Gerbera Daisy Care
Tips On How To Grow Gerbera Daisies
yellow, salmon, orange and white, with flower sizes anywhere from 2 to 5 inches across.
How to Grow Gerbera Daisies
Growing gerbera daisy plants is possible from seed, seedlings or division. Seed is the cheapest method, but seeds must be sown immediately as they lose viability quickly after opening. Keep in mind seeds may also not be true to form. Growing from seedlings or divided plants is easier and you can be sure what the flower type will be. If you have older plants, the crowns can be lifted and divided in early spring. Remove lower leaves and replant immediately.
Gerbera Daisy Planting Guide
Plants thrive in a position with full sun and sandy soil. A little compost added at planting will encourage good flower growth. With newly sown seeds, a well-draining propagation mix is a must, as is bright indirect light. Crown rot is a common problem with gerbera daisies, which is caused by planting the crowns too deeply. The crown should be visible above the soil and allowed to dry out between each watering. Plants can be mulched, but care must be taken that mulch does not cover the crown. If you live in a wet or humid climate or have heavy soil, try planting in well-draining pots instead.
How to Care for a Gerbera Daisy Plant
Gerbera daisies are susceptible to fungal diseases, although older varieties less so. Fungal sprays do not generally prevent crown rot, so correct planting and watering are essential for gerbera daisy care. Make sure you plant them with adequate spacing and in high light areas. A little bit of light shade in high summer is alright, but without full, direct light the plants will get leggy and pale and not produce nearly as many blooms. Water in the morning so leaves can dry out during the day to lessen the risk of rot and fungal diseases. Gerbera daisy care can also be enhanced by using a micro-nutrient liquid fertilizer such as a seaweed or fish emulsion. Keep an eye out for caterpillars and leaf miners too. Spray, if needed, with an organic spray such as pyrethrum or neem oil. Growing gerbera daisies can have some challenges, but it is a wonderful reward when those big, happy flowers bloom
Gerbera daisies are perennial flowers in their native habitat, but we grow them as annuals or house plants. They can be tricky to get to rebloom.
ReplyDeleteFasciation is quite interesting. If you look under the flower the stem is usually flattened and as if several are fused side by side in a ribbon like structure. It sometimes affects the phyllotaxy on the stems, too.
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