Gerbera flower at home. Why do indoor gerbera leaves turn yellow and dry: what to do? Gerbera care in winter

Gerbera belongs to the perennial plants of the Asteraceae family.

Its appearance resembles a large dandelion, due to the leaves collected in a rosette.

Single gerbera flowers look more like daisies. There are plants with small and large inflorescences, which depends on the variety.

Terry varieties resemble aster. Gerberas are grown in greenhouses as cut plants.

Many gardeners are convinced that room conditions It is very difficult to breed gerbera, but this is not entirely true. At the right approach Before growing and caring, the beautiful gerbera will sparkle with colors at home.

Growing gerbera at home

You need to start growing gerberas in a room consciously. To begin with, select plant varieties that can tolerate the home microclimate well. Grown indoors dwarf varieties, the height of which does not exceed 25 cm. A beauty bought in a store will not always remain compact. The whole point is that in industrial cultivation plants are treated with growth inhibitors, when the effect of the drugs ends, the gerbera begins to increase in size. Sometimes a compact bush can turn into a tall plant. So it is useful to know some of the names of the varieties and their varieties.

After acquisition, the plant needs full care and special conditions.

Where to place a pot of gerbera

Do not forget that gerbera is a greenhouse plant. It does not tolerate direct sunlight and high temperatures. To grow gerbera at home, you need to select a well-lit place without drafts and nighttime temperature changes. It is best to place the flower pot in the eastern or western room. IN summer period you can display the plant on Fresh air, will do glazed loggia from the west side.

Temperature growing conditions

The room where there is gerbera should not be stuffy or too hot. The ideal temperature is considered to be up to 22 degrees. Even in open ground Gerberas do not bloom in the summer heat.

During the period of rest that comes late autumn and continues all winter, the pot with the plant must be placed in a cooler room, where the temperature is maintained at 14-16 degrees.

Air humidity

Gerbera is undemanding when it comes to air humidity, but during hot periods, spraying the leaves will not be superfluous.

During the rest period high humidity air leads to plant diseases. Therefore, spraying is rarely carried out if the plant is in close proximity to heating devices.

How to care for gerbera indoors

At proper care gerbera can bloom several times a year. To do this, you need to follow simple rules.

Watering mode

Gerbera is a moisture-loving plant, so watering should be frequent but moderate. The soil should dry out between treatments. Do not allow water to stagnate at the roots and the soil to dry out. Perfect option watering - through the pan, when excess water is drained.

Water for irrigation should be room temperature, but not cold. Excessive watering cold water leads to the death of the flower.

During the dormant period, the frequency of watering is reduced. The previous regime is returned only with the arrival of spring, when the plant is actively growing its leaf mass.

Additional plant nutrition

Fertilizers and fertilizers for gerbera are applied with caution, although the flower is responsive to them. Organic fertilizers cannot be used, as the plant can hardly tolerate them. Feed gerberas as follows:

At the beginning of the growing season, the plant is fertilized with complete nitrogen complexes. As soon as the plant has gained enough leaf mass, they switch to fertilizers with a large dose of potassium.

Complete mineral complexes are used as fertilizers for flowering plants.

The frequency of fertilizer application is once a month.

Important! Everything is good in moderation! You can’t be overzealous with watering and fertilizing. This leads to plant diseases and does not speed up flowering.

When to replant a gerbera (photo)

Caring for indoor gerbera, do not forget about the transplant. But it must be carried out according to all the rules.

1. Remember that a newly acquired plant cannot be replanted within two weeks. This is the period when adaptation to new conditions and climate takes place. Replanting during this period will only harm the flower.

2. After forced quarantine, a transplant is necessary. The soil in which the plant was transported is unsuitable for further cultivation.

3. The composition of the soil for growing gerbera should include leaf soil, peat and sand. Experienced gardeners hydrogel granules are added to it, which prevent the soil from drying out.

4. Subsequent transplants are carried out as the plant grows, when root system has grown enough.

5. Optimal time for replanting a plant there is a dormant period. The pot is selected several centimeters larger than the previous one.

How to propagate gerbera at home (photo)

Sooner or later, every gardener is faced with the need to obtain new copy plants. Gerbera reproduces not only by seed method, but also by dividing the bush.

By dividing, you can get several new plants at the same time. This method is good because after division the mother bush comes to life, enters its second “youth” and continues to actively grow and bloom. You need to practice dividing the bush during the dormant period, when flowering has ended, preferably in late summer or early autumn. old bush pulled out and cut sharp instrument into several parts. Each new plant is placed in a separate pot, where it will take root over the next six months. Already next spring the resulting plants will bloom.

The seed method is rarely used, since the resulting seedlings do not always retain their maternal characteristics. The germination rate of gerbera seeds is low. For planting, only fresh seed is used, which is not always available. The supplier of store-bought seeds cannot fully guarantee their quality. These points need to be addressed Special attention, if you want to grow gerbera from seeds.

Problems when growing gerberas

When caring for gerberas, you need to listen to the opinions of specialists and experienced flower growers, this will make it possible to grow healthy plant at home. Often, beginners in this business experience certain difficulties that are easy to eliminate.

1. Gerbera has stopped growing, although it is grown in a lighted room.

Gerbera's daylight hours are up to 12 hours. If there is too much light, the plant stops growing and does not produce flowers. It has been noted that gerberas bloom most luxuriantly between August and November. Has the plant stopped growing? Reduce daylight hours.

2. Gerbera does not bloom, daylight hours are normal.

The dormant period of gerbera lasts up to three months, when the plant gains strength and recovers. If flowers do not appear for much longer, then diseases can be judged. Examine the plant carefully.

3. The gerbera is healthy, the growing conditions are not disturbed, but the plant does not bloom.

Another reason for lack of flowering is that the pot is too large. As a result, all energy is spent on rooting, and the appearance of buds is delayed. In this case, it is necessary to transplant the plant into an appropriate pot.

4. Gerbera develops well, grows leaves, but does not bloom.

Frequent use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers leads to a riot of foliage to the detriment of flowering. It is necessary to stop applying nitrogen fertilizers and switch the flower to potash fertilizers.

Gerbera (Gerbera) - genus perennial herbs family Asteraceae, or Asteraceae. About 70 species of this beautiful flowering plant are known. Under 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 Hummingbird

Gerbera Jaguar Scharlaken

Gerbera is used in flower beds as an annual, planted in pots for decoration patios. The plant is heat-loving and will not survive a frosty winter 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 to 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.

Tips for caring for gerbera

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 on sunny windows in autumn-winter-spring. In summer, an indoor gerbera may be too hot; it is better to move it to an east or west 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, and the plant may die.

Fertilizer. 3-4 times a month mineral fertilizers low concentration. At the beginning of growth, during the formation of a 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.

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.

Flowering and dormant period. Gerbera comes from areas where day length varies little throughout the year. Throughout the year, the day is 12-14 hours.

In winter, flowering stops mainly due to insufficient light. If you provide sufficient lighting and warmth, the gerbera will continue to bloom even in winter time without a rest period. After growing for such a long time, the plant becomes exhausted and further cultivation doubtful.

In summer, flowering decreases or stops due to too long daylight hours and heat.

It is better to grow gerbera by following natural cycles. From mid-February, the natural development period of the plant begins, leaves grow and flowers appear. Flowering continues until June. At the height of summer, gerberas may stop flowering. In August, the growth period begins again, new flower stalks appear, and flowering continues until late autumn, until the daylight hours become too short. During winter maintenance, the air temperature is maintained at a moderate level, 12–16 degrees.

Reproduction indoor gerbera. 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. The seeds need to be sown 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, place in a warm place with a temperature of +20...+22 and wait for shoots, which may appear in a week.

After another 2-3 weeks, the seedlings dive, be sure to pinch 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.

Pests. Excessive watering can lead to the appearance of fungal diseases on the gerbera and powdery mildew. 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 correct mode glaze.

Gerbera can only grow outdoors in warm climates. She does not like the cold and sudden changes in temperature, so the flower, beloved by many, was adapted for keeping in an apartment. If you love flowering indoor plants, then the best choice- indoor gerbera. Home care has features that you will learn about in this article.

herbaceous perennial Aster family. It grows wild in Madagascar and South Africa. As a houseplant, gerbera is grown for its beautiful and long-lasting flowering. By appearance very reminiscent of chamomile. It differs from it in its large flowers and bright colors. There are such names of gerbera as Transvaal chamomile or daisy.

The plant is small and neat - indoor gerbera rarely grows above 30 cm. The leaves are pinnately dissected, oblong, with slight pubescence. The leaves are folded into a basal rosette. Long peduncles are rare. The inflorescences are large and bright. Flowers are simple, semi-double or double. Valued for its variety of colors. There are gerberas of all colors except blue.

Flowering begins at the end of August and ends in November. The flower rests until February, then goes to fast growth. After 3-4 years, it is recommended to rejuvenate the flower - a mature plant does not bloom so profusely. Gerbera flowers become smaller and the flowering period is shorter. The bush is rejuvenated by division.

Interesting! Experienced flower growers achieve practically year-round flowering gerberas. The result is that the plant is constantly happy beautiful flowers. Minus - after 2 years the bush is completely depleted.

Varieties of gerbera

More than 70 species of flowers grow in nature. Not all of them are suitable for home grown. The most popular and unpretentious are Jameson's gerbera and green-leaved gerbera. Most of them are based on them. modern varieties. IN home floriculture use low-growing varieties.

Advice! When purchasing a gerbera in a pot, be sure to pay attention to the variety and its characteristics. Sometimes tall varieties process chemicals, inhibiting growth. The plant seems miniature, blooms beautifully, and looks decorative. But without subsequent treatments, the plant quickly begins to stretch, lose its appearance, and eventually die.

For a long time and lush flowering It is important to organize proper care for indoor gerberas.

• Lighting. The plant does not like heat and direct sun, but prefers high light conditions. Windows facing east or west are suitable. In summer it can withstand small daily temperature changes. With the onset of stable warmth, gerberas are allowed to be taken out onto the balcony or into the garden.
• Temperature. Prefers moderate temperature Range 20-22°C. In the heat and stuffiness it quickly dies. In winter, a period of rest is required at 14-16 degrees Celsius.
• Watering. Watering is regular but moderate. Equally does not like drying out and waterlogging of the soil. The soil is kept slightly moist. The water temperature for irrigation is slightly above room temperature. From cold water gerbera is sick.
• Humidity. Doesn't really matter. Grows well when dry and slightly high humidity air. Reacts gratefully to spraying.
• Feeding. During active growth, complexes with a high nitrogen content are added. Closer to the flowering period, fertilizing with products for flowering plants begins. They are applied no more than once a week. The recommended concentration of solutions is halved.
• The soil. The best soil for indoor gerbera - a mixture of peat, sand and leaf soil (1:1:2). The addition of hydrogel granules helps maintain constant moisture.
• Transfer. Replant when the roots no longer fit in the pot. The new container should be a little larger, but not more than one and a half liters. In spacious containers, gerberas stop blooming.

Advice! It is not recommended to replant the flower within 2 weeks after purchase. It must adapt to the conditions of your apartment. After acclimatization, the plant must be replanted. The soil used in stores is a temporary substrate. The flower will not be able to grow in it for long.

Reproduction methods

Several methods of propagating gerbera are practiced. All of them are successfully used by flower growers.

• Growing from seeds. The optimal time for sowing is March. The seeds are sown in a loose substrate of sand and peat, the soil is moistened, and the container is covered with glass. Conditions for rapid germination are stable humidity, temperature of at least 18°C, daily ventilation of the greenhouse. In the phase of 2-3 true leaves, the first picking is carried out. The second pick is at the stage of 4-5 true leaves. Varietal plants are obtained from store-bought seeds. Seeds collected from house plant, lose the bright characteristics of the variety.
• Cuttings. Cut off a part of the stem with a leaf and a node. Place the cut side in damp sand. Maintain temperature at 25°C. Roots appear quickly - after 1-2 weeks. Preservation of varietal characteristics is not guaranteed.
• Dividing the bush. It is considered the most reliable way. Divide the bush at the age of 3-4 years, plant it in individual pots. In the first days, they provide enhanced care for the gerbera. The pot must maintain stable humidity. Varietal characteristics do not disappear.

Gerbera diseases

The plant is not resistant to diseases and pests. Violation of the rules of care leads to various problems during the growing process.

Disease	Description	Cause	Solution
Alternaria blight	The appearance of brown spots on the leaves. The spots become lighter in the center and a black coating appears. The leaves turn yellow and dry out.	Increased humidity and temperature. Lack of nutrients.	Treated with fungicides. For example, Ridomid Gold.
Mosaic	Small spots of yellow or light green color. Deformation of the sheet plate.	The causative agent is the cucumber virus. Provoking factors - low temperature, wet air.	Spraying with insecticides.
Powdery mildew	The appearance of a gray-white coating. Spreads quickly. Leads to the death of the plant.	Fungal disease. Provoking factors are a lack of calcium in the soil, humidity above normal, heat.	Spraying with fungicides - “Topaz”, “Fundazol”.
Gray rot	The plant withers and becomes covered with a grayish coating.	Fungal disease. Provoking factors are dense planting, waterlogging of the soil, high humidity.	Treatment with Fundazol and Rovral.
Sclerotinia	Withering of the plant, the formation of depressed spots on the petioles and peduncles.	Excess organic matter in the soil, waterlogging, heat.	Stop watering and add dry soil. Processing by system fungicidal preparations— “Vitaros”, “Fundazol”.
Late blight	Drying of leaves and flowers.	Failure to comply with agricultural technology.	Treatment with Ridomil and Previkur.

With proper care, the likelihood of the plant being affected by the diseases described is minimal.

The inflorescences of the plants are baskets resembling daisies. They can reach 15 cm in diameter. Gerbera leaves are collected in a rosette near the root. The peduncle is large, reminiscent of a dandelion. There are many varieties of plants that differ in color and size of inflorescences. Gerbera at home requires a lot of attention and proper care. It is best cultivated in greenhouses and open ground. But dwarf compact varieties are also successfully grown at home.

After purchasing the plant, it is advisable to transplant it into a large pot no earlier than two weeks later, otherwise it will be painful. Slightly acidic soils are best for gerberas. You can prepare the soil yourself. To do this, you need to take two parts of sand, one part of leaf soil, peat, and mix it all. At the bottom of the pot you need to do good drainage. Gerbera at home needs regular feeding. Mineral solutions are best suited for this. complex fertilizers, since this representative of the flora does not tolerate organic products well. For the first time, it is better to feed the plant 20 days after transplantation.

Gerbera loves warmth and light. Therefore, at home it is better to place it on window sills on the south-eastern and eastern sides. In extreme heat, this representative of the flora needs light shading, because the foliage may lose its brightness. Gerbera at home needs a warm and humid environment. The temperature should not be lower than +18 o C. The room should be regularly ventilated, and the air around the plant should be periodically moistened using a sprayer. This representative of the flora is not afraid of drafts, so you can safely take it out onto the balcony. For watering should be used warm water. The soil does not need to be waterlogged. It is very important that when watering the flower rosette does not get water. With proper care, gerberas grow well at home. Photos of these plants can be seen in this article.

Flowering periods

Gerberas have two periods of active growth and flowering per year. The first of them starts around February 15 and ends at the end of May. At this time, it is advisable to feed the flora representative mineral complex For indoor plants. Withered flowers must be regularly removed, completely breaking out of the nest, since the remaining parts of the peduncle can rot and infect the entire body. The second growth period lasts from the 3rd decade of August to October. However, timely feeding and additional lighting sometimes it allows you to extend this time until the winter months, although it is more advisable to let the gerbera rest and gain strength. In winter, the plant is not fertilized, watered no more than once a week, and the temperature is maintained at 10-12 o C.

Transplantation and propagation

In order for this representative of the flora to regularly delight with its flowering, it must be rejuvenated twice every three years by dividing the bush (one of the methods of propagation) and replanted in new disinfected soil. Then gerberas will develop correctly at home. Their propagation, in addition to dividing the bush, can also be carried out by seeds and cuttings. The transplant should be done before active periods(February or July).

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 you to achieve long-lasting 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. IN wildlife There are more than 80 species 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. Last variety with semi-double inflorescences, it has a longer life phase compared to other forms.

How to care for indoor gerberas?

Caring for a gerbera in a pot is difficult special difficulties. 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, which makes it possible tropical plant fully develop and bloom.

Lighting and temperature conditions

The flower needs large quantities light, tolerating direct light well Sun rays morning and evening sun. IN summer time The gerbera should be exposed to fresh air or systematic ventilation of the room where it is located should be organized. In the winter season, artificial additional lighting should be provided, which will increase the length of daylight hours and prolong 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 with cold water poses a great danger: the plant can get sick and even die.