How to grow gerbera

Gerbera Growth Conditions

Gerbera prefers an environment with cool summers, warm winters, good ventilation and plenty of sunshine. It requires loose, fertile, well-ventilated, slightly acidic sandy loam. The flowers develop best under sufficient light. The optimum temperature during the growing period is 20 to 25 degrees. The best maintenance temperature in winter is 12 to 15 degrees, and must not be lower than 7 degrees.

How to grow gerbera

It is best to provide a maintenance temperature of 15-25 degrees for growing gerberas, and expose them to sunlight for more than 11 hours. Also, water them appropriately to keep the soil moist. Water them every day in summer. Fertilize them once a week during their growing season. Choose a soil mixed with peat soil and perlite, maintain good ventilation, and carry out sowing and propagation to make them vigorous.

Watering gerberas

During the peak growth period of gerbera potted plants, it is necessary to maintain sufficient moisture. Watering every 3-4 days in summer and once every 15 days in winter is completely sufficient.

Fertilizing Gerberas

During the peak growth period of gerberas in spring and autumn, a thin layer of fertilizer can be applied once a week. Fertilization should be stopped during the high temperatures in summer and low temperatures in winter to avoid fertilizer damage.

Gerbera Disease and Pest Control

Gerbera often suffers from blight. In the early stage of the disease, part of the leaves turn red. Use ethylene phosphate aluminum manganese zinc to irrigate the roots, and then use disinfectant alum powder to irrigate the roots 7 days later. If powdery mildew occurs, trim the diseased leaves in time and spray methyl thiophanate. If spot disease occurs, spray axyclobutanil emulsifiable concentrate and methyl thiophanate wettable powder in the early stage of the disease.

How to grow gerbera at home

1. Soil: Gerbera prefers loose, fertile, slightly acidic loam, and avoids heavy clay soil. It is best to use a matrix soil mixed with peat and perlite.

2. Light: Gerbera is native to South Africa, so it likes plenty of sunlight. It needs to be cultivated in full light in winter and shaded in summer. It cannot be exposed to direct sunlight.

3. Watering: Gerbera is very sensitive to water, so the time of watering must be managed. The soil in the pot should be kept moist in the morning and evening, and it should be drier at night. No water accumulation should occur. You can use the sitting pot method for watering.

4. Fertilization: Gerbera likes fertilizer, so nitrogen fertilizer and potassium fertilizer are essential during the growth period. Generally, they are mixed in a ratio of 2:1.

Matters Needing Attention in the Care of Gerbera

The most suitable sunshine duration for gerberas is about 12 hours. If the light cannot meet this requirement, we can use artificial lighting, generally at 3500 lux per square meter, but it should be noted that the lighting should be supplemented after one month of potted maintenance.