Venidium fastuosum
Indigenous. Sometimes called Monarch of the Veld, this exotic looking annual is quite easy to grow from seed. Flowers continuously with bright 4" orange sunflower-like blooms. These bright orange flowers with its dark centre make for an attractive and long lasting cutflower. This plant will flower early and bloom for a considerable time. Height is approximately 60 cm.
An award winner back in 1933, this long-standing variety is ideal for bringing some bright and cheerful colour to your garden. With silky foliage, it bears large, bright orange flowers with a dark black central ring. Flower arrangers will welcome it too.
Venidium is heat & drought tolerant once established. This annual is very easy to grow. Sow seed during autumn (March-May)) in seed beds or seed trays (see our Plastic Seedling Trays) using a light, well-draining medium which is placed in a sunny position. The medium is levelled and well-watered beforehand.
Sow the light seeds evenly on a windless day, water gently and cover with a thin layer of sand. This very light seed can also be mixed with sand to facilitate sowing.
The seed will germinate within the first two weeks. Seedlings are pricked out from the beds / trays as soon as they are large enough to be handled.
Transplanting is a crucial stage and care needs to be taken that these seedlings are well watered so that they can get properly established.
This species will thrive when planted in full sun. For better results, ensure that seedlings are planted close together and north-facing, as the flower heads turn to follow the sun.
Seed can also be sown directly into garden beds, but germination could be erratic. There will also be fierce competition with fast growing weeds.
As of mid-August, this species gradually starts to flower and to come into full bloom towards the end of August. This continues throughout the month of September and onwards till mid-October.
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