is in the automatic feeder and I don't think I am overfeeding since that should be controled by the feeder. Am I wrong? Any advice I would appreciate and thank you!!! |
| Your Osteospermum is naturally a lower growing, spreading and trailing plant, so it may be showing its natural form. It is also capable of thriving in a xeric type of environment, so it is possible you are overwatering it, particularly since it is in partial shade and therefore needs even less water. This plant appreciates a well drained soil, so be careful not to keep it soggy. Pinching the old blooms should help, as could using a blossom booster type fertilizer (with a higher middle number) according to the label instructions. Be careful not to overfertilize with nitrogen as this can cause excess foliar growth and fewer flowers. Good luck with your plant! |
