How to Grow and Care for Gerbera Daisy Flowers

How to Grow Gerbera Daisy Flowers

Gerbera daisies are easy-to-grow flowers with stunning, bold blooms in various colors. They're popular as cut flowers as well.

To grow them from seeds, sow them indoors in peat or paper pots 12 to 18 weeks before your area's last frost date. Gently press the seeds onto the top of your soil mixture rather than burrowing them beneath it.

Planting

Gerbera daisies are relatively easy to grow if you plant them in an ideal spot and provide plenty of water. Furthermore, this bloom best when exposed to bright sunlight - so place them outdoors or near a windowsill indoors. Ideally, their ideal environment should receive six hours or more of direct sun daily; however, afternoon shade also benefits their health.

Gerberas thrive in rich, well-draining soil high in organic matter and have a pH level between 5.5-6.5. Keeping the pH within this range helps prevent chlorosis - the yellow stripes on leaves - which can damage their leaves.

Gerbera daisies can be grown from seed sowing outdoors when temperatures are warm. Alternatively, if your area experiences cold winters, indoor sowing can take place 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost date.

Once your seeds have germinated, transplant them into small pots as soon as possible. Avoid burying them, as this prevents them from growing properly and will cause them to become spindly. Use a sterile sandy potting medium or seed-starting mix when sowing the seeds.

To prevent crown rot, which occurs when your plants are too deeply planted, pull back the mulch and keep it about a foot away from your gerberas' roots. Overhead irrigation can damage these flowers, so avoid dousing them with water.

Gerbera daisies can be vulnerable to pests such as aphids and whiteflies, which attract these plants and feed off their blooms. To control these insects, spray your flowers with insecticidal soap or natural horticultural oil such as neem for protection.

Watering

Gerbera daisies make excellent indoor houseplants, preferring bright indirect light and moderate temperatures. Select a container with drainage holes and add well-draining soil. Water the plant when its top inch of soil feels dry to the touch - allow it to completely dry before watering again.

Gerberas can be started from seed and germinate for approximately 12-18 weeks. Plant the seeds in paper or peat pots with excellent drainage if your area experiences cold winters; start them indoors 12-18 before your last frost date and move them outdoors once sprouted.

Once the gerberas reach their desired size, transplant them to a pot one size larger than their original pot. Choose a container with drainage holes and trim away any browned or diseased roots before planting the new plants.

Keep your plants' roots cool and moistened but not soggy to prevent root rot. Use a soaker hose or one with just enough water running through it once or twice weekly.

Feed your gerberas monthly with a water-soluble fertilizer for houseplants or blooming plants. Alternatively, apply a slow-release houseplant fertilizer during the spring and summer.

Additionally, it's essential to deadhead your gerberas regularly to promote repeat blooming. Trim back the bloom stalks to their base, so they don't become shriveled up and untidy.

You can protect your gerberas from diseases and pests by keeping them well-spaced, removing unhealthy leaves, and spraying them with organic pesticide solutions containing neem oil or pyrethrum. If powdery mildew - a fungal disease - attacks your plants, remove affected flowers or foliage immediately.

Gerbera daisies can be brought indoors and placed in a sunny location with cool temperatures (45-50 degrees Fahrenheit) until they resume growth in the spring. You can also protect them by placing them in a cool greenhouse for extra protection.

Fertilizing

Gerbera daisies require regular fertilization to produce their most stunning blooms. Fertilize them twice or thrice throughout the growing season using liquid or granular fertilizers. For best results, plant food that includes micronutrients like iron and manganese.

Gerbera daisies require rich soil high in organic matter and well-draining, with a pH level between 5.5 to 6.5 on the scale. If it's too acidic, they will develop chlorosis - leaves turning yellow or black - which can result in stunted flower production.

When transplanting new plants, select an area with plenty of light that isn't too hot or humid. Those living in hot climates might want to consider planting gerbera daisies in a raised garden bed for added protection from the elements.

Once the plants are established, please give them a good watering to stay moist but not overly wet. Mulch around them to conserve moisture and prevent weed growth.

Another way to extend gerbera daisy blooming is by dividing the plants. This simple step will give you a fresh supply of plants each year. Divide the mother plant into several healthy, strong plants with an impressive root ball and crown.

Once your desired area has been chosen, plant each division 12-18 inches apart and repeat this process until you're satisfied with the outcome.

If the flowers wilt, make a cut-flower food solution in one quart of tap water in a vase. This solution will keep your gerbera daisies vibrant for at least two weeks.

Furthermore, it's essential to regularly inspect your plants for pests and diseases that could negatively impact their blooms. If you notice something amiss with your gerbera daisies, act quickly to get it taken care of before the plants stop producing flowers altogether.

Pruning

If your Gerbera daisies become overgrown with leaves and stem, pruning them can help stimulate new growth. Additionally, it eliminates dead or damaged flowers and stems, possibly leading to fungal diseases.

Before pruning, sterilize any tools you plan to use by dipping them into one part bleach to nine parts water. This will keep your tools clean and prevent the spread of plant disease.

Gerberas often suffer from crown or root rot, which appears as brown or black spots on the soil surface. This disease is caused by Phytophthora cryptogea, a fungus that causes stunted growth, flower production issues, and leaf or stem wilt.

Avoid this issue by planting your gerberas in rich, well-drained soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH level (pH 5.5 to 6.5). Furthermore, ensure there is enough moisture present for healthy growth and blooming.

To guarantee your plants the best start, place them in an area with plenty of sun and good air circulation. Doing this helps prevent fungal diseases like powdery mildew from developing.

Add a layer of organic mulch to your Gerbera daisies' beds or pots for added color and texture. This will retain moisture in the soil and prevent weeds from invading their roots.

Another way to promote new growth in your gerberas is by regularly deadheading them with sterilized pruning shears. Doing this allows more light into the center of the plant, stimulating new flower buds.

Pruning is essential to caring for your Gerbera daisies, but it should not be done too often. Excess pruning can do damage to the plant, so take caution.

Deadheading

When Gerbera daisies begin to fade and die, you should deadhead them to encourage more blooms in their place. Use garden scissors or pruners to trim away any stems or faded flower heads easily.

Depending on the cultivar, Gerbera daisies come in vibrant pink, white, and yellow shades. As they're related to sunflowers and marigolds, they look best planted alongside other vibrant-colored flowers.

If you want to plant these vibrant blooms in your yard, select a sunny location that receives morning and afternoon sunlight. Furthermore, these plants prefer being mulched with two inches of organic matter; this helps conserve soil moisture and inhibit weed growth.

Once your daisies are established, make sure they receive adequate watering. Keep the soil slightly moist but not soggy at all times for best results.

Fertilize your gerberas regularly with fertilizer. Fertilizer contains micronutrients that promote flower production. Apply either controlled-release fertilizer or liquid fertilizer twice annually.

I use slow-release plant food on all my potted flowering plants as a general guideline. This ensures they continue to bloom through the fall and into winter.

When you're ready to grow your own Gerbera daisies, take cuttings in summer. Cut them at their base near soil level and dip them in rooting hormone. Finally, plant them in a container filled with ideal potting mix.

If you live in a warm climate, these vibrant blooms can bloom all year round. You could even grow them as an indoor plant by providing bright light and cool temperatures (45-50 degrees Fahrenheit).

Recent Featured Posts:

Transform Your Garden with These Bougainvillea Growing Tips

The Best Flowers for a Southwest Garden Oasis