Useful tips for growing a gerbera at home

Among gardeners, gerbera is very popular, a flower very similar to a large daisy.

Planting and care of this plant can be carried out not only at home, but also in the open.

It is important to follow some rules. Since the plant is capricious, without compliance with agricultural technology, the result will not work.

We learn more about the conditions and characteristics of growing gerbera, about the methods of its propagation, as well as about diseases and pests that cause harm to the plant.

What kind of flower is this?

Gerbera is a herbaceous plant that grows throughout the year. The peduncle has no leaves, and it can grow up to 60 cm in height. Gerbera leaves can be collected in a rosette at the root, they are quite long - 35 cm. Baskets can have different shades - large flowers grow one at a time and reach 15 cm in diameter. In some varieties they are terry. In indoor conditions, the most popular type of Gerber Jameson can be considered.

Features and growing conditions

Home gerberas need special care, therefore, before deciding to grow them at home, it is important to study as much information as possible. This will create a comfortable environment in which the flowers will actively grow and develop. Often a gerbera is a medium-sized flower. It has different colors, different unusual shades. In appearance, the plant is interesting and attractive.

Do not forget that this flower loves heat, so in most Russian climatic zones in the open ground it is unlikely to be able to grow, but you can do this in a home or in a greenhouse. With proper care, flowering will be long, gerberas will delight you with a pleasant and rich aroma. You can learn more about caring for a room gerbera from our article.

Breeding methods

The variety of bright flower that you like can be propagated in the following ways:

• The seeds.
• In vitro
• Division of the root.
• Cuttings.

Seed propagation is the most popular method.. It takes 10 months to germinate and form the plant. Seed can be bought at a special flower shop. When buying, you should pay attention to the shelf life of the seeds - they retain germination only for 8 months.

Gerbera seeds can be harvested with your own hands. In order for a blossoming flower to form seeds, it must be pollinated. After carrying out such a procedure, material for planting will ripen in the seed boxes. Planting is carried out in slightly acidic soil, which includes leafy soil, sand, turf and peat.

The in vitro method is considered new. It involves growing seedlings in closed containers, protected from diseases and pests. This method is the most time-consuming, it requires experience in growing plants in a laboratory.

The in vitro cycle consists of these steps:

1. The selection of cuttings.
2. Sterilization of planting material.
3. The placement of explants in a nutrient medium.
4. Reproduction of microclones.
5. Adaptation of seedlings.
6. Planting and growing plants in containers for flowers.

Gerbera is very whimsical to reproduction by dividing the bush. This method can be applied to plants that grow 4-5 years.. It is held in the month of March. Slices are made on the shoots of each segment, leaving 4 petals on them. They are treated with coal. Each part is planted in a separate container, providing plants with good care - timely watering, ventilation and top dressing.

You can also propagate gerbera cuttings. This method will be the most successful. It is carried out in the spring. For the formation of the cuttings, it is important to separate the leaves from the shoot - cuttings should not be more than 5 cm, they are planted in flower containers. To create a greenhouse effect, they are covered with a film or glasses.

How to care for a plant at home?

Helpful hints:

1. For gerbera to bloom, the length of daylight should be 12 hours. From August to November, flowering is very plentiful. In winter, it is better to give her a break, and from mid-June daylight hours increase, so during this period the plant builds up green mass. Read more about when and how many gerberas bloom and why they do not, read here.
2. If the home gerbera bloomed for a long time, and then abruptly stopped, this suggests that it has gone into a dormant state. It is important to follow the flower. If this period lasts more than 3 months, this indicates insufficient conditions for him.
3. Flowering problems occur when over-fertilizing with a high nitrogen content. Also, a gerbera will not bloom if you transplant it into a large pot - it will spend its energy on building roots.
4. Indoor plant feels great at a temperature of 20-24 degrees. Heat is given to her easier than cold. In winter, the temperature should not fall below 12 degrees.
5. Since gerbera is a plant from the tropics, it is important to provide it with abundant watering. It is dangerous to do this with cold water - it can get sick. Better to use warm. Try not to overmoisten the soil so that nematodes do not wound up in it.
6. Frequent temperature difference leads to a decrease in flower resistance. Spraying can be considered a mandatory procedure for gerbera, however, it must be done only with warm water.
7. A transplant should be carried out during the rest period, in order not to disrupt the biological rhythm of the plant. It is better to use a small pot, which is 2-3 cm larger than the real one. The soil is needed light, consisting of sheet earth, moss and sphagnum.
8. It is important to add nutrients that help build green mass. Feed the plant from February to April with complex fertilizers that contain nitrogen. It is important to choose one that also contains a large amount of potassium.

Diseases and Pests

Among the most common problems are the following:

• Powdery Mildew
• Gray rot.
• Spider mite.
• Phytophthora and fusarium.
• Aphid.

Read more about room gerbera diseases and pests and how to deal with them, read here.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is worth noting that growing gerbera has some difficulties. But not a single flower will please the eye, if not looked after. By listening to the above tips, your gerbera will be the best decoration at home.