Gerbera is a very popular flower. However, many people know this representative of the Aster family only as a garden flower. But thanks to the efforts of flower growers, today a beautiful gerbera feels great in flowerpots on the windowsills. Moreover, the breeders have selected the varieties that are most resistant to diseases and pests.

The birthplace of the flower

Gerbera was first discovered in South Africa. The flower grew in meadows at an altitude of 600 meters above sea level. Then the plant appeared in Madagascar and tropical forests in Asia. Today there are more than seventy types of gerberas.

Flower appearance

If we talk about indoor gerbera, it is a low-growing plant no more than 30 centimeters high, which is used as a single shrub and for landscaping balconies and terraces.

If your gerbera grows outdoors, it is necessary to store the flower indoors in winter, as it is thermophilic and low temperatures are destructive for it.

The leaves of the plant are collected in an outlet. The inflorescences are large, like chamomile. The color range of flowers is very diverse. The flowering period with proper care lasts from early spring to autumn.

Unfortunately, indoor gerbera does not belong to long-livers and after three to four years the flowering of the shrub decreases, and the old plant must be replaced with a new one.

Gerbera is an unpretentious plant; for a beautiful and lush flowering, a minimum of effort is needed: light and warmth.

Watering mode

The flower requires frequent, but not abundant watering. If the soil is allowed to dry out, the plant will dry out and wither. Excess moisture will provoke the development of fungal diseases.

Only warm water is used for irrigation - from +18 to +20 degrees, especially in hot weather.

Illumination requirements

Throughout the year, except for the summer months, the gerbera feels great on the southern windows, where it receives the required amount of sunlight. In summer, it is better to put the plant on the east or west window in order to protect the leaves and inflorescences from burns.

In the warm season, be sure to take the flowerpot out into the fresh air, since the gerbera is very fond of air baths and is not afraid of drafts.

Temperature regime

Despite the fact that gerbera is thermophilic, too high temperatures can lead to the death of the plant. The optimal temperature regime for the Astera representative varies between + 16- + 22 degrees. In winter, when the dormant period begins, it is necessary to put the flowerpot with a flower in a cool room, where the temperature does not drop below +14 degrees and does not rise above 16 degrees.

Top dressing and fertilization

Gerbera needs a nutritious and varied diet. Fertilizers are applied once a week. For young plants and during the period of bud formation, fertilizers with a high nitrogen content are used. Then you can feed the gerbera with complex preparations.

The fertilizer concentration should be less than that indicated on the package in the instructions.

Air humidity

Air humidity does not matter. If you decide to arrange water procedures for the plant, be careful not to get water on the inflorescences.

Gerbera transplant

Optimal period

It is best to replant the plant in early spring, when the period of active growth and budding has not begun, or after flowering ends.

Soil composition

The earthen mixture should be of the following composition:

• Leafy ground - two parts;
• Peat - one piece;
• Sand is one piece.

Instead of sand, sphagnum moss is perfect.

Flowerpot size

A large capacity is not required for a gerbera; it is enough to choose a flowerpot with a volume of one to one and a half liters.

If you are replanting a gerbera after purchase, wait a few weeks for the plant to adapt to the new conditions. Be sure to put a layer of drainage on the bottom of the pot and do not use a store-bought substrate, replace it with a high-quality earthen mixture.

Gerbera propagation

Given the short lifespan of a gerbera, plant propagation is an excellent opportunity to rejuvenate a flower and grow a new, lush bush.

There are several gerbera breeding methods:

• Seeds (it should be remembered that new plants do not always inherit the characteristics of the mother flower);
• By dividing the bush;
• By cuttings.

The peculiarity of the reproduction of a flower by seeds is that the planting material very quickly loses its germination. To achieve the maximum percentage of germination, seeds are planted no later than six months after they were harvested. It is best to plant in early spring.

First you need to prepare the substrate: mix the peat with sand and steam the mixture. It is important to soak the seeds before planting, and use bowls for planting. The planting depth of seeds is small. Cover the top with polyethylene or glass. For maximum germination, a temperature of + 20- + 22 degrees is required. The first shoots appear after a week. When the seedlings get stronger (after a few weeks), they are dived, the root is pinched and planted in flowerpots, while the rosette of leaves should be located at a height of 1 centimeter above the soil.

If you want to propagate a gerbera by cuttings or dividing a bush, it is best to do this in the summer, between two flowering periods.

The bush can be divided with an incision without digging it out of the ground. It is enough to free the roots from the ground from above and divide into two parts with a sharp knife. Treat the cuts with crushed coal and sprinkle with soil again. When both halves of the plant are rooted, they can be transplanted into new flowerpots.

The grafting method is the least effective and is not practiced by growers.

Gerbera inflorescences are shaped like chamomile. The color of the petals can be very diverse, except for the blue tint. Flowers can be simple, semi-double and double. Each gerbera variety differs in the size of the inflorescence, as well as the number and shape of the petals.

The main condition for abundant and bright flowering is timely pruning of dry inflorescences. Thus, nothing will interfere with the formation of new buds.

The dry peduncle must be cut as low as possible to the ground so that the remaining part does not start to rot.

Gerbera blooms twice a year. The first flowering begins in the second half of February and lasts until mid-May. Then the plant rests and blooms again in August. The dormant period begins in mid-October.

With proper care, gerberas can bloom all year round. However, flower growers recommend leaving the plant time to rest and giving the opportunity to accumulate strength for future flowering.

Diseases and pests of gerbera

In general, domestic varieties of gerbera can easily cope with diseases, but in some situations the plant can get sick.

• Too much watering

In this case, the lower leaves on the bush will begin to rot, as a result, the plant will suffer from viral diseases. Also, as a result of non-compliance with the irrigation regime, late blight and fusarium develop.

• Lack of moisture and dry air

In such a situation, a spider mite appears on the plant. To combat insects, chemical preparations are used - fungicides.

If your gerbera grows in the open field during the warm season, inspect the bush for aphids before bringing it indoors. If you find pests, treat the stems and leaves with chemicals - insecticides.

Why doesn't gerbera bloom?

There may be several reasons:

• Too much direct light, if the daylight hours exceed 12 hours, the plant may stop forming buds and begin to actively grow green mass;
• Excess nitrogen in the soil;
• Pot too big.

Why does gerbera dry up?

The main reasons for the drying out of the plant are insufficient watering and growing in an overly warm room.

Also, pests can be the cause of the wilting of the plant. They should be carefully looked for not only on the leaves and inflorescences, but also on the roots of the plant.

If you find that the roots of the plant are entwined throughout the pot, the reason for the drying of the gerbera is an insufficient amount of nutrients in the soil. Just transplant the plant into a larger pot and replace the soil.

Another reason for the wilting of a flower is a large amount of dust on the leaves, which interferes with the respiration of the plant.

If the leaves turn yellow and then dry up, most likely the plant is affected by Fusarium disease.

Why do gerbera buds wither?

If the buds of a plant you recently purchased are withering, it is due to the stress the plant is experiencing. You also need to take care of transplanting the flower into a new flowerpot and a new earthen mixture.

The second reason for the death of buds is a lack of light. Perhaps your flower grows on a northern window, where there is no direct light and the plant does not have enough strength to bloom.

Why do gerbera leaves turn black?

There can be several reasons for the appearance of dark spots on the leaves:

• Watering with too cold water;
• Growing in high humidity conditions;
• Overdrying an earthen coma;
• Too much watering;
• The plant is cold.

Gerbera Care Videos

The graceful and bright gerbera, belonging to the Aster family, has long ceased to be associated only with a garden flower. This plant can easily grow and bloom at home, decorating a home or office with juicy and large inflorescences. Gerbera is unpretentious in leaving. It is enough to provide the flower with the necessary amount of light and moisture, as well as feed the plant in a timely manner and transplant as needed.

At the beginning of the 18th century, traveling Dutch in the rich gold-bearing region in southern Africa, in addition to precious stones and metals, discovered a large number of unknown plants, among which were gerberas. In 1737, botanist Jan Gronovius began to describe these flowers. Since no one knew its name, the scientist assigned the flower the name of his colleague, the German herbalist Traugott Gerber, Director of the Pharmaceutical Garden (Botanical Garden) in Moscow in 1735-1742, researcher of the Volga region flora

Karl Linnaeus used this name in his work, published in 1758. In the literature, sometimes there is another version of the origin of the genus name - from the Latin "herba" - "grass". In English literature, gerbera is also called transvaal daisy - transvaal chamomile (daisy).

These flowers are an amazing combination of simplicity, modesty with extraordinary beauty and grace. Gerbera inflorescences are often compared to a sun disk surrounded by rays. This similarity endows the flower with life-affirming, creative symbolism. Perhaps the gerbera can be called the most positive flower. Thanks to its sun-shaped shape and bright color, the gerbera has become a symbol of joy, kindness, playfulness.

According to legend, a beautiful girl lived in a distant country, she was so beautiful that not only men, but also women admired her. The girl was very modest and pure, and it was hard for her to endure the constant increased attention to herself. The gods took mercy on her and turned her into a beautiful flower. A beautiful legend, a beautiful flower! Expressing genuine joy and playfulness, this April patron flower contains the very essence of springtime carefree and forever youthful attitude.

Gerbera is a perennial flowering herb of the Asteraceae family, with a powerful root system, a shortened stem and a rosette of light green basal leaves. Tall flower stalks rise from the rosette, strong, slightly pubescent, on which exclusively decorative inflorescences bloom - single large baskets with a yellow center, resembling chamomile in appearance, of a wide variety of sizes and colors.

Depending on the variety, the inflorescences can be simple or semi-double, of any color except blue, their diameter ranges from 4 to 15 cm, and the height of the peduncles is from 25 to 60 cm. In nature, there are more than 80 species of gerbera that grow in different parts of the world. Most of the gerbera species are native to South Africa and Madagascar. Jameson's gerbera flower is depicted on the flag and coat of arms of the South African province of Mpumalanga (until 1995 called the Eastern Transvaal). Gerbera is widespread in the southern regions of India, China, Mongolia, Japan, South America, Australia.

Most of the grown gerberas are hybrid varieties derived from two South African species: Jameson's gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) and green-leaved gerbera (Gerbera viridifolia).

Coumarin derivatives are found in gerbera, as in some other plants of the Asteraceae family. Coumarin is used as a fragrant substance in the production of tobacco products and in the perfumery industry.

The Transvaal daisy, or Gerbera Jameson, can be grown at home or on balconies: some varieties are more suitable for indoor or closed insulated loggias, others, more hardy, are adapted for outdoor cultivation. The satiny, large-flowered chamomile-like flowers of Jameson's gerbera are very beautiful, they last about 2-3 weeks, and when cut, stand 1-2 weeks.

Jamson gerberas need good lighting to grow at home, they can constantly be in the sun, with the exception of noon hours in the summer. Always check the condition of the soil before watering. In summer it should be wet, but not heavy and wet, in winter dry and crumbly. Water the gerbera plant abundantly from above, after 10-15 minutes, pour excess water from the pan. Check the condition of the drain holes regularly.

The main meaning of gerbera is innocence and modesty. A bouquet with gerberas is often given when they want to confess eternal love, and it is gerbera flowers that speak the silent language of love perfectly well. Another meaning of a flower is purity, so bouquets with gerberas are an excellent gift for those for whom you have respect, appreciation, gratitude and admiration.

Although gerberas have been known to the scientific world since the 18th century, they appeared in Russia with a great delay, only by the beginning of the 90s. But then the flowers did not cause much delight, they seemed to many to be very simple and intrusively bright. And yet, after some time, gerberas managed to melt the hearts of people and what was at first considered disadvantages turned into advantages. Gerbera is increasingly found in stores and many are happy to prefer it to other plants. They are presented with great pleasure for birthdays, holidays, dates.

Gerberas live 7-10 days after cutting and are considered the most difficult flower to absorb water. Therefore, when you bring the gerberas home, cut the stems a little and immediately immerse the plants deeply in warm water for an hour, and then put them in a vase where you pour no more than 5 cm of water.You can pierce the stem at the top and bottom, or cut it along the bottom to moisture was better absorbed. Change the water often and refresh the cut.

If the stems become soft and the flowers start to wilt, try revitalizing them. Take a deep vessel of water, put a wire rack and pass the gerbera stems so that they hang without touching the bottom. After a while, the stems will straighten, become slender and elastic. And only then put the gerberas in the water again to a depth of 5 cm.

Gerbera is a magnificent flower with petals of various shades from white and cream to rich dark cherry. According to legend, one forest nymph Herba was so beautiful that she got tired of the admiration of those around her, and she wished to turn into a modest flower. In Russia, the flower appeared 150 years later than in Europe. And the Dutch first saw a gerbera on the shores of southern Africa at the beginning of the 18th century. The flower was named after the German herbalist Traugott Gerber.
Gerbera is a perennial beautifully blooming flower that can be simple and double. It blooms for a long time. Gerbera is pleasant in that, in principle, it is easy to maintain it, it is not afraid of a draft, it can be taken out onto a balcony or loggia, and planted in a flower bed in summer. Simple gerberas are very similar to chamomile, and terry gerberas can be confused with aster.

Since the gerbera is home to Africa, it loves warmth very much and is not able to withstand our frosty winters in the open field. It can be planted in the garden as an annual plant, or taken out of the room in the summer in the open air, leaving it in a pot.
Garden gerbera loves fertile soil, moderate watering and grows well in bright places. But direct sunlight is very undesirable for her.

Gerbera varieties

The decorative gerberas that are found on sale are hybrids derived from two varieties of Greenleaf Gerbera and Jameson Gerbera. As an indoor culture, a dwarf species of Gerbera Jamesonii is grown. It is Jameson's gerbera that is sold in stores in cut form in bouquets.

How to grow and care for indoor potted gerberas

Since gerbera is photophilous and can tolerate a small amount of direct sunlight, it is better to place pots with it on the western and eastern windows, and shade on the southern ones at noon. In the autumn-winter period, the flower needs additional lighting. In spring and summer, the best temperature for him is 22-24 ° C. When the gerbera begins to bloom and throughout the entire flowering period, temperature differences between day and night are undesirable for it. When the flowering ends, the temperature is gradually lowered. Closer to winter, it should be about 14 ° C, and 12 ° C in winter.

Watering

While the flower is growing and developing, it should be watered with moderately soft water at room temperature. During watering, you need to make sure that water does not get into the leaf outlet. Avoid waterlogging to prevent fungal infections. When the dormant period begins, watering is reduced, but so as to prevent prolonged drying of the soil in the pot. And one more nuance - the pot must be placed on a pallet filled with wet expanded clay, pebbles or moss. In this case, the roots of the flower should not touch the water in the pan - otherwise the flower will disappear due to rotting of the roots. Gerbera also does not like spraying, but water can be sprayed around the pot itself. You can feed it throughout the entire development period once every two weeks with a special complex fertilizer - for flowering plants

Planting and transplanting

Once a year, a home gerbera requires an annual transplant into a more spacious container, at the bottom of which be sure to put good drainage. The soil should be light and nutritious. If you buy land, then take the soil for the rose - it will do better than everyone else. You can prepare the mixture yourself by taking equal parts of peat soil, leaf and sand. It would be nice to add a small amount of pine bark. When planting a gerbera in a pot, make sure that no earth gets into the rosette of leaves, and do not deepen the rosette itself.

Reproduction

Gerbera propagates by seed or by dividing the bush. During the division of the bush, the young seedling will fully retain the characteristics of the parent plant. And if propagated by seeds, this may not happen. The mother gerbera can be divided in the spring. The bush should be 3-4 years old. We care for young seedlings in the same way as for an adult gerbera. Flowers on new plants will appear in a year.

Seeds are sown in the soil in spring too. After the appearance of two or three leaves on the shoots, a pick is carried out (thinning of the shoots). When the 5th leaf appears, you can plant the seedlings in individual pots. The first feeding will be needed in a month.
It is necessary to remove faded flowers from the gerbera in time, completely breaking them out of the nest. Then they will not rot and the growth of new flowers will not be inhibited.

It should be remembered that even if you provide a purchased room gerbera with close attention and competent care, it will usually die anyway. This is due to the fact that growers in greenhouses so fill flowers with growth stimulants that plants simply cannot survive without them. Therefore, purchase gerberas in the markets from hobbyists or sellers who have already won your trust.

Diseases and pests of gerbera

With abuse of watering, high humidity, poor ventilation, the flower can get sick with powdery mildew or start to rot. The first signals that something is wrong with the flower will be given by the leaves - they will begin to turn yellow or become stained. You will need to take all measures to eliminate the above reasons.

Powdery mildew, which appears as white fluffy specks, can be wiped off the leaves with your hands. If it appears on dying leaves, simply remove them. Fitosporin-M is very effective for spraying. It is better to purchase it in the form of a paste or solution - it will be easier to dose during dilution.

Other harm to gerbera can be caused by aphids, scale insects, whiteflies and mites. With all these misfortunes, the control measures are quite standard: disinfection of the soil, inspection of the plant upon purchase, adherence to the rules of care, timely removal of the affected parts of the plant, treatment with drugs. You can not get carried away with nitrogen fertilizers, dramatically change the temperature, watering gerberas with cold water - all this provokes powdery mildew. Aphids are destroyed with anabasine sulfate, nicotine sulfate or a similar preparation.

A spider mite is almost invisible without a magnifying glass. For prevention, gerbera is sprayed and the leaves are washed. You can fight the tick by treating the leaves with soapy water, which is then washed off, or with an insecticide. The second treatment is carried out in a week. To get rid of the whitefly, gerbera is sprayed with preparations containing permethrin every three days until the insects disappear completely.

Growing problems

With a lack of light, the leaves lose their brightness and stretch. But similar symptoms can occur during the adaptation of a plant that has just come from the store to indoor conditions. Also, the brightness of the foliage is lost with an excess of light. The causes of yellowing, drying and wilting of gerbera are lack or excess of moisture, fungal disease Fusarium. The flower needs a dormant period during a cool winter. If this is not ensured, then it will stop blooming. The duration of flowering depends on the daylight hours. Usually, until August, gerbera grows green mass, and then begins to bloom.

Luxurious flowers of bright colors create a cozy atmosphere even in the most modest interior of a house or apartment. It is the indoor gerbera, home care for which requires certain knowledge, belongs to this type of plant. It is often cultivated on the street or in a greenhouse. However, good lighting and a warm microclimate in the apartment allow households to enjoy its flowering for a long time. There are some secrets of planting, feeding, breeding and caring for this representative of the Astrovs.

Landing features

The indoor gerbera belongs to the perennial herbaceous family. Its flowers in structure resemble a large chamomile with a daisy-shaped center. Densely planted petals make it 5 times more effective.

This variety of Astrovs is undersized. Five or seven flowers in one pot will give your home a chic look. You can achieve this result if you choose the right pot. It should be made of clay. Due to the porosity of the material, the roots will be able to breathe. Moreover, it helps to maintain the required temperature in the soil.

The transplant of purchased copies should be carried out 14-20 days after purchase. During this period, the plant adapts to new conditions. Stems and leaves will become more elastic, raised. When transplanting, the following should be considered:

• the size of the pot is twice as large as the previous one;
• treat the container with boiling water for disinfection;
• completely replace the entire soil, carefully shaking off the temporary soil from the roots;
• young sprouts need top dressing, the frequency of fertilization: at first, every 4-8 days.

As shown in the photo, caring for a room gerbera at home includes creating favorable conditions for it to flourish. Both in the garden and at home, she does not require special attention to herself.

Long-term illumination leads to the degeneration of the variety. The plant is depleted and disappears in just 2 years.

Planting soil (transplant)

The soil should be light, which means slightly acidic. Experts do not recommend using humus as compost. You can make nutrient soil yourself. To do this, you need to mix the following components:

The condition is of paramount importance - the root outlet should protrude from the ground 1.5-2 cm higher. The transplant should be carried out during the dormant period, when it does not bloom. Otherwise, you can disrupt its natural biorhythm.
If such a charm was presented to a blooming mistress, then there is no need to rush to transplant her. In a small pot, it can grow well for a long period.

It is advised to replant gerbera in early spring or late winter. To do this, you can take a clay pot, the diameter of which is 2-3 cm larger than the previous one. This will allow it to bloom faster.

Lighting requirements

The most optimal daylight period is 12 hours. Therefore, it is better to choose a place where enough bright sunlight penetrates. In another case, it is allowed that it be scattered. The duration and quality of flowering depends on how you care for indoor gerberas. For example, during the summer period it is necessary to take the flowerpot out onto the balcony. If this cannot be done, then the room should be regularly ventilated. The currents of fresh warm air improve the transport of nutrients to the leaves as well as flowers.

From mid-summer to the end of August, this amazing chamomile "throws" all its strength into building up greenery. Since the daylight hours are more than 12 hours, the kidneys simply do not have time to tie. By the end of August, a stormy period of its flowering begins, which lasts until November.

Temperature and humidity

Competent care of a room gerbera also includes compliance with temperature limits. Although it is a fairly hardy plant, it should not be overused. Having entered the dormant period, the transvaal chamomile (another name for the flowerpot) may stop blooming altogether. The optimal conditions for its cultivation are as follows:

• in winter not less than 11-14 ° С;
• in the warm season from 20 to 25 ° С;
• limit the possibility of frequent temperature changes;
• provide relatively high humidity.

The homeland of this flower is Africa (Madagascar island), as well as Asia. In this regard, it is important to take into account that there is a tropical climate in those parts. Therefore, it is best for an indoor gerbera flower to create natural living conditions.

Watering

Some growers advise to increase watering frequency in such two cases: during the heating season (the air is too dry) and at the end of February. After all, the beginning of March is a period of active growth of the stem and buds.

For watering flowers, you need to use settled water. To do this, they collect liquid in a bottle and leave it in the kitchen for a day, because it is warm there. Then the water temperature will be at least 20 degrees.

Top dressing

Preference should be given to mineral fertilizers. The indoor gerbera, shown in the photo, has a very delicate root system, therefore it absolutely does not tolerate organic matter. Humus or compost simply burns off its delicate roots. It should also be borne in mind that for different natural cycles of its development, a certain composition of feeding is needed. In the original, it looks like this:

Top dressing should not be carried out with highly concentrated solutions. It is worth diluting the drug in 2 times with the large volume of liquid indicated in the instructions.

Unfortunately, opinions differ on the frequency of fertilization. Some say that this should be done in 1-2 weeks, while others claim that one feeding per decade is enough. Due to such a difference of opinion, each housewife must decide for herself how to care for a room gerbera. Observation, as well as simple female intuition, will help her in this. As far as possible, it is necessary to fluff the soil once a week, giving the roots a sufficient dose of oxygen.

Household plant varieties do not need pruning. It is enough just to gently remove dried flowers or leaves.

Diseases and pests

Although this exotic aster is of tropical origin, excessive humidity can harm it. Therefore, when caring for room gerbera at home, special attention should be paid to the watering and spraying procedure. The result is the rich and gorgeous flowers of the Transvaal daisy.

Features of the content of room gerbera - video

Video about transplanting and reproduction of gerbera

Gerbera - a flower from the shores of South Africa simply cannot be faded or imperceptible! And here she is - one of the first beauties of the Aster family - the gerbera. The homeland gave her endurance, resilience and all the shades of the African sun.

This plant is beautiful for its flowering and pleases flower growers with productivity, which makes it very popular in the modern world of beauty and business. Gerberas are grown at home in pots, in the garden, and in greenhouses on an industrial scale.

Opinions were divided about the origin of the name of this beautiful plant. Some attribute to her the honor of the name of the German physician Gerber, others argue that from the Latin word: "herba" (grass), and a direct resemblance to chamomile has even resulted in the second name: Transvaal chamomile and Transvaal daisy.

The two most common of nearly a hundred species of the genus gerbera are Gerbera Wright and Gerbera Jameson. They are very fond of this representative of the flora in Asia, where, due to its similarity with the sun, the gerbera is considered a symbol of love and perfection.

Gerberas in the family "Aster" or "Compositae" have up to 70-80 species of perennial herbaceous ornamental plants with large flowers, similar to a giant chamomile with basal leaves. Gerbera flowers, simply of unreal beauty, growing on a tall, often pubescent, leafless peduncle, give the impression of an artificial handicraft. Gerbera leaves are oval elongated in shape, pointed towards the end and pinnately dissected, reaching lengths within 35 centimeters. They grow with a rosette collected from the rhizome. In some gerbera species, leaf bases and petioles are significantly pubescent.

Depending on the variety, gerberas also differ in the height of the bush, in some cases reaching up to 60 centimeters. The more common compact gerbera species are 20-25 centimeters. Gerberas also differ in flowers, which can be double, semi-double and simple, surprising in size - from 12 to 16 centimeters in diameter (there are varieties up to 30 centimeters). Under natural conditions, gerbera can bloom from early spring to late autumn.

Gerbera is a very attractive flower for cultivation and cultivation. It grows quickly, blooms early and profusely, has a long active flowering period and good cutting qualities. Gerbera flowers can stand in a vase for 20 days, provided there is a minimum water level in it, but it must be monitored and maintained - the beauty loves to be worshiped.

Gerbera - growing and care

With all the deep and aesthetic interest in growing gerbera, flower growers can only get such an opportunity in the southern regions, where there are long hot summers and mild autumn. And even in rather warm southern regions there are periods of frost up to 20 degrees, in case of which, even in the south, a gerbera should be insulated with a dry sheet or straw, covering it with non-woven material.

In the northern and temperate regions, gerberas can only be grown in greenhouses; either as an annual, or transshipment into volumetric pots for wintering until spring in a bright, cool and periodically ventilated room, with an air temperature of 7-8 plus degrees C. In regions with such opportunities, breeding and growing of compact indoor varieties of the most beautiful gerbera prevails.

Favorable conditions for growing gerberas in the open field are fertile soil, equipped with full mineral fertilizer, and sufficient illumination for at least half the day. Otherwise, when growing any variety of this ornamental plant, you will experience deformation of branches, flowers - their color and size, a reduction and displacement of the flowering period, a decrease in immunity, gerbera diseases and amateur disappointment.

The rules for watering gerbera are simple, but must be followed: during an active growing season, watering is abundant, but without stagnation of moisture or drying out of the roots. During the rest period - moderate, without drying out. It is important to water with water that is soft, not cold and at the root, without risking allowing water to flow down the sheet plates into the outlet. Otherwise, decay of the latter may occur, which will entail the loss of the entire plant. It is possible to spray a gerbera, but it is troublesome: you should avoid getting dew on the flowers; dew should be like fog and irrigation should be brief, so that drops do not form on the leaves that can roll down to the center of the outlet and lead to its decay.

During the growth and flowering in the summer season in the open field, the gerbera needs regular feeding with full mineral fertilizer at the rate of 10-15 grams per 10 liters of water or according to the instructions for its use.

If your choice fell on the cultivation of room gerbera, then based on the general rules for caring for it, you need to take into account that daylight hours for this plant should not be longer than 12 hours. For all its light-requiring, with an excess of lighting, the intensity of gerbera bloom decreases over time.

The limitation of daylight hours for a room gerbera does not mean a decrease in its brightness. On a hot and bright summer day, pots with gerbera can be "walked" on an open balcony or with its windows open, because this plant loves ventilation and fresh air, but without its through flow.

In winter, which coincides with the natural dormant period for the gerbera, it should not bloom. In this state, she works on the vegetation of the green mass and the formation of peduncles.

Watching the flowering of a gerbera, pay attention: the break in its flowering should not exceed three months. If the period of non-flowering is prolonged, it is necessary to analyze the reasons for this failure and ways to eliminate them.

The gerbera can stop flowering due to the exaggeration of the volume of the pot, where its roots will begin to fatten, leaving no energy for flowering.

Be careful when fertilizing a gerbera, there is a danger of an overdose of nitrogen fertilizers, which can lead to a complete cessation of flowering of the plant.

Although the gerbera, a native of tropical zones, prefers heat to cold, in winter it can hold out on a cool balcony for a short time and at 12-14 plus degrees. But such a sharp change in temperature conditions threatens gerbera with a decrease in immunity against diseases. For the room version of gerbera, regular feeding only with mineral fertilizers is important - no organic matter: the roots will disappear. During the period of active vegetation and flowering, you need to feed the gerbera once a week with a special complex mineral fertilizer according to the instructions attached to such fertilizers; and at rest - once a month.

The indoor gerbera is capriciously related to the temperature regime: at the time of flowering, it needs warmth from 16 to 24 warm degrees. In winter, in a state of natural dormancy, it is preferable to provide a non-flowering gerbera with only 14 plus degrees, which is quite cool.

Reproduction and transplantation of gerbera

In the fall, a soil gerbera should be transplanted into a pot corresponding to the size of the rhizome: at least 20 centimeters in diameter. Prepare soil for pouring into a pot at the rate of: 2 parts from the growing soil, directly from the hole, with the addition of 1 part of unsalted river sand. To exclude root decay, start transplanting gerbera from a drainage layer in a pot of clay shards, it is better to refuse expanded clay and prefer eggshells or broken into pieces packing containers made of soft foam rubber after mushrooms, cooled and other. When directly planting a gerbera in a pot, the plant should remain with an unburied neck of the rosette in order to avoid the disease of fungal rot.

All types of gerberas are propagated in three ways: by seeds, cuttings and dividing bushes, the last of the listed is the simplest and gives good results: all the maternal qualities of the seedling are preserved. When dividing the root of indoor gerberas, special care is required so as not to permanently damage it. It is important to remind that indoor gerberas are transplanted only during the dormant period. Open field gerberas are more hardy in this regard, but even here you need to be careful not to harm.

By dividing the bush, the ground gerbera is propagated in the spring (April-May). Only two-three-year-old bushes are suitable for such an operation, with the possible pruning of roots up to 10-15 centimeters. The gerbera bush is dug out, the planting soil is gently shaken off, and the bush is divided into 5-7 parts by the rhizome, each of which should contain at least 2-3 young healthy leaves.

Gerbera roots, separated from the mother bush, are planted in the wells prepared in advance in an optimally suitable place, in compliance with the mandatory requirement: the neck of the rosette when deepening the seedling must be at least 1-1.5 centimeters from the soil level, which is necessary for successful rooting, vegetation and flowering of the gerbera. Even successfully rooted and well-developing gerbera bushes will most likely bloom only in the next season.

Seed propagation for indoor and ground gerberas is not fundamentally different, but it is possible to grow seedlings from seeds only in greenhouse conditions. It is better to sow gerbera seeds from January to March in certified seedling soil or in a mixture of peat and leafy soil, with the addition of unsalted river sand, in a seedling container or box.

Before sowing, the soil is sufficiently moistened, the seeds are distributed as evenly as possible and sprinkled on top with soil 2-3 millimeters thick. The seedling box can be covered with glass or placed in a larger, transparent plastic bag that can be tucked up or tied up to keep air out. Such a box should be placed in a room where the air temperature is not lower than 18 plus degrees. Periodically, such a "greenhouse" is ventilated and moistened by spraying the soil.

As soon as sprouts appear (after 1-2 weeks), remove the glass or "greenhouse-package" and when 4-5 leaves appear, you can and should dive the seedlings into pots with soil mixture, with a diameter of 8-10 centimeters. Take care of the seedlings according to the general rules for watering, lighting and feeding. Decide their further fate for yourself: in open ground or leave for indoor breeding. But flowering will take almost a year, and the quality of the flowers may not match the picture on the bag for seeds that do not preserve maternal genetics.

Propagation of gerbera by cuttings is difficult, but not hopeless. Purposeful florists do it too. First of all, a gerbera bush is dug out, the soil is shaken off, the rhizome is carefully washed and the leaves are cut off from the rosette. The rhizome itself should be planted in a greenhouse, and after two weeks, shoots from the axillary buds, which are cuttings, will appear from the renewed rhizome. As soon as these cuttings grow, they can be rooted in the ground.

Diseases and pests of gerbera

Gerbera is known to need protection from fungal diseases and garden pests. When planting and transplanting gerberas, the soil is pre-treated with a solution of potassium permanganate in order to protect the plant from pathogenic fungi that are dangerous to its root system, which can lead to decay of the root collar. Stagnation of water as a result of waterlogging can also contribute to this dangerous disease. It turns out that for the health of a gerbera, it is necessary to follow the basic rules of caring for it, especially the correct standardized watering and drainage capacity of its place of growth in the open field.

With an excess of moisture, an equally dangerous disease can appear: gray rot. It will not be superfluous to periodically treat the gerbera with a solution of fungicide against gray rot, excluding the solution getting on the flowers, which will leave unpleasant spots. Incorrect collection of gerbera flowers, in which they are cut, leaving part of the stem, can lead to rotting of the entire rosette through the decay of the remainder of the stem. Gerbera flowers should be broken out, not cut.

In the summer heat, when the temperature changes or when watering with too cold water, the gerbera lies in wait for the danger of powdery mildew, against which a targeted fungicide can also be used, the aqueous solution of which should also not get on the flowers due to remaining stains. Gerberas should not be planted next to roses, which are more prone to powdery mildew than other flowers.

Gerbera is susceptible to attack by all garden pests: whiteflies, aphids, thrips and spider mites. For this reason, the gerbera must be closely watched. Otherwise, the leaves will turn yellow, wither and the whole plant will die. Treating plants with targeted insecticides in a timely manner will preserve these beautiful flowers and keep their greenery fresh and gorgeous flowers bright.

From all that has been said above, it becomes obvious that the beauty of an incomparable gerbera requires considerable sacrifices. If you are capable of them, feel free to start a gerbera.