Gerbera daisy cultivation methods and precautions

Just from the name gerbera daisy, you can tell that this plant does not originate in our country; it is a flower variety that our country has introduced from abroad for cultivation. Gerbera daisies have very high ornamental value, which is why they attract so many people to grow them. But most people will run into some problems during the process of growing them because of improper techniques, so how exactly should they be grown to make them grow well?

How to grow gerbera daisies

1. Soil: Gerbera daisies are very sensitive to water, so use a medium with good air permeability and drainage, preferably a substrate mixed with peat and perlite. A pH of 5.5 to 6.0 and an EC of 0.7 to 1.0 are conducive to the absorption of trace elements.

2. Sunlight: The most suitable day length for gerbera daisies during growth is 11 hours to 13 hours, so artificial supplemental lighting can be used when light is low; generally, the requirement for artificial supplemental lighting is 3500 to 4000 lux per square meter.

3. Temperature: The most suitable growth temperature for gerbera daisies is between 15°C and 25°C; the maximum should not be higher than 30°C, and the minimum should not be lower than 13°C. High temperatures will affect normal flower bud differentiation, and low temperatures will cause plant death.

Gerbera daisy cultivation methods and precautions

I. Cultivation methods:

1. Watering: Gerbera daisies are very sensitive to moisture, so the correct watering time must be ensured; water in the morning or evening, and keep the plant relatively dry when night falls. When the plant begins to grow roots, it must be watered from below, and a bottom-permeation method can be used. During high temperatures, watering from above the plant can be done, but be careful to prevent fungal mildew that starts from the center of the plant.

2. Fertilizing: Gerbera daisies are fertilizer-loving perennial herbaceous flowers with high fertilizer demands. The ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the fertilizer is 15:18:25, applied once every 5 to 6 days, then once every 10 days. If high temperatures or relatively low temperatures cause the plant to enter a semi-dormant state, stop fertilizing.

3. Pruning: The lower leaves of the basal leaf rosette of gerbera daisies easily turn yellow and age, and should be removed promptly. This not only helps the sprouting of new leaves and new flower buds, but also helps ventilation and enhances the plant's growth vigor. In addition, if the plant's branches and leaves are too luxuriant and shade each other so that air cannot pass through, part of the leaves can be removed appropriately.

II. Precautions:

When fertilizing, do not let the fertilizer solution spread to the center of the gerbera; otherwise the growth point in the center is prone to rotting and dying. Also, do not let the fertilizer solution splash onto the leaf surface, otherwise the leaves will be burned.

Solutions for gerbera daisy root rot

1. Water reasonably. Reasonable watering is the fundamental measure for preventing and controlling gerbera daisy root rot. When growing gerbera daisies, pay attention to the dryness and moisture of the soil; it should be kept appropriately moist, but not overly wet. Reduce watering during the dormant period; if the soil is not dry, do not water. Be careful to drain promptly during the rainy season.

2. Choose suitable soil. To grow gerbera daisies, choose soil with good drainage. The soil should be loose and breathable, preferably leaf mold soil rich in organic matter or slightly acidic sandy soil.

3. Drain promptly. In the rainy season, taking rainproof measures to prevent rain exposure and draining promptly are preventive measures to reduce soil water accumulation, and cannot be neglected.

4. Prevent and control pests and diseases. Preventing and controlling pests and diseases and reducing the chances of gerbera daisies becoming diseased can reduce the frequency of root rot to a certain extent.

Gerbera daisy pests and their control

1. Whiteflies. Whiteflies are a common pest of gerbera daisies. When pests are found, the growing environment of the gerbera daisy needs to be cleaned up promptly, and a pesticide should be selected and used correctly to avoid poor whitefly control due to pesticide resistance.

2. Thrips. Thrips are also a common pest of gerbera daisies. When thrips are found, boiling pesticides is a very good method. You can use dichlorvos pesticide or imidacloprid pesticide for spraying and killing.

3. Cabbage caterpillars. The damage from cabbage caterpillars is mainly divided into damage by larvae and by older larvae. The pests need to be sprayed and killed promptly, and sprayed several more times, to prevent the damage from expanding further.

When growing gerbera daisies, be sure to pay attention to the soil mixing work, then provide reasonable lighting and timely fertilizer and water; these are all essential factors for ensuring their growth. During the cultivation of gerbera daisies, root rot may also occur, generally caused by water, pests, and other reasons, so to solve it you must first find the cause and start from the root.