Comments on: Gerbera Daisy

By: Seth

Seth — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:20:23 +0000

I planted four gerbera daisy plants this past summer and they have bloomed wonderfully through the whole summer and now into the start of fall in ohio. I know there isn’t a chance of wintering, so I was wondering how exactly to transport them to be an indoor plant for the winter so I can replant them in the spring.

Also, since they looked so beautiful, I was thinking of planting some purchased seeds to make a bigger garden next year. Would it be best to start those seeds inside and if so, how and when? Or would it be best to wait until the spring? If so, how and when?
Thanks!

Hi Seth
See http://hortchat.com/info/start-gerbera-from-seed.
Dig up the plant and replace the soil with well-drained potting soil. When repotted, place the plant in shade for a few days so that it can re-coup from transplant shock.
To keep indoors place your gerbera in the brightest window and 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.

By: Calee

Calee — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:02:56 +0000

Gerbera water problem
Hi! I need some serious help. I recently got a beautiful potted gerbera from my boyfriend and I think I’ve KILLED it!! Because I placed the pot into a larger pot, I didn’t notice that it wasn’t draining properly. The flowers wilted, which I thought was normal, so I removed them from the base. It was then that I realized there was standing water in the bottom, so I removed it and drained the plant. To help dry it out, I placed it in the sunlight yesterday afternoon outside. After reading here, though, I think I might’ve made it worse by SHOCKING the poor thing!

Basically, the leaves look like wilted lettuce at this point – still dreen but very wrinkled and limp/drooping. I’m nervous to water it at all at this point. I just want to nurse it back to health – any suggestions?! Thank you!!

Hi Calee
Move your Gerbera daisy to a shaded spot until it starts to send out new growth (either flowers or leaves). It needs time to recover. If you want to check how badly the roots are damaged, pop the plant out of the pot and check roots. You should have some cream colored roots. If they are black and smell then they are rotting. Let the plant dry out (not completely). With improved conditions, it may produce new roots and recover.

By: Ranila

Ranila — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 04:42:09 +0000

Please give me the steps how to get seeds from a gerbera flower.

HI Ranila
See http://hortchat.com/info/start-gerbera-from-seed article.

By: dorothy hagerty

dorothy hagerty — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 19:52:59 +0000

Raising the crown
- rdhagerty@sbcglobal.net – I have 3 gerberas in clay pots on the porch. First time to grow. Have bloomed periodically all summer. Notice they are now really heavy with foliage. I’ve been reading to have the crown above the dirt level. I’m not sure what the crown is. Saw where one person puts a pitchfork under the crown when start to have foliage in the sprinng and raises 2 “. Could I do this to a plant in a pot lush with foliage this time of the year. My husband says he can make something small to work like a pitchfork.

Hi Dorothy
The crown is the center of the plant. This is where the leaves come out. I have never tired raising it, but it does make sense, especially if the crown is sinking.

By: bob

bob — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 03:24:58 +0000

Yes I’m trying to grow more gerbera daisies from the plant i have. Can you tell me where to cut?

Hi Bob
Gerberas grow in a rosette form and therefore are divided by separating the rosettes. Take the plant out of the container or ground and look for smaller clumps of leaves growing in a rosette form. Starting from the outside of the plant, pull one clump from the other making sure that there are good roots attached. Use a fork to separate the clumps. Repot the new clumps immediately and water in well.

By: bob

bob — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:44:32 +0000

How do you take basal cuttings? I’ve been cutting individual leafs at the brown twiggy parts. Is that the correct method?

Are you taking basal cuttings from Gerbera daisies?

By: bob

bob — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:36:28 +0000

Can anyone give me more information on how to take basal cuttings? I’ve been cutting off leaves at the brownish twiggy part and dipping in rooting hormone but i dont know if the plants have taken root. There does not seem to be any new growth. Am i doing it right?

By: Fiona

Fiona — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 21:26:37 +0000

I live in the Washington DC area so I seem to be right on the edge of the annual/perennial zone. I planted about 15 gerbera daisies in my yard this spring and I really want them to make it through the winter. They are doing really well now, despite the fact that I seem to be doing everything wrong! They are in a partially raised, mulched bed surrounding a large maple tree and get sun early in the morning. If needed, I water them with a sprinkler in the evening. I have never fertilized. They all have beautiful foliage and 1/4 to 1/3 have several bright flowers at any given time. How do I keep them alive through the winter? I read to cover them. Do I trim back the leaves first? When should they be covered? I am assuming before the first frost. How deep is ‘heavily’? Any other tricks? Thanks!

Hi Fiona
It is hardy in zone 8 and may survive in zone 7 if planted in a protected site. Cover it with 4″ layer of dry mulch such a straw or salt hay after the foliage dies back.

By: Jagster NY

Jagster NY — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 01:20:08 +0000

This seems to be a great site. I became interested in Gerbers when I discovered all the wonderful colors they come in. They are an amazing flower. Last summer, I planted about 8 flowered gerbers in front of my home here in New York City. I really knew nothing about gardening, but I liked the look of the flowers and thought, “What the heck!.” They bloomed all summer into fall and as winter came, they wilted and browned. I did not prune them, but pretty much left them. In early spring of the following year, while cleaning up the front lawn, I pulled out all the decayed brown leaves. They came out quite easily but I noticed the leaves did not pull out the root. It was only the leaves themselves coming up. A few months later in late spring, I noticed very small green leaves coming up. I didn’t think it was possible in New York, but all the gerbers grew back this summer with a vengence. They are huge and yielding many flowers. I even took some seeds and have now baby gerbers growing in my kitchen in little terracota pots. I plan to hold those baby ones until next summer. I’m just puzzled as to how they survived a winter in NY where we get plenty of snow. Any thoughts you have on this would be appreciated. I’m thinking that since they are in a part of the lawn up against the house, they somehow stayed warm? Is that possible?

Hi
How cool is that! You must have the right conditions to gorw them. Normally, gerberas are not hardy in NY but if they are in a micro-climate (protected area), then it sounds possible. A good snow cover throughout the winter also helps to insulate them and keep them warm.

By: Noni

Noni — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:52:51 +0000

Wow so much information, TY. I live in Alberta Canada zone 3. I have purchased and potted numerous gerbers they are doing great. Can you tell me when to bring them in for the winter,when to put them back out, should I give them a haircut (when and how much), and is it really possible to have different coloured flowers from each plant? I am brand new to Gerbers and any info or sites would be more than welcome, ty.