I am a tiny, dormant life, an Osteospermum seed. My outer coat is tough, protecting the precious genetic blueprint within. I am patient, waiting for the specific signals that tell me it is time to awaken. I require a period of cool, moist conditions to break this dormancy—a process you call cold stratification. This mimics the natural winter I would experience in my native South African homeland, convincing me that the harsh season has passed and it is now safe to germinate. Without this chilling period, I might remain asleep, unsure if the conditions are truly favorable for my fragile beginning.
Once you provide me with the perfect combination of light, moisture, and warmth (around 70°F or 21°C), I begin to stir. I absorb water, swelling and cracking my hard shell. A tiny radicle, my first root, emerges and drives downward into the growing medium, seeking anchorage and water. This is a critical time; I am vulnerable. The soil must be consistently moist but never waterlogged, as I can easily rot. I do my best work in bright, indirect light. Within 10 to 21 days, if all goes well, I will push my first seed leaves (cotyledons) above the surface to greet the sun.
Now, as a seedling, my true leaves begin to develop. These leaves are different from the initial seed leaves and will harness sunlight to create the energy I need to grow strong. My root system is also expanding rapidly beneath the surface, forming a network to support my future growth. This is when I am most tender. Please handle me by my leaves, not my delicate stem. Ensure I have ample space; if my siblings and I are too crowded, we will become leggy and weak as we stretch for light. A gentle breeze from a fan can help strengthen my stem, preparing me for the outdoors.
After I have been transplanted into a larger pot, my focus turns to vigorous vegetative growth. I will busily produce more and more leaves, branching out and building a sturdy framework. I am a sun-worshipper and need as much direct light as you can provide during this phase—at least 6 to 8 hours. This abundant sunlight is the fuel that powers my growth. Please feed me with a balanced, diluted fertilizer to support this leafy expansion. This stage is all about building the strength and resources I will need for my ultimate purpose: reproduction through flowering.
When the days are long and warm, and I have matured sufficiently, I receive the signal to begin my reproductive cycle. I start producing flower buds. My blooms, which you find so beautiful, are my reproductive organs, designed to attract pollinators. Each daisy-like flower opens wide to the sun, closing at night and on overcast days to protect my pollen. From the moment you sowed my seed, this journey to flowering typically takes 14 to 16 weeks. Once I begin, I will continue to bloom profusely until the first frost, constantly producing new flowers to ensure my legacy continues.
