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The Gerbera Daisy: A Complete Guide and Care Tips
If you’re looking to add a pop of color to your garden, look no further than the gerbera daisy.
These bright and beautiful flowers come in a variety of colors, from reds and oranges to pinks and yellows.
In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about caring for gerbera daisies.
History of the Gerbera Daisy
The gerbera daisy is native to South Africa and was first discovered by Scotsman Robert Jameson in 1884.
The flower is named after German botanist Traugott Gerber.
It wasn’t until the 20th century that breeding programs began producing the vibrant colors we see today.
Types of Gerberas
- Singles – have one row of petals around a yellow center.
- Doubles – have multiple rows of petals around a yellow center, giving them a fuller appearance.
- Pompons – smaller versions with tightly packed rows of petals for a pompon-like appearance.
Caring for Your Gerberas
- Soil: Choose well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter added in such as compost or peat moss as these plants do not like it if their roots are too wet or dry.
- Watering: Water deeply once per week if there’s no rainfall; water more frequently during hot weather or when grown indoors under low humidity conditions (such as near air conditioning vents).
- Sunlight: Place your gerbers in full sun where they will get at least six hours every day.
If they are getting too much sunlight, the leaves will start to curl and brown.
Conversely, if they don’t get enough light their stems will become long and lanky.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize your gerberas once per month with a balanced fertilizer.
Avoid overfeeding as this can cause leaf scorching.
- Pruning: Remove wilted or dead flowers by cutting them back to the base of the flower stem.
This stimulates new growth and helps keep your plants looking neat and tidy.
- Pests: Watch out for aphids, mites, slugs or snails which may damage the leaves or flowers of your gerbera daisy plant.
If you see any signs of these pests, use an insecticidal soap or oil spray to control them before they have a chance to do too much damage
Tips for Growing Gerberas Indoors
If you live in an area with harsh winters or limited outdoor gardening space, you can still enjoy growing gerbera daisies indoors:
- Choose a brightly lit room that gets plenty of natural light during the day (preferably facing south)
- Provide regular fertilization since indoor plants are unable to access nutrients from decomposing organic matter in soil like outdoor plants do – water soluble fertilizer is recommended for indoor use because it dissolves easily into water making it easier to apply on demand whenever needed
- Avoid placing near vents so as not to dry out their delicate foliage through loss of humidity caused by air movement across surfaces exposed directly beneath heating sources such as radiators (which often produce excessive heat anyway) but rather place them away from direct airflow patterns into rooms where air circulates more gently around furniture pieces
.
- Misting is a good way to keep the humidity around these plants up without adding too much water if you live in a dry climate or if your indoor environment is heated by central heating or other dry air sources.
- Gerbera daisies prefer temperatures between 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day
- If possible, place them near a window that can be opened for ventilation so as not to suffocate the plants with stale air that would otherwise become trapped inside the room all day long.
- Keep an eye out for pests such as spider mites, thrips or whitefly which may infest your indoor gerbera daisy.
Use insecticidal soap or neem oil to control these pests before they get out of hand.
In Conclusion
The gerbera daisy is a beautiful addition to any garden, and with proper care, it can thrive indoors as well.
We hope this guide has provided you with valuable insights on how to grow and care for your gerberas successfully.
Remember to keep an eye on watering and sunlight, prune regularly and protect from pests.
With these tips in mind, you’ll have vibrant blooms all year round.
