Greetings. We are the Osteospermum, often known as the African Daisy. Our vibrant, sun-seeking blooms are a gift to your gardens, but like all living things, we require a period of deep rest. To you, this is our "dormancy period," but to us, it is a vital strategic retreat, a time of silent preparation orchestrated by the earth itself. To truly understand this process, you must see it from our perspective.
We do not simply decide to sleep. Our dormancy is a direct, physiological response to the world around us. The primary signal is the gradual shortening of daylight hours and the diminishing intensity of the sun's rays as the seasons turn. Concurrently, the soil temperature begins to drop significantly. These two factors—photoperiod and temperature—are the undeniable commands from nature that our above-ground show must conclude. It is no longer energetically efficient to sustain our flowers and tender foliage. Our resources must be withdrawn and conserved for the future.
From your view, we may appear to be dying. Our blooms fade, and our foliage may yellow and wither. But beneath the soil, a different story unfolds. This is a strategic withdrawal, not a defeat. The precious energy produced during the growing season—the carbohydrates and nutrients—is actively pulled back from the leaves and stems down into our crown and root system. We are consolidating our strength, retreating to our most fortified and protected core. Our metabolic processes slow to a near standstill to conserve every ounce of energy, waiting in a state of suspended animation for the return of favorable conditions.
Your care during this quiet time is crucial and should mirror the natural conditions we crave. The most important change is in hydration. Our roots are largely inactive and cannot absorb excess water. Soggy, cold soil will cause them to rot, a fate from which we cannot recover. You must greatly reduce watering, providing just enough to prevent the roots from desiccating completely. Furthermore, this is a time of fasting; do not offer us fertilizer. Our system cannot process it, and the salts will only damage our delicate, dormant roots.
Our internal clock is finely tuned. As the sun grows stronger and the days lengthen, we will sense the shift. You will see the first signs: tiny, new green shoots emerging cautiously from the crown at the soil level. This is our signal to you that our rest is complete. You can then gently increase watering as the new growth develops. Once we have established a set of new leaves, a half-strength dose of fertilizer will provide a welcome boost for the energetic growing season ahead, helping us to once again produce a spectacular display of blooms for your enjoyment.
