Originally from South Africa, the Cape Daisy is not a hardy plant, it can only stay in the garden in winter in regions where frost does not occur. Everywhere else it is advisable to grow it in a pot in order to winter it in a sheltered place to preserve it from one year to another.
A good cleaning
Everything starts with a good cleaning. Your plant has just spent a season in the garden blooming abundantly and offering a breathtaking spectacle under the sun. Because the flowers of the Dimorphoteca (another name for the Cape Daisy), only open in the sun, which is one of their particularities.
In autumn, it is time to cut off all the faded flowers but also to remove the dried or yellowed leaves. Clear the center by cutting off any stunted or criss-crossing stems and then prune the plant along the contour of the pot, which will save you space when storing.
As for the height of pruning, cut at about 15 cm from the base without worrying, your plant will branch out more beautifully the following spring.
Now, take care of the soil by removing all the plant residues present on its surface. Take advantage of this to pull out any unwanted weeds that may have invaded the plant to limit competition for water and nutrients with your plant during its wintering.
Then check the general health of the plant, even if the osteospermum is rarely visited by parasites. However, spray nettle manure as a preventive and natural insecticide. If you find traces of diseases or parasites, remove as many affected parts as possible, treat with plant purines and quarantine the plant, as it would soon contaminate all the other overwintered plants. Indeed, confined in a room, and even more so if it is heated, the plants have a hard time being protected by the natural predators of their parasites present outside. The heat provides a favorable ground for the development of dormant larvae: beware!
Once the cleaning of the plant is done, let's go to the pot which can also shelter some snails or slugs hidden on the shady side or under the pot. Use a sponge with black soap and warm water on the outside of the pot. This will remove moss and tiny parasite larvae and eggs that may be hiding there.
Wintering osteospermum in a room
Choose a frost-free room to overwinter the Cape Daisy. If it is cold (not less than 5°C), it will endure it as long as it does not freeze and the substrate remains almost dry.
It is therefore unnecessary to water it and even less to bring fertilizer to it.
If you winter it in a greenhouse or heated veranda, water once every 10 to 15 days when the substrate starts to dry completely. Never leave water in the cup during wintering.
In the spring, when all risk of frost has been eliminated, bring your plant out again and gradually get it used to full sun. You will be able to water it again normally and to make a good contribution of dried blood and powder of crushed horn to see it starting again and blooming abundantly.
