Diseases of indoor gerbera. Where to place a pot of gerbera at home? Comprehensive care for gerbera

Gerberas are like the sun, giving its vital energy to others. Sunny flowers symbolize joy, goodness, positive emotions, but at the same time mystery and enigma. Flowers delight with their brightness and variety of colors. Giving a bouquet of gerberas is considered a stylish, chic gift.

But the flowers in the bouquet will soon wither, and an indoor gerbera in a pot will delight you for a long time. You can give it as a gift, or you can buy it for growing at home. These positive flowers will bring happiness and good luck to your home.

Having purchased a gorgeous flower in a pot, you need to learn how to care for it so that it will delight you for many years. Today we will tell you about what kind of indoor gerbera plant this is.

Caring for a flower at home must be correct so that it appearance attracted the attention of not only its owners, but also guests, delighted, and evoked a storm of positive emotions.

There is a legend about the appearance of the flower, which passes from mouth to mouth. The forest nymph Gerba delighted both men and women with her beauty. They admired her, the boys paid a lot of attention to the girl.

Peduncles range from 60 to 80 cm in length. On one peduncle there is one inflorescence with a diameter of 14 to 15 cm. There are species whose flower basket is 30 cm in diameter. There are one or several peduncles.

The petals of the inflorescences are red, orange, lilac, yellow, dark cherry, cream, white pink flowers. After flowering, the fruits and seeds ripen and germinate for six months.

Types and varieties of gerberas

There are about 80 varieties of gerberas. According to the shape of the petals, all varieties are divided into narrow-petaled and broad-petalled plants. And according to the number of outer flowers there are simple, semi-double and double.

Gerberas are also grouped according to the color of the plant. But at the heart of the appearance hybrid varieties There are two types: Jameson and green-leaved classic.

Gerbera Jameson has a short peduncle of 25-30cm. The sizes of inflorescences range from 4 to 15 cm. A rosette of pinnately dissected leaves hides a short stem on which they are arranged in several rows.

Gerbera greenleaf has a long peduncle up to 1 m and long serrated leaves, reminiscent of dandelion leaves. The inflorescence is large pink.

Of the selected varieties, the most popular are:

Home care after purchase

Usually upon purchase indoor plant, when you bring it home, a transplant is necessary. But gerberas are delicate flowers and must adapt to new conditions.

Therefore, it takes time for the plant to get used to new conditions. As soon as the plant straightens its leaves and feels at ease, you can begin replanting. (in 2 weeks)

Take a pot, preferably a clay one. Place drainage at the bottom: expanded clay, pebbles, broken bricks or fragments of a clay pot.

Drainage is necessary in order to remove excess water outside. Preparing the soil for a houseplant.

For it you need to take 2 parts of leaf soil, one part of peat and one part of sand or sphagnum moss. It is not recommended to add fresh humus and compost to the soil.

Gerbera is a flower prone to fungal root diseases, so it is better to add when planting. It is resistant to fungi.

When replanting a plant, you should remove all the soil from the pot, take a container one size larger, pour boiling water over it and plant the gerbera. There is no need to remove stuck soil from the roots.

Care after purchasing a potty decorative flower also provides for its correct placement. It is best to place the flower on western or eastern windows, where there is enough light and no direct sunlight.

On the north window the plant will be cold and dark, it will need additional lighting, and on south side it can get burned from the burning sun (unlike other plants, the flower is not afraid of direct sunlight). We'll have to shade it.

When caring for a plant, you should pay attention to the air temperature. The air temperature must be maintained at +22 degrees. Gerbera is indifferent to drafts, so during the heat of the summer you can arrange a little ventilation.

To harden a gerbera, you can keep it on the balcony or in the garden all summer, or plant it in a flowerbed, and transplant it back into a pot in the fall. But strong temperature changes will destroy it.

At a temperature of +10 degrees it does not bloom; if buds appear on it, then at this temperature it will drop them. Can be achieved abundant flowering even in winter, but for this you need to maintain the temperature necessary for gerberas and provide it with additional lighting.

Watering and fertilizing

Gerbera is a moisture-loving plant, so it needs to be watered frequently, but moderately. It is necessary to ensure that the lump of earth dries out before the next watering.

It is better to water along the edge of the pot or into a tray. In the first half hour, the plant drinks the water it needs, the rest needs to be drained. It is necessary to water carefully so that water does not get on the leaves, otherwise the roots may rot.

Should be watered warm water. In hot weather there is no need to water with cold water, the flower may die. If you do not water the plant enough, its leaves may turn yellow and dry out.

Dry air is the enemy of gerberas, so you need to spray the plant, just try not to get moisture on the flowers. Faded buds should be broken off, but under no circumstances cut off, so as not to rot the peduncle.

For the gerbera to bloom all year round, it must be fed with microelements. The fertilizer should contain a lot of potassium and calcium, and iron.

You can add fertilizer to the water for irrigation. Fertilize should be 3-4 times a month mineral fertilizers low concentration. At the beginning of growth, during the formation of a leaf rosette, the gerbera should be fed nitrogen fertilizers, and then complex.

Gerbera propagation

Gerberas are short-lived plants. After 3-4 years they bloom little. To extend their life and flowering life, you should replant them in a larger pot every spring. To prevent the mother flower, which you liked so much, from dying, you can propagate the plant.

Gerbera reproduces:

1. dividing the bush;
2. cuttings;
3. seeds.

When propagating by seeds, the soil should be prepared from leaf soil, peat and sand. To disinfect it, you need to steam it. Crops should be sprinkled with sand to a depth of 5 mm and sprayed with water. Cover the top with polyethylene.

Place the crops in a warm place with a temperature of 22 degrees. In 7-10 days they will sprout. You need to pluck the seedlings, pinching the taproot when 2-3 leaves appear. We plant the seedlings in the pot when 4-5 leaves appear.

The disadvantage of this method of propagation is that young plants do not always inherit the characteristics of the mother; they may have a different shade of petals, the size of the inflorescence, or a peduncle of a different height.

Growing new flowers is possible by dividing the bush. To do this, dig up the plant and divide it into several parts so that each has two growing points.

The flowers are cut, the roots are trimmed, they are disinfected by sprinkling them with crushed coal, and they are planted in pots so that the growing point is at the top. With this method of growing a plant, there is a high probability of preserving the characteristics of the variety.

Rooting occurs within a month. You don’t have to dig up the flower. Remove the top layer of soil with a sharp knife, cut the rhizome into 2 parts, disinfect the cut points, cover with dry soil and carefully water.

We replant the plots after sprouts appear and roots begin to grow. IN in this case rooting of the plant occurs faster.

Less reliable way, in which the characteristics of the variety are not preserved - cuttings.

We cut off part of the stem with a node and leaves, plant it in soil or boiled water, cover it with glass or polyethylene and leave it for a while.

If you have an indoor gerbera in your apartment, caring for the flower at home should be correct, taking into account the peculiarities of growing plants.

We told you about planting indoor gerbera and its propagation. And it is better to prevent diseases and pests that may occur in your favorite flower, so that you do not have to watch the torment of a living creature, watch how a plant dear to your heart dies.

To do this, it is necessary to eliminate mistakes in caring for indoor gerberas.

The first scientific mention of the plant appeared in the works of the Dutch botanist E. Gronovius in 1737. They began to call this plant Gerbera in honor of the German doctor and botanist T. Gerber. Modern variety Gerbera was the result of crossing two South African species - Jameson's gerbera and green-leaved gerbera. Gerbera is one of most important crops floriculture, is sold throughout the world along with rose, carnation, chrysanthemum and tulip.

Gerbera - light and heat-loving plant, which can only grow in hot countries in open ground . In conditions middle zone can only be grown in greenhouse conditions. There are no domestic varieties in Russia, so gerbera has not yet taken its rightful place.

Features of the flower

Gerbera flowers are similar in shape to daisies (they are collected in basket-shaped buds, arranged singly and reach 0.04-0.15 m in diameter). Can be in a variety of colors except blue. There are double and semi-double forms, differing in the number of “petals”, length and width.

Growing conditions at home

The seeds of these plants can easily be found on the shelves of flower shops.. But the plant is a perennial, and in our winter it will not overwinter either with or without shelter. This plant can be planted in a pot in the garden for the summer. And be sure to take it home for the winter, because the first frost will kill the foliage of this plant.

Gerbera is sold in flower shops already in pots in bloom. Having brought it home, over time you will notice that it loses its appearance and the leaves become faded. The reason is that gerbera is a very demanding plant to care for.

Conditions under which a gerbera will bloom and not die:

• Bright lighting. The plant must be grown on the south side. And in winter, in order for the gerbera to grow well, it needs additional lighting even on the south window.
• Nutritional value of the earth. As soon as they brought it from the store, it’s better to immediately put it in a larger pot. After two weeks, when the plant takes root, start feeding. They feed the plant with fertilizers for roses, they contain the most nutrients.
• Regular watering. The slightest drying of the substrate causes the leaves to wither and fall off.
• Constant inspection. Gerbera has very delicate leaves that insect pests love.

Watch a video about the features of caring for gerberas at home:

Reproduction methods

Watch a video about growing gerberas from seeds:

Division

Lets do a large number of young plants from one adult. This has a beneficial effect on the adult gerbera, acquiring a second youth and continuing to grow and develop. The optimal age of a gerbera suitable for division is considered to be 4 years old.

This procedure is carried out in the summer. When the plant has finished blooming, you must carefully remove it from flower pot, shake off the soil and divide into pieces using a knife.

Each piece should consist of a couple of leaves, part of an underground shoot and part of a root. Roots that are too long are trimmed, leaving 10-15 cm in length.

Cuttings

Used very rarely due to low efficiency. A part of the stem with a leaf is cut off and planted in a separate box with soil at a temperature of at least 20 degrees.

Planting and caring for flowers at home

The plant should be located in an area with sunny side. You can plant gerberas in absolutely any soil, the main thing is to first fertilize it with inorganic fertilizers. Water should not stagnate. Organic soils They are not recommended for planting gerberas, since this plant is susceptible to fungal diseases, which often develop in organic fertilizers.

Planted in the same way compact varieties gerbera in room conditions. Only for growing it is recommended to use perlite or a slightly acidic substrate that is not susceptible to fungal diseases. Plants growing in pure perlite need regular fertilizing with mineral fertilizers..

Gerberas grown in substrate require feeding every two weeks. There is no need to feed plants in winter. Watering should be done sparingly as the substrate dries. For irrigation, use only soft and settled water.

During the period of active growth, gerberas are watered abundantly, but do not allow waterlogging. Faded flowers are promptly removed to stimulate the growth of new flower stalks.

Advice: For the winter, the rhizome is dug up, sprinkled with sawdust or sand and stored in a dry place at a temperature of about 5-8 degrees throughout the winter, until spring.

Diseases and pests

The immunity of any plant drops if it is . This is the reason why pests attack it.

Read more about why gerbera leaves turn yellow and how to deal with it.

Compliance with all care conditions will help you grow a gerbera at home without any problems and admire it for a long time beautiful flowers on the windowsill or in the garden.

The birthplace of the gerbera is South Africa: here it grows in wildlife. 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 sudden climate change, only in the south. Therefore, plant growers have learned to grow gerbera indoors, 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 of different colors have been bred through selection. 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 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. Optimal temperature air temperature in summer ‒ 18-20 ºС, in winter ‒ 14-16 ºС.

How to care for gerberas in winter depends on your capabilities. 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 of the earthen ball 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 looking at the substrate: if the top layer of soil has dried out 3-4 cm deep, 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) non-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 seed, you will need time and patience. Plant the seeds in a moistened peat soil into 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 mites, whiteflies, aphids, thrips, and nematodes.

Frequent diseases that threaten the life of gerbera:

• 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).

Gerbera is deservedly considered the queen of flower arrangements and an integral part of lushly blooming gardens. Its delicate heads of rich color always attract the glances of passers-by and immediately lift their spirits. But, unfortunately, not everyone has personal plot or at least a dacha. But this is not a reason to deny yourself the exciting process of growing gerbera. After all, it can be grown right on the windowsill. You just need to choose a good one planting material, and create appropriate conditions. But what varieties are suitable for home grown? And how to provide proper care to a plant native to Africa?

Botanical description of gerbera: photos, species, habitat

Gerberas - beautiful flowering plants, which belongs to the Asteraceae family. Their color comes in many colors, with the exception of blue. Externally, these colorful flowers are very reminiscent of large daisies, which is why they have the second name “Transvaal daisy”. Several dozen varieties of gerberas are grown around the world as ornamental plants for subsequent cutting, as well as for decorating gardens, and less often as house plants.

The main habitat of gerbera in natural conditions is Madagascar and southern African regions, tropical regions of Asia. These flowers are grown in many European countries, but since gerberas are very heat-loving, they grow exclusively in greenhouses.

The gerbera peduncle has no leaves, its length can reach 80 cm. The diameter of the inflorescence is in the range of 14-15 cm. The leaves of the flowers can be smooth or double. At the same time, double gerberas grow similar to asters. The seeds act as fruits.

Gerbera like botanical plant, was described back in 1737, but will spread like cultivated plant, became only 150 years later. Further, it has acquired the status of a very profitable plant in terms of profitability. Today, gerbera occupies a leading position among cut flowers, second only to roses, as well as tulips and chrysanthemums.

The genus Gerber contains approximately 80 species of these plants, which vary in size, color palette and the shape of the flower. Gerbera petals are found in crimson, yellow, white and other colors. The core also varies: pale yellow or deep black. The variety of varieties is predominantly hybrid, for the breeding of which two South African wild varieties were used - green-leaved gerbera and Jameson's gerbera.

For industrial use of gerberas, the following varieties are planted:

• Alcor- a low-growing variety of gerberas with small inflorescences, rarely exceeding a diameter of 8 cm.

• Vega- narrow-leaved plants with more large flowers(11-13 cm) and stems about 70 cm in length.

• Mars- a variety with medium-sized leaves and large inflorescences. The height of the stems is 65 cm.

• Festival- a plant with a lush, seemingly “curly” inflorescence of medium size. Ideal for growing on a windowsill due to its short stem.

What varieties of gerbera are suitable for home growing?

Dwarf varieties of gerberas for growing in pots are supplied from Holland. Dishonest sellers, in order to save on delivery, often deceive buyers by selling them ordinary varieties of gerberas. During planting, they are treated with chemicals that temporarily stop the growth of the peduncle. But no matter how careful the care is, over time the gerbera will stretch upward and lose its brightness and beauty.

Indoor gerberas are compact in size, their height does not exceed 30 cm. The following varieties are most suitable for home growing:

• Gerbera Parade- yellow gerberas and orange shades with the same color cores.

• Gerbera Happipot- has matte multi-layered pink petals. The center is often brown with a frame of small pink leaves.

• Gerbera Ilios- flowers different forms and size, the color scheme includes all warm shades of orange, yellow, light red.

• Gerbera Hummingbird- a plant with dark green foliage and an inflorescence of bright yellow, crimson, scarlet color.

Gerbera transplant after purchase

If you have already decided to purchase ready plant in a pot, rather than growing it from seeds, you need to wait a couple of weeks and then replant it. The fact is that the gerbera plant adapts very slowly to the change climatic conditions and it needs time to settle into your home. Also, you need to wait a little while replanting if the plant is blooming.

Choosing a pot

Choose a gerbera pot with a diameter 2-3 cm larger than the previous one. It should not be too deep or wide otherwise instead wild flowering, the root system will begin to grow.

The material from which the pot is made must have a high percentage of aeration, that is, it must allow air to pass through and enrich the roots and soil with oxygen. The ideal “home” for a gerbera is a clay pot.

The soil

The gerbera flower needs light, porous soil that easily allows air to pass through. As a substrate, you can take peat and perlite in equal parts. Or prepare a mixture: two portions of leaf soil, a portion of sand, a portion of peat. The required soil acidity is 6 pH.

Adding compost or humus is prohibited, as these components can “burn” the root system.

Location

Choose a sunny corner without drafts for your gerbera. If you choose a place for this flower on a window that you often open, be sure to remove the pot from the windowsill when airing.

Although the gerbera you purchased is domestic, it still comes from warm countries. Therefore, it will only grow in warm conditions. But gerbera does not tolerate extreme heat and direct rays of the sun. If the flower pot is in the southern part of the room, it would be useful to shade the plant during the sunny period.

Gerbera does not like sudden temperature fluctuations. If she lives on the balcony in the summer, bring her into the house at night.

Care for gerbera in a pot

In order for the plant to bloom and not get sick, you need to know how to care for gerberas.

Lighting and temperature conditions

Normalized lighting of gerbera ensures its flowering. Despite the fact that gerbera light-loving plant, excessive sun exposure can shorten the flowering period. Length of daylight in summer period should be 10-12 hours. At this moment, active growth of foliage is observed, and by the end of autumn the first inflorescences begin to bloom.

The suitable temperature for the “African beauty” is 20-25⁰С. During the dormant period, it is better to maintain the temperature within 12-15⁰С, but if the thermometer drops below 12⁰С, the plant may die.

Humidity and watering

The natural place where gerberas grow is in the tropics. Therefore, the plant loves moist soil and air. Gerberas should be watered twice a week. In winter, if the plant is standing near heating device, as well as in summer, watering needs to be increased. The soil should always be slightly moist. It should not dry out, but there should not be excess water there either.

When watering a flower, always make sure that water does not get on the rosette of leaves. This may cause germs or mold to grow. To prevent plant rotting, it is better to use watering through a tray. 30 minutes after watering, the remaining water is drained.

On hot days, you can place a bowl of wet pebbles. Evaporating moisture will refresh the plant. Gerbera leaves can be sprayed, but drops of water should not fall on the inflorescences and base of the leaves.

Very important point in irrigation is to use only settled and warm water.

Planting and fertilizing

This exotic plant It is not whimsical, so it tolerates planting very easily. It is better to do this in February, when the gerbera is in its dormant period. The best way is considered to be the transfer of the root system with a whole earthen lump. The roots should not be damaged or cut.

Gerberas need to be fed throughout spring and summer. Application complex fertilizers twice a month will be enough for full growth. Various organic compounds do not have a beneficial effect on the plant.

Reproduction of gerbera at home

Full care of gerbera involves recreating the optimal cycle of the plant in outdoor conditions. In order for the plant to feel like it is in a pot in its usual environment, you need to adhere to its rhythm of life:

• The natural flowering period of gerbera is August-October.
• For the next four months, the plant sleeps and gains strength for future flowering. During this period, minimal watering and reduced lightening are needed.
• In February, gerberas are in an active growth phase. At this point, it is worth increasing watering and resuming fertilizing.
• Every four years, potted gerberas are rejuvenated.

If you do not follow the rules, gerberas can bloom all year round without a dormant period. But this will soon lead to depletion and death of the flower.

Propagation by seeds

In spring, the seeds are sown in a loose substrate. To do this, boxes or pots are filled with suitable soil. Then the seeds are sown and covered with a thin layer of sand. Using a spray bottle, the soil is lightly sprayed. The container with seeds must be covered with glass or plastic film to create greenhouse conditions, and place in a warm place with enough light.

Shoots appear in 7-8 days. At this point, you need to remove the cover from the box so that the sprouts do not burn. When they get stronger and send out two full-fledged leaves, you can pick. After transplantation, the sprouts will become stronger and begin to grow faster.

Gerberas grown from seeds bloom within a year.

Propagation by cuttings

When transplanting, you can divide the gerbera rhizome into a couple of divisions. They must have at least two growth points. Children's roots are shortened, pruned aboveground part plants. All cuts are treated with charcoal. Planting in permanent pots is allowed, but the neck of the division must remain above the ground.

Dividing the bush

A root with a small root system and two leaves is separated from the main rhizome. Then it is planted in a prepared pot with moistened soil and placed in a sunny place.

Gerbera: cultivation and possible difficulties

Spider mite

If the plant turns yellow and begins to shed its leaves, there is a possibility that it is damaged by spider mites. These pests multiply in conditions of dry soil and insufficient air humidity. For prevention, you need to spray the stems and leaves of gerbera with warm water.

Powdery mildew

Gerberas often suffer from a fungal disease called powdery mildew. This occurs when temperature changes, excessive application of nitrogenous fertilizers or watering with too cold water. To prevent this disease, you need to carefully observe the conditions of care, and also avoid unwanted proximity between flowers. This is especially true for roses and gerberas, since they most often infect each other with powdery mildew.

No flowering

A gerbera may not bloom in several cases: if you planted it in a large flowerpot, over-fed the soil, or did not adhere to temperature conditions. Reconsider your care for the plant and it will definitely delight you with its flowering.

Homemade gerberas: winter care

In winter, gerbera does not bloom, because it lacks warmth and sunny color. Of course, you can use artificial lightening, but it is better to give the flower a rest. Watering should be reduced and watered as the soil dries. The substrate should not be completely dry. If the room is very hot, periodically humidify the air near the plant using a sprayer.

Caring for gerbera in a vase

Cut gerberas go well with other plants in flower arrangements. But beautiful gerberas show capriciousness in aquatic environment. In order for them to obediently stand in a vase for a couple of weeks, you need to try a little:

1. To increase the area of ​​the stem, which will better absorb water, you need to cut it into a jamb.
2. Water is used only at room temperature.
3. To disinfect water, you need to add an acetylsalicylic acid tablet.
4. The stem of the flower should not rest against the bottom of the vase. This issue can be solved using wire or cardboard limiters.
5. The water is changed every 24 hours.

Thanks to your caring attitude and painstaking care, exotic chamomile will delight you with its colorful blooms.

Do gerberas grow only in gardens and greenhouses? No, beautiful orange or red inflorescences can also decorate the windows of a city apartment if you buy indoor varieties flower. Mini versions of the plant reach a height of 25–30 cm and produce one or more buds each year. Caring for an exotic gerbera is no more difficult than caring for an anthurium or orchid, and sometimes much easier.

Getting to know your new home

An adult plant is sold in specialized stores and even large supermarkets. I want to immediately give the purchased gerbera a drink with warm water and place it in the most visible place so that it becomes the main decoration of the house, but the flower must first adapt to the new place of residence.

For the first 3-4 days you should refrain from watering. The plant takes the necessary moisture from the soil, and an excess of water can cause rotting of the lower leaves or the appearance of fungus. Gerberas are transplanted only in two cases:

• when the soil is infested with pests;
• if the pot turns out to be too small and the root system peeks out of the ground.

You can transfer the flower to a new container 1.5–2 weeks after adaptation, when the plant gets used to it and gets stronger. Do not forget that gerberas brought from a nursery or supermarket are sometimes inhabited by spider mites or other insects. Pests are dangerous to others indoor flowers, so the new resident is carefully examined and isolated for about a week.

Light and temperature conditions

Gerbera shoots buds in late August and is a joy bright colors until mid to late November. During this period, the room should be warm, within +25–20 degrees. If the thermometer shows +18–16, the plant goes into rest mode and the inflorescences fall off. At +14–12, the gerbera goes into hibernation. The flower cannot stay in a cool room for a long time. Low temperatures they deplete the gerbera, and it begins to ache and wither. At the end of January, the exotic guest is transferred from warm room so that she has time to wake up and gain strength before the arrival of spring.

On which windowsill should I place a pot of bright flowers? In summer, the east or west side is suitable. The plant will receive enough soft light and warmth. In winter, gerberas are moved to sunny southern windows, but northern ones are not suitable for growing an exotic beauty. They are too cold and shaded, so you will have to install phytolamps or regular table lamps to compensate for the lack of natural light.

In summer, gerberas need shade from the midday sun:

• move to a table next to the window;
• close the blinds so that diffused light falls on the windowsill;
• place under a tall, spreading tree if the plant is located outside.

Between May and September, the sun is hot enough to burn the plant's tender leaves, leaving unsightly yellow spots on the green surface. Daily contact with ultraviolet radiation is stressful for an exotic beauty, which can become seriously ill or completely wither.

At the same time, gerbera needs the sun, because without it it is not able to form buds and bloom. The plant feels comfortable when the daylight hours are from 10 to 12 hours. Therefore, in winter, the exotic beauty goes into hibernation mode, and in the spring it becomes more active and begins to grow green mass.

Homeland bright flower They consider the subtropics, where it is constantly warm and rainy. The plant loves water, but in moderation. In summer, gerbera is watered three times a week, in spring and autumn it is reduced to 2 times.

in winter tropical beauty can live without water long time. When the room is +12, moisture becomes a dangerous enemy of gerberas, as the risk of fungal infection increases. In winter, the flower is watered as needed, when the upper and middle layers of the soil dry out.

Irrigation liquid should not be allowed to get into the leaf rosette or on the inflorescences. Droplets of water accumulate and create conditions for the development of fungus and root rot. It is difficult to get rid of diseases; gardeners have to change the soil and pot or throw away the gerbera if it cannot be treated.

Water intended for watering the exotic beauty is left to stand for 2–3 days. glass jars or plastic buckets. The liquid must be heated to +32–37 degrees. Carefully pour it into the soil or into a tray, from which the flower will take as much moisture as it needs. Do not allow water to stagnate at the bottom of the pot. Gerbera absorbs moisture in 30–40 minutes. The remaining liquid that turns out to be excess must be carefully drained. If this is not done, a fungus will grow in the pan, which will destroy the root system.

In summer it is useful to spray the green top with a spray bottle. In a similar way, the top layer of soil with the root system is moistened. Gerbera does not like dry air, because of which its leaves and inflorescences become pale and expressionless. To maintain an optimal level of humidity, it is recommended to place bowls or large mugs filled with water next to the pot.

Tip: If lower leaves the gerberas have begun to rot, you should reduce watering and stop spraying the plant. The soil is dry, but the problem persists? Either the flower has been damaged by rot or pests, or the water for irrigation needs to be more carefully filtered.

Mineral complexes

Gerbera does not tolerate organic matter. Fertilizers made from cow dung, bird droppings or humus, will only harm the flower. Won't fit slaked lime, compost or wood ash. Only mineral complexes. Recommended universal varieties, intended for any indoor flowers, or special options exclusively for exotic gerberas.

During the formation of buds, the plant is fed with nitrogenous compounds, which contain:

• ammonium sulfate;
• urea;
• Ammonium nitrate.

The classic version of nitrogen fertilizer is urea. Mineral fertilizing apply 3-4 times a month, but after the inflorescences open, you should switch to complex options for indoor flowers. Such fertilizers are used in a similar way.

Crystals or powder should be dissolved in water for irrigation. The soil is pre-moistened so that the fertilizer does not burn the root system. Use only a weak solution; a concentrated solution can poison the gerbera.

Soil for an exotic plant

The tropical flower is constantly growing, and one day the pot becomes too small for its dense root system. We have to look for new house for gerbera and prepare a nutrient substrate. What should it be like?

The main thing is that the soil:

• let air through;
• was permeable;
• sterile;
• with a pH level of 5.5 to 6.

Gerbera, located in too acidic soil, does not absorb useful elements and dies.

There are several substrate options for growing exotic flowers:

1. High-moor peat without additives. It is quite acidic and contains many useful components.
2. Leaf soil with sand or moss, which is called sphagnum. Be sure to mix with peat or technical phosphoric acid to increase the pH of the substrate.
3. Fine perlite is also suitable for growing gerbera, which allows the root system to breathe. IN synthetic base add high-moor peat as a source of nutrients.
4. Needles or coconut substrate. Do not add compost or humus to the soil for gerberas.

If the soil has become too acidic due to peat, you should add a little chalk to it. Turf or leaf soil must be steamed to disinfect and destroy weed seeds. An alternative to heat treatment is pesticides. Solutions of formalin (5%) or carbation (2%) are recommended. The classic option for disinfecting soil is potassium permanganate. It is weaker than synthetic pesticides, so it is recommended to treat the soil with a concentrated solution of a dark pink or purple hue.

After disinfection, the soil is combined with peat and other components and infused for several days. During this time, beneficial bacteria will appear in the soil and nutrients.

An exotic plant must breathe, so the pot is chosen from ceramic or clay. A gerbera transplanted into a container that is too large spends energy and nutrients on the development of the root system, so the plant does not produce buds for 1–2 years. The flower feels cozy in a pot with a diameter of 25 cm and a depth of 30–35 cm. Top part should be slightly wider than the bottom.

Cover the bottom of the container with a centimeter layer of drainage:

• crushed clay shards;
• broken bricks;
• pieces of polystyrene foam;
• fine expanded clay.

Fill the pot halfway with substrate. Remove the gerbera from the old container without separating the earthen lump from the root system. Transfer the flower to a new clay house. Place in the center and sprinkle with soil. Make sure that the root head remains on the surface of the ground. If a little substrate gets on the leaf rosette, carefully sweep it away with a brush or hand.

Gerberas are replanted in the spring before the first buds appear. You can transfer the plant to another pot after the flowers fade in July or November.

Reproduction

The exotic flower is grown from seeds. Cooking nutritious soil from turf soil, sand and peat, poured into wooden box. Lay out the seeds, sprinkle with soil, moisten the substrate with a spray bottle and cover with plastic wrap. Young shoots that are more than a month old are transplanted into separate pots.

Gerberas aged 4–5 years and older can be divided into several bushes.

• Remove the plant from the pot, do not clean it from the soil.
• Carefully divide into 2-3 parts. Each should have its own growth point.
• Shorten the roots a little and cut off the flowers. Treat open wounds with charcoal.
• Plant new bushes in pots with substrate.

All that remains is to water and fertilize the gerberas so that they grow faster and take root.

Diseases

1. Spider mites appear due to insufficient watering and dry air. The flower must be sprayed with a spray bottle, adding any fungicide to the water.
2. Aphids can attack a gerbera if it grows in the garden or stands on the balcony in the warm season. The insect is destroyed by insecticides that are used to treat the stems and leaves.
3. White-winged flies appear in the summer due to the heat and dry air. The insecticide "Aktellik" will cope with pests.
4. Gerbera affected by white or gray mold is isolated from other indoor flowers and treated with a solution copper sulfate. Remove damaged leaves and be sure to reduce watering.

Gerbera loves sunlight and warm water, humid climate and can die from drafts. The flower is not whimsical, but needs constant care and attention. If you protect the plant from insects and mold, fertilize it in a timely manner and remove dry leaves, the exotic beauty will become one of the main decorations of your apartment and a reason for pride.

Video: how to care for indoor gerbera