Florists prize the cut flowers of gerbera daisies (Gerbera jamesonii) for their brilliant splashes of bright color, long cut-stem life and also transportation ease. Home gardeners can enjoy the undemanding and easy-to-grow gerbera daisy’s flashy colours in outdoor landscapes from spring till frost. These sun-worshipping African natives can’t tolerate freezing but develop nicely as annuals in cooler regions. Gerberas are winter-hardy to 28 degrees Fahrenheit in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. Perennial in warm climates, gerbera daisies, also called African daisies, perform best during their initial two or three decades. A small pruning goes a long way toward keeping them healthy, happy and lovely.
Cut gerbera flowers freely throughout the blooming season to get your stunning indoor structures. Use clean, sharp shears. Immerse the cut stem immediately into a broad-bottomed vase with water no more than 3/4 inch heavy. A shallow water book slows stem decay, keeping your gerbera new and lovely for a longer time period.
Inspect blooming gerberas at least once weekly during the growing season. Watch for fading, wilting blooms. This is when seed heads are ready to begin growth.
Prune the blossom comes back to where they emerge from the leaves whenever gerbera blooms wilt or fade. Do this until the petals begin to fall off to avoid the plant from developing seeds. Deadhead conscientiously to get the gerbera plant that it hasn’t completed its reproductive mission. This extends the blooming period significantly.
Pinch or trim off older leaves which may become shabby and unattractive with age as they occur during the season. This keeps your gerbera plant looking tidy and encourages healthy fresh foliar growth.
Mix a great balanced liquid fertilizer at half power, and feed your gerbera every two weeks during the spring and summertime. These products encourage blooming in flowering plants. Follow the instructions carefully for recommended fluid levels and frequency of application.
Cut gerbera plants back to approximately 1 inch tall only before the first expected frost for your area. In zones 1 through 6, dig up your gerberas immediately after pruning. Pot them, and also transfer them to a brightly lit, cool room between 45 and 60 degrees F to the winter. In the warmer regions of zones 7 through 10, gerberas can overwinter in outdoor gardens safely with adequate protection. Mulch them to a thickness of 3 to 4 inches.