Getting it to bloom

Why won't my 3D Spider Mix Osteospermum bloom? (and how to make it flower)

Also called Spoon Daisy, 3D Osteospermum, Trailing African Daisy (Osteospermum jucundum).

More about 3d spider mix osteospermum

About 3D Spider Mix Osteospermum

Osteospermum jucundum · also called Spoon Daisy, 3D Osteospermum · flowering

3D Spider Mix Osteospermum is a compact tender perennial bearing uniquely spoon-shaped ray florets that create a striking three-dimensional appearance in mixed pastel shades. Excellent in containers and hanging baskets in full sun. Like other Osteospermum, it is not listed by the ASPCA as toxic and is generally considered low-risk for pets.

Plant type: flowering

Watch for — Leggy growth mid-season: Trim stems back by 30-50% after the main flush to reinvigorate flowering.

The reasons 3d spider mix osteospermum isn't blooming

Almost every non-blooming 3d spider mix osteospermum traces back to one of these, roughly in order of how common they are:

Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
Too much nitrogen feed, driving lush foliage at the expense of flowers (very common with general or lawn feeds).
The plant has not been deadheaded, so it stops flowering once it sets seed.
Irregular watering — drought or waterlogging at the budding stage makes buds abort.
It is still too young or was checked by a transplant and is rebuilding before flowering.

Feeding 3d spider mix osteospermum a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.

The fix — how to get 3d spider mix osteospermum to flower

Maximise sun. Give 3d spider mix osteospermum the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers.
Switch the feed. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
Deadhead regularly. Remove spent flowers often to keep it producing more rather than stopping to set seed.
Water consistently. Keep moisture even through budding and flowering — drought-then-flood swings make buds drop.

Light and feeding do most of the heavy lifting here. Dial in the spot with the light guide for 3d spider mix osteospermum and get the feeding right with the 3d spider mix osteospermum fertilising schedule — the wrong feed (too much nitrogen) is one of the most common silent reasons a healthy plant makes leaves instead of flowers.

Bloom season and what to expect

3D Spider Mix Osteospermum flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.

Post-bloom care so it flowers again

Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.

For everything else this plant needs day to day, see the full 3d spider mix osteospermum care brief and its watering schedule — a stressed, badly watered plant rarely has the energy to flower at all.

3D Spider Mix Osteospermum blooming — frequently asked questions

Why won't my 3d spider mix osteospermum flower?

3D Spider Mix Osteospermum blooms on the season's growth given enough sun, warmth and the right feed — there is no cold or photoperiod trick, just good growing conditions and a bloom-leaning feed. The most common reason it is not happening: Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.

How do I make 3d spider mix osteospermum bloom?

Give 3d spider mix osteospermum the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.

When does 3d spider mix osteospermum normally bloom?