The gerbera is native to South Africa: here it grows wild. The name of the African flower was given by the 18th century Dutch botanist Jan Frederik Gronovius in honor of his German “colleague” Traugott Gerber.
In Russia, gerbera grows in open ground, without fear of a sharp climate change, only in the south. Therefore, plant growers have learned to grow gerbera in room conditions, where it is easier to create the necessary microclimate.
Characteristics of indoor gerbera
Gerbera (Gerbera L) is a perennial ornamental flowering plant from the Asteraceae family. An adult, properly formed plant has a rhizome with roots deeply penetrating into the soil, basal leathery deeply divided leaves and straight bare peduncles with flowers (one on each). Flower stalks of potted gerberas grow up to 25-30 cm in height. Gerbera buds have a “double” or “non-double” shape.
About 70 varieties of gerberas have been bred through selection. different colors. Compact species are suitable for growing indoor gerberas:
- "Sweet Surprise"– light crimson petals, the center of the flower is green with a yellow halo;
- "Pam"– the dark brown center of the flower with a beige halo is surrounded by bright pink petals;
- "Sweet Caroline"– bright orange petals with yellowish tips and a lemon-colored center;
- "Sweet Honey"– soft yellow petals and snow-white center;
- "Rachel"–bright red petals with a light green center and long stamens;
- "Sophie"– fuchsia petals with a yellow-white center and long stamens;
- "Valerie"– the outside of the petals are painted white and pink, with reverse side– in purple; the center of the bud is two-colored - yellow-brown;
- "Catherine"– petals white needle-shaped and yellow center of the flower.
Caring for indoor gerbera
To grow a beautiful and healthy gerbera, you should take into account the features of care at home.
Gerbera loves light and warmth, but hot Sun rays and the hot, dry air can destroy it. Therefore, do not leave the plant under direct sunlight- create diffused daylight (using a curtain, mat or net). I also like gerbera Fresh air, so ventilate the room where the flower stands. The optimal air temperature in summer is 18-20 ºС, in winter ‒ 14-16 ºС.
How to care for gerbera winter period– depends on the possibilities. When daylight hours are short or the plant is located near a north window, it is recommended to additionally illuminate (using a lamp) the gerbera in the afternoon. If you keep your gerbera on a windowsill in winter, place a piece of wood or styrofoam (styrofoam) under the pot to prevent the soil and roots from freezing.
Watering and air humidity
Gerbera responds positively to regular watering, but does not tolerate drying out earthen coma or stagnation of moisture in the soil. In summer you need to water more often, and in winter - less often. Water the gerbera through a tray or soil in a pot. To reduce the likelihood of rot, the water that has drained after watering is poured into the pan. To water indoor gerberas, use only warm, filtered or settled water. You can determine the need for watering by the substrate: if upper layer The soil has dried out to a depth of 3-4 cm, it’s time to water. Another way is to look at the condition of the gerbera leaves: if they are slightly wrinkled, this is a sure sign that the plant needs watering.
Reproduction
Gerberas are propagated by seeds, cuttings or dividing the bush.
In the first case, in an adult (having several growth points) Not flowering plant a part of the bush with a separate growth point and several roots is cut off and planted in another pot with a similar substrate.
In case of propagation by cuttings, separate the cutting with leaves and root from the mother plant and plant it in peat-sandy soil. To increase your chances of survival, place young plant in a mini-greenhouse or cover with a translucent bag, then place in a warm, bright place. Do not forget to ventilate and water the cuttings. And when it grows up, replant it in regular soil.
In the latter case, to grow indoor gerbera from seeds, you will need time and patience. Plant the seeds in moistened peat soil in seedling cassettes, sprinkle sand on top, spray with water and place in mini-greenhouses (sold in specialized stores or made independently). The first shoots should “hatch” in a week. When 3-4 true leaves appear, you need to pick. Remember that plants grown from seeds can have flower stalks up to 60 cm in height. The first flowers of this gerbera will appear in a year.
Diseases of indoor gerbera
The main pests for gerbera are spider mite, whitefly, aphids, thrips, nematodes.
Frequent illnesses, life-threatening gerberas:
- fusarium (white hairy mold),
- late blight (brown spots),
- powdery mildew(white coating)
- gray rot(fluffy gray mold),
- chlorosis (the interveinal space of the leaf turns yellow, but the veins remain green).
Nowadays, on the windowsills of city apartments and private houses, you can increasingly see plants that were customary to grow in the garden. Was no exception indoor gerbera, care for which at home should be comprehensive. This will allow for long-term lush flowering, pleasing the owner’s eye with its spring colors.
Types and varieties of indoor gerberas
Gerbera, cultivated in greenhouses, front gardens and flower pots, is a herbaceous perennial plant from the Aster family with a variety of colors, with the exception of blue. There are more than 80 species in the wild, found in South Africa, tropical Asia and Madagascar. Externally, the flower is very similar to chamomile, which is why in literature, especially in English, its second name is used - Transvaal chamomile.
IN indoor floriculture Compact forms and varieties of Jameson's gerbera are grown, not exceeding 25 cm in height. The varieties most often used for landscaping apartments and offices are Happipot, Ilios, Hummingbird, Parade and Duroramix. The latter variety with semi-double inflorescences is characterized by a longer life phase compared to other forms.
How to care for indoor gerberas?
Caring for gerbera in a pot is not particularly difficult. However, when purchasing a flower or receiving it as a gift, the owner must know that the plant, of which he becomes the owner, needs proper care, giving the opportunity tropical plant fully develop and bloom.
Lighting and temperature conditions
The flower needs large quantities light, well tolerating the direct rays of the morning and evening sun. IN summer time Gerbera should be exposed to fresh air or organized systematic ventilation the premises where it is located. IN winter season Artificial additional lighting should be provided, which will increase the duration daylight hours, will extend the flowering period.
The temperature regime is provided depending on the time of year:
- in summer – 20-24°C;
- in winter – 16-20°C.
Important! Lowering the temperature to 12°C causes the flower to go into a dormant state, in which all processes slow down, and flowering becomes impossible until it awakens.
Watering
The tropical flower requires constant watering. Humidification should be carried out with settled water no cooler than 20°C. Watering cold water poses a great danger: the plant can get sick and even die.
Gerbera (Gerbera) - genus perennial herbs family Asteraceae, or Asteraceae. About 70 species of this beautiful flowering plant are known. IN natural conditions almost all of them are found in South Africa and Madagascar, some in tropical Asia.
Gerbera has long been familiar to everyone as beautiful flower for bouquets, various flower arrangements. Gerbera flowers are shaped like daisies. Their color can be any - yellow, red, pink, orange, only gerberas are not found of blue color. There are double and semi-double forms, which differ in the number of “petals”, as well as their length and width.
Varieties of cultivated gerbera come from perennial species Jameson's gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii), first discovered in South Africa, where this plant grows among meadows at an altitude of 500-600 m above sea level. It blooms twice a year - in spring and autumn.
Gerbera has been known to flower growers for a long time, but previously it was grown only as an industrial cut plant. The problem is that she is very susceptible to fungal diseases.
Florists different countries did a great job selecting new races seed propagation, more resistant to pathogens. IN Lately Gerbera is becoming extremely popular as a houseplant or plant for landscaping balconies and terraces. IN indoor culture Most often, low-growing hybrids are grown. They do not grow higher than 25-30 cm.
Gerbera is used in flower beds as an annual, planted in pots for decoration patios. Heat-loving plant frosty winter will not survive in the ground.
Indoor gerbera - quite a perennial beautiful flowering plant. Its leaves are collected in a small rosette. Its main advantage is the beautiful large chamomile-like flowers of various shades. Blooms from early spring until late autumn.
Indoor gerbera is short-lived; in the 3-4th year, the flowering of the bush decreases and the plant is replaced with a new one.
Kinds
Gerbera Hummingbird
Gerbera Jaguar Scharlaken
Care and conditions of detention
Caring for gerbera is not difficult. The plant is quite unpretentious; if your gerbera is light and warm enough, it will bloom all the time.
Lighting. Gerbera loves bright sunlight, can be kept in sunny windows autumn-winter-spring. In summer, it may be too hot for an indoor gerbera on the southern windows; it is better to move it to the eastern or western window so that the sun is only in the morning or evening.
It is also useful to take it out onto the balcony. Gerberas love fresh air and are not afraid of drafts.
Temperature. Gerbera prefers warmth, but not heat. During the flowering period - 16-22°C. In winter, after flowering ends and until February, gerberas are kept at a temperature of 14-16 degrees. A sharp drop in temperature should not be allowed.
Air humidity. It does not matter significantly; spraying the leaves (but not the flowers) has a beneficial effect on the plant.
Watering. Gerbera requires regular watering and does not tolerate drying out well. It is very important to avoid flooding the plant - this can lead to the development of various fungal diseases.
It is important to know what to water warm water(18-20 degrees). Cold water in the summer heat has a bad effect on it, the plant may die.
Reproduction
Indoor gerbera is a short-lived plant, designed for the fact that after a long, abundant flowering it will be replaced by a new plant. If you really like the purchased variety, then it can be propagated by seeds (all the characteristics of the mother plant are not always inherited), by cuttings or dividing the bush.
If you want to grow a flower from seeds, remember that they quickly lose their viability. You need to sow the seeds no later than 5-6 months after they ripen, preferably in early spring. Before sowing, peat is mixed with sand and steamed to avoid diseases. The seeds are soaked and sown in bowls filled with the prepared mixture. Sprinkle a thin layer of clean sand on top and spray. Cover with glass or polyethylene and place in warm place with a temperature of +20...+22 and are waiting for shoots, which may appear in a week.
After another 2-3 weeks, the seedlings dive, always pinching off the long root. When planting young gerberas in pots, make sure that the rosette of leaves is 1 cm above the soil level.
Propagate indoor gerbera by dividing the bush and cuttings better in summer during a period of relative peace. You can simply divide the bush into several parts and wait for rooting, but it is easier and more reliable to divide by making a cut. To do this, you need to clean the plant without removing it from the pot. top part from the ground and use a sharp knife to cut it into two parts. Cover the slices with crushed charcoal and sprinkle with dry soil. Water carefully. When the divided parts form new roots, the division is completed and the parts of the plant are transplanted into new pots.
Previously, they were propagated by cuttings in Dutch greenhouses, but at home this method is not reliable.
Transfer
Replant as needed in early spring or at the end of summer. The pot is not too big - 1–1.5 liters is enough.
It is not advisable to replant immediately after purchase; you need to give the plant some time to adapt. After 2 weeks you can carefully replant without damaging the roots, just a little bit into the pot bigger size with good drainage. The substrate in which the plant is sold is not always suitable for long-term maintenance at home, so replanting is advisable.
Top dressing
Fertilizer 3-4 times a month mineral fertilizers low concentration. At the beginning of growth, during the formation period leaf rosette It is better to feed gerbera nitrogen fertilizers, then - complex.
The soil: leaf soil, peat, sand or sphagnum (2:1:1). Organic fertilizers It is not recommended to add.
Diseases and pests
Excessive watering can lead to the appearance of fungal diseases and powdery mildew on the gerbera. Fusarium and late blight are common. Can be damaged by aphids, thrips and spider mites. A good prevention against diseases is constant ventilation during the warm period. Rotting can be prevented by improving soil drainage and proper watering.
The homeland of gerbera, a beautiful perennial herbaceous plant, is South Africa. The ancestor of all species - Jameson's gerbera - gave an assortment wonderful varieties that are blooming all year round spectacular large flowers, similar to chamomile. Gerbera is used as a houseplant; it can be used to landscape a balcony or loggia.
For growing at home, varieties of low-growing gerbera with compact bushes and low peduncles are most often used. The color of the flowers of the plant is very diverse: white, cream, salmon, crimson and others. Recently, gerbera varieties with double flowers have been developed.
Features of caring for indoor gerbera in a pot
Like any plant, gerbera requires care and attention. Therefore, you need to know how to care for gerbera in a pot. The plant loves bright but diffused sunlight and a ventilated room. Watering indoor gerberas should be plentiful, regardless of the season, and the water should be warm, about 20°C. Gerbera especially does not tolerate watering with cold water in the hot season. This can lead to the death of the flower. When watering, you need to make sure that water does not get on the flowers themselves. The best option watering - in a tray, this will help avoid rotting of the roots. Excess water It is better to drain from the pan. The plant feels good with regular spraying of the leaves, but you should avoid getting water on the flowers.
The room temperature should be moderate, up to 20°C during the flowering period. In summer it is useful to take the flower out into the fresh air, but after flowering has ended and until the end of winter, while the plant is dormant, the gerbera should be kept at a temperature no higher than 14°C. This dormant period is very important, since in the autumn-winter the gerbera grows leaves and prepares for future flowering.
Many gardeners are wondering why it doesn’t bloom. indoor gerbera? The thing is that this plant is very light-loving, therefore, if it feels a lack of bright light, it stops blooming. Provide the plant with good additional lighting in winter, and your gerbera in a pot will bloom in winter.
Transplanting indoor gerbera
Gerberas are replanted in early spring as needed. The soil for replanting is made up of peat, earth, sand or sphagnum. Neither compost nor fresh humus It cannot be added to the soil for gerberas.
The plant should be fed with complex mineral fertilizers: during the period of plant growth - once every three weeks, and during flowering - every two weeks.
It is important to know what kind of pot is needed for gerberas. It is better not to replant the plant immediately after purchase. new pot. Leave it alone for 1-2 weeks to allow the gerbera to acclimatize, and only then can you transplant it into a deep pot with a wide top. At the same time, do not forget that root collar the flower should be located slightly above ground level.
Novice gardeners sometimes wonder why gerberas wither in a pot? It should be remembered that replanting is a lot of stress for any flower. The integrity of the roots is damaged, which means the plant’s nutrition deteriorates, and the gardener notices that the gerbera in the pot has withered. To prevent wilting, the plant should not be over-watered during this period. Gradually the flower will take root and grow stronger.
Propagation of indoor gerbera
Gerbera can be propagated by cuttings, dividing the bush or seeds. Especially valuable varieties It is best to propagate by dividing the bush. Doing so better in spring when the bush reaches the age of 3-4 years. On each division, 2-3 growth points should be left. After planting and before the cuttings begin to flower, it can take 10 to 11 months.
It is best to propagate indoor gerbera by seeds in the spring, when the air temperature reaches 18-20°C. When 2-3 leaves appear, the seedlings dive into boxes for the first time, and when 4-5 leaves appear - into pots.
Diseases of indoor gerbera
Knowing how to water a gerbera in a pot and how to properly care for it, you can achieve long flowering this beautiful plant at home.
At home, you can grow more than one hundred flowers that we are more accustomed to seeing on personal plots. The favorite of many gardeners - gerbera - was no exception. This plant originates in tropical forests Asia, gerberas can also be found in the nature of South Africa.
In botanical reference books you will definitely get acquainted with another name for gerbera: Transvaal chamomile. The flower of a perennial herbaceous plant has a great visual resemblance to chamomile. That's why it has such an unusual name!
Gerbera is a medium-sized plant. The most large varieties are capable of reaching 60 centimeters in height, and miniature ones - no more than 25 centimeters. The inflorescence-basket is located on a single erect peduncle. The light green leaves of the flower grow on short stems. They are united by a basal rosette. Transvaal chamomile loves light and warmth. But this does not make it too picky about home growing conditions.
The favorite of many gardeners, the home gerbera does not require much effort to care for. Compliance with some simple rules will allow you to grow a healthy and beautiful plant.
The most popular among domestic species of Transvaal chamomile is considered Gerbera Jameson. This is a very large variety, which includes various interspecific hybrids.
The first thing you should do is choose suitable location for growing a flower. As we noted above, gerbera simply loves to bask in the warm rays sunlight. Therefore, when choosing a location, the grower should take this factor into account.
On a note! The most the best place for gerbera - well lit. You can even place an indoor flower on a south-facing windowsill.
But you should be careful here too. If the weather is particularly hot outside, then it would be best to choose window sills on the west or east side for gerberas. Too high a temperature can have a detrimental effect on the development of the plant. In addition, gerbera is not afraid of drafts or temperature changes during the day. Therefore, the Transvaal chamomile can be placed on a balcony or ventilated loggia with a clear conscience, and all summer during the day it will feel simply excellent. It is best to bring the plant into the house at night.
Transfer. Choosing a nutrient substrate for indoor gerbera
So, you have chosen the best place for your Transvalian daisy. It's time to start transplanting it.
Remember! The first gerbera transplant is carried out immediately after purchasing the indoor plant. But only after the quarantine period has passed.
I would like to dwell in more detail on the concept of a quarantine or adaptation period for a plant. This is the time during which the gerbera will take root in new conditions. environment, namely - to your home environment. This is a lot of stress for the flower, so replanting (which is also a real “shock” for the plant) should be postponed for some time until the plant simply gets used to the new conditions.
This is interesting! Many people ask: why should you replant a plant after purchasing it? It would seem that the pot is suitable, and the soil is excellent? The fact is that in order to preserve the notorious “marketable” appearance of the soil in the store in mandatory include growth stimulants. They are the ones who allow indoor flowers keep beautiful appearance during long period expectations of their new owners. But such land is not suitable for subsequent cultivation of the plant.
- For Transvaal chamomile, a ceramic pot with drainage holes. It is he who will save the indoor plant from even greater overheating on particularly hot days.
- Gerbera will be immensely grateful to you if you choose a light and breathable substrate for growing it. Soil for growing Transvaal chamomile can be purchased from flower shop. It is worth noting that today in supermarkets you can buy valid quality soil, in which gerbera will grow and bloom without problems.
But some gardeners still prefer to prepare the soil for indoor plants on one's own. For Transvaal chamomile you can choose various ways preparing land for cultivation, we will give examples of just a few of them:
- You can take one part peat and one part sand and mix the ingredients with two parts leaf soil.
- Some lovers of indoor plants simply take pure high-moor peat. This option is also possible.
- Other plant growers mix high-moor peat with soaked coconut bark in a 2:1 ratio.
- Some florists prepare soil for Transvaal chamomile very, very in an interesting way. They mix high peat and fine peat in equal proportions.
Remember: gerbera prefers acidic soil. Optimal - from 5.5 to 6.
Attention! Whichever method of preparing soil for Transvaal chamomile you choose, never forget about good layer drainage
Gerberas are replanted approximately once a year, in the spring. Optimal size pot for an adult plant - 1.5 liter pot. Selecting a larger container is not recommended. In the future, if the plant is healthy and its growth is not threatened, then you can simply renew the top layer of soil.
We select the optimal temperature regime for home gerbera
Transvaal chamomile is absolutely not acceptable high temperature. Despite its unpretentiousness, home gerbera is very sensitive to environmental temperature and reacts to the slightest fluctuation by stopping growth or stopping flowering.
Remember:
- In summer optimal temperature for gerbera the range is from +20 to +22 degrees.
- In winter, after flowering ends and until early to mid-February (during the plant's dormant period), the temperature should range from +14 to +16 degrees.
It is important! When switching from summer to winter mode growing (from flowering to dormant), the temperature in the room where the gerbera grows should be lowered gradually and very carefully. A sharp decrease can have a detrimental effect on the condition of the flower.
Proper watering of gerberas. Spraying
Transvaal chamomile is a moisture-loving plant. But this does not mean that watering should be excessively abundant and very frequent.
- Do not water gerbera with cold water. There is one very simple rule that will allow you not to make a mistake with the watering temperature. The water should always be at ambient temperature or a few degrees higher.
- Water should always be settled.
- Gerberas should be watered only when the soil dries. Excessive irrigation indoor flower will certainly lead to the development of diseases, for example, it can easily provoke a fungal disease.
- During the dormant period, watering should be only nominal.
Gerbera is not too picky about the humidity of the surrounding air. But during the flowering period, it is recommended to spray the plant from time to time exclusively with warm water.
Reproduction of indoor gerbera
At home, gerbera can be propagated in two ways: by dividing the bush and by seeds.
The most optimal- This is the propagation of gerbera by dividing the bush. Mature plant, which has probably already formed several bushes by the time of propagation, is planted in several containers in the spring.
Labor-intensive method- This is the propagation of gerbera by seeds. You will have to tinker with growing seedlings, picking young seedlings and caring for plants. The above procedures are not always successful.
Feeding indoor gerbera
Gerbera is very responsive to soil application nutrients. Each stage of development has its own type of feeding.
- For active growth gerberas are necessary during the period of growing green mass complex fertilizers containing N. They must be applied from February to April regularly once every two weeks. The solution should be slightly concentrated.
- Potash fertilizers are perfect for the flowering phase.
- During the dormant period, it is not necessary to fertilize your home gerbera.
Diseases and pests
Home gerbera is very resistant to various types diseases. Most often it is affected by a fungus as a consequence improper care and too frequent watering. Among fungal diseases greatest danger represents gray rot and powdery mildew. In this case, insecticides should be used. Get ready to say goodbye to the plant.
The greatest danger among pests for home gerbera represents the spider mite. You can fight this insidious pest with the help of fungicides. A plant infected with aphids should be treated with insecticides.
As you have already seen, caring for a home gerbera is not that difficult. Give your “green pet” just a few minutes of attention a day, and the flower will definitely delight you with excellent growth and no problems during cultivation.