The daisies, also known as the flowers of love doubts, are known for being used in the typical "he loves me, he loves me not" phrase when we're in love and don't know if the other person feels the same. These simple plants, after roses, are the clear representation of love.
What are daisies?
Daisies are herbaceous plants found in the group of perennial plants. They are of average size, as they can measure from 0.5 centimeters to 1,5 centimeters in height, however, it is most common to find them having an approximate height of about 70 centimeters.
Its leaves are basal and covered with hairy filaments. On the other hand, its flowers are laminated and are structured by a yellow center that is in groups and is surrounded by the flower petals.
This plant blooms almost year-round, beginning in spring and ending when winter begins. These plants are heat-resistant and can even withstand periods of drought, but they are not very tolerant of cold, which is why they are not found in bloom during the winter.
Today, there are about 20 different species of daisies. This plant is considered the main rival of orchids in terms of number of species, since both plants have a very good diversity of species to their credit. In addition to this, it is considered one of the ornamental plants because of its beauty.
Origin and habitat of daisies
This plant is native to Europe, specifically the north of the continent. They can usually be seen growing wild in most meadows, pine forests, and streams. These flowers, although rustic in appearance, can be truly beautiful to behold, especially when they grow naturally and cover certain areas.
Another of this plant's main characteristics is its ornamental value; they are very popular in gardens and pots almost everywhere in the world, even gaining popularity in Asia, New Zealand, and the United States.
What are the meanings of the daisy flower?
One thing we already know about these flowers is how beautiful they are. They're also very interesting and truly fantastic-looking. However, do you know the meaning or language of these flowers?
Being such a beautiful and popular flower, its symbolism is very varied and it also has a large number of meanings that vary depending on where it is found.
We are going to learn a little more about this topic that will surely enchant and surprise you.
The daisy is often attributed with the meaning of innocence and purity; however, these are not the only qualities it represents; it can also have the meaning of joy and romance.
To learn more about the meaning of daisies, you should take into account the Types of flowers to which it belongs and the color of its flower, since the meaning will change depending on this characteristic. We are going to know what the meaning of these flowers is depending on the color that it has.
- Yellow: daisy flowers that have this color, in general, have the meaning of loyalty and joy, so it is ideal to give to a person who is going through a moment of happiness or to show that you are loyal to a certain person.
- Roses: As with almost all flowers of this color, the pink daisy symbolizes romance and strong, pure love. It can also be attributed the meaning of a mother's love, which we consider to be the purest and most sincere love that can be expressed.
- White: These are the most popular daisies among all species; in addition, they represent beauty, so they can be given as gifts to someone we consider beautiful (physically or spiritually) or to represent the beauty of a place we will be visiting. In addition to this, they are also one of the most commonly used to beautify gardens and homes. You can learn more about the caring for white flowers.
- Blue: These flowers symbolize the loyalty and fidelity we can have towards another person, be it a partner, family or friends.
- Red: These, as expected, represent passionate, ardent love, but they also symbolize the eroticism and passion that one can feel for a person or for the partner one is with.
Let's know the legend of daisies
According to legend, Margaret found herself in a forest filled with many other flowers; however, she was always saying that she was the most beautiful flower in the place and that, in addition, she had the whitest and most beautiful petals in the entire forest.
Margarita loved playing and having fun with her bee friends and the butterflies, who always loved to perch on the petals and have a good time. However, one day, a family with some rather naughty children arrived in this forest.
Sadly, Margarita was pulled from the ground by one of the family's children; he had done so with the intention of showing his mother how beautiful the flower he had found was. As the boy carried her to his mother, Margarita never believed he could harm her, for her thoughts were always innocent.
Once the boy meets his mother and shows him Margarita, the mother urges him to pluck each of the beautiful flower's petals; as he does so, he must say "he loves me" or "he doesn't love me" with each one. With this, Margarita would reveal the truth to the little boy about his mother's affection for him.
The boy, heeding his mother's advice, began to pluck each petal, doing as his mother had instructed. The last petal he plucked corresponded to the "he loves me" message, making him extremely happy. Once the last petal was plucked, Margarita died without knowing what had happened.
Now, if you read this story, you will notice that Margarita describes herself as innocent, beautiful and full of the purest love. However, there are also other legends about daisies, we are going to know one more of them:
roman legend
Among Roman legends, there is a story about the daisy. It is said that Belides, a nymph living in the forest, unwittingly caught the attention of the god of the dead, known as Vertumnus.
Wanting to escape the attention of this fearsome God, she decided to change her appearance and ended up turning into a flower; the flower the nymph became was none other than a daisy, one of the most beautiful flowers in the world, which, even with the transformation, represented the infinite beauty of Belides.
Medicinal uses of the daisy
In addition to being Flowering indoor plantsDaisies also have medicinal uses. Few people are aware of the medicinal benefits daisies have, so much so that they have many applications for certain conditions, such as the flu or the common cold.
If we look into home remedies, we'll notice that many of them contain daisies among their main ingredients, especially those used to treat colds and coughs in people who may be suffering from bronchial problems.
This plant's power is so great that it's even used in research into medications that treat HIV, because it possesses components and properties that can be very useful in treatments used for people with the HIV virus.
While this is true, to date, no positive results have been found that would truly suffice to confirm that the daisy fulfills the intended function of these investigations; however, it remains a feature of the research process.
How should the daisy be planted?
In order to carry out a correct planting of daisies, it will really be necessary to follow some steps that are important to guarantee that it will have a correct development and growth.
To know what these steps are, it will be necessary for you to continue reading this article, because next, we will let you know what each one of them is:
- The first thing to keep in mind is that these plants cannot be placed outdoors unless the risk of frost has passed; therefore, it's ideal to plant them indoors and transplant them outdoors once spring or summer arrives.
- Once you have the plant's seeds, you'll need a special seed germination substrate on hand. This substrate will be much more beneficial than the one normally used to nourish the plant. It can be purchased at a nursery or garden store.
- Once we have these things, we need a pot into which we will pour the seed germination substrate. Once this is done, we'll need to use a thin stick or pencil to make holes in the substrate where the seeds will be placed. These holes should be at least 6 centimeters deep.
- The correct way to place these seeds in the holes is with the pointed side facing down. Once they're placed correctly, you'll need to cover them with a little substrate or soil.
- When the seeds are already planted, it is time to gently water them so that the substrate is moistened. When you notice that the seeds begin to germinate, you can return to a gentle watering to maintain moisture.
- Once watering is complete, cover the pot with plastic wrap. This way, you'll retain the heat and humidity essential for the seeds to germinate without the need for constant watering. Keep in mind that once the wrap is removed, you can't replace it and you'll need to water it daily.
- Once the pot is covered, it should be placed in a location where it can receive direct sunlight for at least 8 hours a day. One of the most common places to place them is on your home's windowsill or balcony.
- If you follow each of these steps, it is most likely that after a few days, the seeds will begin to germinate. When you notice that the plant has at least 4 leaves, it will be the right time to carry out the transplant in case you want to take them outside. Of course, first you must make sure that there is no risk of frost.
- When transplanting, we must ensure that the location is well-lit, but not constantly exposed to direct sunlight. Although daisies require direct sunlight, they don't need it all day long. They simply need a well-lit space, so a semi-shaded area would be perfect.
- Many of these plants are at risk of damage from excess moisture, so the amount of water they receive must be carefully considered. For this reason, it's advisable to add at least 2 centimeters of compost to ensure good drainage and prevent waterlogging.
- The soil where the seedling will be placed should be moistened. Once this is done, you'll need to dig a hole where it will sit. If you're transplanting more than one seedling, ideally there should be a distance of at least 30 centimeters between each one. Also, make sure the holes you dig aren't too deep, otherwise the crowns of the plants could rot.
- When the holes are ready, it's time to take the seedlings out of their containers and carefully place them in the hole you've created. After placing them, you will need to compact a little soil around them, which will help them maintain their vertical position.
- Once planted, it's time to water the soil around the plant; this way, the roots will begin to develop properly. It's important to keep in mind that these plants should be watered at least once a week, as the roots should not dry out completely to prevent damage.
- Finally, you should fertilize the plant monthly, as daisies expend a lot of energy producing their flowers. So, if you want your daisy plant to have the best and most beautiful blooms, you should fertilize it at least once a month.
How to plant them in a pot?
- One of the best options for these plants is to place them in a pot, as this will protect them from the harsh weather conditions they might be exposed to when placed in a garden. In addition, having them in a pot also gives you greater control, allowing you to more easily know when to water them. Another benefit is that daisies can be the perfect decoration to add beauty to any corner of your home.
- When planting the daisy, the first thing you should do is add universal growing substrate to the pot, along with fertilizer and compost, which will help the plant grow better.
- Once we have this ready, small holes should be made in the substrate where the seeds will be placed. Once this is done, a light irrigation should be made in the substrate that is around the seeds, always bearing in mind that the soil should only be moistened, not soaked.
- The next step is to place the pot in a location with good natural light. Again, we remind you that daisies should not be exposed to direct sunlight, as this could cause serious sunburn. You can place the pot near a well-lit window or on a balcony, as long as you ensure it's in a semi-shaded area.
- Potted daisies should be watered every two or three days. Always be mindful of the amount of water you add, as you shouldn't overdo it and overwater the plant, as this could cause it to rot. If you have more than one pot of daisies, space each one about 2 centimeters apart so they don't compete for resources.
- Finally, you should keep in mind that when the flowering season arrives, you should add fertilizer to the plant, as this will ensure that it can have a large number of beautiful and healthy flowers.
daisy care
Daisies are flowers or plants that don't require any special care, so growing them will be very easy, especially for those just starting out in the world of plant care.
We are going to know what care these flowers require depending on their lifestyle:
- If this plant is in its natural state, it will grow in areas with direct sunlight and low soil demands; this gives it a rather wild side. If planted indoors, it's best not to let the sun shine directly on them, or if it does, it should only shine for a few hours a day and not be too strong.
- These flowers can withstand a lack of water, so watering should not be too constant, but sufficient during the summer. However, you should keep in mind not to overwater them, as they do not tolerate waterlogging, so drainage must be adequate.
- These plants can be grown in any type of substrate; however, they prefer clay soil, as it provides better nutrients and retains moisture better.
- When we talk about temperatures, daisies prefer to be in places that have between 15 and 25ºC. However, they are not very tolerant of cold and less so of frost, so if there are strong winters where you live, it is best to cover the plant or bring it indoors.
- Daisies don't prefer to live alone or with others of their own species; however, if they are to be housed with other daisies, you should place each one at least 50 centimeters apart.
- Ideally, you should prune any leaves, flowers, and stems that begin to dry out; this way, you'll allow nutrients to go to healthy areas instead of being wasted on those that are dying or damaged.
- In the event that you are going to have daisies indoors, you must provide at least 4 hours of natural light, which may well be direct sunlight.
- While these plants aren't prone to disease or pest infestations, they can be attacked by mealybugs, snails, or aphids. They can also contract fungal infections, especially when there is excess moisture and poor drainage.
Curiosities about daisies
- Daisies and sunflowers are related plants in the Asteraceae family; therefore, both plants require a lot of sunlight and a good amount of water during the summer.
- They're ideal flowers for pollinating insects and birds, especially bees. If you have them in your garden, you'll likely always see bees pollinating your daisies.
- This plant is composed of hermaphrodite flowers located in the center of the floral disc, while its female flowers can be found at the ends. This means that daisies do not have male flowers.