How to grow gerbera in a pot. Indoor gerbera care at home, watering and propagation

Gerberas have recently become the most popular indoor and garden plants. These flowers look like large daisies, only multi-colored and very bright.

There are many types of this beautiful flower. Dwarf varieties have been bred for indoor conditions, and now gerberas can be grown in pots. It reaches twenty-five centimeters in height. Flowers can be of different sizes, as well as simple and double. In color they are red, purple, yellow, orange, cherry, and white. And each flower is magnificent in its own way, the core, which has different shades, is especially impressive.

The plant is unpretentious, but not all flower lovers know how to care for gerbera in a pot. It is necessary to take into account some features of caring for this plant indoors.

Gerbera takes root well, but if it is placed in other conditions, it cannot be replanted immediately, and it should not be watered either. You need to give her about two weeks to get used to the new conditions. For those who do not know how to care for gerbera in a pot, you need to clarify that the plant is best replanted in the spring. This time is most suitable for her.

Gerbera is transplanted very carefully, without disturbing the integrity of the soil in which it grew. It is advisable to take a wide pot; the bottom must be equipped with drainage.

This flower does not tolerate fresh humus or compost. used for feeding no more than once every three weeks.

The plant is sensitive to fluctuations in air temperature. The optimal positive temperature is twenty-two degrees. Gerbera flowering in winter is also possible, but for this you need to increase the lighting and not let the temperature drop below twenty degrees.

In order to know how to grow gerberas on a window, you need to take into account some nuances. The flower feels comfortable on windows that face west or east. The plant must be protected from the scorching sun, as it experiences great discomfort. You also need to make sure the area is well ventilated. Drafts are also not a problem. The plant is also not afraid of the rising and setting sun.

If we talk about how to care for a gerbera in a pot, then we need to dwell in more detail on its watering, as this is of no small importance. The flower should be watered regularly and abundantly, but at the same time it should not be over-watered to prevent rotting of the roots. The water that has accumulated in the pan after watering must be poured out. The water must be settled and cold water can destroy the plant. Gerbera prefers frequent irrigation of leaves, especially in winter, because heating devices increase air dryness. It is advisable that no water gets on the inflorescence or branches.

Gerberas are propagated by seeds or by dividing the bush.

Seeds are usually propagated in the spring. For this, a mixture of turf, leaf soil, sand, and humus is used. The first picking should be done when there are two or three leaves, the second - when there are four or five, and immediately planted in separate pots. From the time of sowing until the flowers appear, approximately ten months pass.

To propagate a valuable variety, dividing the bush is used, since this preserves the maternal characteristics. The plant is taken at the age of three to four years, and two or three growth points should be left on each separated part. You need to plant it in such a way as to ensure that the rosette rises one to one and a half centimeters above the soil. This is necessary for further growth and flowering. It is best to divide in the spring.

If we take into account all the features of how to care for a gerbera in a pot, treat it correctly and with care, then this plant will delight us for a long time with its bright flowering and, of course, lift our spirits.

Flower growers who have conditions for keeping flowering plants have long been growing gerbera daisies in pots on their windowsills. Caring for them is no more difficult and no easier than caring for other plants that can please their owners. But these flowers are so lush and beautiful that they become a decoration for a home garden. Those who first became interested in this plant and are planning to enrich their collection with it should understand its features for themselves.

Start of nursing

First of all, when moving from a flower shop to a permanent residence, most plants require almost immediate replanting. But not the indoor gerbera! The flower is quite delicate and requires some time to adapt. He simply will not survive two shocks in a row. Therefore, you will have to wait two weeks or even longer. The right moment is not difficult to catch: as soon as the plant perks up, the leaves flutter, you can replant. Since the gerbera lived in temporary soil in the store, it will have to be fed with complex fertilizers every three days before being transplanted into suitable soil. And don’t forget: when a house gerbera “moves”, the soil in the pot must be changed completely, with the exception of that which is stuck to the roots. Moreover, in order to avoid infection, the pot (preferably clay, breathable) needs to be doused with boiling water.

Which soil to choose

So, you bought gerberas in pots. Caring for them after they get used to your home begins with selecting the soil in which you will transplant them. Most often it is advised to take soil consisting of leaf soil (2 parts), peat and sand (one each). However, given that home gerberas in pots are prone to fungal diseases that affect the roots, many gardeners recommend planting them in perlite. It is very resistant to fungi, but at the same time it does not contain anything useful for plants, so you will have to very often give them complex fertilizers with the necessary microelements. In dry weather it is necessary to feed every other day, in cold weather and rain - less often. So whether to resort to this method depends on your experience in growing gerbera in pots. Care, of course, becomes more difficult in some ways, but, on the other hand, you won’t have to treat the plants, which is even more troublesome.

How to choose the right place of residence

Indoor gerbera needs a lot of light. Moreover, unlike many other house flowers, it does not even mind direct rays - they do not harm it. However, the most favorable for it will be the western and eastern windows. In the north, of course, it will simply be dark, so you will have to install stationary additional lighting. In the south, at midday in the summer, the sun can burn the plant. So you'll have to shade him.

If you want to prolong the flowering of your gerbera in pots, care in winter will be complicated by creating the desired temperature plus additional lighting - the flowers will obviously not have enough sun at this time.

What temperature does the plant like?

Another subtlety of how to care for gerberas is the thermal regime. The plant is not too capricious, but does not like sudden temperature changes. But it is completely indifferent to drafts, so in hot weather it is quite possible to regulate the heat by regular ventilation. The only thing is that when the temperature drops below +10 Celsius, the gerbera will not begin to bloom, and if the flowers have already bloomed, it will drop them. In winter, the frames are narrower due to the lack of light, so the room for blooming gerbera will have to be warmed up to at least +20. Moreover, the air must be even warmer for the soil to warm up to this temperature.

We water correctly

Water is the basis of life for any plant, including gerberas in a pot. How to care for it while watering? First of all, you need to take soft, not just settled, and warm water. In principle, the water temperature should match the soil temperature. It is necessary to accurately determine its quantity: with an excess, root rot develops, with a deficiency, flowering stops and the leaves dry out. The basic rule of how to care for gerberas during watering is not to allow drops to fall on the leaf rosette. Otherwise, rest assured, the roots will begin to rot. You can pour water from the edge of the pot, but it’s better to pour it into the pan, and the fact that the flower has not been “drunk” in half an hour must be removed.

Gerbera also responds favorably to spraying, since it dies in dry air. But there is a warning here: the drops should not fall on the flowers. Only leaves and stems can get wet!

Subtleties of care

For beautiful and lush flowering from gerberas, it is necessary to remove the buds that have already bloomed. Moreover, they categorically cannot be cut off - only broken off. If you neglect this rule, the remainder of the peduncle begins to rot and destroy the entire gerbera.

For the same amazing flowering, the plant needs to be fertilized; Moreover, the feeding should include a larger amount of calcium and potassium than usual. But for normal growth and appearance of leaves, you need to choose fertilizers that contain iron. Or you can add its chelates to water for irrigation. This is because gerberas are vulnerable to chlorosis.

The house gerbera enjoys spending the warm months on the balcony or in the garden - the abundance of air hardens and strengthens it.

And one last thing. This flower is quite short-lived. To extend its life and flowering life, the gerbera needs to be replanted into a slightly larger pot every spring. Drainage at the bottom is required, we also leave a lump of earth, but fill the cavities with new prepared soil - such renewal is very useful for the plant.

What should a flower be protected from?

First of all, from mistakes in care. When overwatered, it can develop gray mold, which causes a whitish coating to appear on all organs of the plant. It can kill all your gerberas in the pot. How to care for a sick flower? Ruthlessly remove all affected parts, reduce the surrounding humidity and spray the gerbera with copper sulfate.

Another problem is that the air is too dry. Because of it, the leaves turn yellow and soon fall off. This is a sign of the presence of spider mites. You will have to urgently increase the humidity - at least spraying the gerbera 3-4 times a day. If it doesn't help within a week, use Actellik.

If flowers are attacked by aphids, they are treated with nicotine sulfate or anabasine sulfate; if a whitefly visits, we buy a drug with permethine and treat our garden with it every three days.

Gerbera propagation

There are three ways to increase the "population" of gerberas. The first is bush division. An adult plant is divided into 2-3 parts; each of them must have at least two growth points. When planting, flowers are broken out of the nest, the roots (if they are too long) are trimmed, and the wounds are disinfected. In a month you will already have full-fledged bushes.

The second way is cuttings. Segments of rhizomes with a couple of leaves are cut and planted in separate “dwellings”. In order for them to grow, you need well-warm, +25 degrees, air and high soil humidity - gerbera cuttings in a pot do not need anything else. We have already told you how to care for transplanted plants.

The third method is sowing seeds. For them, you can use the soil mixture described above, or you can get by with regular peat. Seeds are laid out on the surface and covered with a thin (0.5 centimeter, no more) layer of perlite, peat or sand. They will sprout in a week or two, and they can be harvested after the same period. The first flowers on new plants will appear in just six months.

As soon as you have purchased a gerbera, you need to choose a permanent place of residence for it - growing the flower depends on this. It is advisable to choose window sills under windows facing east or west. If the windows face south, then in summer the gerbera will have to be hidden from the sun's rays, and on the north side the flower must be additionally illuminated with phytolamps. One of the important rules is that growing a plant should not be accompanied by drafts, which can cause it to freeze. For the first couple of weeks, you should not water or replant the plant - it should get used to it a little, adapt to new conditions: excess stress will have a bad effect on the gerbera.

Gerbera came to us from South Africa, a continent where the weather is always warm. This is why this plant needs warmth so much. The best temperature for a flower is +20 °C ... + 25 °C in summer, and in winter - at least + 12 °C. Also remember that the plant has difficulty surviving temperature fluctuations day and night. Therefore, during the day the flower can be taken out to the balcony, and in the evening it should be taken back to the apartment. The air in the room where the gerbera lives needs to be periodically humidified so that the plant does not lose its bright color.

Gerbera from South Africa

The soil for gerberas, including seeds, in a pot should be light and airy. You can use one of the following soil options:

a mixture of peat and fine perlite in a one to one ratio;
soaked coconut bark and top peat in a ratio of 1:2;
clean top peat;
leaf soil, sand and peat in a ratio of 2:1:1.

2 weeks after purchase, begin replanting. Choose a clay or ceramic pot that is suitable for its capacity and allows air to pass through; fill the drainage down and prepare any soil mixture from those we have listed.

As we have already said, gerbera came to us from the subtropics - this flower loves moisture and needs it. Water the plant about twice a week, three times in summer. Make sure that the soil in the pot does not dry out, but the soil should not be too wet all the time.

For this plant, moisture can be destructive if it gets into the leaf rosette. This will cause root rot or fungus.

Flower root rot

You need to water your home gerbera through a tray; be sure to warm the water to room temperature. Do not forget to spray the gerbera, doing it as carefully as possible - the spray should only fall on the green part of the flower. Some gardeners spray not the gerbera itself, but the soil around it. In summer, you can simply place a small container of water near the pot - the evaporating moisture will have a positive effect on the plant.

Successful flower growing also depends on feeding. It is best to use special fertilizers for flowering plants - it is best to purchase fertilizers that are diluted in water before use. Feed gerbera about three times a month.

In order for caring for an indoor flowering gerbera in a pot to have the right result, you need to know how to handle the flowers of this plant. For example, new flower stalks will form faster if wilted flowers are removed in time - they should be completely removed from the “nest”. Otherwise, the remaining pieces of the peduncle will rot and can infect the entire plant.

Caring for indoor flowering gerbera

Gerbera flowers usually bloom from mid-February to early June and from late August to October. During such periods, be sure to feed her twice a week. If you create the necessary lighting and properly fertilize the gerbera, it can bloom in winter, however, constant flowering can exhaust and weaken the flower, so in June and July, as well as from December to February, it is better to give the plant a rest. In winter, gerbera does not need fertilizer, but is watered maximum once a week.

Gerbera is propagated at home in three ways: growing from seeds in a pot, cuttings and dividing the bush. It must be remembered that at this time young plants need very careful care. It takes the longest to propagate gerbera using seeds. First you need to grow seedlings: at home this can be done on the balcony. The process is quite simple: fill suitable pots with an airy mixture of peat, fine sand and leaf soil. Place some seeds on top and lightly sprinkle with soil. The surface is sprayed with a spray bottle and covered with plastic wrap. In about a month, new shoots will appear from the seeds, which can already be planted in pots or in open ground. It may take about 8–10 months before the first flowers appear on such seedlings.

Growing by cuttings is considered the simplest option - it does not require as much time as propagation using seeds. From the mother flower you need to separate a cutting with a small part of the rhizome and two leaves. Plant the cuttings in a separate container filled with moist soil.

Growing by cuttings

If you decide to use the method of dividing the bush, then remember that their age must be at least 4 years old - otherwise there is a risk of destroying the plant.

The selected plant is divided into 2-3 divisions with several growth points. It is worth trimming the roots a little, removing the flowers, and treating the cuts with charcoal. Plant plants in pots immediately so that the growing point remains above the ground. The same method can be used for .

By properly caring for the plant, you are unlikely to encounter pests or diseases at home. But excessive watering or violation of other recommendations can lead to the appearance of powdery mildew, whiteflies, and spider mites. How should they be dealt with? If your plant is affected by powdery mildew, you should immediately remove the affected leaves and treat the gerbera with phytosporin or another powdery mildew remedy.

Gerbera powdery mildew

And the fight against spider mites can take a longer time. This small insect can even destroy the plant if action is not taken. The first thing to do is to spray the gerbera with water, since spider mites do not like moisture. You can use special chemicals. Some gardeners say that the insect does not like exposure to an ultraviolet lamp - so try turning it on at least once a day for 10-15 minutes.

In order to grow a plant at home without being infected by any insect or disease, you need to select the right soil - you need high-quality soil. The plant should not be planted in soil taken from the street.

Whitefly is another dangerous insect. It multiplies very quickly and can lead to the death of the flower. The first sign of an insect appearance may be blackened leaves of the plant. Any anti-whitefly chemical will help you deal with this pest - carefully read the instructions for use so as not to burn the plant. By the way, exactly the same pests are also found in.

These plants love good light in the room where they grow. The best place is where the natural light is bright but diffused.

Also Gerberas require good ventilation in the room; stale air will prevent them from flowering. In the warm season, you can place them on the balcony or secure them under the window, since fresh air, warmth and good lighting are the key to the beauty and health of these plants. The optimal temperature during gerbera flowering is from 17 to 23 degrees; in cold seasons, the temperature around the flower should be maintained at 11 to 13 degrees.

Important! It is necessary to pay a lot of attention to the regime of watering and spraying gerberas in order to maintain the level of humidity they require in the air and soil, but this point requires more detailed consideration, so we will return to it a little later.

Transfer

In order for a gerbera to grow and develop, its natural rhythm of life must be taken into account. From the end of summer to the end of autumn it goes through a flowering period, from November to February it is in a state of rest, from mid-February until the next flowering, the gerbera grows actively.

You cannot replant a flower during the dormant period, this will disrupt its natural development and accelerate the “tiring” of the flower, that is, the plant can only be cultivated for two years instead of the usual four.

It is best to change the soil and pot in early spring. The soil should be slightly acidic, composition:

leaf soil, 2 parts;
peat, 1 part;
sand, 1 part.

When choosing a pot for replanting, you should not choose one that is much larger than the previous one - it will be more difficult for the gerbera to bloom in a very large space. The size should be increased gradually.

The gerbera pot should provide good air access to the plant. Clay is best.

To make a flower delight you with its beauty, you need to follow a few tips. Below you can read in detail the recommendations for caring for indoor gerbera at home (read about how to care for gerbera growing in pots).

Actions immediately after purchase

You shouldn’t replant the flower right away; it’s better to give it time to get used to the new environment.(how and when ?). The condition of the gerbera will indicate when it will fully adapt and be ready. To make the adaptation process go better, you need to feed the flower with complex fertilizers every three days.

The main requirement of this flower is compliance with the watering regime. Adequate soil moisture is a key element in healthy gerbera growth and flowering.

Main requirements for watering:

The water should be at room temperature or lukewarm. Cold water will only harm the plant. At the same time, you should make sure that the water for irrigation is soft and settled.
It is worth watering over the edge of the pot so as not to touch the root rosette. It is possible to pour water into the pan, but after half an hour be sure to drain the remainder to prevent rotting of the roots.

Don't forget to spray your gerbera. In this case, you only need to wet the leaves, but not the flowers. Particular attention should be paid to this during the heating season, when indoor heating systems dry out the air very much.

What do you need to know when caring for a houseplant?

Other important points in caring for gerbera:

There is no need to trim the flower at home. You can only pick off dead leaves so that they do not slow down the growth of the flower.
Several times a month, especially during the period of active growth in spring and summer, feed with mineral fertilizers with a large amount of nitrogen, but the fertilizer solution should be of low concentration.

Photo

See what an indoor gerbera looks like in the photo when cared for at home:

Possible problems

Flowering does not occur

The reasons why problems with flowering occur can be very different:

Too much light. Despite the fact that these flowers are extremely light-loving, everything should be in moderation - excesses will only hinder the development of the flower.
Rest period. This is not a problem as it is part of the plant's natural life cycle. However, for those who are just starting to get acquainted with growing flowers at home, it may not be clear why the previously bright gerbera has ceased to please with its flowers.
Too much nitrogen in fertilizers. It was stated above that the solution of such fertilizers should be weak, and the reason for such a precaution is potential problems with flowering.
Gerbera may not bloom in too large a pot after transplanting. The plant will direct all its forces into the root system, and there will simply be no vital energy left for the flowers.

Diseases

On a note. The most common gerbera diseases are fungal infections.

Among these are Alternaria, powdery mildew, gray mold, late blight and sclerotinia. Such diseases can be identified by a general deterioration in the condition of the plant, the appearance on the leaves of dry, clearly defined brown spots or a specific coating. You can read how to save an indoor gerbera if its leaves turn yellow.

Common treatments for fungal diseases:

reducing watering;
replacing old wet soil with new dry soil;
treating the plant with fungicides.

Diseases of indoor gerberas are a disaster for the gardener. Read how to recognize and treat them.

Pests

The most common pests that live on gerberas are aphids, spider mites and whiteflies. You can identify them by the rapid wilting of the flower, traces of vital activity on the leaves, and you can also try to find larvae or adults.

General methods of controlling harmful insects:

Hand wash the flower leaves with soapy water.
Treat plants with insecticides.
In the future, provide the flower with sufficient leaf moisture.

Thus, caring for gerbera at home is not something extremely difficult. But you should not neglect it, otherwise not only the beauty of the flowers will be at risk, but also the health of the entire plant. Proper care and disease prevention are the key to a beautiful home garden.

Useful video

From the video you will learn about the rules for growing and caring for gerberas at home:

If you find an error, please highlight a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter.

Gerberas are perennial herbaceous plants from the Asteraceae family. Approximately dozens of species of this flower grow in South Africa, as well as in Madagascar. About five species grow in tropical Asia.
Gerbera is grown all over the world, especially in greenhouses, with subsequent cutting to make beautiful bouquets, in gardens and simply in pots, as a houseplant.

The gerbera flower bears a strong resemblance to the chamomile. The second name for gerbera, which is more often found in English books, is Transvaal chamomile or Transvaal daisy. The colors of the flowers can be varied, but you will never be able to see this flower in blue.

Gerbera in culture

These flowers have become widely known in culture since 1887.
Gerbera is an important commercial plant as its flowers are very popular in Europe and around the world. As of July 2008, gerberas ranked 5th worldwide in terms of units sold among all cut flowers. Of course, roses, carnations, some varieties of chrysanthemums and tulips remained in first place.
Gerberas can be stored in an aquatic environment for up to twenty days.

About a thousand varieties are known, which vary greatly in size and shape of flowers. The color of the reed corollas of the marginal flowers is orange, white, yellow, pink, red; Sometimes there are varieties that have petals of different colors, but within the same plant. There are also differences between varieties in the color of the flower core - some varieties have a black core, which gives a particularly interesting appearance.

Varieties and types of gerbera

Today more than 80 varieties of gerberas are known. Most of them are hybrids bred on the basis Gerbera viridifolia And Gerbera Jameson.
This plant is heat-loving and can grow in open soil only where there is a warm climate. There are varieties that are suitable for growing at home.
The best variety for cultivating gerbera in pots is Festival, having a variety of colors of petals.

The distinctive characteristics of these flowers are short stems and large flowers. Window sills are well suited for these plants, where there is a lot of light, warmth and excellent aeration.
Here is an example of flower varieties that are used in industrial production:

Aldebaran and Alcor are plants with narrow petals with small (8-10 cm) flowers. The stem has a length of 40 - 50cm.
Migar, Vega, Algol, Jupiter are plants with narrow petals with larger inflorescences (10-13 cm), a stem with a length of 60 - 70 cm.
Mars is a variety with medium petals with large flowers (11-13 cm), height about 65 - 70 cm.

Care, watering and soil

Gerbera, home care which has become widespread, has a number of features that must be taken into account. The pot is only breathable and it is best to have the gerbera in a clay pot. Soil - medium to slightly acidic soil is ideal, depending on the variety. The best combination would be 2:1:1 - leaf soil: sand: peat. Spraying - the gerbera flower loves this procedure. It is necessary to spray the stems of the plant at least once a day, without getting on the flowers themselves.

If the air is constantly dry, the plant may die. Watering - moderate watering, but without drying out the soil. The water must be soft and definitely settled. Do not get into the root rosette; water only from the very edge of the pot. You can also water through a tray; after filling the tray, the water needs to be drained after about half an hour.

Features of growing in a pot

If you are wondering how to care for gerberas, then you need to know some points that will contribute to proper cultivation. Lighting and location - the more light a flower gets, the longer it will bloom. It is also necessary to remember about ventilation; the plant loves fresh air, but does not tolerate drafts. In the warm season, try to place the flower on the balcony with open windows, then it will strengthen and become healthier.

Feeding - about four times a month the plant is fed with special complex mineral fertilizers. Neither humus nor compost can be used, they will spoil the roots.
Temperature for keeping at the time of flowering is from 16 to 24 °C. In winter, after flowering and until February, the plant is kept at a temperature of 14C.

Flower propagation

Propagated by seeds, cuttings or dividing the bush. Indoor gerbera, the care of which does not differ in different propagation options, always requires care, since there is a high probability of damaging the root system.
Sowing of seeds is done in the spring, in leafy, turf soil and with the obligatory addition of sand. The seeds are sprinkled with half a centimeter of soil. After about 3-4 leaves appear, the young shoots are docked into separate vessels. From the very sowing of seeds to the beginning of their flowering, up to ten months pass.

If you propagate it by division, it is best to do this at the age of three or four years, leaving two or three growth points on each individual plant. Color occurs after the same period as in the first option. Valuable varieties are usually propagated by division. The fact is that when sowing seeds from a purchased bag, it may turn out that the color in the picture and in reality are completely different, and you need to wait a year.

Diseases and pests

If the leaves begin to turn yellow and fall off, it means that a spider mite has settled on it, and the consequence of this is insufficient moisture in the soil and the air itself. You just need to spray the stems several times a day, but not the flower itself.

In case of excessive use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers and a sharp change in temperature with irrigation with cold water, it is possible to provoke a harmful fungal disease called powdery mildew. To prevent this, you must adhere to the rules of care and do not keep this plant near others, especially roses, which are most susceptible to this disease.

Due to lack of moisture, whiteflies and aphids may appear. But if, on the contrary, the result may be gray or white mold. If the leaves are affected, it is better to simply remove them, then reduce the humidity, and spray the stems with a solution of copper sulfate. Gerberas are beautiful, but also troublesome plants.

How long they last depends only on how strictly you follow all the recommendations. Also, the flower is unlikely to be suitable for those who want to get a flowering plant in a few months. She does not tolerate haste and loves regularity. In pots, the flower lasts quite a long time and will always be a wonderful decoration for any interior.