The Gerbera Daisy is one of the most popular flower plants among people because of its attractive appearance. These flowers are commonly used for decoration in bouquets and flower beds. They have a variety of flowers in various colors, including red, orange, yellow, pink, white, and cream.
It is a native plant of Africa, South America, and Asia, although there are many other nations where they can grow Gerbera Daisy plants in the appropriate climate. It is easy to grow outside, but if you want to plant them indoors, then it is a little bit more difficult. If you can give them suitable conditions for growing, your plant can last for two or three years.
Scientific name: Gerbera jamesonii
Plant Type: Annual, Perennial
Height: 6 to 12 inches
Width: 8 to 16 inches
Flower Color: Purple, red orange, white, pink, yellow
Foliage Color: Blue, Green
Blooming Season: Spring, fall, summer
How to Grow Gerbera Daisy Plant Outdoor?
First, you need to decide whether you want to grow it with seeds or a grown plant. Seeds take longer to grow, but they are the cheapest option when compared to plants.
How to Plant Gerbera Daisy Seeds
At the beginning of the growing season, you need to keep seeds indoors and then move them to the outdoors when they germinate and have the power to tolerate the weather outside. To start, fill the seed tray with wet potting soil. With a hard edge, push the seed into the soil and up the obscure side until the top of the seed is just below the soil line.
After filling the seed tray, you need to cover it with appropriate plastic and keep it in a sunny location with an average temperature of about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If there’s a problem with sunlight, consider using rising lights. They require moist soil for better growth, but make sure it is not too wet.
When the seed has grown and leaves begin to germinate, transfer it to a container and place it outdoors in a sunny place. After adjusting to changes in plant conditions, you can help plants thrive in the garden.
How to Plant Gerbera Daisy from Division
If you already have a fully grown daisy plant, you can split the flowers so that they have more space to grow. Before you decide to spit it, you need to water it with an inch of water for one or two days. In the planting area, mix around 2 inches of peat or compost with the top of the soil with about 1 inch.
Dig your native Gerbera daisy plant with a garden shovel so you can lift the whole root ball. Normally, you brush the clay and cut from the roots with pruning scissors. When splitting, make sure each daisy section has a crown and healthy roots.
Replanting each section in a new region, make sure the plant’s crown is at ground level. Keep the sections between 12 and 18 inches apart. For the first two months, you need to give water daily to keep the soil moist.
Gerbera Daisy Care Tips
With the appropriate growing environment, plants will thrive quickly. Prune your Gerbera daisy when the flowers fully open but remain tight in the middle.
Light
Gerbera daisies bloom best under full sunlight, but intense heat does not like them. If you live in a very hot place with high temperatures, try planting your gerbera daisy in a place where there is afternoon shade. You should try to avoid planting these plants near a foundation or wall, as they reflect heat back into the plant.
Soil
Begin your gerbera daisy bed with rich soil that is high in organic matter and well drained. A Ph level between 5.5 and 6.5 is the most suitable for this plant. Higher levels of ph can cause chlorosis, which appears with yellow stripes on the leaves. In addition, black spots or patches may appear on the leaves when the pH level is too low.
Water
They require regular watering, with around 1 inch every week. Water them only when you feel that the upper surface of the soil is dried. At the beginning of the growing season, I watered them more frequently as well as during the dry season. During winter, do not water the plant too much, as daisies become inactive during extreme wet weather and only light watering is required once a month during this phase.
Temperature and Humidity
They grow best in USDA hardiness zones 8 to 11. Flowers prefer a temperature of about 45 to 50 degrees in winter. In addition, they do not require special moisture.
Fertilizer
How much fertilizer Gerbera Daisy requires depends on the quality of your soil. For the flowers to bloom throughout the summer, it is recommended to feed the plants once a month with water soluble fertilizer. Similarly, you can also add organic manure around the menstrual roots instead.
Common pests and plant diseases
Aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, and thripes are hazardous pests for gerbera daisy leaves. Make sure your plants are in good health and monitor them regularly. Small populations can be destroyed with a heavy spray of water, whereas large populations can be controlled with natural horticultural oils such as disinfectant soap or neem.
Leaf miners can also infect your plant’s flower leaves. To avoid several problems, let the soil dry out in the middle of the water. However, do not leave the flowers without water long enough for them to dry out and become stressed.
Uses of the Gerbera Daisy Plant
Learn about gerbera daisy flower plants and why they are so popular among people.
Health Benefits
Gerbera daisy has countless health benefits. They work well in raising humidity levels and settling dust indoors, reducing cold-related health problems. They produce a higher level of oxygen, so they are less likely to experience any kind of drowsiness or headache due to excessive carbon dioxide inside. Moreover, they help to get relief from stress and anxiety. It is advisable to keep them next to your bed for extra oxygen supply.
Decorative
It is widely known as a decorative plant. Flowers are used in making bouquets and also in other decorations. People prefer to use these flowers on special occasions such as weddings, ring ceremonies, parties, festivals, and so on.
The Gerbera Daisy is a beautiful outdoor flowering plant. In this guide you will find all the information about Gerbera Daisy plants that you should know before you grow them.
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