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GERBERA FROM SEED
I want to start growing Gerbera Daisies from seed. I have some Gerbera daisies in bloom now, but don’t know how or where or when to obtain the seeds from the flower.  Can someone explain this to me?

When the flower is finished blooming and fully matured, the center will become fuzzy and the ripe seeds will be on the end of the thick hairs.  The seeds should be plump, hard and slightly thick in the middle.   To collect seeds,  place the dried  flower head in a paper/plastic bag and shake to loosen the seeds.  F1 hybrid plants will not produce many viable seeds and will revert to the parent plant characteristics.  Gerbera jamesonii is not a hybrid,  seeds can be saved from this plant and should be viable. 

The best time to sow gerbera seeds is in early spring. Plant the seeds 12 weeks before setting outside. Use fresh seeds.   Plant the pointed end down and fluffy top up in pre-moistened well-drained soil(1/2 peat and 1/2 perlite).   Do not cover completely as they need light to germinate.    Enclose the container with plastic to maintain moisture & humidity. Provide light(12 hrs of incandescent light) and bottom heat of 72-78 (22-25C). Germination takes 15-30 days.  When the plants are 1″ tall transplant the seedlings  into well drained potting soil.  It can take up to 6 months from seed to bloom.

The tiny Gerbera seeds are expensive to buy and come in a moisture proof package with a short shelf life. Some say less than a year.  Seeds should be stored in cool temperature away from light.  Once you open the package you need to plant the seeds or they will loose their viablilty very quickly. Any unused seeds can be stored in the frig for a short time.

 

 

 

How do you properly cut Gerbera Daisies for flower arrangements? I do not want to damage or shock the plants I have… All are beautiful at this time and full of flowers.

Cut the stem as close to the center as possible without cutting into the crown. Take cuttings early in the morning and place immediately in tepid water. They have a tendency to turn to the light (phototropic) so when hydrating Gerberas, suspend their heads in a grid wire mesh to keep the stems straight or wrap the stems in damp newspaper and stand them upright in a vase of water for several hours before use.

         How can I propagate hydrangea?  How much of the stem do I cut to replant to make more plants.  

In early spring to early summer, take a 4-6″ softwood cutting from new growth with a least 4 eyes (buds) or 2-3 sets of leaves. Avoid using cuttings with flowers. Remove the foliage from the bottom set of buds and the soft tip  and cut the top leaves in half. This helps reduce moisture loss through the leaves. Dip the cutting in rooting hormone and place it 2″ deep in a soiless mix of perlite and peat moss. Give it a good soaking.

Keep container in a shaded area at an ideal temperature of 70-75 and bottom heat of 59F (15C) to speed up rooting. To maintain or increase moisture/humidity place container in a plastic bag using a stick to make a mini greenhouse. Be sure that it doesn’t get too hot inside as that will cook the plant. Don’t keep it too wet, water when soil looks lighter and top inch is drying out. Your cutting should root in 3-5 weeks. Once rooted, transplant to a larger container and slowly  start to expose it to morning sun. If it becomes leggy, pinch it back to promote a bushier and fuller growth. Spring is the  best time to do propagate hydrangea cuttings so that it will have enough time to develop a strong root system for the winter.

Wait! Instead of throwing out that pineapple top – recycle it.

A great way to continue to enjoy that delicious pineapple you just ate is to grow your own.  It doesn’t take much- just time and  patience. Pineapple plant is one of those “kitchen scrap plants”  that can be started by simply rooting the crown (pineapple top) and planting it in soil.  Not only will you have a decorative plant but you will also produce a sweet edible pineapple that will give you the satisfaction in knowing that you grew it yourself.

There are several ways to propagate a pineapple crowns.

Here is how to get started: 
Use a  pineapple top (crown) with healthy, unbruised leaves. If you haven’t already, cut off the spiky top of the pineapple.   Peel off about a fourth of the lower leaves to expose the stem. You will see small brown bumps that will eventually become the roots (root primordia). Leave the pineapple top in a shaded area on the kitchen counter to dry for several days and then plant it in 6 inch pot with well-drained soil. You can brush rooting hormone on the bottom to speed up rooting (optinal). Firm the soil around the plant to secure it in place and water.  If the environment is dry, enclose the potted plant  inside a plastic bag to increase humidity and speed up rooting.  If kept at 70F (21C) it should root within 2-4 weeks.

                                                                                                                                             
Another method is to let it root in water. It can take 2-4 weeks for roots to grow. After planting keep it moist but not wet and in a sunny, warm(75) and humid place with night temperatures above 65 degrees. It should start new  growth in about 2 months. In dry conditions, mist and keep a bit of water in the center crown. Feed it with a half strength fertilizer twice a month during the summer months.

It can take several years for the plant to be ready to flower and bear fruit. The plant should have at least 25 normal sized leaves to be large enough to flower. If after 18 mos. you don’t see anything happening-place the plant in a plastic bag with two very ripe apples cut in half, this will release ethylene gas which will triggers their blooming stimuli. In 1-2 months you should see a red spiky bud followed by blue flowers in the center of the plant. This process can take 2-3 years but it’s worth a try just to have a novelty bromeliad to enjoy. When pineapple plants are forced to bloom too early the young plant will produce smaller fruit. For larger fruit it’s best to have a minimum of 40 mature leaves 18 inches long.