Gerbera daisies, also known as Gerbera jamesonii, are popular for their bright and cheerful flowers! Originally from South Africa, they can come in different sizes – from 2 to 13 cm in diameter – and colors – including pink, yellow, salmon, orange and white.
There are many gerbera cultivars available, bred for their color and flower shape (single, double or multiple petals). For best results in the care of the species, choose a variety that is compact, as the flower stems will be more resistant, and that adapts to the size of the vase or flowerbed where it will be placed.
You can add them to your garden from seeds, seedlings or divisions. Seed is the cheapest method, but they must be sown immediately because they lose viability quickly after opening.
Already from seedlings or divided plants it is easier and you can be sure what the type of flower will be. If you have older branches, the tops can be lifted and divided in early spring. Remove lower leaves and repot.
They thrive in a place with full sun and sandy soil, but a little compost encourages good development. With freshly sown seeds, a well-draining substrate is a must, as is bright indirect light.
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Root neck rot is a common problem with gerberas, caused by planting too deep. The canopy should be visible above the ground and dry between each watering.
Seedlings can also be mulched, but care must be taken that the mulch does not cover the crown. If you live in a humid climate or have heavy soil, try growing them in well-draining pots.
Very susceptible to fungal diseases, although older varieties are less susceptible, planting and correct watering are essential for their proper development.
Make sure, when fixing them to the ground, to provide adequate spacing and areas with a lot of light. A little light shade in high summer is good, but without direct, full light, they will stray, pale, and not produce as many flowers.
Water in the morning so the leaves dry out during the day and lessen the risk of rot and fungal diseases. Improve care with the use of a liquid fertilizer with micronutrientssuch as seaweed or fish emulsion.
Keep an eye out for caterpillars on the leaves. Spray, if necessary, with a organic spray, such as pyrethrum or neem oil. Cultivation can present some challenges, but it’s a wonderful reward when those big, happy flowers bloom.
*Via GardeningKnowHow