In order for the gerbera to thrive as a houseplant or in a bed, it needs care. How to care for your favorite cut flower is explained in detail here.
The gerbera is one of the most popular cut flowers in Germany. The daisy family can bring at least as much joy as a houseplant on the windowsill. If you want to enjoy the colorful flowers for as long as possible, you should heed a few tips and advice. Below you will find out how best to care for the gerbera.
Keeping gerberas outdoors
In summer, the gerbera cuts a fine figure in the bed. If the site conditions are favourable, the blooms appear from spring to autumn. A bright location is important. Sun is tolerated in moderation. The blazing midday sun should be avoided. This would literally burn the gerbera. Outdoor gerberas also need plenty of water and a fortnightly fertilizer boost during the summer season.
In winter the plants have to be moved indoors and put into pots. Although some varieties are advertised as "hardy", this is not the same as "hardy". Hardy plants only tolerate temperatures down to -5 degrees.
Keep gerberas as cut flowers
Many plant lovers will be familiar with the gerbera primarily as an enrichment for colorful summer bouquets for the flower vase. If the plant is used as a cut flower, you should only put a little water in the flower vase. If the stems are too far into the water, they will start to soften. Therefore, if the gerbera is in the vase, it should not be more than two centimeters filled with water. This requires you to check the water daily and top up if necessary. Incidentally, cutting the stems at an angle makes it easier for the plant to absorb the water.
Proper care of gerberas
Casting:
Watering is of primary importance when caring for the otherwise undemanding plant. Don't forget to water, because gerberas need water regularly, i.e. at least every two to three days. The earth must not dry out.
In return, theHowever, the plant should also not be too damp. You should always water gerberas from below. So put the water directly into the saucer or let the plant pot take an occasional immersion bath. It is important to avoid waterlogging. The water must not collect in the cachepot and be left there. You can place a plate or a similar object in the planter so that the plant does not come into direct contact with the accumulated water. If this is not guaranteed, the excess water must always be removed immediately.
Tip: On hot days, the gerberas love a shower with the plant sprayer.
Fertilize:
The gerbera should only be fertilized during the growth phase, from April to September. To stimulate flowering, use fertilizer for flowering plants. This is available in the form of fertilizer sticks or as a liquid fertilizer. Liquid fertilizer is easy to dose and can be added to the irrigation water. We recommend:
Cut:
The flower is the whole adornment of the plant. To ensure that new flower heads appear quickly, you should regularly remove faded flowers. Leave about an inch or two of the stems.
Pruning is also necessary if the plant shows abnormalities that indicate disease or pest infestation. This is especially true for discolored and withered leaves. Spots or sticky deposits on the leaves are a sign of pest infestation and further action is required.
Hibernate:
The gerbera is a perennial, but not a hardy plant. In autumn, therefore, the joy of growth decreases significantly and the plants fall into a kind of hibernation. Gerberas should generally overwinter at temperatures around ten degrees in a bright room. At temperatures above 15 degrees, the resting phase of the plant is disturbed.
During the hibernation, you should water gerberas only sporadically, about every two weeks. The plants do not receive fertilizer in winter.
Repot:
Repotting is not necessary for gerberas as houseplants. Only check the plant during hibernation. If the plant pot shows a dense network of roots and the root segments are already sprouting out of the bottom of the pot, repotting is unavoidable. Do not use an oversized plant pot. This encourages the gerbera to develop its root system instead of concentrating on flowering. Use loose, nutrient-rich soil and loosen thatSubstrate with the addition of clay granules or perlite.
Detecting and combating diseases on the gerbera
If the mentioned care tips are heeded, mostly he althy and blooming plants will cause admiration. Care mistakes, such as waterlogging or stagnant air, can weaken the gerbera and make it vulnerable to gray mould, gerbera rot and pest infestation. Below is an explanation of how best to counteract this.
❍ Gray horse:
Gerberas do not tolerate standing air and should always be in a light and airy position. Gray mold usually occurs due to the wrong location being chosen. You'll notice a furry, gray fuzz on the leaves. With a lighter infestation, it is sufficient to remove affected parts of the plant and place the plant more airy. To prevent the fungus spreading to other plants, you should isolate the gerbera as a precaution.
❍ Gerbera Rot:
When Gerbera Blight appears, there is no longer any salvation for the plant. The clinical picture begins with the leaves, which take on a brownish color. As the process progresses, the trunk and roots also begin to rot. There is no salvation for the affected plant. To prevent the infestation from spreading, you should dispose of the plants immediately. Incidentally, various mistakes in care can be considered as causes of gerbera rot:
- too wet level
- Overfertilization
- Soil too acidic
- Temperatures too low
❍ Insect infestation:
Infestation with pests such as aphids or whiteflies is comparatively less dramatic. If you notice the appearance of the pests in good time, it is usually sufficient to hose the plant down thoroughly. Soapy water or nettle manure have also proven effective (instructions for making nettle manure yourself). With the help of yellow stickers or catch boards, which are placed directly on the plant, you can quickly get the whitefly under control.
» Reading tip: Use trapping boards against insects - Here's how
Growth inhibitors instead of care mistakes
If you buy the gerbera as a pot plant, it has a pretty, stocky growth habit. However, this is not in the nature of the plant, but is due to the use of growth inhibitors. If the effect of the preparations wears off, it can happen that the potted plant changes its appearance and appears less bushy and stocky. If so, you haven't made a mistake in caring, the gerbera is just showing its true nature.