Gerbera

The genus Gerbera (Gerbera) includes about 70 species of herbaceous rhizomatous perennials; the culture mainly uses numerous varieties and garden forms from Gerbera Jamesonii, native to the Transvaal (South Africa). The leaves are lanceolate in shape, about 30 cm long, covered with a thin down, and form a basal rosette. It produces flower stalks with large single inflorescences-baskets similar to daisies. In the southern regions, gerbera blooms in the open ground from early spring to late autumn. It is grown mainly as flowers for cutting. Some dwarf ones compact forms are cultivated in pots and sold as indoor, balcony and garden flowering plants. Flowers so similar to daisies can be simple, semi-double and double, with a diameter of 14-16 cm with a dark or light center. Color-from white to yellow, from orange to red with countless shades and tints. There are also miniature varieties with inflorescences a few centimeters in diameter on leafless peduncles 15-20 cm long. A lot of new varieties and hybrids are produced annually, so different data on their number do not coincide.

Cultivation

Gerbera can grow outdoors, in the garden or on the balcony, as well as in indoor conditions. It can be grown in the garden in all areas with a mild climate, but for the winter the plant is covered with a layer of dry leaves. In the garden, it is planted in spring in well-prepared, drained and fertilized soil. In areas where winter temperatures are low, gerbera can be grown as an annual plant or dug out in the fall with a clod of earth and put in a container, put away in a lit, cool and ventilated room. In the garden, flower cutting is done occasionally, when at least 2-3 circles have already formed stamens. Moreover, the peduncles are not cut, but bent by hand to the side, trying not to tear off the leaves and not damage the main stem. To avoid rotting at the level of the root neck, make sure that the base of the stem does not remain. In the summer months, potted specimens are placed on the balcony or terrace; otherwise, it is unlikely that they will bloom again.

Gerbera can grow outdoors, in the garden or on the balcony, as well as in indoor conditions. It can be grown in the garden in all areas with a mild climate, but for the winter the plant is covered with a layer of dry leaves. In the garden, it is planted in spring in well-prepared, drained and fertilized soil. In areas where winter temperatures are low, gerbera can be grown as an annual plant or dug out in the fall with a clod of earth and put in a container, put away in a lit, cool and ventilated room. In the garden, flower cutting is done occasionally, when at least 2-3 circles have already formed stamens. Moreover, the peduncles are not cut, but bent by hand to the side, trying not to tear off the leaves and not damage the main stem. To avoid rotting at the level of the root neck, make sure that the base of the stem does not remain.

In the summer months, potted specimens are placed on the balcony or terrace; otherwise, it is unlikely that they will bloom again.

Location

Gerbera prefers a very sunny place, and in colder areas - protected from adverse conditions. Potted varieties should be kept in the house in the brightest place. With additional lighting, they bloom again from the end of October to March. Without additional lighting in the autumn-winter period, plants need relative rest.

Temperature

The ideal temperature for growing gerbera is 18-23 °C. For plants stored in containers, avoid temperatures below 5-7 °C in winter.

Watering

During the period of intensive vegetation development and during flowering, from May to September, plants are watered often, avoiding too cold water. In winter, watering is reduced to the required minimum. Water in the soil should not stagnate - neither when growing in the garden, nor at home.

During the period of intensive vegetation development and during flowering, from May to September, plants are watered often, avoiding too cold water. In winter, watering is reduced to the required minimum.

Water in the soil should not stagnate - neither when growing in the garden, nor at home.

Transplant

Transplanting is carried out in the spring, using 14-20-centimeter and even larger diameter pots, depending on the size of the plant. Soil with a pH of 5.5 should be light, consisting of peat and leafy earth, coarse sand or vermiculite (or polystyrene balls), taken in equal parts. When transplanting, the root neck of the plant is left above the ground, otherwise rot will appear.

Transplanting is carried out in the spring, using 14-20-centimeter and even larger diameter pots, depending on the size of the plant. Soil with a pH of 5.5 should be light, consisting of peat and leafy earth, coarse sand or vermiculite (or polystyrene balls), taken in equal parts.

When transplanting, the root neck of the plant is left above the ground, otherwise rot will appear.

Reproduction

Propagate gerbera seeds and vegetatively: dividing the bush in March-April. Mostly they use side shoots, which, separated from the main bush, are planted in pots. When the shoots are covered with new leaves and fill the container with roots, young plants can be transplanted into larger pots or directly into the garden. In February-March, seeds collected in the summer are sown. They are scattered in a box filled with peat and sand-based soil and covered. Seeds are kept at a temperature not lower than 18 °C. When the shoots are strong enough to be picked up, they are transplanted in 8-10-centimeter pots, and then in 14-20-centimeter pots or in open ground. Plants obtained from seeds do not retain the properties of the parent instance.

Diseases

Rotting of the root neck, which is prevented by observing the irrigation regime and improving soil drainage, can be caused by various fungi, mainly Phytophthora (Phytophthora) and Rhizoctonia (Rhizoctonia). This is facilitated by stagnating water at the base of the plant. Gray rot (the causative agent is Botrytis cinerea) manifests itself as dark spots on the petals, then rotting of flowers and leaves; the development is facilitated by conditions of high humidity in the environment. The plant should be treated with appropriate preparations against gray rot (do not allow drugs to get on the flowers, so that no spots appeared) and provide ventilation. In summer, high temperatures cause powdery mildew (oidium), which forms a characteristic whitish fluff-either on the edge of the leaves or on the pedicels. They get rid of it with the help of appropriate fungicides or sulfur-containing preparations. Tick bites and whiteflies cause wilting and yellowing, and plants are treated with appropriate insecticides.

Acquisition

Potted gerbera is bought in specialized gardening centers in the spring. Choose plants without visual damage from pests and diseases. Each plant should have at least 3-4 well-developed flowers and at the same time-ready to open buds.

Potted gerbera is bought in specialized gardening centers in the spring. Choose plants without visual damage from pests and diseases.

Each plant should have at least 3-4 well-developed flowers and at the same time-ready to open buds.