Seeds

• Native to South Africa
• Closely related to sunflowers
• Known to attract birds, bees and butterflies
• Favored and used as a cut flower
• Commonly referred as African daisy
• Boasts large, vibrant colors incl orange, pink, yellow and white
• Grow to a height of 1 to 2 ft
• Blooms in Spring, summer and autumn

Colors:

• Gerbera blooms in various colors, including orange, pink, yellow, red, and white.

Height:

• The plant typically grows to a height of 1-2 feet.

Family:

• Belongs to the Asteraceae family.

Genus:

• Classified under the genus Gerbera jamesonii.

Blooming Season:

• Gerbera blooms in Spring, Summer, and Autumn.

How to Propagate Seed:

Gerbera can be grown year-round in most climates. Avoid planting the seedlings in extremely hot or cold weather, which can affect the germination and growth of seedlings. If you are growing a perennial gerbera variety, choose a permanent position where they can grow freely without disturbance. They are best grown in full sun or partial shade. If you grow plants in a container or pot, then they’ll need additional fertilizer to encourage healthy growth. Exposure to light may help them to improve germination rates. The seedlings will need protection from pets, pests and weather until they are fully established.

Sow the seeds directly in the garden with 1mm deep and 55cm apart. The soil should be moist but never wet or dry. Seeds will germinate in around 7-14 days at a soil temperature of 18-21°C. When seedlings have several mature leaves, then transplant them into the garden.

Water the plant when the soil is dry about 10cm below the surface. Gerbera plants produce flowering in approximately 80 days.

How to Protect them from disease:

Like all plants, Gerbera is receptive to pests, diseases and other problems. When it is growing in the garden, it is attacked by aphids, Powdery mildew, slugs and snails. To control these disease attack, fertilizes them properly and apply fungicide spray on them. For controlling fungal disease attack, avoid watering on the leaves of plant. You can also control them by removing their hiding places or by placing sticky traps and remove affected leaves. Remove the deadhead flowers to prolong the bloom of fresh flowering. Apply slow release fertilizer when seedlings are 5-10cm tall. And also apply liquid fertilizer when plants are fruiting or flowering.