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Gerbera Daisy

58 Comments on Gerbera Daisy»

1. I have planted around 15 Gerbera Daisy’s for wife to have cut flowers. They are not doing so good. The leaves are light green and kind of yellowish. The petals seem OK when they are first coming out but as they get bigger, the petals become disfigured with missing petals and curled petals, etc. Some of the leaves seem to have a sort of powder on them. I would really appreciate any advice you could give.
   Thanks, Brett

   The powder on the leaves indicates powdery mildew a fungus that they seem to get easily. The disfigured flowers can be caused by cyclamen mites, thrips or to hot or cold temperatures. go to Powdery Mildew for more info.

   Tamara
   I bought a gerbera daisy in a 2 gallon pot. I put it into a terra cotta pot. It gets lots of heat and sun but it is in some shade on my porch. The first day it was out there the flowers drooped down. So I watered it, drowned it. The plant came back to life a few hours later. I have been giving it a pot of water ever morning before work since. By doing this it seems to be keeping the soil moist and the plant standing but am I going to rot the plant? Also I have powder stuff on the leaves. I thought it might have been from the store dusting for bugs, is it that fungus.

   You’re watering is fine. Morning watering is best, that way the plant has time to utilize the moisture throughout the day. Don’t pour water into the center of the plant(crown) that can cause crown rot. Gerbera are susceptible to powdery mildew (fungus).

   Comment by Brett — 6/4/2005 @ 3:09 pm

2. When I plant my Gerbera daisies they wilt and die. So far three of them have croaked

   It is hard to determine what is wrong with your Gerberas. Here are some garden tips for planting them. Gerberas need full sun (except in real hot climates) and excellent drainage. Some will plant them in raised beds for better drainage. Plant them the same depth as they were growing in the pot - no deeper, otherwise it will invite crown rot. The main problem for Gerberas is crown rot which is a result of too much water and/or poor drainage. Water when the plants are almost to the point of wilting and then water thoroughly but do not water directly on the plant. The wilting is usually a crown or root rot problem. I hope some of these pointers will be of some help to you. Good Luck

   Comment by kris — 6/8/2005 @ 1:56 pm

3. How do you deadhead a Gerbera daisy? Do you simply remove only the flower (or what was the flower, actually). Or do you snip the stem at its base? I’ve never planted these before and am totally lost as to how to go about maintaining the flowers so that I have blooms throughout the summer. Thank you in advance!

   Usually, I either pinch/cut off the stem back to the the base of the stem trying not to disturb the leaves inside the crown or cut off the dead flower head.

   Comment by Jeanne — 6/12/2005 @ 1:17 pm

4. My flowers’ petals keep falling off. We have had heavy rain lately. Is this the reason?
   Even with the heavy rain, when we get a day of sun, the flowers wilt. Should I keep watering them?
   Will the flowers continue growing even though the petals fall off? What should I do with that case?
   Thank you!

   With heavy rain, they can get too much water and need to dry slightly between waterings. The petaless flowers will produce a seed head unless you cut it off. Deadheading will encourage more flowers.

   Comment by Jamie — 6/20/2005 @ 3:09 pm

5. I rec’d gerbera when my father passed in Feb. I still have in pot outside and it is doing rather well in leaf production, but has not flowered again. I use a weak solution of fertilizer in non-chlorinated water to water as needed, so why no flowers in 5 months? Will it flower again at all? I am in Austin, TX.

   Gerbera usually bloom for 6 wks or more, they slow down in the summer and long days delay blooming. If the plant is healthy,it may be getting the wrong fertilizer (too much nitrogen) which will produces heavy leaf growth at the expense of flowers. Try using a different fertilizer, formulated for blooming flowers(bloom boost), even african violet food. They also do best in lots of sun, good even moist soil.

   Angie

   I’ve had my Gerbera for a little over a year - when my friend gave it to me last spring it was in flower. The plant continues to thrive, but it hasn’t flowered since. Is there any specific way to encourage flower growth?

   It may need more light, warmer temperature and fertilizer. During the growing season feed it every other week with a water-soluble fertilizer such as Blooms Plus or even an African Violet fertilizer.

   Comment by Linda Peterson — 6/23/2005 @ 9:00 am

6. i live in florida where the soil is very sandy. i love gerber daisys but every time i buy a plant it always dies. if i wanted to plant it outside would i be better off planting in the shade.?. if i put the plant in the sun it wilts. are temps go way up to the 90s. i have read all your comments.however i’m still not sure where i should plant the flowers. if i keep the plant inside does it have to have direct sunlight? we have over hangs all around are house so we get very little sunlight. could i try and keep the plant inside all year round? please help me out. thank you

   It can get confusing. Planting Gerbs this time of the year in the sun is difficult.It’s too hot. Summer shade would be better eg. morning sun to early afternoon. They like night temps 68-70 degrees to establish their roots; bloom best in full sun in the fall, winter and spring but once its summer they slow down. Short days speed flower production and long days(summer) delay blooming. Wait till the cooler temperatures arrive(fall) and then plant your gerbera in full sun for best flower production. Gerbs grow better outdoors

   .

   Comment by lisa — 7/21/2005 @ 8:18 am

7. Was just wondering if I can keep my gerbera daisy in pot if I make sure to re-pot when needed? Or do I HAVE to plant it outside? It’s very special to me, I don’t want to hurt it by out door planting (I’m not so good at it, and our soil sucks)

   You can keep your Gerbera as an indoor plant over the winter and set it outdoors for the summer. It does better outdoors. To keep indoors provide at least 4 hrs. of sun each day. They like a room temperature of 60-75 degrees along with good ventilation. Water when the soil feels dry to the touch and be sure to drain out any excess water. They don’t require much water in the winter. Feed it once a month with a half strength balanced fertilizer.

   Comment by Joy — 8/15/2005 @ 3:46 pm

8. I purchased and African Daisy (white petals with dark blue center) from a greenhouse this spring. We live in Northern Illinois and I would like to know how to winter these plants as I really enjoyed them and would like to have them come back next summer. Do I need to take them in the house and if I do what do I need to do with them in the house to keep them going. I don’t have much of a green thumb but I really want to keep these going. Thanks.

   Try keeping them in a garage with minimal water and some light-don’t let the roots freeze. I did that last year and they did come back.

   Comment by Kathy Adler — 10/24/2005 @ 10:49 am

9. I recently received a bouquet of Gerber Daisies that lasted about 1 day before dying. I do not like the thought of these going to complete waste. I would like to save the seeds and plant them. I’ve heard of drying flowers and saving the seeds. Any tips for me to salvage the seeds and plant?
   Thanks!

   If this is a cut flower bouquet the flowers are picked before they mature enough to develop seeds. If you have a fuzzy center on one of your flowers then there is a slight chance of seeds. You can plant them pointed end down, it takes 15-25 days to germinate. It takes 6 months from germination to blooming.

   Comment by Kris — 12/3/2005 @ 1:30 pm

10. I live in Northeast Florida where we have occasional freezing temperatures at night. Should I repot my Gerber Daisies and keep indoors for the winter or leave them outside(after cutting back)? If I leave them, should I mulch them.

    Gerbera’s should survive the winter in Florida. It is hardy in zone 8 and may survive in zone 7 if planted in a protected site. Cover it with a heavy layer of dry mulch such a straw or salt hay for the winter. They grow deep roots and prefer not to be transplanted.

    Comment by Sue — 1/9/2006 @ 4:41 pm

11. are gerbera flowers edible?

    I have not read and heard of it being edible.

    Comment by nik — 2/9/2006 @ 11:04 pm

12. I live in North Dakota and would like to start Gerbera Daisy from seed. Will they do well in our climate, or are the better suited to be indoors in our zone? (zone 4)

    Treat it like an annual. You can grow it indoors as a potted plant which is short lived or outdoors in a sunny spot (4-6 hrs sun) during the summer. Be sure to bring it in before the frost, it is not hardy in zone 4.

    2006-4-28 John
    I want to start growing Gerbera Daisies from seed. I have some Daisies now, but don’t know how or where or when to obtain the seeds from the flower. Can someone explain this to me? Thanks

    When the flower is finished blooming the center will be fuzzy and the seed will be in there. Use fresh seeds, provide light and temperatures of 70-75. Germination takes 15-30 days. Plant 12 weeks before setting outside.

    2007-5-5
    jill ( jill_elizabethbulkley@yahoo.com
    I live in Pa and I am getting married this Fall 07 I wanted to grow my own Gerbera dasies for my wedding. I bought some seeds off the internet. I have read that they are very hard to grow and require specialization and a steril environment. Also, I have found varying directions on how to care for them(ie keep soil moist between waterings vs let the soil dry between waterings. Please help me!

    Gerbera do need special care when growing from seed. It can take up to 6 months from seed to bloom. You might have better luck growing potted plants. Gerberas should be kept moist (not wet) while they are blooming but allow them to dry out a bit before watering when they are not in bloom. If you want to try growing from seed or check out this site http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1144/

    Comment by Mickie — 3/31/2006 @ 9:00 am

13. My wife purchased a flowering gerbera. It was doing fine and we fertilized it with a liquid solution, approx 8% N. The plant showed an immediate response and now is doing poorly. The petioles have crisped off and the leaves are now wilted and drooping. Some are even crisping off. Could this be a N burn issue or is the plant now requiring more fertilizer???

    There can be several causes for brown edges, excessive fertilization, low humidity, poor light conditions. My guess is that the fertilizer is the culprit. Perhaps the fertilizer was too concentrated. You can leach some of it out by watering and letting the excess drain through the bottom. At this point, it may all have been absorbed by the roots. Be careful not to overwater your plant.

    Comment by Doug — 4/4/2006 @ 3:24 am

14. Is the Gerbera Daisy deer resistant?

    According to the U of C Davis, Gerbera seem to be a “safe bet” for deer resistance and Clemson U. claims Gerbera can be occasionally damaged by deer. It’s not on their top ten choices of their favorite food. To be on the safe side spray them with a deer repelent early on to discourage any grazing.

    Comment by Steve Heiser — 4/7/2006 @ 4:48 am

15. Hi! I bought a bright fuschia Gerbera daisy about 10 weeks back. I moved it from the plastic container it came in (with 6 large drainage holes) to a larger ceramic pot )with 1 small drainage hole) about 5 weeks back. I keep it on the patio of our (close to the ocean, southern california) apartment where it gets bright morning sun. I have fertilized it with a houseplant strength Miracle Gro solution once since I bought it. The leaves look good and there’ve been three new blooms. I remove dead leaves and water it once a week or so. But the new blooms are just a pale version of the original color. How can I get the bright fuschia back?

    Some of reason why the color fades on flowers is not enough sun, temperature & nutrition. Blooming plants are grown under optimal conditions in the greenhouse to get the best looking plant and sometimes that is difficult to duplicate in a home situation. Gerbera respond well to fertilization continue to fertilize every 2-3 weeks during active growth period, it might perk up the color.

    Comment by Nivedita — 4/19/2006 @ 11:22 am

16. I don’t know what kind of animal is doing it but something is eating the heads off of my Gerbera daisies. It isn’t deer because we live in the city. Is there something I can spray on them to discourage this?

    There are some products out there that you can use to spray on your plant to repel “whatever” is eating your daisies. I suspect squirrels or rabbits.
    You can make your own repellant in your kitchen by mixing 1/2 cup finely chopped Jalepenos or Habanero peppers w.1/2 gal of water. Boil 20 min. do not inhale vapors as they can burn, strain, and use as spray. Wear gloves when handling peppers. You can also try ground cayenne peppers. Re-apply once a week or after heavy rain.

    2007-4-15
    KAREN ( kcutrell@charter.net / )
    The leaves on my gerberas are being eaten - I have them in a flower bed - nothing else has holes in the leaves only the daisies! What should I be looking for “pest-wise”

    You may be looking for slugs,since they favor gerbera leaves and especially if you have a moist, mulched bed.

    Comment by Kim Fowler — 4/19/2006 @ 3:12 pm

17. My gerber daisies have a mold” “gray fungus/on the leaves. What is it, and how do I control(KILL) it?

    Gray mold (Botrytis cinerea) usually develops from heavy rainfall, high humidity, excessive watering and/or overhead watering. Poor air ciculation at temperatures 68-76 adds to its survival and allows the infection to spread. Sanitation is the main control as the fungus will winter over on infected dead plant material. Remove any infected plant tissue and bury or burn it. Warm, hot dry weather reduces its growth. Once a plant is infected with a fungus, it is too late to kill it but you can try a fungicide (Dacinol) which might prevent new infections - Follow label direction.

    Comment by Travis Windham — 6/12/2006 @ 10:08 am

18. My daisies have a white, crystal-like substance–like wet sugar–on the stems and leaves, and they have what look like little dark insects on the stems also. This is the first day I’ve noticed, and it appears quite developed. What should I do?

    Its possible that you have scale on the plant. The “wet sugar” is the honeydew that they secrete. Look in Disease and Pest for treatment.

    Comment by eddy — 6/26/2006 @ 5:10 am

19. My pot plant of Gerbera is wilting - but only half of the plant. I have read on your website about drainage and not watering on the crown (didn’t know I shouldn’t do that), also the plant looks a little pot-bound. I want to re-pot it, is that possible? will it survive? What are my other options? It’s stay wilted now for the past 3 days…

    It’s not wise to repot a plant when it is stressed, wait till it recovers. It may have some crown rot problems-not sure if it will survive. Let it dry out a bit and when needed water on the perimeter of the pot, let it drain well.

    2006-11-14 @ 9:11:42 pm
    danielle ( get.nervous@gmail.com
    is there anything you can do for crown rot? i suspect my daisies have it, and i don’t want them to die. help!

    Crown rot is caused by a fungus due to heavy, wet soil and watering the center of the plant. If the center of the plant is mushy, jelly-like, dark or black in color then you have crown rot. It is fatal to the plant. The best control is to be sure your plant is in well drained soil and avoid overhead watering. At this point, water your plants when the soil is barely moist, if infection is slight there is a little chance that they might recover. If not, discard the plant and start with new ones and don’t plant in the same soil.

    Comment by Susan — 8/31/2006 @ 4:17 am

20. I purchased approx. a dozen plants this spring. None have bloomed. They are green and leafy but had not one bloom. I have two questions: 1…should I pot them and bring them indoors this winter and 2. Why wouldn’t they have bloomed this year. I planted them in June..was this too late in the season?
    Thanks

    Your gerberas should have bloomed this season and June isn’t too late to plant. Sometimes they will slow down when the weather gets hot and start to perk up again with cooler temperatures. Perhaps they had to high Nitrogen fertilizer that promoted nice green leaves but no flowers. Try a well balanced fertilizer 15-16-17 once a month or time release Osmocote (14-14-14). African fertilizer is also recommended to encourage blooming. Another factor that affects blooming is not enough sun. If you live in a cold climate, you will need to bring them indoors.

    Comment by Lori — 9/10/2006 @ 9:26 am

21. I live in Iowa and took my Gerbera Daisy inside before it got to cold outside. Now it looks like it is dying. Is there anything I should be doing besides watering and sunlight for it while the daisy is inside for the winter months? When is it ok to put it back outside?

    Unfortunately, its hard to duplicate fresh air and sunlight of the the outdoors. Gerbera do much better outdoors but to keep them indoors provide at least 4 hrs. of sun each day with a room temperature of 60-75 degrees along with good ventilation. Water when the soil feels dry to the touch and be sure to drain out any excess water. They don’t require much water in the winter. Feed it once a month with a half strength balanced fertilizer. It may still perk up. It can go back outside when temperatures are in the 40’s at night.

    Comment by Brandy Simons — 10/10/2006 @ 8:10 am

22. I bought a gerber daisy from a store about a year ago and it did really well. It bloomed every month it seemed, and I even repoted it. Then I noticed that it had spider mites and the tips of the leaves were going brown. So I soaked the plant in mild soap water and repeated that a week later and I have not seen any spider mites since. However, the plant has not gone back to it’s usual health. Sadly I’ve only had one flower since and the leaves are still going brown. I’ve cut back watering now and I can see there’s a lot of new growth in the leaves. Do you think I need to re pot again? Thanks .

    NO, do not repot. It will put your plant into a more stressfull condition inviting more problems. Wait till the spring to repot your plant. Be vigilant for spider mites as they sometimes need repeated treatments.

    Comment by colleen — 10/12/2006 @ 10:43 am

23. Hello! I have a potted gerbera which has been doing really well. It has tons of flower regrowth… Some come, they die, more come, etc. BUT… the flowers are blooming when their stems are less than an inch tall, so they’re completely hidden by the large leaves of the more mature plant. Should I cut back all of the larger leaves? Why would the flowers be blooming so close to the soil? Any advice you could give would be very much appreciated! Thank you!

    Gerberas will speed up flower production in short days. Some of the factors that cause short stems are 1. keeping the plant too dry, by allowing it to dry out to much and too often 2. low humidity -high humidity helps stretch the flower stalk 3. too cold temperature 4. too much soluble salt build up from fertilizer. If the plant has slightly yellow foliage and short flower stalks then it is getting too much light which is rare this time of year. I would not cut the larger leaves.

    Comment by Melissa — 11/27/2006 @ 5:45 am

24. I’ve had my potted gerbera well over a year and it’s been fine until recently. It’s been indoors all its life. The leaves have started to go a reddish brown and then they die. Can you tell me what’s wrong? Should I cut the leaves off? Thanks.

    It’s hard to determine what’s wrong not seeing the plant. With brown leaves you need to see if the plant is too wet or too dry. Too wet may indicate a root rot problem which gerbera are prone to. An extension advisor suggested that the plant’s crown(center) may be too high above the soil line from growing in the same pot for so long causing leaf problems. If that is the case add a bit more soil and repot slightly deeper in fresh soil in the spring . Cut off the brown leaves when they dry up. If there are green leaves in the crown then there is some hope.

    Comment by Lindsay — 1/3/2007 @ 12:10 pm

25. When do you plant Gerber Daisy’s

    You can plant them outdoors when the night temperatures are in the 40’s at night. If planting from seed, plant 12 weeks before setting them outdoors.

    Comment by Pam Hendrix — 1/24/2007 @ 6:47 am

26. We recently purchased a home in the Houston, Texas area. When we purchased the home (February) the landscape had some gerber daisies in it and one was even blooming. Now that the weather has warmed up some more and more are blooming. Do I need to do anything to help them out? Fertilize? I didn’t know they would last through the winter, can I continue to leave them planted in the landscape every winter?

    Gerbera daisy is hardy in zones 8-12 and Houston is in zone 9, therefore they can winterover outdoors. You can fertilize your Gerberas with a well balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) in the spring and again around June 1st. Spread about 1/4 cup of fertilizer around each plant.

    Comment by Jennifer — 3/3/2007 @ 9:01 am

27. I PLANTED GERBER DAISIES(1 WEEK AGO) WHERE THERE IS ALOT OF SUN. I WAS TOLD, FOR THE FIRST WEEK TO WATER WELL, WHICH I DID MORNING AND EVENING. I LIVE IN SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY WHERE THE SOIL SANDY. I NOTICIED MY GERBERS ARE STARTING TO FADE. FROM READING YOUR RESPONCES ABOVE I THINK I HAVE CROWN OR ROOT ROT… MAYBE I NEED AFRICAN VIOLET FERTERLZER? ONE MORE THING I DID PLACE FERT DOWN ON THE SOIL BEFORE PLANTED THE GERBERS. DID I DO SOMETHING WRONG? PLEASE HELP!!

    Fertilizer will not help at this time , the plant is unable to use it. Let the plant dry out a bit and be sure to water away from the center. When you planted, did you mix the fertilizer with the soil or just place the granules in the hole? Was there any contact with the roots and fertilizer? If so, the roots could have fertilizer burn which would cause the leaves to turn brown and appear burnt.

    Comment by REESE — 5/31/2007 @ 9:09 pm

28. The long stems of my Gerbera bent and looked a bit wilted. I slit drinking straws lengthwise and wrapped around the stems. Now they stand up straight and looking beautiful.

    Comment by ALICE SILVESTER — 6/14/2007 @ 6:49 pm

29. Okay, I bought a Gerbera Daisy for my Girlfriend, On the tag it says Bright Light. When I put it in the sun it wilts I put it in the shade and it starts to perk up. I spritz the leaves and around the Flower itself. But I cant Put it in the sun. What else can i do to keep it from Dying on me? Should i plant it some where?

    Excessive heat, too much sun and not enough water will cause wilting. Your plant may wilt because it hasn’t been acclimated to the bright light. It may have been in a lower light condition for a while and needs to slowly get used to brighter light. A morning sun outdoors will work and eventually you can move it to more light. Keep your gerbera in the brightest window indoors during the winter. If you don’t have to bring your gerbera indoors for the winter, plant it in your flower bed and mulch it. Water your plant until the water drains from the bottom and then allow it to dry.

    Comment by Crissy — 9/6/2007 @ 12:24 pm

30. Hello, I have a gerbera daisy plant and was wondering when would be the best time to bring it inside for the winter (what temperature)? Last fall, I think I may have waited too long or else there was an extreme temperature change, because it ended up with powdery mildew (but has since recovered)… How could I avoid this problem this year? (I live in Louisville, KY, and for the past several weeks, it’s been in the mid 80s-low 90s during the day & 70s at night but has recently started getting down into the low 50s at night) Thanks in advance!!!

    I keep my gerbera out as long as possible. They can tolerate temperatures in the 40’s. The temperature changes in the fall of warm dry days and cold humid nights can encourage powdery mildew. Since you had this problem last fall, bring it indoors now and hopefully you will avoid this problem. You can also treat the plant preventatively for powdery mildew.

    Comment by Rachel — 9/13/2007 @ 2:58 am

31. I have a gerbera Daisy growing indoors. When I bought it several months ago, it was in bloom. The flowers died, now, ne leaves grow in, only get so large and start to dry up, get very brittle, turn sort of a grey color. When I cut them off, new healthy looking green sprouts are starting to come up around the crown, but again only grow so large and start to dry up again. Can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong. It gets about 4 hours of sunlight from the window, I’m very careful about watering, but nothing seems to work.
    Thanks for your help.
    Paulette

    One of the problems of indoor winter gardening is the dry, warm air that is condusive to mite infection. Take a magnifying glass and look at the leaves both sides. See if there are any tiny dots moving or an oval clear insect. They are very difficult to detect and you may need a microscope to see them. Broad mite will infect gerbera daisies causing new growth to become stunted and brittle with a “purplish” discoloration. One treatment recommended by hort.uconn.edu is to submerge the plant in hot water (115 degreesF) for 15 min. It can injure some sensitive plants so be cautious. Another treatment is to spray with a safe indoor miticide. Otherwise, you may have to toss the plant and start all over in the spring. The mite can spread to other plants such as african violets.

    Comment by Paulette Guertin — 2/8/2008 @ 12:19 pm

32. My boyfriend brought me home a potted gerbera daisy plant. It looked really good, lots of flowers, several new blooms, lots of big green leaves. I don’t know anything about plants so I found this site and I thought I did everything I read I was supposed to. I lightly misted the leaves alittle, put a few drops of plant food on the soil, watered it (but not directly in the crown), and kept the heat down. Well I woke up today and the whole thing has wilted. The flowers look pretty good, but the stems and leaves look pathetic. What did I do?? Is there any way I can fix it? Oh, also my boyfriend said he thinks the plant is ‘pot bound’, I don’t know what this means, but could it have anything to do with the sudden drastic change in my plant?

    Is it possible that you didn’t water enough or too much? Lift the pot, if it is light and your plant is wilted then it needs more water. Give it a good drink of water and let the bottom of the pot stand in water for 1/2 hr. then drain the water. If the pot is heavy and wet then it was over watered and needs to be allowed to dry out. A plant that is pot bound will use more water and thereby will need to be watered more often. You can repot the plant into a larger pot in the spring.

    Comment by Lucila — 2/28/2008 @ 8:42 pm

33. Hi i bought two gerbera flowers on the 26th Feb for my mum on mothers, day two days later (today) on one of the flowers the petals are starting to fall off but the rest are ok. what am i doin wrong?
    thanks in advance

    It may be that the flower was past its prime and is starting to drop its petals. Early petal drop can be an indicator of transportation/storage damage.

    Comment by carriann — 2/29/2008 @ 7:13 am

34. I started gerberas from seed and had good germination.They are in a hobby greenhouse
    with night temps in the 50s and day temps up to 80.They are not growing very well, having put on only 2 leaves so far. They have been up over a month. What should I be doing for them to promote faster growth? Also will they possibly flower this year?

    Your night temperatures may be too cool and that may be slowing down your growth rate. Recommended night temperatures are 68-72F for the first 3-4 wks followed by 65-68F for the next 2-3 weeks. You can also begin fertilizing the seedlings with a weak dose(1/2 strength) of 15-5-15 or a balanced (10-10-10) and be sure they get enough light . If all goes well they should bloom for you this year. Here is a link for gerbera seed growing that you might find useful.

    Comment by Kathy M. — 3/25/2008 @ 5:54 pm

35. Is gerbera able to live without any direct sunlight?
    I would like to place it in my kitchen, near the window, where there is plenty of bright light but no direct sunlight..
    In other words I would like to grow it as a permanent indoor plant.

    You can grow it as a houseplant for a limited time only. The outdoors sun, air and moisture cannot be easily duplicated indoors. Gerbera need at least 4 hours of direct sun to bloom, so even if you maintain the plant indoors you may not get any flowers and the less than ideal conditions will eventually cause the stressed plant to succumb to disease.

    Comment by kst — 4/8/2008 @ 2:36 pm

36. I just planted 2 beds full of beautiful Gerbera Daisies…the beds are raised and get the sun, and I am careful about how I water. The problem is that in just a day I came out and something has been chomping on the leaves, they leave large holes and sometimes just the veins are left. I checked with several growers and they thought it was slugs or snails…so I put out slug and snail bait but when I put out another bed of 30 plants last night (I sprayed the beds with sevin and put out slug bait) today I found some of the leaves were being eaten again. When I went to spray again, I notices something that looked like a grasshopper but it was very small almost like the size of a large mosquito but it was bright green and flew when I sprayed. Can you tell me if anyone knows what type of insect this could be and how do I keep it from having a party with my beautiful plants?
    Thanks in advance,
    Bren

    The damage you describe couldn’t be done by the “leafhopper". It’s too small right now. My guess is that it’s either slugs and snails or caterpillars which do similar damage. Sometimes they are difficult to detect, for caterpillars check under the leaves and look for webbing. You might not have eliminated all the slugs just yet as they hide during the day and feed at night and are hard to detect. Here’s more info at http://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/lso/Manual/insect-text-only.htm

    Comment by Bren — 4/12/2008 @ 6:51 pm

37. information on woody mimulus, e.g., aurantiacus hybrids?

    Hi
    Mimulus aurantiacus hybrids are also known as sticky monkey flower. It is a native wildflower to California that is tolerant of drought and needs well-drained soil. Grow it in part shade inland and full sun on the coast. The shrubby plant produces buff orange-flowers but the new hybrids range from white, purple, pink and red. Pinch back the new growth on newly planted plants. Sticky monkeyflower provides larval food for checkerspot and buckeye butterflies and nectar for hummingbirds.
    source: calfloranursery.com

    Comment by r5ich persoff — 5/10/2008 @ 10:59 pm

38. I just received 3 beautiful cut Gerbera Daisies from a wedding this weekend. (Pink, yellow, and white). I dipped the ends in rooting hormone and planted them in pots hoping to keep them. I know it may be a stretch.
    Any tips on how to care for these? Also, does tender perennial mean all I have to do is bring the pot inside in the winter? Thanks!
    p.s. I forgot to mention that I’m in Zone 5 (Michigan) if that makes a difference.

    HI
    It is a stretch, they will not root. Keep the cut flowers in cool water away from direct sun. A tender perennial is a plant that will come back in warm climates each year but will die in cold temperatures such as a gerbera daisy. In Michigan, you will have to bringit inside for the winter.

    Comment by maizeemonkey — 5/19/2008 @ 11:43 am

39. I have 2 potted gerber daisy plants. Unfortunately, they have died. Are they gone forever, since the plant is an annual? Would it still be possible to propigate the root ball, even though there is no living leaves?

    Hi Kimberly
    If the rootball is not sending out any leaves then it is also dead. Sorry

    Comment by Kimberly — 5/21/2008 @ 8:22 am

40. I bought two gerbera daisies and potted both together in a ceramic pot. At first both seemed healthy and started to bloom. However latley the leaves seemed to have developed some dark brown patches and seem to be of alighter green shade and also the blooms have begun to wilt. What do you think could be the possible cause ?

    Hi Karen
    Being planted in a ceramic pot, I suspect that it doesn’t drain out the water. Gerbera are susceptible to root rot if allowed to stand in water too long or are being overwatered. Let the water drain out and wait for the plant to dry out before watering again. Don’t pour water into the center of the plant.

    Comment by Kareen — 5/25/2008 @ 10:14 am

41. I’m glad this information about watering & crown rot is all in one place for a change. I have 4 Gerberas that I planted in my garden 5 days ago, 2 are doing well, the other 2 (the largest and the smallest) seem to be suffering. I did water them overhead, so I suspect crown rot. I read another article that said to mix 1tbsp of ordinary household 3% hydrogen peroxide solution per 8oz of water and pour it around the mulch / soil around the crown to treat and prevent this (avoiding contact with the plant as the peroxide will burn foliage). Is this a good measure to take?

    I haven’t tried it but it makes sense, as the hydrogen peroxide will kill the fungus that can cause crown rot. It’s worth a try.

    Comment by Dan — 5/30/2008 @ 11:35 am

42. Hi!
    Thanks for all the great info. I planted 4 gerbers in full sun (not in a raised bed) and they thrived for about 4 weeks. We just returned from vacation (they got watered once a day) and they are all dying. I cut them all back and when fertilizing my knock out roses, I put about 1/4 c on each daisy in hopes to save them. I have been watering from the top, so I wonder if crown rot is the problem. Umm…

    My question…is there anyway to save them? Maybe a specific fertilizer? Or should I simply pull them and try agian next year? I live in Southern Indiana. Oh and I hear different ideas on watering, if they are planted should they not be watered daily?
    HELP!!! Thanks!

    Hi Courtney
    Gerbera’s don’t need to be watered every day. You can overwater a plant by watering to often-one good soaking is better than 3 slight waterings. Let them dry slightly between waterings. Fertilizer will not save a sick plant. The plant is too sick to take up any nutrients. Are the plants sending out new leaves? Is there any sign of hopeful life? My guess is that they have been overwatered and perhaps depending on how they were watered, probably developed crown rot. Look in the center of the plant-if its brown then its crown rot and not much can be done. It’s early in the season-I would get some new plants and learn from my mistakes.

    Comment by Courtney — 6/2/2008 @ 8:21 am

43. Thanks! No more question…could you give all of us gerbera challenged a list of tips for planting gerbers? What do we all need to know and do to make these beautiful flowers florish in the ground? If planting gerbers in landscaping with other plants (day lillies) is there anything specific I need to do? You mentioned a raised bed, but if not possible, would it work simply planting the gerbers higher…root ball above ground right?

    The important thing about growing Gerbera daisies is that they need sandy or well-drained soil. As with many plants, they don’t like wet, soggy soil. If you have clay soil, one that holds moisture and stays wet, then you will need to amend the soil by adding organic material such as peat moss, compost,etc. to improve drainage. If the soil cannot be ammended then a raised bed or container is suggested. When planting, place it in a sunny location that is protected from the hot afternoon sun. Gerbera should be planted with the crowns (center of the plant not the root ball) slightly above the soil level, too low can cause crown rot. When blooming, keep the plants evenly moist, not wet. When plants are not in bloom, wait till plants are almost limp and then water deeply. Water early in the day and avoid overhead watering. During the growing season, feed it every two weeks with a balanced fertilizer.

    Comment by Courtney — 6/2/2008 @ 10:33 am

44. I am having a problem similar to one already asked. the petals of my potted gerbers are being eaten. The response was that it may be slugs, which is what Isuspected but how do I get rid of them?

    If slugs are eating your gerberas click here… Slugs love dark, wet environment, check at the base of the plant and keep the soil drier.

    Comment by Karen — 6/10/2008 @ 8:35 am

45. I was wondering about the shelf life of Gerbera daisies in wedding bouquets. How long can they be out of water before they start wilting?

    Hi Sheri
    Cut Gerbera are very popular as wedding flowers. A cut flower will last 7-10 days in water. If they are fresh and conditioned properly, then they should last through the wedding. When hydrating Gerberas suspend their heads to keep the stems straight, they have a tendency to turn to the light (phototropic). Designers will wire them as a precaution to droopy heads. I would suggest that the bouquets be placed in water during the reception to keep them fresh looking. This site has some hints on conditioning Gerbs. .http://www.floraldesigninstitute.com/page004.06.052.htm

    Comment by Sheri — 6/10/2008 @ 8:15 pm

46. I have a white Gerbera daisy and the flowers are getting a green tinge to them, other than that the plant seems very healthy. Should I pinch the flowers because of this? what should I do?

    Hi Kathy
    If they are newly emerging flowers, that is the natural progression. As the flowers get larger and mature they should get whiter. Some other factor that can affect the lack of color is stress on the flower is temperature, insect attack , soil ph,too wet /too dry and plant nutrition. The plant may need more sun to “color” the flowers. As long as the plant is healthy it would leave the flowers.

    Comment by Kathy — 6/13/2008 @ 10:09 am

47. I have the same short stem problem as Melilssa. However, when I bought the gerbera from Lowe’s (it it a spider gerbera) it already had the short stem problem apparently. I just thought there were lots of blooms coming but they never grow taller than 1/2 inch and most never open up. Is there any hope for these or should I just enjoy the foliage?
    Thanks.

    Hi Avis
    The plants sold at garden center don’t always get the loving care that you would provide at home. The erratic watering -(keeping them too wet or too dry) , too cold temperatures can also cause the short stem problem on gerbera daisy. A light dose of a balanced fertilizer may help as much nutrients as washed out by excessive watering. The problem should correct itself with better care. Let us know.

    Comment by avis — 6/14/2008 @ 11:13 am

48. I have two wonderful daisies and they did AWESOME up until it started getting 100 degrees. I was diligently watering them, but after the hot hot hot weather passed, it looks like they are dying! i brought them inside (where we keep it about 70) and there has been no recovery. there is no powdery substance, but the leaves are wilted, and all curled up! Help! i dont want to have to go buy more plants! any tips? thank yoU!

    HI Pam
    Any blooming plant will wilt with excessive heat. What might have happened is that with the wilting symptom, you kept watering giving it more water than it could absorb as a result the roots were too wet and possibly developed a rot. It’s best to move the plant in a shaded area when the heat kicks in. It may still recover and send out new leaves from the center. Be sure not to water into the center of the plant.

    Comment by pamela — 6/21/2008 @ 2:04 pm

49. I did my window boxes with coral color gerbera daisies. They get the morning sun and the boxes are against the brick of our house. I water them in the morning. They are doing wonderful, tall and full of color. My problem is that I am not seeing new flower sprouts coming up. The green foliage is bright and healthy looking with no signs of fungus, insects, etc. Is there something I can do to get new sprouts or does it just take time? I have about 3-4 flowers with each plant, but when they begin to wilt there will not be new flowers. I am pinching the wilting flowers off at the base of the plant. I am watering from the back of the window boxes. Any suggestions?

    Hi Verr
    When you buy plants remember that they have been growing in optimal conditions and fed on a regular schedule. Now that they’re away from the greenhouse, they most likely have not been fed for a while. Try fertilizing with a bloom boost or African violet food every 2-3 weeks. Follow manufacturers direction. Feeding should give them a boost.
    Gerbera daisies bloom best in full sun in the fall and spring . They tend to slow down in the summer when temperatures get hot . Short days will speed flower production and long days(summer) delay blooming.

    Comment by Verr — 6/22/2008 @ 7:21 am

50. I bought a few Gerber daisies a week ago and have kept them in the green plastic pot they came in. They are placed in the spot where I plan to plant them to make sure they’ll be ok there. One of the Gerberas flowers wilted during the heat wave and the ribs of the leaves are red. Can I still save this plant? How?

    Hi Debbie
    As long as the leaves are healthy and growing, it should be ok. Reddness on the leaves can be a stress indicator. It may be possible that they have a nutrient deficiency which should correct itself when you plant it. After you plant them, give them some shade for a week (umbrella?) and keep them evenly moist (not wet).

    Comment by Debbie — 7/2/2008 @ 8:24 am

51. Greetins. I live in tropical country where temperature all year round is 80.6 -96.8 F and is very humid here. I have tried hunting gerbera all around the city and have seen none. I found some cut gerbera which was transported from hill to the city. i wonder :
    1. can i try to plant the gerbera from putting the stem of the cut flower into the soil?
    2. would it be way too warm and way too humid to plant gerberra in temperature as such? I have heard ppl planting grapes in the same city and they water the grapes with iced-water (literrally water with ice). do i need to do that for my gerbera daisy to compensate for the hot & humid weather?
    Thanks.

    HI Carol
    1. A cut Gerbera flower will not root. The stem does not have the hormones needed to produce leaves and roots.
    2. It is most likely that Gerbera daisy does not grow as well in the city because it is hotter there than in the hills. The ideal temperatures for gerbera is 75F during the day and 60-64F at night. They will tolerate temperatures of 90F but may be slow to start growing. Because it isn’t the ideal growing condition, it sounds like an uphill battle. It’s better to plant Gerbera in the winter season in tropical climates when temperatures a cooler. Plant them in shade to keep them cooler and mulch around the plant but not too close to the crown of the plant to keep the roots cool and moist. The high humidity can also cause powdery mildew problems. I not sure about the iced water method. Try it and let me know how it works.

    Comment by Carol tan — 7/3/2008 @ 10:59 pm

52. 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.
    Thanks

    Hi Sue
    Cut the stem as close to the center as possible without cutting into the crown. Take cuttings early in the am 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. For additional info see cut flower care.

    Comment by Sue — 7/12/2008 @ 11:15 am

53. There are red and black insects all over my Gerbera daisies. I live in Indiana. This is the first time that I’ve ever seen this type of insect. Do you know what they are? When I searched the Internet, I saw a red and black seed bug. The bugs that I’m seeing look like them. However, the website indicated that they are seen in Australia.
    If you know what they are, please let me know the best way to eradicate them from my plants

    Hi Cheryl
    If you have an extension office near by take a specimen in for ID. It may be a harlequin bug which can do some damage on the leaves. You can handpick them off or spray with insecticidal soap. Here’s some info on plant bugs. http://plantdiagnostics.umd.edu/level3.cfm?causeID=395

    Comment by cheryl wood — 7/12/2008 @ 2:52 pm

54. I live in upstate ny. I have some gerbera daisys planted in the ground. How can i get them for winter to protect them so they can come back up next year?

    Hi Mary
    Gerbera daisies will not winter over in the ground in NY. You will have to dig them up and treat them as a houseplant for the winter. If they survive, plant them in the spring after the last frost date.

    Comment by mary — 8/30/2008 @ 7:50 pm

55. I recently had a hill in my yard cleared of African daisies. Round up and fusilaide was used to get rid the the daisies and grass. I now have hundreds of new seeds from the daisys showing up. I was told to cover the area with Oxadiazon to kill the seeds before they open. Is there anything I can do to get rid of them besides using something harmful to humans and pets.

    Hi Nadine
    You can cover the area with some plastic, landscape cloth or newspaper to kill off all the new sprouting seeds. Another way is to hoe or chop the new seedlings as they start to come up. Here’s a method I read in Organic gardening. To solarize your weeds (cook them). Rake your soil, water the area thoroughly and cover it with clear plastic. Stretch tight and seal the edges. The seeds will germinate underneath the plastic but “cook” in the heat that is trapped under the plastic. Leave it on for 3-4 weeks. It should take care of most of the weeds.

    Comment by Nadine Johnson — 9/11/2008 @ 5:24 pm

56. first, i want to say, that this page helps me a lot, and very useful compared to other site, imo.

    i have a gerbera in a pot,when i bought it,it has 3 flowers, and 2 small bud. now the 3 flowers has dead,and then i cut them,one of the bud is blooming right now.
    but its weird,everytime i put them outdoor,the flowers+leaves are wilted,and when i put them indoor whole day,the plant seems happy! is it because the windy weather here there’s only one flower on the plant right now,and its a small one. do you think if i cut/decrease some leaves, it will help the plant to bloom more flowers?
    its the end of summer here anyway.

    Hi Muffin
    Your gerbera wilts because its not used to the drastic light change and the wind can dry up the leaves. It will not produce more flowers if you cut off some of the leaves. The plant will bloom less with less sun or they may be done blooming for the season.

    Comment by muffin — 9/21/2008 @ 12:13 pm

57. I live in London, and i recently bought a light pink Gerbera. I am intending to keep at as indoor plant on a windowsill, (in its plastic pot, inside a bigger white pot) which as its England, can not be very sunny at times.
    I have noticed the tips of the petals have started to go brownish and a few spots are on one of the petals. Is this bad?
    Is it a good idea to instead of watering the soil and risking crown rot, as it isnt a very big pot, to put water in the bigger white pot, and let the Gerbera suck up the water from the holes in the bottom of the plastic pot?
    Also, should i be spraying the leaves? And what would be the best sort of fertilizer?

    Hi Elena
    The browning petal tips can be from aging or spraying water on the flowers. It’s ok to soak the roots from the bottom but make sure that the plant doesn’t sit in the water too long. Once its soaked, take it out and let it drain. Let your gerbera dry out a bit before watering again. Remember in cooler weather and less sunshine- water less as the plant will not be growing as much and will flower less. You don’t need to spray the leaves. If you want to increase the humidity, place the plant on a pebble tray. Feed with a balanced 10-10-10 or 15-16-17 fertilizer at 1/2 strength, once a month. They can be difficult to keep indoors if they don’t get enough sun.

    Comment by Elena — 9/22/2008 @ 11:34 am

58. Thanks for all the good tips about Gerbera Daisy, I have tried to take care of mine and they are giving me grief (big time). I have three Gerbera plants and 2 are doing well, the one thats giving me problem is yellow in color (i hve heard that yellow ones are more sensitive and more difficult). After I bought it from the nursery it was fine, it created 6 blooms and it was great to see, and all of a sudden the flowers started to droop, leaves too, and I gave them Seasol, they were alright with that, the blooms come back standing up again, but a few days later they drooped and did not come back up again! I was worried, so I gave them plenty of water, didn’t help, then I pick all the flowers off and put them into a small wine glass full of water, and now the stems are firm and coming back to life (within minutes literally!) The leaves also drooped, and they look horrible in the pot by themselves, so i thought i’d do the same trick, and the leaves comes back to life nice and firm again! What is wrong my with Gerbera? I tried so hard searching for the answer, it must be water up-take? PLEASE PLEASE HELP!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

    Hi Salley
    It does sound like a water-uptake problem. My guess would be that there is a problem with the root rot. The roots are decaying possibly from overwatering and are unable to translocate water to the plant. Let your plant dry slightly between waterings and avoid watering into the crown of the plant. It may or may not recover.

    Comment by Salley — 10/6/2008 @ 8:07 pm

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