Gerber Jameson, who in English books called Transvaal chamomile, it really resembles a chamomile, only large and brightly colored. The center of the flower is surrounded by satiny petals, stems rising from rich green leaves. You can find a species colored red, pink, orange, but no one has ever seen a blue gerbera. These plants come from hot countries, so they are recommended to be planted in the sun, although they tolerate partial shade.

Flowers in a bouquet do not lose freshness for up to 14 days, and until recently the plant was grown by gardeners specifically for cutting. But now they are increasingly starting to plant it as an indoor plant. For indoor cultivation, low-growing Jameson hybrids are used, the height of which does not exceed 25 centimeters:

• Gerbera Ilios,
• Gerbera Hummingbird,
• Gerbera Happipot,
• Gerbera Parade.

A bright, beautiful gerbera will look great against any background and will decorate any room. In this article we will tell you how to plant gerbera seeds.

Step 1: Sowing the Seeds

It is quite easy to grow Jameson's gerbera from seeds. This plant's seeds are not grains, but long and thin sticks, with one end sharper. The seed is sown vertically in a seedling pot, with the sharp end down (“fluffy” - up) and sprinkled thin layer soil, 2-3 millimeters. The main requirements for soil are lightness and moisture-holding capacity, so sand is desirable in the mixture.

The pot with seeds should be kept warm, so it is placed near sunny window. If the room temperature is less than twenty degrees, cover the pot with a plastic bag. The soil should be constantly moist, but not soggy. Seeds always have low germination rates, so it would be wise to plant more of them than you need. Shoots should appear in approximately 10 days.

Step 2: dive

After the seedlings have 4 and more leaves, they are ready to be transplanted into large pots. Transvaal daisy likes well-drained soil, so make sure the bottom of each pot has good holes and a layer of expanded clay in the bottom. You can also add small stones or broken clay pot shards to the bottom. It is necessary to plant so that the root collar rises slightly above the soil level when planting.

Step 3: Provide water and sun

For abundant flowering, Jameson's gerbera needs at least, six hours of direct sunlight per day. Winter, spring and autumn best place for her - the window sill of the south window; in summer it can be moved to the west or east. When the seedlings reach 10 centimeters in height, upper part the stem is pinched. This is done for better development root system and formation of lateral shoots.

Gerbera does not like drying out and needs regular watering. Water for irrigation must be warm, 18-20 degrees. The soil should dry out a little between waterings. The plant is sprayed once or twice a week. During flowering, it is better to maintain constant humidity; for this, the pot with the plant is placed on a tray with wet pebbles. In the summer, many people plant it in the garden.

Step 4: Feed

Once every two weeks the plant is fed with water-soluble mineral fertilizer. By the way, fertilizer for African violets is perfect for him. Regular application of fertilizers to the soil gives nutrients necessary for growth and flowering.

When the plant enters a dormant state and stops blooming, they stop feeding it. She has two dormant periods per year of several months - from June to early August and from late November to early February. During winter sleep, the plant is kept in a cool room with a temperature of 12-16 degrees.

Step 5: care

Indoor gerberas grown from seeds do not require any special care other than removing dead leaves and flowers. When old flowers are removed, it encourages new ones to appear.

Step 6: Pest Control

The main pests of indoor plants are whiteflies and aphids. You can combat them by washing with soapy water or spraying mild insecticides. The plant is susceptible to fungal diseases - which is why it could not be grown indoors for so long. Fungal diseases and powdery mildew are usually caused by excessive watering. The best prevention of these diseases is good drainage and constant ventilation during the warm period.

If growing gerbera from seeds at home seems like a hassle to you and you will be buying it in a pot, choose a plant with dark green leaves and young growing stems. You need to inspect the leaves of the plant - if you see tiny white flies under the leaves, then it is infected with whitefly. In many cases, planting this plant yourself will be a better option.

One of the most beautiful plants in the world is Gerbera Jameson. Her beautiful flowers have long been recognized by many florists as a necessary component of numerous compositions. This plant belongs to the category that is quite unpretentious in care. Gerbera Jameson is grown in greenhouses and greenhouse conditions. The inflorescences of this plant for their beautiful external qualities used to compose numerous compositions.

Gerbera Jameson is one of the most amazing and unique plants growing on our planet. This herbaceous plant belongs to the Asteraceae family, representatives of which have long become favorites of many amateur gardeners.

In addition to Jameson's gerbera, about 70 more varieties of this flowering plant have been discovered, each of which is individual and unique.

Description of the plant:

• In height, these plants can reach a height of sixty centimeters. Some flower stalks of this genus, on the contrary, have a height of no more than thirty centimeters.
• Its beautiful flowers are very similar in shape to daisies. The average diameter of such a flower is ten centimeters.
• Gerbera flowers are endowed with various colors and their shades. All this diversity pleases not only gardeners, but also ordinary passers-by.
• Jemson blooms from May to August. All this time, beautiful flowers amaze and delight the eye.
• Another feature of Jameson's gerbera is its rather long flowering inflorescences. Therefore, many compositions containing this plant do not fade long time. By the way, fresh look freshly cut flowers are typical for bouquets with Jameson's gerbera over a long period.
• The inflorescences of this plant sit on fairly long peduncles. That’s why it’s so convenient to use them to compose various compositions. More small flowers inflorescences are built from petals that frame the basket.

In most cases, Jameson's gerberas are cut and used by florists to create various bouquets and flower arrangements. Today it is difficult to imagine many flower shops without this plant, as it has long been recognized as one of the most popular and in demand among the population.

Few people know how Gerbera Jameson reproduces. It turns out that this plant can be propagated using simple seeds that it produces. It is quite problematic to obtain from these plants at home, since this process requires compliance with special conditions. It is best to purchase ready-made seeds, which are sold in many flower shops. When purchasing a bag of seeds of this plant, be sure to pay attention to the sell-by date and recommended growing periods. If the bag contains expired seeds, they may not sprout and then you can forget about beautiful plants in the house.

Once you have purchased the seeds you need, you need to prepare containers for sowing them.

The role of such containers can be ordinary flower pots or other devices. It is advisable to fill the pots with soil that has a coarse texture. This will facilitate good conduction of moisture when watering to the roots of the plant, and also stimulate the process of saturating the underground parts with oxygen necessary for normal growth.

Tricks for growing Jemson's gerbera:

• The best time to sow Jamson's gerbera is the period starting in January and ending in March.
• The sowing algorithm is very simple: small depressions are made in the soil and seeds are placed in them.
• Then you should cover it with a small layer of soil.
• After sowing, it is advisable to water the soil with a small amount of water at room temperature.
• It is advisable to place containers with seeds in warm place, and to speed up the process of germination, cover the top with transparent glass.
• In order to aerate the soil, it is recommended daily glass covering remove for a while, and then cover the soil with the planted seeds again.
• Optimal temperature conditions For the friendly emergence of Jameson's gerbera seedlings, positive temperatures are required, with an average value of about 18 degrees. Temperature fluctuations in the direction of increasing or decreasing this indicator have a depressing effect on the emergence of seedlings of this plant.
• You should also monitor the soil moisture level, which needs to be maintained periodically.
• As soon as the first shoots appear, it is necessary to provide the plant with access to daylight or artificial light. This will help activate the process of photosynthesis and stimulate growth.

It is imperative to carry out the grown seedlings. This procedure should be carried out very carefully so as not to damage the root systems of neighboring plants. As soon as the seedlings become a little stronger in the soil and grow, they should be planted in individual pots. Pre-prepared food should be placed in pots. soil mixture consisting of compost, peat and sand. Such a mixture will favor the active growth of plants and the process of formation of buds on them.

In addition to propagation by seeds, Jameson's gerberas can be propagated by conventional division.

It is advisable to carry out this process in early spring, when daylight hours increase significantly. The root system of Jemson's gerbera undergoes division. It is necessary to very carefully remove the plants from the container in which they grew and divide root system with plants into several parts. The resulting parts must be planted in separate pots. Then the planted plants need to be watered well. This way you can get new Jameson's gerbera plants in a short time.

Growing Jameson's gerbera plants is quite simple, as they are absolutely unpretentious in care. Therefore, this plant has long been recognized by gardeners as one of the most beloved.

The most necessary condition for its growth is the optimal temperature background. environment.

The more comfortable it is, the more profusely the Jameson gerbera blooms. In addition to the temperature background, Jameson's gerbera needs light. It is sufficient sunlight that affects the flowering time of its inflorescences. It is also worth remembering that straight sun rays are detrimental to this plant. They can be sources of burns on the leaves.

Watering flowers:

• IN summer period It is necessary to thoroughly water Jameson's gerbera every day, especially if there is heat and drought for a long time.
• With the coming winter period the amount of liquid for irrigation should be slightly reduced, since it no longer evaporates as intensely, and its excess can lead to waterlogging of the soil.
• It is necessary to monitor the moisture status of the soil layer and carry out periodically.

Most favorable time The period for feeding the plant is from March to October. At this time, once or twice for two weeks are recommended. Complex formulations that are universal in action are suitable as fertilizers for feeding. These types of fertilizers contain several nutrients, which will definitely have a positive effect on the growth of Jameson's gerbera.

All diseases that affect Jameson's gerbera plants have symptoms that appear on its organs. It is from them that you can determine its type and provide correct and timely assistance.

If it appears on plants yellow leaves, which begin to fall off over time, we can safely say that the plant is affected by root rot. It is she who has these characteristics. The cause of the appearance of this disease on the plant may be fluctuations in the background temperature to which it was exposed. In addition to temperature, root rot can be caused by excessive... In such cases, it is advisable to loosen the roots more often and drain excess water. If you leave the plant in this condition, it may die.

In order to rid the plant of root rot, watering with fungicidal preparations is often used.

You can purchase these products in specialized flower shops. The solution for irrigation should be prepared according to the instructions supplied with the preparation. If this procedure does not provide your plant with the necessary help, then it is advisable to get rid of it. Otherwise, other plants growing in the vicinity of the diseased species may become infected and become sick.

More information about flowers can be found in the video.

Compact variety of Jameson's gerbera (G. jamesonii Bolus ex Hook.f.), beautifully blooming perennial plant family Asteraceae, bred specifically for cultivation as a crop.

Description of indoor gerbera

Indoor gerbera is a beautifully flowering miniature plant 25-30 cm high with elongated pubescent pinnately dissected leaves forming a basal rosette. Single peduncles with large, up to 5 cm, bright baskets of inflorescences grow from the rosette, appearance similar to chamomile. There are varieties with simple, double and semi-double flowers of any shade except blue. The core of the flower can be either yellow or dark.

Gerbera is a plant of short daylight hours, which, where it grows in natural conditions, lasts 12-14 hours. Therefore, indoor gerberas bloom from late August to November, then enter a dormant period, building up strength for the next growth period, starting in mid-February and lasting until mid-May. In May, the intensity of illumination and the duration of daylight hours increase, and the flower again enters a dormant period. This is a natural cycle of its development. With proper care in this rhythm, indoor gerbera develops within 3-4 years, after which the flowering intensity drops, and the bush must be rejuvenated by dividing it, or replaced with a new one. How to care for indoor gerbera so that it blooms long and profusely will be discussed in the next section of this article.

By creating the appropriate conditions, rapid growth can be extended until spring and beyond, however, indoor gerbera plants, which bloom continuously without a dormant period, cannot be used for more than 2 years. They get tired, exhausted and become unsuitable for further cultivation.

Photo of an indoor Rerbera in a pot during the flowering period.

Gerberas in pots come mainly from Holland. When buying a plant in a store, you need to keep in mind that sometimes ordinary tall plants are treated with special chemicals, retardants that inhibit the growth of gerbera and increase the chlorophyll content in the leaves. Such flowers, very beautiful when purchased, quickly lose their original appearance at home, stretch out, turn pale and quickly die.

Gerbera Hummingbird

Gerbera Happipot

Gerbera Parade

How to care for indoor gerberas: from planting to pruning

If the potted plant purchased in a store is of a dwarf variety, that is, it is really an indoor gerbera, caring for it is not too difficult, but it does have some peculiarities.

Gerbera is a light-loving plant that is not harmed even by direct sunlight in the morning and evening. The plant feels good on the east and west windows of the apartment. On southern windows, gerberas need to be shaded during the midday hours, and on northern windows, they should be additionally illuminated with fluorescent lamps. Indoor gerbera is not afraid of drafts and loves fresh air, so in the warm season it feels great on the balcony. In winter, it can be provided with additional lighting and a temperature of about +20 ° C, which will extend the flowering period.

Homeland of gerbera - South Africa, which means it loves warmth, although excessive heat has a depressing effect on the plant. It is believed that optimal temperature during flowering - +20-22 °C; V winter time– + 14-16°С, but not lower than + 12°С. Gerbera does not tolerate temperature changes during the day and night, especially during flowering.

Of great importance for the well-being of the flower is proper watering. Indoor gerbera loves wet soil, the earthen clod should not be allowed to dry out. However, overwatering can trigger an outbreak. fungal disease and destroy the flower. It is also unacceptable for water to get into the rosette of leaves, which often causes rotting of the rhizome. It is better to water in a tray and drain off excess moisture. It is important to remember that the water must be settled, with a temperature not lower than +20°C. Watering cold water has a detrimental effect on the plant and can lead to its death.

Spraying the leaves with warm water has a beneficial effect on the development of indoor gerberas, but moderation must be observed here too. The drops of water should be very small, in the form of fog, and should fall on the leaves, but not on the flowers. Good decision To increase the air humidity around the gerbera in hot weather, use a tray with wet pebbles.

The best time for planting and replanting indoor gerbera is the dormant period before the start of intensive growth, that is, the beginning of February or the end of July. The pot for planting should be small, about 1-1.5 liters, with drainage at the bottom. The soil for gerbera is slightly acidic and includes leaf soil, peat and sand in a ratio of 2:1:1. Organic fertilizers It is not recommended to add. Transplantation is carried out carefully, with a clod of earth, trying not to damage the roots. It is important that when planting in a new place, the neck remains above the soil surface, otherwise the rhizome may rot.

Transplantation is carried out as needed, usually annually, preferably in February, for newly acquired gerberas - no earlier than two weeks after purchase. It is undesirable to leave the plant in a purchased substrate for longer, since it is not always suitable for long-term cultivation. Transplanted gerberas take root well.

Feeding indoor gerberas carry out mineral fertilizers, better with special complex ones. For flowering plants - once every 2-3 weeks during the entire growth and flowering period. Gerbera does not tolerate organic fertilizers well.

The plants do not need pruning; you just need to remove wilted flower baskets in a timely manner.

Methods for propagating gerberas in a room

As a houseplant, gerbera is very attractive, quite easy to care for, but not durable. After 3-4 years, even with good care plants need to be replaced. The variety you like can be propagated at home, both by seeds and vegetatively, by dividing the root or cuttings. Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages.

When growing indoor gerbera from seeds, you can get many young plants of a certain variety in a short time. Seeds are sown in spring in a light mixture of leaf soil, sand and peat.

It is better to pre-steam the prepared soil for disinfection. The planted seeds are sprinkled with a layer of sand no more than 5 mm, after which the surface is moistened with a spray bottle, covered with polyethylene and put in a warm place with a temperature of about 22 ° C. Shoots appear in 7-10 days. Plants dive in the phase of 2-3 true leaves, pinching the central taproot. On permanent place Seedlings are planted in separate pots if there are 4-5 leaves, without deepening the root collar. Young gerberas bloom in 6-10 months.

The main disadvantage of this method of breeding is that indoor gerbera plants, propagated by seeds, do not always inherit the characteristics of the parent variety. They may have a different color, inflorescence shape and even height. It is better to use store-bought seeds for propagation, although even they do not give 100% results. The seeds of the Parade variety retain the characteristics of the parent plant quite well.

It must be borne in mind that gerbera seeds remain viable for 6-8 months, in any case no more than a year, which must be taken into account when preparing or purchasing seeds in a store.

The characteristics of the variety are more reliably preserved when indoor hebera is propagated by dividing the bush. In this case, when transplanting, divide the plant you like, leaving 2-3 growing points on each division. Flowers are removed from separated plants, the roots are trimmed, and the cut site is disinfected, for example, with crushed charcoal. When planting, make sure that the growing point remains on the surface. Rooting lasts about a month.

The plant can be divided by cutting without digging it out of the pot, for which you first remove some of the soil from the surface and cut the rhizome sharp knife into 2 parts. Disinfect the cut, cover it with dry soil and carefully water it. The divisions are planted after both halves form new roots and begin to grow. In this case, the rooting process goes much faster.

The propagation method by cuttings is less reliable and more labor-intensive than the methods listed above. In this case from mother plant take pieces of rhizomes, leave 1-2 leaves on the cuttings, shortening them by a third. The cuttings are planted in separate pots and created special conditions: high humidity and air temperature +20-25 °C.

Diseases and pests of indoor gerbera

Indoor gerberas are not very picky, however, errors in care can cause plants to be affected by a number of diseases and pests.

Improper watering, waterlogging and lack of ventilation lead to the appearance of fungal diseases such as powdery mildew And gray mold. And, conversely, dry air and lack of moisture provoke the appearance spider mites and aphids. Plants are also affected by fusarium and late blight, and among pests - whitefly.

Measures to prevent damage from diseases and pests are the same as for all indoor flowers. First of all, this is a careful inspection of the purchased material, then disinfection of the soil by steaming, and, finally, careful care taking into account all the features.

When the first signs of the disease appear, it is necessary to isolate diseased specimens from healthy ones and remove the affected parts. Then treat the plant with an appropriate preparation: an insecticide for pests or a fungicide in the presence of a disease.

The sun is a rare guest on these short winter days, and without it the mood is unimportant, which has been proven by science. But you can try to get yourself your own sun, which will shine from morning to evening, and decorate your house, warming it with its warm rays, the petals of luxurious bright chamomile-like inflorescences.

Features of culture

This miracle grows in a pot and is called Gerbera Jameson(Gerbera jamesonii), or Transvaal chamomile. This species is usually grown indoors. She comes from Asia and Africa.

The genus Gerbera has more than 100 species herbaceous plants with rather large, lanceolate, deeply lobed leaves, silky to the touch. Externally, the leaves resemble dandelion leaves, which is not surprising - they are relatives in the Asteraceae (now Asteraceae) family.

Gerbera Jameson is a herbaceous rhizomatous perennial; it forms a dense rosette of pubescent leaves about 20 cm high. But there are varieties with peduncles 30-40 cm long and magnificent large chamomile-like inflorescences of white, orange, pink, cream, golden yellow, red “petals” - ligulate flowers and a yellow or colored center of tightly seated tubular flowers. Reed flowers can be arranged in one or two or more rows, and a row of shortened petals of the main color can border the central disk, which makes the inflorescence even more decorative. Terry forms of gerbera have also been developed. Some of the tubular central flowers adjacent to the reed flowers may have their same color, and when opened they appear fluffy, which gives these elegant flower disks special beauty and sophistication.

Miniature varieties of these plants appeared in our everyday life not so long ago, although luxurious cut gerberas are well known to flower lovers.

For better preservation in a bouquet, cut gerberas need internal support for the stem: a thin wire with a looped tip is carefully inserted into the hollow stem so as not to damage the walls of the stem. IN lately Peduncles are strengthened more simply: the receptacle is pierced with wire, secured with a loop, and then the wire is wrapped around the entire stem. Water is poured to a third of the height of the vase and added to it special means to save a bouquet (or a tablet activated carbon, 0.1 g boric acid or potassium permanganate per 1 liter of water). As the peduncle tissue softens in water, it is removed, washed under running water, the cut is renewed with a sharp, clean knife and immediately placed in a thoroughly washed hot water with soap, a vase with settled water.

Gerbera in indoor floriculture

In Southern Europe and here in the south, gerbera is grown in open ground. IN middle lane it will not bloom in the garden as profusely as in the southern regions, and in the fall it will have to be dug up and, without shaking it off the ground, with a lump of rhizomes placed in a box with sawdust or peat, stored in a cool place (+4...+5°C ), like dahlias. Industrially, gerberas are grown for cutting in greenhouses, for up to 10 years in one place in racks at least 30 cm deep, while annually replacing the top ten-centimeter layer of soil.

This information is also useful for indoor floriculture: miniature gerberas can be grown in large flat containers, flower pots and flowerpots, creating compositions of several varieties with different colors and inflorescence shapes. For an indoor garden, potted culture is most practical. Potted gerberas can be buried in the soil of a large flowerpot, creating an interesting composition in a bright, spacious room. As arranging plants, ivies, variegated scindapsus, ivy-leaved budra, petiolate tsmin, tradescantia, zebrina, helxine with tiny rounded leaves, ceropegia with grayish patterned leaves and thread-like shoots are used. All of the listed types of decorative foliage plants have an ampelous shape, so some of the stems can be placed around the perimeter of the flowerpot where the gerberas are placed. On the damp surface of the soil, the vines will take root and produce new shoots that will effectively hang over the edge of the flowerpot.

Growing gerbera by seeds

Most often we buy blooming gerberas in flower shop, they practically sell it there all year round. You can also buy its seeds there. They are sown in the spring in a damp, loose mixture of sand and peat superficially, lightly pressing the seeds to the ground and lightly sprinkling with the same mixture, covered with glass or film and placed in a warm place until shoots appear. You can also sow freshly harvested seeds from your own potted specimen (their germination persists for three months).

The offspring may not be quite similar to the “parent”, but quite interesting and unexpectedly decorative. Crops are kept at a temperature of +18...20°C, shading them with a sheet of paper from direct rays of the sun. Shoots appear in 10-12 days. The shelter is opened slightly, the seedlings are ventilated and the soil is always maintained at an even, moderate moisture level. With the appearance of true leaves, the seedlings dive at a distance of 2-5 cm and are kept warm in diffused light.

In the phase of 5-6 leaves, they are planted in pots with a diameter of 7 cm or in the soil of a greenhouse or winter garden. In the south, flowering of seedlings occurs in the first year of life, in the north - in the second after sowing. In general, the natural flowering cycle of gerberas continues from spring to late autumn, followed by a period of relative rest until next spring. At this time, reduce watering and stop feeding.

The substrate for planting young gerberas from seedlings or divided parts of an adult bush is made up of a mixture of turf, leaf and humus soil (2:1:1) with the addition of sand, perlite, limed peat for lightness, better air and water permeability (pH 6.5) . When planting young plants earth mixture convenient and economical to fill with complete fertilizer long acting AVA with nitrogen at the rate of 3-5 g per plant (one third to half a teaspoon). You can add AVA-N capsules to each pot at the rate of no more than three capsules per 1 liter of substrate, practically one capsule per pot with a diameter of 10-15 cm. After three months, fertilizing should be repeated while the gerbera continues to bloom.

Vegetative propagation

Particularly valuable varieties of gerbera are propagated only vegetatively. In early spring, a three- to four-year-old overgrown bush is divided, and you don’t have to pull it out of the pot, but carefully dig out and cut off part of the rhizome with 2-3 sprouts, sprinkling the remaining excavation with fresh substrate. At the same time, it is useful to add AVA capsules or granules to enhance nutrition and stimulate the growth of the mother plant. A capsule or a pinch of AVA long-acting complex fertilizer granules is also added to a small pot with a young separated gerbera. Further care will consist of regular watering of the plants, and the substrate should not be allowed to dry out or become waterlogged. If by chance the soil has dried out (this often happens with a newly purchased gerbera in a peat substrate), the entire pot is immersed in warm, settled water and left in it for up to half an hour, then taken out and allowed to drain without delay (in a sink, for example).

Care

Water the gerbera like everyone else indoor plants, warm water that has stood for 12-24 hours so that tap chlorine, which is toxic to plants, has time to evaporate. Usually plastic bottles or watering cans with water are kept near the radiator. After watering, they are filled again and kept for the same time.

In winter, when the plant begins to grow, propagation by rhizome cuttings is practiced. To do this, knock the plant out of the pot, carefully free it from the ground and cut short cuttings from the rhizomes, each of which should have 1-2 leaves. Leaf blades are shortened by a third of their length to reduce moisture evaporation during rooting. The cuttings are planted tightly in a light, moist nutrient mixture with the addition of perlite, peat, sand, covered with film and placed in a warm place with lower heating (+18...+20°C). Rooting occurs within a month, after which the young plants are planted in separate small pots. Some specimens of such cuttings of gerberas bloom in the same year.

When propagating gerberas, they also use the method of leaf cuttings, when the leaf is cut out with a piece of the stem (“heel”), and root formation stimulants are used (kornevin, etc.). Rooting is carried out in a warm place under the cover of a transparent glass or film, placing a pot with a light substrate of peat and perlite in a transparent plastic bag.

Where is the best place to place a gerbera? The origin of a species dictates its requirements for environmental conditions. It needs a warm sunny place, but not in direct sunlight, at an even temperature of +20...+22°C, sufficient moisture in the soil and air around the plants (spraying on the leaves), and good drainage. During the period of relative dormancy, plants need a temperature of +8...+10°C, semi-dry content. At this time, the leaves turn yellow and dry out - they must be removed immediately.

With the resumption of growth and the appearance of buds, watering is increased. If you notice that the roots have emerged from the drainage holes, it means that the container has become small and requires transferring it to a larger container or dividing the bush. For abundant flowering, do not forget to add complex fertilizer to the soil, preferably long-acting AVA in any form: capsules, powder with nitrogen, granules without nitrogen and chlorine. If you do not use a long-acting fertilizer (from 3 months in the form of capsules to 2 years in the form of granules), then during the period of growth and flowering you will have to apply liquid fertilizers every 10-12 days with any complex fertilizers (Kemira, Uniflor-bud, Uniflor-rost and etc.). If there is an excess of nitrogen, the gerbera can be affected by aphids, which can be washed off with soapy water and covered with a film of earthen lump.

Miniature gerberas are truly a precious gift from breeders and manufacturers for all flower lovers. Modern varieties of it can bloom almost all year round, including in winter, which is especially valuable. Even more important is the ability of potted gerbera to bloom profusely on a north window even without additional lighting during the dark period of the year. A slight respite from flowering - and young leaves and buds appear again, the flowering festival continues!

- a native of Africa, which belongs to the aster family. This plant was discovered and described in the 18th century by the Dutch botanist Jan Gronovius, who also named it in honor of the German botanist Traugott Gerber.

It is also found in nature in Asian countries, Australia and Japan. Many people compare this flower with chamomile or cornflower. In my opinion, it looks like a small sunflower. The dark core is framed by many elongated oval petals. Coloring in white, yellow, orange, pink, red and purple tones. Only the blue color variation is missing.

The flower is located on a long leafless stem. The diameter of the flower basket is from 4 to 30 (!) cm. The leaves grow from the ground. The shape resembles dandelion leaves - elongated with irregularly shaped, as if torn, edges. The length of the leaves reaches 35 cm. The height of the bush is up to 60 cm.

The main use of this plant is growing for cutting for sale., making bouquets and flower arrangements. Dwarf varieties successfully used in indoor floriculture. Find out how to keep cut gerberas in a vase for as long as possible.

New gerberas can be obtained in 3 ways:

Seed

Gerbera seeds are elongated in shape with a fluffy tassel at the end. The size is small, one gram contains from 300 to 500 pieces.

Pollination of an indoor flower

Gerbera is not a self-pollinating plant, since its reproductive organs mature in different terms. Therefore, to obtain seeds, artificial cross-pollination is required during the flowering period.

Ripe pollen can be used within 100 days. It can be stored in a clean, dry glassware with lid. To maintain a variety, both plants must belong to the same species. If this is not possible, you can use what is available.

In this case, the result is unpredictable; the resulting seeds can produce a completely different plant in terms of characteristics. For pollination at home, ripe pollen from one flower is transferred to another flower.

You can simply collect pollen with a brush and “smear” the middle of another flower. It’s better to do this several times during flowering to be sure. Ripe pollen can be seen by the protrusion of the center of the flower with yellowing.

When do they ripen?

A gerbera seed ripens 3-4 weeks after successful pollination. Accordingly, this happens in the fall at the end of flowering (you can find out when and how long gerberas bloom and why they don’t do this).

How to collect?

As soon as the center of the flower becomes fluffy like a dandelion, you can collect the seeds by carefully disassembling the flower with your hands. Gerbera seeds quickly lose their viability, so they need to be planted within 6 months after collection.

How much do they cost?

Having looked through a bunch of offers on the Internet for selling seeds, I can give an approximate price range for gerbera seeds from 22 to 89 rubles per package containing 10-25 seeds. Varieties: Gerbera Jameson, Festival, Rays, Californian Giant. Seeds are mainly in the form of mixtures, that is, which color palette you will get unknown.

Attention! When purchasing seeds, be sure to pay attention to the packaging date. Gerbera seeds significantly lose their viability after 7-8 months.

Below you can see photographs of gerbera and its seeds.

How to grow?

Now let's take a closer look at the process of planting gerbera seeds:

• Sowing time. You can plant from autumn, after receiving seeds until spring. For successful cultivation still more acceptable spring planting, it does not contradict the natural biorhythms of the plant.
• Soil. The soil for growing gerbera should be light and porous. It can be prepared from leaf humus, peat and sand in a 2:2:1 ratio. Soil with a slightly acidic or neutral reaction is best suited. A couple of hours before sowing, the soil should be spilled with a hot solution of potassium permanganate - this procedure is a prevention of all kinds of infections in the soil.
• Seed preparation. The seeds of this plant do not require soaking or other special preparation before sowing.
• Sowing. The seeds are laid out on the surface of moist soil and lightly sprinkled with a layer of the same soil or peat. To speed up germination, the container can be covered with glass until germination, which will occur in a week. As soon as most of the seedlings have appeared, the cover should be removed, otherwise there is a risk of losing seedlings from the “black leg”.
• Temperature. For sprouts to appear, the temperature must be maintained in the range of 18 to 20 degrees.
• Capacity. To obtain gerbera seedlings, you can plant the seeds in a container, followed by transplanting them into a separate pot. Since we will not keep them in the container for a long time, it should not be very deep.

Choosing a pot

Your beauty has grown from a seedling state and already has a few true leaves. It's time to think about transplanting into a separate pot. It should not be too large, otherwise you may not see flowering. At the initial stage, a container with a volume of 700-800 ml will be suitable.

Gerbera feels best in a clay pot. A layer of drainage material must be laid at the bottom.

However, the advantage of plastic dishes is that the most optimal method of watering is possible - through a tray.

Let's consider from the first shoots to an adult plant:

1. Seedlings, like mature plant in the active phase requires maintenance at a temperature of 18 to 24 degrees. During the dormant period, which begins after the end of flowering and lasts about 3 months, the air temperature should be lower, 14-16 degrees, the limit is 12 degrees.
2. 
   Seedlings that grow in winter and spring may sometimes need additional lighting. If there is insufficient lighting, it can stretch out and be frail.

   An adult plant has interesting feature during the flowering period, it needs lighting no more than 12 hours a day. That is why gerberas bloom from late summer, when daylight hours decrease. At the same time she loves sunlight, and lighting intensity is more important for her. You can even use supplemental lighting in winter to prolong flowering.

   However, do not overdo it, remembering the need for rest. Most often, gerberas themselves stop blooming when needed.

3. Watering the seedlings should be moderate, but the soil should not dry out. You need to water carefully, without getting on the seedlings themselves. To do this, you can use a syringe or an old teapot.

   An adult plant requires abundant watering, with the exception of the dormant period, when watering is significantly reduced. However, it is worth remembering that it is strictly forbidden to make a swamp in a pot. Do not pour water into the center of the bush and onto the shoots. This is why watering through a tray, as well as proper moisture-permeable soil, is so good.

   Important point– you need to water with water not lower than room temperature. Cold water promotes the development of fungal infections and root rot.

4. Gerbera needs high humidity air, but direct spraying on the leaves is not advisable. This can lead to fungal diseases. Therefore, you need to either spray water around the flower, or pour pebbles into a tray, pour water and place a pot of gerbera there.

   The bottom of the pot should not constantly touch the water. We kept it in water for irrigation for about 10 minutes, and again set it on the pebbles.

5. An adult plant requires annual replanting with replacement of the soil into a larger container. You should not take a pot that is too large; you need a container 2-3 cm larger in diameter. From store-bought gerberas, soil mixture for roses is suitable.
6. 10-14 days after planting the seedlings in a permanent place, you can begin to feed them with complex mineral fertilizers for flowering plants. Do this once every 2 weeks. Nitrogen fertilizing is not needed for gerbera.

   If you have prepared the soil correctly, then it already contains the necessary supply of nitrogen. Every year you change the soil to a new one. And apply nitrogen fertilizers with it. Additional nitrogen fertilizing will lead to the growth of green mass to the detriment of flowering.

7. It is very important to provide the gerbera with a period of rest after flowering. To do this, you need to reduce the temperature, reduce watering to a minimum, doing this when it dries out. top layer soil. It is also not worth feeding the flower at this time.

Conclusion

Gerbera - very beautiful flower. No wonder it ranks 5th in popularity among cut flowers. Bright and extraordinary, it can enliven any interior, and its natural feature is to bloom in autumn period, will help get rid of the seasonal blues. By growing gerbera from seeds, you can get real pleasure from both the process itself and the result. Good germination and lush flowering to you!

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