The Gerbera is one of the most striking, beautiful and widely used cut flowers.The Gerbera comes in a variety of cheerful and bright colours.The striking thing about the Gerbera is that it does not smell.It is native to South Africa, South America, Asia and Tasmania.The Gerbera is a member of the Composite family (Asteraceae) just like e.g.:Yarrow, Yellow Chamomile, Big Burdock, Aster, Daisies, Tansy, Marigold, Thistles, Endive, Cosmea, Daisy, Lettuce, Sunflower, African Marigolds, Dandelion and Cornflower. Many of these varieties, like the Gerbera, are very suitable as cut flowers or dried flowers.This Gerbera has soft hairy leaves. The long stems are smooth. The large flowers resemble daisies and bloom red, orange, pink or cream and have a bronze-yellow centre. The Gerbera is easily recognised by the size of the flower and its bright colours.
The best position for the Gerbera is sunny with possibly semi-shade. But it should not be too warm. So do not put the Gerbera in front of the window in bright sunlight. Give the Gerbera plenty of water. Twice a week is ideal. Give the flower regular plant food as well. It is a beautiful cut flower that can also be grown very well in large pots or tubs.The Gerbera does not like the cold. Keep the Gerbera indoors in winter. The Gerbera blooms from May to September. If you regularly remove the spent flowers, the Gerbera will continue to flower for a very long time. The Gerbera is a beautiful, long-lasting cut flower, but it also does well dried. Non-hardy perinnial. Height: 40 - 50 cm.
Indoor sowing: March - May
Germination: 20 - 22 days
Germination temp.: 20 - 22 °C
Sowing depth: shallow
Plant distance: 30 - 40 cm
Plant position: sunny
Flowering period: May - September
Sow indoors from March to May. Sow in a seed tray or propagator filled with moist potting soil. The sowing temperature should be at least 20 °C they, colder is no use. The seeds should be kept warm, but not too warm. Provide sufficient light, but do not put the tray in full sun. Keep the temperature as even as possible. Do not let the temperature drop especially at night. Sow thinly, sparingly and shallowly. Press the seeds gently into the soil. Cover the trays with a lid to keep moisture in.
Remove the lid as soon as the seedlings emerge. Once the seedlings are big enough to handle, you can repot them into larger, separate pots. From early May, the seedlings can be placed in the sun during the day to harden off. Do this for 10 - 14 days. After this, the Gerberas can be put in a sunny spot with good drainage. Keep 30 - 40 cm apart.
You can also put the Gerberas in large pots, garden boxes or tubs. This way they are easier to put inside in winter so they don't freeze.
