Gerbera garden is one of the most popular plants among flower growers. Outwardly resembles a camomile, however, unlike the queen of the fields, the gerbera requires special care. In gratitude, she pleases with generous flowering and bright colors of flowers. The description of the garden gerbera, planting and care, the features of reproduction and the problems of growing this plant are worth considering in detail.
Gerbera garden - what kind of flower, which family belongs to
Gerbera belongs to the Astrov family. The plant is characterized by a powerful root system, the height can reach 20-30 centimeters. Thick green leaves are collected in a neat rosette, above which the flower stalks rise.
Florists compare gerberas with echinacea or daisies. The difference lies in the wider color gamut
The average diameter of the inflorescence is 12 cm. It is able to bloom for 30 days. At the same time, the gerbera itself blooms for three months. During this time, up to two dozen flowers are formed on a compact bush. They are large, single, with a bright core of baskets. Flowers can be ordinary, double or semi-double.
Brief Description, Origin History
The birthplace of gerbera is South Africa. Grows in the wild. Scientists talk about two versions of the origin of the name of the flower. According to one of them, the gerbera got its name in honor of Traugott Gerber, a doctor and biologist from Germany, who for many years worked in Russia and ran a pharmacy botanical garden in Moscow. The second version says that from the Latin language the word "coat of arms" can be translated as "grass", and since this plant belongs to the group of grassy ones, such a name could be assigned to it.
Additional Information! For the first time, a breeder from Scotland drew attention to a bright flower: it was he who first engaged in the cultivation of gerberas. This happened in one of the French provinces - Transvaale, and therefore the gerbera has another name - Transvaal chamomile.
Varieties of plants, popular tall varieties, how they look
Despite the great variety of species and varieties (today more than 1000 varieties are bred), breeders continue to work on breeding new ones. Gardeners prefer hybrids and varieties, which are characterized by high decorative qualities. It is worth considering the most popular varieties of gerberas that are suitable for outdoor cultivation.
Gerber Jameson
This variety is called the main. It was on its basis that all species known to flower growers today were bred. Jameson's gerbera flower is located on a sturdy thick stalk of medium height, the leaves are large, pubescent, feathery in shape. Inflorescences, the diameter of which exceeds 10 centimeters, has one or more rows of petals, the total number of them usually reaches 30. The color palette is diverse, while the middle of the flower contrasts with the main tone. The flowering time of one flower is 21 days.
Gerbera Wright
Gerbera Wright is usually grown to create bouquets and as an important component of the landscape design of the site. The plant is characterized by long flowering - it begins in the spring and continues until the onset of cold weather. The rosette consists of large cirrus leaves, at the end of a long peduncle a flower is formed that looks more like a chamomile. The middle usually has a yellow or white color, the petals can be of different shades:
- reds;
- purple
- yellow;
- orange
- pink.
Most often, Wright's gerbera is used to create bright and original bouquets.
Gerbera Abyssinian
The plant of this species is more like the rest of the medicinal chamomile. Found in the wild in Ethiopia. Reed type flowers, most often white. Young foliage has a slight pubescence. The basal rosette consists of elliptical leaves.
Additional Information! Often, gardeners have a question - is a gerbera a perennial or annual plant. As a home plant, the flower is grown as a perennial, and when grown in open ground in regions with a cold climate, it is often cultivated as an annual flower.
Gerbera Alcor
The variety is ideal for outdoor cultivation. This is a small flower with narrow leaves, the flowers of which are characterized by a dense cherry color. The average height of the plant reaches 60 cm.
Aldebaran and others
Narrow-celled variety with small flowers of a pleasant pink tint. The average diameter of inflorescences rarely exceeds 9 cm. The height of the bush varies from 50 to 60 cm. Other varieties are also popular among gardeners - gerberas are grown in dachas and gardens:
- terry and semi-terry - for example, Spark;
- large-flowered with medium sized petals - Mars;
- narrow-lobed with large flowers - Jupiter and Migar;
- broadly inflorescences of small or medium sizes - Vera and Saturn.
Planting a gerbera garden in the open ground
Even short-term cooling can destroy the garden gerbera. Therefore, the best time to plant a flower on a permanent place in the open ground begins after the threat of frost passes.
Note! Experienced growers recommend planting gerberas at the same time as tomatoes, eggplant, cucumbers.
Location selection
One of the most important factors necessary for the full development of the plant is the correct choice of location. The fact is that the plant will not bloom if it is planted on a site where there is not enough lighting. In addition, the place should be closed from wind and draft.
Important! In open ground, gerberas can grow either in southern Russia or in the middle lane. Residents of other regions will have to prepare a place for the plant in the greenhouse.
How to prepare the soil and seedlings for planting
The main difference between gerberas and other garden crops is that it will not grow on waterlogged soil, large chamomile and clay soil are not to their taste. It is important that the place for planting the flower is rich in magnesium, potassium and manganese. Experienced gardeners warn: when preparing soil for gerbera, you should not make any types of manure in it. Instead, a small amount of compost is added.
Plants must be provided with adequate lighting, otherwise the peduncles will stretch out and the flowers will be small
Before planting gerbera seedlings in the country, prepare seedlings. To begin with, it should be examined. It should not have a white coating, spots of brown or tan. It should not be elongated. The normal color of the leaves is saturated green. In order for the seedlings to adapt to new conditions, it must be taken out for the whole day.
How to care for perennials
Speaking about how to grow gerberas, one cannot but say that the culture loves fresh air, it is demanding for bright lighting, a moderate level of humidity, timely application of fertilizing.
Watering rules and humidity
The crop prefers small but frequent watering. During the growing season, the garden gerbera needs more water, but it is important to ensure that the roots do not have stagnation of moisture.
A number of rules should be observed:
- water must not reach the outlet;
- water should be avoided on leaves;
- use only warm water - 26-28 ℃ above zero.
Important! Experienced gardeners recommend such an irrigation scheme: four days of moist soil should be replaced by two days of dry.
For any gerbera in the garden, cultivation and care should be as close as possible to the natural conditions of warm countries. Florists note: it is undesirable to spray gerberas, but the level of humidity should be high - about 65-75%, but should not exceed 85%.
The best option for the soil for the culture is slightly acid
Before planting a gerbera, a place for it should be treated with phytosporin - for the prevention of fungal diseases.
Top dressing and soil quality
30 days after transplanting the flower to a permanent place, the first fertilizer can be applied to the soil. Florists recommend that once every 14 days from March until the fall, make fertilizers.
Organic is prohibited. Flowers will negatively react to compounds containing chlorine, cow or bird manure. Due to such fertilizers, root rot of the neck of the neck may develop, the plant will die.
Pruning and transplanting
After the plant fades, it is necessary to carry out the pruning procedure. Dry leaves, peduncles on which the flowers have already bloomed should be removed. Cutting excess leaves will not be superfluous - this is necessary to stimulate new flowers.
Gerbera transplantation is best in spring. The soil should be light, drained. The roots should be pruned, leaving only 10-15 cm. Before transplanting, the root neck of the plant should be treated with a light pink solution of potassium permanganate.
Winter Gerbera Care
Breeders managed to develop varieties that tolerate a drop in temperature to -10 ℃, however, they also need shelter for the winter.
Speaking of whether perennial gerbera or annual, it should be said that it all depends on the climatic conditions of the region. In those regions where winters are severe, it is recommended to transplant plants into containers - and transfer them to the room. At home, the plants will definitely survive the winter. In the southern regions, it is enough to prune flower stalks, stop fertilizing, and reduce watering. To cover the bushes before winter should be straw, fallen leaves.
Florists are advised to place gerbera pots in rooms with low humidity and stable temperature
Features of flowering plants
Separately, it is worth mentioning how and when the garden gerbera blossoms.
Period of activity and rest
Plants are characterized by a long flowering period of three months. Gerberas do not have a sleep period, but in the cold months all processes slow down.
Types and shape of flowers
Gerbera flowers can be ordinary, double, semi-double. The size of the inflorescences is large, the shape resembles daisies or daisies.
Flower propagation methods
Propagate a plant in several ways. The main ones are dividing the bush and seeds.
Propagation by division of a bush
In early spring, you need to dig a bush and divide it into several shoots. Each should have leaflets. The shoots should be planted in the ground so that the outlet protrudes no more than a centimeter.
Seed propagation
Speaking about how to get bright gerbera flowers, how to grow them from seeds, we can not say that this process is energy-intensive. Already in January-February, seedlings are planted. Seeds are soaked in water, in no case preventing drying. After 4-5 days, when the seeds begin to hatch, they are moved to moist, loose soil. Sprinkle the soil from above with sand and cover with a film. They moisten the earth from time to time - it is best to do this with a spray gun. In a week, the first shoots will appear.
Growing problems, diseases and pests
Most often, gerberas are subject to fungal diseases. In the event that the fungus affects the root system of the plant, the flower should be transplanted to a new place, after having previously treated the soil and plant roots with antifungal drugs. Drugs will help get rid of gray rot.
Additional Information! In the fight against powdery mildew fungicides will help. If the root neck begins to rot, you should reduce watering, start loosening and mulching the soil.
Among the most common causes of the disease, experts distinguish:
- excessive watering - because of it, fusarium and late blight develop;
- lack of moisture - leads to the appearance of a spider mite;
- aphid attacks - the plant begins to fade.
To prevent gerbera leaves from fading, they should be shaded on sunny days
Gerbera can stop blooming when it does not have enough sunlight, the soil contains too much nitrogen. If the leaves begin to turn yellow and dry, the plant does not have enough moisture.
Gerberas can become a real pride of the gardener and the main decoration of the garden - for this it is enough just to know how to plant seedlings in a permanent place, how to care for it. All efforts and time expenditures will certainly come true - the gerbera will delight with lush flowering and a real riot of colors.
