Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
Phylum:
Magnoliophyta
Class:
Magnoliopsida
Order:
Asterales
Family:
Asteraceae
Subfamily:
Mutisioideae
Tribe:
Mutisieae
Genus:
Gerbera
IntroductionGerbera is a genus of ornamental plants from the sunflower family (Asteraceae). It was named in honor of the German naturalist Traugott Gerber, a friend of Carolus Linnaeus.
It has approximately 30 species in the wild, extending to South America, Africa, Madagascar, and tropical Asia. The first scientific description of a Gerbera was made by J.D. Hooker in Curtis's Botanical Magazine in 1889 when he described Gerbera jamesonii, a South African species also known as Transvaal daisy or Barberton Daisy.
Gerbera species bear a large capitulum with striking, two-lipped ray florets in yellow, orange, white, pink or red colors. The capitulum, which has the appearance of a single flower, is actually composed of hundreds of individual flowers. The morphology of the flowers varies depending on their position in the capitulum.
Gerbera is very popular and widely used as a decorative garden plant or as cut flowers. The domesticated cultivars are mostly a result of a cross between Gerbera jamesonii and another South African species Gerbera viridifolia. The cross is known as Gerbera hybrida. Thousands of cultivars exist. They vary greatly in shape and size. Colors include white, yellow, orange, red, and pink. The center of the flower is sometimes black. Often the same flower can have petals of several different colors
For growing Gerbera Daisies well it is important to start with a good strong plant. Choose a sturdy, shapely plant with healthy foliage and bright, clear colored flowers. The presence of new flower buds is desirable. Avoid plants showing disease or insect damage, or poorly growing Gerbera Daisies.Your Gerbera Daisy plant flowers best when it is growing in a small container and is slightly pot bound. Repot growing Gerbera Daisies in April. Use an open, free draining soil mix. When repotting ensure that the crown of the plant is above the level of the soil. Rot will occur if the crowns are buried or the drainage is poor. After repotting keep them in a shaded location until they're established.The best position for growing Gerbera Daisies is in full sunlight to ensure maximum flower production. A shaded situation results in poor flowering.
Keep your plant slightly moist at all times, especially when in bloom, but don't let the pot sit in water. In summer feed regularly every 2 weeks with a weak liquid fertilizer, and regularly pick off the dead flowers to promote further flowering. Indoor growing Gerbera Daisies can flower all year round. Also remove old leaves regularly to prevent fungus infections developing.
The optimal temperature for growing Gerbera Daisies is around 75 deg F (24 deg C). But 61-70 deg F (16-21 deg C) days, and 56-65 deg F (13-19 deg C) nights is suitable. In Winter they are best kept above 50 deg F (10 deg C). In a greenhouse the minimum temperature is 40 deg F (5 deg C). Freezing will kill the plant. From November to May, water only when the soil becomes fairly dry.
The optimal temperature for growing Gerbera Daisies is around 75 deg F (24 deg C). But 61-70 deg F (16-21 deg C) days, and 56-65 deg F (13-19 deg C) nights is suitable. In Winter they are best kept above 50 deg F (10 deg C). In a greenhouse the minimum temperature is 40 deg F (5 deg C). Freezing will kill the plant. From November to May, water only when the soil becomes fairly dry.
Healthy, good growing Gerbera Daisies do not suffer much from pest attacks, but plants not properly cared for can be attacked by aphids, whiteflies, leaf spot and spider mites. Over-watering encourages fungus, stem and root rots. Insect pests can be treated with soapy water, or you can apply an insecticide carefully following the instructions provided. It is best to apply outdoors.
Even if you give your Gerbera Daisy care, it is difficult to keep a pot plant looking good for a long while in the home. So once flowering has finished, it may be best to either discard your pot plant, or plant it outside if temperatures are over 45 deg F (5 deg C). Research by NASA has shown growing Gerbera Daisies to be effective in the removal of benzene, a well-known carcinogen, from the air.
Your Gerbera Daisy plant can be propagated by seeds, basal cuttings, or crown divisions. Seed must be fresh (1 month old at most). Germinate at about 68-78 deg F (20-25 deg C) in pots of sandy soil in the spring or early summer.Cover the pots with glass or plastic and prick out into trays when the seedlings are an inch tall. The plants will flower the following year. Take basal cuttings from the parent plant in summer, dip into rooting hormone, and insert into a sandy soil mix. Keep them covered with glass or polythene until they form roots.
They can then be potted into 3 inch (7.5cm) pots,and later repot your growing Gerbera Daisies into 5 inch (12.5cm) pots for flowering. Crown Division should be carefully done in early spring. Take care to avoid damage to the roots.
Growing Gerbera Daisies in the Garden
Gerberas can be grown outside in the garden during the summer. Take care planting of Gerbera Daisies that you do not damage the roots and that the crown of the plant is kept above the soil level. In mild climates, such as USDA zones: 9-10, Sunset zones: 8-9, 12-24, they can be cultivated outdoors all year round. Replant in April. The plants last for 3 to 4 years. After that flowering decreases and the growth of the plant will get stunted. Slugs and snails are partial to the leaves, and Gerberas are prone to some viral, bacterial and fungal diseases.
Gerberas can be grown outside in the garden during the summer. Take care planting of Gerbera Daisies that you do not damage the roots and that the crown of the plant is kept above the soil level. In mild climates, such as USDA zones: 9-10, Sunset zones: 8-9, 12-24, they can be cultivated outdoors all year round. Replant in April. The plants last for 3 to 4 years. After that flowering decreases and the growth of the plant will get stunted. Slugs and snails are partial to the leaves, and Gerberas are prone to some viral, bacterial and fungal diseases.
