Gerberas appeared in Russia at the end of the 18th century. At first, they did not cause much enthusiasm among our compatriots. Gardeners considered this daisy-like flower too bright and even intrusive. However, now gerbera is second only to the queen of flowers in popularity. How to grow indoor gerbera at home?

Origin and appearance of gerbera

Gerbera is a perennial from the Asteraceae family. In nature it grows in South Africa and the tropics of Asia. This plant was first described by Dutch scientists at the beginning of the 18th century.

The flower received its name in honor of the German botanist T. Gerber. There is also another version of the origin of the name: from Latin word"gerba", which means "grass".

This plant is thermophilic, so it can grow in open ground only in hot countries. In colder latitudes, gerberas are grown in greenhouses or at home.

The roots of the plant are powerful. Light green leaves are located on short stems united into a rosette. The peduncle is tall (up to 60 cm in height), pubescent. Gerbera flowers are daisy-like inflorescences-baskets, the diameter of which reaches 12 cm. They are located on single peduncles.

Cut flowers tolerate transportation well and are stored in a vase for up to 3 weeks. Gerbera ranks one of the first places in terms of sales, so the cultivation of these plants represents a whole industry.

Varieties and hybrids

Nowadays you can find dozens of types of gerbera on sale. Low-growing (up to 25 cm) hybrids were bred for growing at home. Gerberas differ from each other in the size of the flower, the width of their petals, as well as color (it can be orange, white, yellow, red, burgundy, pink). There are varieties with striped flowers, variegated tips, and streaks.

Most gerberas are based on the green leaf and Jameson's gerberas.

1. Gerber Jameson (Jameson). The stem reaches a height of 60 cm, the length of the leaves is 15 cm. It begins to bloom in August. The flowers are yellow, red, orange, white with a yellowish center.
2. Mini. They are convenient for breeding at home - their height does not exceed 30 cm. The color range is also varied.
3. Festival. The most common species, well suited for cultivation at home. Characterized by large flowers and short stems.
4. Green leaf gerbera. The original species, from which all others originate, is a plant with narrow-leaved pale pink inflorescences.
5. Gerber Wright. These flowers are preferred open ground in warm climates or ideal conditions greenhouses.

Gerbera Jameson and other varieties - gallery

The festival is most suitable for growing at home
Minis are compact, therefore convenient for breeding
The stem of Jameson's gerbera can reach 60 cm in height
Green-leaved - the “parent” of all gerberas
Wright's gerberas are best grown in a greenhouse.

How to grow and how to care for indoor gerbera - video

Conditions for gerbera in different seasons - table

Features of planting and transplantation

If a newly purchased gerbera blooms, then you need to replant it after flowering has finished. If there are no flowers on the plant, replanting is recommended no earlier than 2 weeks after the “move” - the flower must get used to the new conditions.

Soil composition

Soil for growing gerbera must be used with an acidity of 5.5–6.0; it does not tolerate humus or compost. It is recommended to select soil from:

• leaf soil(2 parts);
• peat (1 part);
• sand and perlite (1 part).

You can add pine bark, cut into small pieces, or expanded clay.

Master class on replanting gerbera

Healthy adult gerberas are replanted no more than once every 2 years in early spring.

How to replant a gerbera at home after purchase - video

Flower care

Important points in caring for gerberas are watering and fertilizing.

How to properly water Transvaal chamomile?

The soil should not dry out, however, the plant will not tolerate waterlogging. Excessive amounts of water will provoke fungal diseases.

Water for irrigation needs to be soft, settled and warm (temperature not lower than 20 o C). You need to pour it at the edge of the pot so that moisture does not get into the outlet. You can also add water to the pan, and after 0.5 hours, drain the remaining liquid.

Top dressing

Organics are not suitable for gerbera. The flower is fed 2-3 times a month with complex mineral fertilizers: Moreover, during the growth of leaves (in spring and early summer), fertilizers with a high nitrogen content are used, and during flowering - with potassium. Another feature is that the solution needs to be diluted more strongly than the instructions suggest.

The first 3 weeks after transplantation, gerberas do not need to be fertilized.

Flowering period of the plant

In the first year of life, the plant produces about 15 flowers, in the second - up to 30. After 3–4 years, flowering decreases, the bush must be replaced with a young plant.

The flowering of a gerbera depends on how much light it receives. The amount of daylight she needs is no more than 12 hours.

It is not uncommon for gerberas to grow leaves in the summer and bloom profusely in August-November.

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Gerbera can bloom before the beginning of winter

During flowering, a large temperature difference between night and day is not allowed.

When the flowers wither, they should not be cut, but carefully broken off, because even a small part of the peduncle can cause the plant to rot.

Why doesn't gerbera bloom?

Problems with flowering may occur in the following cases:

• the plant is overfed with nitrogen-containing fertilizers;
• a very large pot (in this case, the gerbera grows roots and does not prepare for flowering);
• the plant is more than 4 years old;
• daylight hours are too long (more than 12 hours);
• There is not enough green mass required.

How to ensure a period of rest at home?

The plant can bloom in winter, but this requires additional lighting and a temperature of at least 20 o C. However, flower growers do not recommend using gerberas all year round, as this depletes the flower. Gerbera needs rest to gain strength for the new season. During the dormant period, watering is reduced and fertilizing is stopped. The temperature is lower than in summer - about 14 o C.

In mid-February, you can start fertilizing and increase watering. In this way, the plant is “awakened”, it begins to actively grow, preparing for flowering.

Care errors and solutions to problems - table

Problem	Possible reason	Corrective measures
Leaves turn yellow and fall off	fungal diseases	Cut off the affected leaves of the plant and replace the soil. Treat the plant with fungicides (Previkur, Ordan, Profit Gold, Acrobat, Skor).
The leaves dry out, the plant withers	lack of moisture in the soil and air	Adjust the watering and spraying regime.
	little light	Move the plant to a brighter place or provide additional lighting with lamps.
	excess water in the ground	Remove the plant along with a lump of earth and wrap it in thin paper to remove excess water. Place drainage at least 2 cm thick on the bottom.
	application of organics	Change the composition of fertilizing - gerbera only needs mineral fertilizers.
Gray and black spots appear on leaves and stems	fungal disease	Remove the plant and disinfect the pot in a solution of potassium permanganate. Cut off all affected parts of the plant to healthy tissue. Process the sections activated carbon or wood ash. Replace the soil completely. After transplantation, treat the plant with fungicides (Fundazol, Oksihom, Acrobat).

Diseases and pests, signs and control measures - table

Pests and diseases of gerbera in the photo

Aphids reproduce quickly
Phytophthora causes gerbera to wilt
Powdery mildew covers the leaves with a white coating

Reproduction methods

Gerberas are propagated by seeds, dividing the bush or cuttings.

Seeds

Packages of seeds can be purchased in specialized stores. It must be taken into account that good germination Gerbera only lasts 7–8 months. However, flowers grown from seeds do not always retain the properties of the mother plants. Even the shade of the inflorescences may differ from what is indicated on the bag.

1. At the end of winter - beginning of spring, sow the seeds in a light soil mixture (leaf soil, sand, peat, perlite). The embedment depth is 2–3 mm. The optimal temperature is not lower than 18 o C.
2. Shoots should appear in 1–2 weeks.
3. Plant the seedlings after 2–3 true leaves appear.
4. After 4–5 leaves appear, young plants are picked again and planted in separate containers.

Dividing the bush

The suitable age of a gerbera bush for dividing is 3–4 years. To reproduce this way:

1. Divide the bush into parts with 2-3 growth points.
2. The roots are cut to 10 cm, treating the cuts with crushed charcoal.
3. The cuttings are planted in the substrate, placing the rosette 1.5–2 cm above the ground surface.

The divided plant will begin to bloom no earlier than after 10 months.

By cuttings

For cuttings, you need a plant older than 1 year with a well-formed rhizome.

1. In the spring, when the gerbera begins to grow, remove the mother bush along with a lump of earth from the pot.
2. The rosette is washed and carefully trimmed.
3. The rhizome is planted in a greenhouse in loose earth mixture temperature about 23 o C. The cuts should be at a distance of 5 cm from the surface of the earth.
4. After 1–1.5 weeks, young shoots will appear from the axillary buds. They are cut off sharp knife with part of the root.
5. The cuttings are planted in a loose peat substrate, moistened and covered with a transparent cap.
6. The plantings are provided with bottom heating up to 25 o C.
7. After a month, the rooted cuttings are planted in separate containers.

If you carry out cuttings in March-April, then the new plant will bloom in the second half of the year. With summer propagation, flowering will occur only in the next season.

It is becoming popular to give flowers in pots. This is more useful and interesting than a bouquet of cut flowers. Spectacular, sophisticated, magnificent and at the same time simple, gerbera is an excellent gift plant. Even a person who is far from floriculture can care for a gerbera so that it blooms again and again.

Gerbera is a perennial plant of the Asteraceae (Asteraceae) family. By birth blooming beauty from Madagascar.

The plant was discovered by the Dutch botanist Jan Gronovius; in the 18th century he described the flower. He gave the name in honor of his good friend Gerbera Traugott is a German doctor and biologist who lived for a long time in Russia, where he was director of the Moscow Botanical Garden.

History of domestication

Gerbera in the garden started in late XIX century. It was first grown by the Scottish breeder R. Jameson on fertile soils Transvaal province (France), which is why gerbera is also called Transvaal chamomile. Nowadays, hybrid varieties are grown all over the world in gardens, greenhouses, and for commercial cutting purposes, and in terms of sales, gerbera ranks 5th in the world (roses, carnations, chrysanthemums, and tulips are ahead).

This is not surprising, since gerberas are amazingly cute and beautiful.

Botanical description

A tall peduncle (up to 70 cm long) is topped with a basket-shaped inflorescence characteristic of Asteraceae. The diameter of the inflorescence is 4-15 cm, and individual varieties– 30 cm. The color is varied: pink, orange, lilac, cream, blue, burgundy... After flowering, achenes appear, seed germination lasts up to 6 months.

The leaves are pinnately dissected, reach a length of 35 cm, and are collected in a basal rosette.

Care for gerbera at home

Choice of location and lighting

The plant is photophilous - it grows and develops well in direct sunlight. A window sill facing southeast would be a suitable place. Be sure to ventilate, but avoid drafts.

Air temperature and rest period

The optimal air temperature is 20° C.

In spring and summer it is useful to place it on a balcony, terrace, garden, or you can plant it in open ground. Return indoors before nighttime temperatures drop to 8-10°C.

In winter, a dormant period should be provided - keep in a cool (14-18 ° C), bright place so that flowering stops. You can thin out the leaves. Return to warmth in spring.

Watering

Gerbera only after it dries top layer soil by 1-2 cm. Be sure to drain the water remaining in the pan. Water carefully: not on the leaves or in the rosette, but along the edges of the pot. Constantly maintain light soil moisture and avoid stagnation of water, which can lead to rotting. Water only with settled water at room temperature (not lower than 20 °C).

To maintain air humidity, you should periodically place the pot with the plant on a tray with damp moss, expanded clay, and pebbles. It is not recommended to spray gerbera.

Feeding

From the beginning of March to November (growing season), mineral fertilizers should be applied. During bud formation, add more nitrogen, and with the onset of flowering, add potassium. Divide the concentration recommended by the instructions by two.

Replanting after purchase

Do not rush immediately after purchasing the plant: let it adapt for 2-3 weeks after it appears in the house, or better yet, replant it after a dormant period. Increase the size of the container by 2-3 cm. A small pot that visually seems inappropriate to the size of the flower is exactly what you need.

The soil needs a nutritious, slightly acidic reaction. A suitable soil mixture is: 2 parts leaf soil, 1 part peat, sphagnum moss, a little pine bark, expanded clay to ensure breathability. Compost and humus are contraindicated.

Reproduction of gerbera by dividing the bush

Possible seed and vegetative (cuttings, division of rhizomes). When propagated by seeds obtained from hybrids, varietal characteristics disappear, so only seeds from the manufacturer or obtained from pure varieties are used.

• Rhizome division is the most popular type of propagation.
• When the flower reaches the age of 2 years, the rhizome can be divided into parts during transplantation.
• Each division should contain 2-3 growth points.
• Plant them in separate pots: rooting of the plant will take about 6 months, and you will get the first flowering in the 10-11th month after transplantation.

Growing gerbera from seeds

- a labor-intensive process, but it will allow you to get a lot of young plants at once. Flowering of seedlings will occur approximately in the 2nd year of life. In January-March you can already sow the seeds. Distribute them over the surface of the soil, cover the crops with film or glass. Ventilate every day and periodically moisten the soil. Shoots will appear in 8-10 days. Grown gerberas with 3-4 leaves are planted in separate pots.

Grow seedlings at a temperature of 18-20 °C, shade them from direct sunlight. Then grow as houseplant or you can plant them outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.

Garden gerbera: how to care in open ground

Planting and care

Plant carefully, making sure not to deepen the root collar. The distance between the bushes is 25-30 cm. Choose a sunny place for the gerbera in the garden, water it abundantly, and do not allow the soil to dry out and become overrun by weeds. Rare feeding will be useful complex fertilizers for flowers, once a month. Mulching the soil with organic residues or mowed grass will also have a positive effect.

Wintering

For the winter, the plant must be dug up; it can be stored in a cool room (like dahlias, for example) or transplanted into a pot and continued to grow in the room. When night frosts recede in the spring, gerberas are planted in the ground again.

Propagation of gerbera by cuttings

To get it, you need to cut off part of the stem with a leaf and a node. Root in the soil, maintaining a temperature of about 25 ° C. After a week, young shoots will appear, they are grown and planted as seedlings.

How to make gerberas bloom magnificently indoors

Duration depends on proper lighting. Daylight hours should be 12 hours. Under such conditions, flowering occurs in September-November. You can extend it until the New Year with additional artificial lighting. Please note that under such conditions, the plant’s rest period will last until approximately mid-August.

Gerbera blooms weakly if:

• the container is too large (the plant is growing root system, thereby inhibiting flowering);
• the soil is oversaturated with nitrogen fertilizers.

Wilted inflorescences must be removed promptly and correctly: break them off completely, otherwise the remaining parts will begin to rot, infecting the plant.

Growing difficulties

IN flower shops gerberas are fed with special preparations that help restrain the active growth of gerberas: the bush looks compact and does not stretch. When grown in room conditions the plant stretches a little more, but don’t be upset, because the flowering will still be gorgeous.

Excessive bright light causes the leaves to fade - on particularly hot days, shade them from direct sunlight.

Diseases and pests of gerbera

Powdery mildew is manifested by yellowing of the leaves, white fluffy spots appear on them.

Gray rot is the appearance of grayish dust on the leaves.

Affected areas must be removed. Treat with fungicide.

Scale insects, aphids, spider mite, whiteflies are possible pests of gerberas. First, remove them mechanically: moisten a cotton pad with soapy water and wipe the leaves. Then resort to insecticide treatment.

Types and varieties of gerbera with photos and names

Jameson's indoor gerberas gerbera jamesonii

Most Popular indoor gerberas. Peduncles reach 30 cm, and the diameter of the corolla is 15 cm.

According to their decorative properties, 6 groups of gerberas can be distinguished:

Race Diem

Narrow-petalled, small-flowered with a flower diameter of 8-9 cm. The varieties are: Aldebaran - bright pink color, Alcor - dark cherry color.

American type

These are narrow-petalled gerberas with large flowers with a diameter of 10-13 cm. Varieties: Vega - orange, Algol - dark cherry, Migar - pink, Jupiter - yellow.

Medium-petaled large-flowered

Among the medium-petalled large-flowered ones (11-13 cm in diameter), the Mars variety with pale red flowers should be highlighted

Broad-petaled large-flowered

Varieties with flowers with a diameter of 15 cm: Almak - bright red, Vera - pink, Delios, Romeo, Peter - red, Marcal - yellow-orange.

Semi-double, double narrow-petaled

Flowers with a corolla diameter of 11 cm. Varieties: Kalinka - yellow, Viola - pink, Sonya - red.

Semi-double, double wide petal

Flowers up to 14cm in diameter. Spark is a popular variety with dark red semi-double flowers.

The legend of the gerbera

According to legend, a young nymph named Gerbera was tired of everyone's attention and admiration for her beauty. And she turned into an unassuming forest flower.

Gerberas have long been a symbol of modesty and innocence. They are appropriate as a gift to people to whom you feel gratitude and admiration for their human qualities.

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.

Having created the appropriate conditions, you can extend rapid growth 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 a potted plant purchased in a store dwarf variety, that is, this is really an indoor gerbera; caring for it is not too difficult, but it has some features.

Gerbera is a light-loving plant that is not harmed even by direct sun rays 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.

The gerbera is native to 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 has a beneficial effect on the development of indoor gerbera warm water, 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.

Indoor gerberas are fertilized with mineral fertilizers, preferably special complex fertilizers. For flowering plants- once every 2-3 weeks during the entire period of growth and flowering. 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 away in 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 tap root. 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 propagation 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; to do this, first remove some of the soil from the surface and cut the rhizome into 2 parts with a sharp knife. 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, but 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 rot. And, conversely, dry air and lack of moisture provoke the appearance of 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 if there is a disease.

Gerberas are gardeners' favorite plants, and there is plenty of evidence for this. They long time They bloom with fantastically pure and bright colors. The palette of shades lacks only blue tones (although they are also easy to find on sale). Beautiful large flowers with centers of contrasting color rest on strong, long, bright green stems. Once in bloom, the flowers are exceptionally hardy and can stand in water for up to three weeks. All this makes gerbera one of the best cut crops after roses, carnations, tulips and. Many amateur and artistic photos of gerberas confirm this fact.

But in recent years this bright beauty is also becoming popular as a houseplant.

Description of the plant

Gerbera belongs to the genus of perennial herbs from the Asteraceae family. Most species are native to Africa and tropical Asia. Its flowers look like large ones and in English-language literature they are called “Transvaal chamomile.” The elongated leaves are collected in a basal rosette. The peduncles are tall, strong, and have no leaves.
The flowers are an inflorescence of a basket. Their sizes in some varieties reach 30 cm. Elegant giants bloom for 3-4 months. Seeds remain viable for a very short time - about 6 months, so when buying seeds you need to monitor both the expiration date and the date of their collection.

How to grow gerbera in a flowerbed

Growing gerbera in the garden and caring for it is simple and exciting, but requires compliance with the conditions necessary for long and lush flowering.

In the south of Russia, gerbera blooms from spring to autumn and winters without shelter without any problems. IN middle lane The flowering will be more modest, and for the winter the gerbera will have to be dug up and stored with a lump of earth in a cool, dry place.

In areas with mild warm winter gerberas are covered with leaf litter and covering material, without digging.

Planting gerberas

Planting garden gerbera and its subsequent care begin at the end of winter. Grow a plant seedling method. Seeds are sown in seedling containers from January to March in a mixture of garden soil with sand and compost. The seeds are planted very shallowly, only lightly sprinkled with soil. Shoots, as a rule, are unfriendly and appear after 10–12 days.

When sowing seeds for seedlings, it is necessary to take into account their low germination rate and increase the seeding rate.

After several true leaves appear, the sprouts are planted in boxes or immediately in separate pots. For seedlings, choose the lightest window sills. Caring for seedlings involves regular moderate watering.
When watering, water should not get into the root rosette, as the plant easily rots. Excessively abundant watering threatens the appearance of thrips on the surface of the soil. In this case, the watering rate is reduced, both the plant and the soil surface are treated with Fitoverm.

When propagated by seeds, gerberas may not retain the color of the parent plants.

Care for gerbera in open ground

Gerbera seedlings are planted in open ground after the threat of frost has passed. This usually happens in the second half of May. Choose a sunny place for planting. The best soil for them - light, drained, with inorganic fertilizers applied.
If there is an excess of organic matter in the soil, the flower stalks become very elongated. Fading inflorescences must be removed promptly. This stimulates the appearance of new ovaries. During active growth and flowering, the gerbera is watered abundantly, preventing water from entering the rosette. After flowering, the soil is moistened only after the earthen clod has dried.

In autumn, gerberas are covered or dug up with a clod of earth. The shelter is made dry and ventilated so that the flower does not rot during the thaw.

If there is a possibility of freezing, it is better to dig it up and store it in the basement or on a glassed-in veranda at a temperature of 7–8 ° C.

In the spring, the gerbera is transferred to a pot of suitable size, moved to a warmer and brighter place and watering is increased. Late April - early May mature plant planted in open ground.

Overwintered gerberas do not need to be transplanted into a flower bed. Leave them in pots to decorate seating areas, gazebos, verandas, and porches. Without replanting, plants get sick less and begin to bloom earlier. Don’t forget to feed them with complex mineral fertilizers.

How to grow gerbera indoors

For indoor growing, dwarf species of Jameson's gerbera are chosen. They are sold in flower shops in bouquets. Having received an adult gerbera plant from seeds at home through seedlings, it is kept on east and west windows. On the south side it is shaded at noon. For better flowering withstand temperatures of 22–24 ° C and try to avoid strong differences between day and night values.

At the end of flowering, the plant is moved to a cooler place. How to properly care for gerberas in winter? During the dormant period, the plant needs coolness and very moderate temperatures. In cold weather, the flower needs additional lighting.

How to prolong flowering in a bouquet

Having received a luxurious multi-colored bouquet as a gift, you probably wondered how to keep gerberas in a vase longer. In fact, cut gerbera is not capricious and phenomenally tenacious. Flowers can come to life, even if you had to walk with the bouquet all day.
This is why they like to give compositions of gerberas to brides - the flowers will not lose their will to live for the whole day and will come to life before your eyes if you place the tips of the stems in water and keep the heavy heads suspended. For this procedure, a lattice is suitable, through the cells of which the stems are passed.

To preserve a bouquet in a vase, use the following recommendations:

• change the water every day;
• choose a tall and narrow vase so that the flowers do not bend under their own weight;
• pour a few centimeters of water to prevent the stems from rotting;
• trim the softened ends of the stems before the next water change;
• cut the stems at an angle and make small punctures or longitudinal cuts at the bottom of the stem. This way the water will be absorbed better.

Subject to these simple conditions, a bouquet of gerberas will delight you with fresh and bright colors up to three weeks.

Gerbera transplant after purchase - video

Designers and florists love the magnificent gerbera. This plant can contribute bright accent to any flower arrangement. Today, breeders have developed many varieties and hybrids of this exquisite flower, not neglecting indoor floriculture. Now lovers of indoor plants can grow Gerbera Jameson from seeds.

A little history

The first description of the gerbera genus appeared in 1737. This was done by the botanist and explorer from Holland Jan Gronovius (1690-1762). The scientist thus immortalized the name of his colleague and friend, who is known for many works in the field of botany, Traugott Gerber, a German naturalist and physician. He served for some time as director of the Aptekarsky Ogorod botanical garden in Moscow. In addition, Gerber spent a long time researching the flora of the Volga region.

But in some sources you can find another version of the origin of the name. In Latin, the word “grass” is translated as herba, which is why the flower got its name. In Great Britain, another name for gerbera can be found in the botanical literature - “Transvaal daisy” or “Transvaal daisy”. But be that as it may, today we will tell you about one of the most common representatives of this numerous genus - Jameson's gerbera.

Description

Gerbera Jameson belongs to the Astrov family. The Gerber genus consists of more than seventy species of beautiful flowering plants. This flower was first discovered in South Africa by Scottish explorer Robert Jameson. And the species was named after him. Transvaal chamomile is named after its place of origin - in honor of the Transvaal province in South Africa.

Gerbera Jameson laid the foundation for many varieties and hybrids that are extremely popular among gardeners today. Large, bright and very spectacular flowers resemble chamomile in appearance, although they are much larger - they reach fifteen centimeters in diameter. Breeders today give us the opportunity to admire white, orange, pink, yellow, red, cream and other shades of flowers.

There are terry, simple, and needle varieties. IN indoor floriculture The most common low-growing varieties of Jameson's gerbera are: Gerbera Ilios, Gerbera Hummingbird and others. The flower stalks of these plants at home do not grow more than 30 cm in height. They practically do not differ from each other in appearance, and their care is the same.

Gerbera Jameson: growing from seeds

When it is not possible to purchase an adult plant, you can grow it yourself. When buying Jameson's gerbera seeds in the store, pay attention to their expiration date. You need to know that the seeds of this flower remain viable only for eight months after collection.

If you have a potted plant in your home collection, the seeds can be obtained by pollinating it. But in this case, you may end up with a plant with an unpredictable color. At the same time, remember that on your own collected seeds should be used within three months, then they will lose their viability.

Soil preparation

Gerbera Jameson from seeds is grown in a light and loose soil mixture consisting of equal parts of peat, perlite, sand and leaf soil. You can also use a simplified version - mix peat and sand in equal proportions. The soil must be shed with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or frozen. Next, prepare a container with drainage holes. Place expanded clay on their bottom in a layer of about three centimeters and fill the container soil mixture, lightly compacting it.

Seeds are sown superficially in moist soil, without deepening. They should be sprinkled on top thin layer sand.

Greenhouse for seeds

Place the container with the planted seeds under the film, creating a greenhouse in which the temperature should be maintained within +20 °C. Do not forget to ventilate the seeds twice a day and moisten it as necessary (when the top layer dries out).

In twelve days the first shoots will appear. From this point on, the plants can develop in natural conditions.

Transplants

When real leaves appear, the seedlings must be planted in a large container so that the distance between the seedlings is at least eight centimeters. After five leaves appear on each plant, they are planted in separate containers with a diameter of no more than ten centimeters.

When the young Jameson gerberas grow a little more and become stronger, they are transplanted into pots with a diameter of about twenty centimeters. The plant usually blooms after nine months.

Placement and lighting

Gerbera Jameson (you can see her photo in this article) needs good lighting, but shading from the active rays of the sun is necessary. Best option color placement - western or eastern window. Regular ventilation is also extremely important for maintaining gerberas. The plant vitally needs fresh air, but drafts should not be allowed.

In summer, the flower can be placed on the balcony. At this time, he will feel quite comfortable at temperatures from +20 to +25 °C, and in winter, the air in the room should not cool below +12 °C. The plant has an extremely negative attitude towards sudden changes in day and night temperatures. If the Jamson gerbera you grew from seeds at home spends the summer on the balcony, do not forget to bring it indoors at night.

How to water and feed gerberas?

This beautiful indoor plant equally does not like drought or waterlogging of the soil. It is watered twice a week, and even more often in the summer heat. Make sure that when watering, water does not fall on the leaf rosette of the flower to avoid root rot or fungus. Water the gerbera through a tray. To do this, you need to pour water into it and after some time (about 30 minutes) pour out the remaining liquid.

For irrigation, soft and settled water is used, but not cold. A native of hot subtropics needs high humidity. Therefore, it is recommended to humidify the air using a sprayer above the plant, but you can also place the pot on a tray into which wet filler should be poured.

Three to four times a month it is necessary to fertilize the soil. When leaves form, nitrogen fertilizers should be used; during flowering, give preference to complete mineral complexes.

Features of flowering

Gerbera Jameson has interesting feature. For the plant to bloom profusely, it needs no more than twelve hours of bright light per day. Therefore, it blooms from early August to mid-November, when daylight becomes insufficient.

During flowering, remove faded flowers from the plant, as they can inhibit the development of new flower stalks. Another important nuance- Gerbera flowers are not cut, but broken out. The remains of the peduncle after cutting often rot and infect the entire plant with rot.

Rest period

After flowering completes, the plant enters a dormant period that lasts until February. At this time, watering the plant is reduced, and fertilizing is stopped completely - the plant gains strength for the next flowering and growth. During the dormant period, the soil in the pot should not dry out. Even at this time, the plant needs moisture.

Dry air is harmful to gerberas. From mid-February, the amount of fertilizing and watering gradually increases. From this moment the stage of active growth begins. Gerbera is preparing to bloom, increasing its green mass. After four years, the plant is rejuvenated. For gerbera, you can prolong its flowering and deprive it of its dormant period by using additional lighting. But in this case, we must not forget that the plant will deplete very quickly and will live no more than two years.

Pests and diseases

When purchasing seeds for planting Jameson's gerbera, you need to take into account the varieties of this plant. Some of them have a hard time withstanding sudden changes in temperature and often get sick. Today, varieties have been bred that can withstand pest attacks well, but at the same time they have some other weaknesses, the presence of which should also be taken into account.

If small wet spots that resemble dew appear on the leaves, remove them very carefully and cut off the dead leaves. Plant death can cause infection small insects, for example, mites and whiteflies. To protect the flower, it is necessary to periodically spray it with pesticides, and also thoroughly disinfect the soil.

Many negative consequences The plant can be delivered by spider mites. It is impossible to see it with the naked eye, so even experienced flower growers Sometimes it is not possible to detect the appearance of this pest in the early stages. To protect your gerbera from ticks, spray the leaves with an insecticidal solution, then cover it with gauze for half an hour.

If after such treatment it was not possible to get rid of the tick, repeated treatment is carried out after seven to ten days.

The leaves and stem of gerbera contain coumarin derivatives. This substance is successfully used as a flavoring agent in the tobacco and perfume industries. In medicine, it is used to produce indirect anticoagulants. In addition, coumarin is necessary in electroplating to give products a strong shine.

A bouquet of gerberas can last in a vase for up to twenty days. But this is not the limit. If you want to preserve it even longer, then pour very little water into the vase so that the stems do not rot.

There is a legend about the gerbera, which says that once upon a time there lived a nymph with that name. Her beauty left neither women nor men indifferent. Everyone admired her, and this attention tired the nymph so much that she decided to turn into a simple wild flower. This is how the gerbera arose, which some people call a symbol of innocence and modesty.