DianaT
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Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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Gazanias in Baja --WARNING
With the salty wind, this is a rather difficult environment for many plants. Thus we were happy when we discovered that gazanias did well and they
have such pretty flowers. What we didn't know was they have a plot to take over the world!
Mainly due to the medical problem with one of our dogs, we were back in the states longer than usual and OMG---these monsters were out of control.
They were marching over the ice plants, smothering the geraniums, strangling the cactus, destroying the tomatoes, and thinking about killing the palm
trees with their long tentacles. They have to go.
As we attacked these monsters, we discovered they maintain a thick tangled undergrowth and have small tree size roots that are headed for China. And
as we dug and pulled, millions of fluffy seeds flew everywhere! This is going to be an on going war.
So just a warning, if you have a planter area on this side of the Baja coast where you want nothing but gazanias, great as they do have pretty flowers
and seem to love the salty wind. But unless you are constantly vigilant, they do not co-exist well with other plants. They are on a seek and
destroy mission. 
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chuckie
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Location: Kansas Prairies
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Good to know...Thanks
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BajaBlanca
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Location: La Bocana, BCS
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so funny that you should write that ... I have some other plants that i do not know the names of, that are on their own mission to take over my garden
as well .... I now know to keep them in pots and not let them run amuk.
and although I don't have any growing freely, I have heard that bamboo is dangerous to plant in a garden as well, for the exact same reason.
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redmesa
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Posts: 580
Registered: 3-12-2008
Location: Van Isle and Bahia Asuncion
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I have alot of sand to cover so save me some cutting, please. Suzanne
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by redmesa
I have alot of sand to cover so save me some cutting, please. Suzanne |
We still have some in some areas and with the seed flying around, I am sure they will be back! And you are welcome to any and all cuttings from any
of our plants at any time to compete with the wild squash vine you had. :-)
Seriously, if you are here and we are not, just let us know so our friend will know who is lurking around our property and taking cuttings from our
plants. She does keep an eye on things.
Blanca, pots are a good idea and from previous experience, there is no such thing as growing just a little bamboo. 
[Edited on 5-21-2012 by DianaT]
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DavidE
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Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
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Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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Image Gazania url
http://www.pbase.com/cits_4_pets/image/112278503
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
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Gypsy Jan
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Posts: 4275
Registered: 1-27-2004
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Mood: Depends on which way the wind is blowing
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This is So Funny
Because I have struggled with these monster plants - they are like kudzu.
Pull them out and throw the carcasses on the rises on the toll road; they need the coverage.
Anyhoo, here is my story about my new plant additions to our house:
We spent Saturday in Chula Vista getting new tires for the Suburban; we were treated very well, the GM at the Firestone store got into into the truck
and said, "Let's give this puppy new shoes!"
Then we went on a trip to Home Depot and I fell in love with a red raspberry plant that was already in bloom with fruit, and a tomato plant that had
maybe twenty fruits, some other basil, tarragon and the Japanese eggplant that also had fruit.
So we bought the plants and the Firestone Tire guys in Chula Vista (we've been going there for more than ten years) piled the old, worn-down tires in
the back, disguising the plants.
We were pulled over to secondary going home to Rosarito. The Mexican aduano officer opened the back doors of the Suburban, saw the worn down tires,
shrugged his shoulders and waved us through.
The old tires were donated to CRREAD that night.
The plants are in a Topsy Turvy planter in a sunny place in the yard.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness.”
—Mark Twain
\"La vida es dura, el corazon es puro, y cantamos hasta la madrugada.” (Life is hard, the heart is pure and we sing until dawn.)
—Kirsty MacColl, Mambo de la Luna
\"Alea iacta est.\"
—Julius Caesar
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Mexitron
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3397
Registered: 9-21-2003
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
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Mood: Happy!
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DianaT
With the salty wind, this is a rather difficult environment for many plants. Thus we were happy when we discovered that gazanias did well and they
have such pretty flowers. What we didn't know was they have a plot to take over the world!
Mainly due to the medical problem with one of our dogs, we were back in the states longer than usual and OMG---these monsters were out of control.
They were marching over the ice plants, smothering the geraniums, strangling the cactus, destroying the tomatoes, and thinking about killing the palm
trees with their long tentacles. They have to go.
As we attacked these monsters, we discovered they maintain a thick tangled undergrowth and have small tree size roots that are headed for China. And
as we dug and pulled, millions of fluffy seeds flew everywhere! This is going to be an on going war.
So just a warning, if you have a planter area on this side of the Baja coast where you want nothing but gazanias, great as they do have pretty flowers
and seem to love the salty wind. But unless you are constantly vigilant, they do not co-exist well with other plants. They are on a seek and
destroy mission. |
Were the Gazanias being watered or were they going crazy on natural rainfall?
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DianaT
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Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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Gypsy Jan---they are MONSTERS. Love your story---layering things becomes an art form. 
Mexitron,
It did rain a couple of times while we were gone, but we have someone who waters for us when we are not here.
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Marc
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Posts: 2802
Registered: 5-15-2010
Location: San Francisco & Palm Springs
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Mood: Waiting
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GODLILLANIAS!!
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Bajatripper
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Posts: 3151
Registered: 3-20-2010
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaBlanca
I have heard that bamboo is dangerous to plant in a garden as well, for the exact same reason. |
Some types of bamboo are. They come in two types, one that grows its shoots in clumps with really shallow roots, which are easy to remove, and the
more insidious types that you refer to that do set out to take over your and your neighbors' yards. I have the good kind (came with the house), my
sister the not-so-good kind and they struggle constantly to keep it in check.
There most certainly is but one side to every story: the TRUTH. Variations of it are nothing but lies.
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durrelllrobert
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7393
Registered: 11-22-2007
Location: Punta Banda BC
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Mood: thriving in Baja
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Gazanias originated in Africa, which may exolain their wild ways.
Bob Durrell
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CP
Nomad
Posts: 434
Registered: 7-19-2006
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Cool to learn their real name. Always called them African Daisy. Loved 'em when I first started the yard as they grew so quickly. Hate 'em now!
But I am spoiled with so many different plants I can afford to.
PS: I don't really hate them, they are just exasperating. 
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