You've found the famous Dave's Garden website! Join this friendly global community that shares tips and ideas for home and gardens, along with seeds and plants!
Check out the DG homepage for a brief overview of what you'll find in this gardening mega-site.
Login
If you don't have an account yet, visit the registration page to sign up.
Third year with "Angel Shasta" and have always had problems with stems looking mushy in the center so I've been cutting these out just in case of disease. The soil is average for West Virginia (shale) so compost has been added. Could I be overwatering? Just planted two new daisies this weekend: "Becky" that I've read raves about and "Sunny Side Up" looked like a sturdy variety. I love my daisies and hope you can advise. Thanks.
Anytime things are getting mushy overwatering would be my number one suspect, mushiness usually equals rotting, and rotting is caused by too much moisture. You also might try and be careful when you're watering not to get water directly on the crown of the plant (this is the part in the center of the plant where all the leaves/stems come out from). If there is water sitting on top of the crown that can cause problems with rotting even if you're not overall giving the plant too much water.
I planted 10" pots of the Becky variety last year and a 10" pot of the Alaskan variety. The Beckys are 5 times the size and blooming, whereas the Alaskan, although healthy, hasn't gotten too much bigger. I watered mine at the base of the plants. I have been told that this establishes a good root system and prevents rotting. Enjoy!
I have Becky and it gets to be 2 1/2 to 3 feet tall, the plants are full and they bloom profusely every year and for a very long period as long as I keep them deadheaded. Once established, they expand quickly and I've been able to take new starts from the outer edge to move elsewhere in my gardens. It's a beautiful flower. I tried Alaska but it just never thrived so I pulled it out. One other thing: make sure you have room between your Shastas and other plants so there will be good air circulation.
