Shrub marguerite, Argyranthemum frutescens – care tips

The shrub marguerite has made a name for itself as an ornamental plant in the tub as a richly branched shrub or decorative stem. Smaller varieties are ideal for maintenance in the balcony box. Planted in flower beds, due to the lack of winter hardiness, only annual cultivation is possible.

location

Anyone who has spent their vacation on Tenerife, Gran Canaria or any other island of eternal spring can empathize with the location of the shrub marguerite. All year round, the Canary Islands have pleasant temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees , with the sun shining continuously from the sky. The closer the location on the balcony and in the garden to these framework conditions, the more splendid the bloom will unfold. A partially shaded location is tolerated, but leads to a reduced willingness to flower. The Argyranthemum frutescens takes its place in the open air from mid-May at the earliest, as ground frosts that have been delayed by then can destroy the young buds in just one night.

Tip : If the shrub marguerite spreads a relaxing holiday feeling in the winter garden, a shade should soften the blazing sun during lunchtime and keep the temperature level at a tolerable level of below 30 degrees Celsius.

Substrate

The long-lasting, summer blooms cost a shrub marguerite a lot of strength. The substrate should be correspondingly nutritious. A high-quality compost-based potting soil , enriched with perlite or lava granules, meets the requirements perfectly. When purchasing, pay attention to a small amount of peat or use an extra structurally stable unit soil made of natural clay, coconut and wood fibers, compost and bark humus.

If the shrub marguerite spreads its summer bloom magic in the bed, please choose a place in fresh, moist, nutrient-rich and well-drained garden soil.

pour

In a fully sunny, warm location, constant evaporation takes place at a high level through the lush flowers and leaves. This loss of moisture must be continuously compensated for in order to maintain the bloom in the long term. On drought and waterlogging the ornamental shrub responds gruffly, throwing out of hand the flowers. How to properly water a shrub marguerite:

• Keep the earth slightly moist by pouring immediately when the surface is dry
• In the bucket and balcony box, let the water run out of the jug nozzle until the coaster fills up
• Pour out excess water after 10-15 minutes or fill the saucer with stones

The flow of water on bedding plants is stopped as soon as small puddles signal that the earth is saturated with moisture. Before the next watering, the surface of the earth should dry out noticeably so that waterlogging cannot develop.

Fertilize

In the course of the growth and flowering period, an Argyranthemum frutescens depends on the regular supply of nutrients. How to properly fertilize ornamental trees in pots and beds:

• In pot culture from April to October every week a liquid fertilizer administer
• A dosage of 2-3 grams per liter of irrigation water is appropriate
• Organically fertilize the bed every 2 weeks with compost and horn shavings
• Alternatively, in April and June, work a long-term fertilizer into the soil and pour it in again

From mid-October you stop the nutrient supply in order to prepare the plant for the coming winter time and the associated downturn in growth.

To cut

In the proper care program for a shrub marguerite, scissors are an important tool. By cutting out wilted flower stalks from the shrub in a timely manner , the flower will continue to bloom. Sunlight falls on the next buds early on to bring them to life. In addition, the well-groomed appearance on the balcony and terrace is always preserved. The following cutting measures are lined up behind it:

• When flowering decreases at the end of July / beginning of August, shorten all shoots by 3-5 cm
• Cut back the flowering bush by a third or half before storing
• Ideally, do the pruning at the end of winter

If you notice dead branches when pruning, cut them off at the base. For the incision, please take the time to cut off each shoot individually just before an outward-facing, sleeping eye. This effort is rewarded with extra bushy growth in the new season.

Educational cut to the high trunk

Thanks to its spherical, lushly branched habit, the shrub marguerite is predestined to be a decorative tall trunk. In order to train the ornamental wood to this shape, the gardener needs consistency. Choose the strongest central shoot as the future trunk as early as April. Cut all side shoots down to the desired crown height. In order to make the crown itself dense and bushy, the young shoots are pricked at least once. Until the central shoot is strong enough to support the corolla, it receives a wooden stick as a support. Constant cleaning out of withered flowers, a slight pruning in late summer for the re-flowering as well as the shape pruning before clearing are also part of the annual maintenance protocol.

Tip : In order to design a daisy stem with an evenly round crown, it is helpful to use stencils, as they are known from the topiary of conifers.

Overwinter

If the nighttime temperatures drop below 5 degrees Celsius in autumn, move the shrub marguerite into the bright, frost-free winter quarters. If there is not enough space here, cut the shrub back by a third or half. Ideally, cut back in early spring. From November to February, water a little more sparingly and do not use fertilizer. At temperatures around 10 degrees Celsius , spray the plant from time to time to keep pests at bay.

Multiply

In connection with the pruning in early spring, hold a large number of suitable cuttings in your hands to grow further shrub daisies from them. Choose healthy head shoots that have no buds if possible. Cut these to a length of 15 cm and remove all leaves up to halfway up. It is best to dab the interfaces in rooting powder to force the process. How to proceed:

• Small growing pots fill with emaciated potting soil or a special propagation substrate
• Use a wooden stick to pre-drill the planting holes for 2-3 cuttings so that two-thirds of them can be planted
• Press the substrate on and pour

In the mini greenhouse or under a transparent plastic bag, the rooting progresses quickly on the partially shaded, warm window seat. If you notice the emergence of fresh leaves, the cover can be removed. The substrate should be slightly moist, because drought stress puts an early end to the sensitive plants. Once the cuttings have completely rooted in the growing container, they are stable enough to be transplanted into a normal pot. From this point on, the application of diluted liquid fertilizer every 8-10 days will stimulate growth.

Diseases

Waterlogging, overfertilization and soil that is too heavy call fungal infections such as Verticillium wilt on the scene. As a visible symptom, the leaves and flowers wither in the middle of the season. If you cut a shoot, a dark discoloration will reveal itself inside. The pathogens have blocked the pathways and prevent the transport of water and nutrients from the roots to the upper parts of the plant. In the early stages of infestation, radical pruning can save the shrub marguerite with a little luck. If the infection is already advanced, the affected plant should be disposed of to prevent further spread. Avoiding too intensive watering and fertilizing as well as using peat-free, loose potting soil prevents the disease.

Pests

The shrub marguerite has its sights on two common types of pests. In summer, aphids lurk for an opportunity, while spider mites are on the scene in winter. In the following we explain how you keep the nuisances at bay:

Aphids
With the beginning of the open-air season, the pinnate leaves should be checked for aphids, primarily on the underside. Immediate action is required where the black, green, white or brown lice spread. How to tackle aphids without resorting to chemical insecticides:

• Shower the infested shrub marguerite with the sharpest possible jet of water
• Before doing this, pack the pot with the root ball so that it is watertight
• Cut off shoots covered with lice and dispose of them in household waste

The soft soap solution has proven itself to be an excellent means of getting rid of aphids. Add 1 tablespoon of soft soap to 1 liter of lime-free water or dissolve a piece of curd soap in it. Another splash of spirit and pour into a hand spray. Treat the upper and lower sides with this home remedy every 2-3 days until no more aphids appear.

Spider mites
Dry heating air is welcome to spider mites to attack shrub daisies in winter quarters. The tiny pests colonize the leaves and shoots in order to multiply there explosively. White webs indicate an infestation, as do small speckles on the foliage where the mites soak up the sap. In the early stages of the infestation, control by natural means has a chance of success. That is how it goes:

• Spray the infected Argyranthemum frutescens regularly with soft water
• Set up humidifiers or bowls filled with water in the winter quarters
• Make a brew from onions, nettles or garlic cloves and use as an insecticide
• Fight with an environmentally friendly agent based on rapeseed oil

In daily practice, it has proven to be an excellent way to cut off the spider mites’ air. For this purpose, pack the affected marguerite in an airtight, transparent bag for 3-5 days. Since the ornamental wood does not need to be watered as often in winter quarters anyway, it can hold out at this point in time without any problems. The combination of high humidity and a lack of oxygen kills the spider mites within a short time.

Conclusion

The shrub marguerite flirts with lavish opulence without burdening the gardener with challenging care. As long as their sensitivity to frost and their hunger for sun are taken into account, the bar is at the beginner level. Regular watering is the top priority, supplemented with a dose of liquid fertilizer every week from April to October. If you clean out withered flowers consistently, the flowers will remain in full bloom until the first frost. Throughout the winter, the beauty of flowers from tropical climes prefers to linger in a bright, frost-free place. The shape and maintenance pruning can be done either before clearing or in spring by shortening the shrub by a third or half.