How to Grow Gerbera Daisies? Detailed Guide to Planting Methods and Care Tips

Gerbera daisy flowers are larger than common chrysanthemum flowers, and their colors are rich and very beautiful, giving them high ornamental value. Their flower language is mystery, mutual respect and mutual love, perseverance, and fearlessness of hardship. So, how do you grow gerbera daisies?

1. How to grow gerbera daisies?

In March-May or September-October, select plump seeds, soak them in warm water for 24 hours, then remove them and plant them in nutrient soil. The suitable temperature for germination is 18-22°C, and they will germinate 7-10 days after sowing. After germination, move them to a sunny place. Once the cotyledons have fully unfolded, prick out the seedlings. When the young seedlings grow 2 true leaves, they can be planted out. The best period for planting out is May-June, and flowering can be seen 2-3 months after planting out. After flowering, just carry out routine daily care.

2. What daily care precautions are there for 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 value of 0.7 to 1.0 are beneficial for the absorption of trace elements.

2. 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 plants relatively dry at nightfall. When the plants begin to grow roots, watering must be done from below, and a bottom seepage method can be used. During high temperatures, watering from above the plants is possible, but be careful to prevent fungal mildew starting from the center of the plant.

3. Sunlight: During the growth process of gerbera daisies, the most suitable day length is 11 hours to 13 hours, so artificial supplemental lighting can be used during low-light periods. Generally, the requirement for artificial supplemental lighting is 3500 to 4000 lux per sq m.

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

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

6. Pests and diseases: The diseases of gerbera daisies include leaf spot, powdery mildew, and viral disease. For leaf spot, spray with 70% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder at 800-1000 times dilution or 50% carbendazim wettable powder at 500 times dilution. For powdery mildew, use 70% thiophanate-methyl at 1500 times dilution or 75% triadimefon wettable powder at 1000-1200 times dilution for control, once every 7-10 days, spraying continuously two to three times.

7. Pruning: The lower leaves of the basal leaf cluster of gerbera daisies easily turn yellow, wither, 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 strengthens plant growth. In addition, if the branches and leaves are too luxuriant and shade each other without ventilation, part of the leaves can be appropriately removed.

In warm regions, using gerbera daisies for courtyard clumping, arranging flower borders, and decorating lawn edges all have excellent effects.