Gerbera (Gerbera) cultivation and maintenance methods and techniques

Gerbera is a plant of the Asteraceae family. Many people call it sunflower. Gerbera has many colors. Gerbera has a variety of shapes and is very easy to manage. It is suitable for growing as a potted plant at home. Let's take a look at the cultivation and maintenance methods of Gerbera .

How to cultivate and maintain gerbera

Gerbera, Asteraceae, (English name: Gerbera, Barberton daisy, etc.), also known as gerbera, sunflower, orangutan, sunflower, etc., is a perennial herb with terminal inflorescences. The colors of the flowers are red, white, yellow, orange, purple, etc. It is propagated by sowing or division, and its origin is South Africa.

The living habits of gerbera : It likes warm, sunny and ventilated environment, and avoids extreme heat and cannot tolerate frost and cold.

Soil : It prefers fertile, loose, well-drained, humus-rich sandy soil or slightly acidic soil (PH value is 6.0~7.0).

Light : It likes an environment that is warm in winter and cool in summer, with good air circulation and plenty of sunshine. In summer, it should provide appropriate shade and enhance ventilation. In winter, it needs full-day sunlight.

Temperature : It is a semi-cold-resistant flower. The suitable temperature for growth is 20~25℃ and the suitable temperature in winter is 12~15℃. It will stop growing if the temperature is lower than 10℃. It can tolerate short-term low temperature of 0℃.

Humidity : In summer, the soil needs to be kept moist and not affected by drought. Cover it with a shading net with a light transmittance of 50%, and spray the leaves to increase air humidity and lower the temperature.

Watering : Water once every 3-4 days in summer and once every half a month in winter. When watering during the flowering period, do not let the center of the leaves get wet to prevent the flower buds from rotting.

Fertilization : It likes fertilizer. Generally, it is fertilized once a week in spring and autumn, and once every 10 days in winter and summer. It follows the principle of "light fertilizer, frequent application, small amount, frequent application, and complete nutrition". Apply more nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to promote bright color of flowers. After fertilizing, keep the leaves and flowers dry at night.

Gerbera pruning and shaping :

The lower leaves of the basal leaf cluster are prone to withering, yellowing and aging. Removing them in time is beneficial to the sprouting of new leaves and new flower buds, which is beneficial to ventilation and enhances the growth of the plant.

Gerbera propagation method :

Seed propagation: The suitable temperature for germination is 20~22℃. There is no need to cover the soil after sowing. Just press it lightly and it will germinate in about 10 days. Cutting propagation: It can be carried out all year round. Cut the sprouted top shoots about 10 cm long after flowering and insert them into the sand bed. The temperature of the soil should be 20~25℃. It will take root 15~20 days after cutting and can be transplanted to pots in 30 days.

Gerbera pest control :

Common diseases and pests are powdery mildew, spot disease and whitefly. Powdery mildew: spray 1500 times of 70% thiophanate-methyl solution for prevention and control. Spot disease: spray 300 times of 2.5% myclobutanil emulsifiable concentrate when the disease occurs, spray once a week for 2 to 3 times. Whitefly: Commonly used agents include highly effective cypermethrin, avermectin, imidacloprid, etc., which should be rotated.

Placement : It can be potted or used as cut flowers. Potted plants are often used to decorate entrances and halls. Cut flowers are used for vase placement, flower arrangement, and to decorate desks, windows, and living rooms. It can also be matched with other flowers such as kidney ferns and palm bamboo leaves as wall decorations.