Beauty in a vase. How to keep a bunch of gerberas as long as possible?

How to choose and buy cut flowers correctly?

Recently, it has become very popular to give gerberas. The bouquet made of gerberas is universal, it will give a great mood to any person who receives it. They somewhat resemble chamomile, they are very cheerful, optimistic flowers. The person who gave you gerberas expresses his sympathy, he is very friendly towards you.
Gerberas can be given to both men and women. It is better for men to give white gerberas, and red ones are suitable for women. But orange flowers can be given to representatives of both sexes. You can buy flowers with delivery in Chelyabinsk in the Rubinia store. You will be offered a large assortment of bouquets with gerberas and more than 300 variants of compositions from other flowers.

When buying flowers, you always want the bouquet to last longer. But for this you need the flowers to be as fresh as possible. Here are the signs of freshness of cut gerberas:

• 
  The stems should be strong, dense and firm, and if you press on the stem of the flower, then nothing should flow out of the cut.

• The stem of fresh flowers itself is of an even green color, without spots and puffiness.
• The cut on the stem is light, without darkening and rot.
• Fresh flowers have smooth, regular petals, flexible but resilient. In relation to the peduncle, they are located at an obtuse angle, do not bend or bend downwards.

When buying gerberas, it is better not to dwell on ready-made bouquets, but to choose flowers separately and carefully examine each of them. Even if the already assembled bouquet looks perfectly fresh, there is no guarantee that 1-2 flowers are not hidden in it, which have already begun or are about to begin to wither.

Also, ready-made bouquets are a great opportunity for the seller to sell flowers with crumpled and broken stems. You need to be especially careful if the bouquet is decorated with many bows, ruffles and other elements of excessive decor. If you really like the already assembled bouquet so much, then it is better to ask the seller to repeat the flower arrangement in your presence from the new flowers you personally selected.

Prevention of diseases of indoor plants

Indoor gerbera

Preventive measures are to increase resistance to negative influences. To strengthen the ability of domestic gerberas to resist pathogenic organisms, several basic rules should be followed:

• control of acidity and the presence of nutrients in the soil;
• compliance with the temperature regime, if violated, it can lead to curling and death of leaves;
• correct lighting;
• regular watering and proper irrigation, which prevents the formation of excess moisture and the development of pathogenic microflora.

Gerbera, which does not receive the necessary nutrients in the proper amount, becomes weak and susceptible to negative environmental factors. Lack of lighting, the absence of the necessary trace elements in the soil inhibits the growth of the plant, leads to the death of its parts, which become food for various parasites. Subject to simple care rules, indoor gerberas fully justify the time spent.Gorgeous flowers with delicate bright petals can create a festive mood and are suitable for decorating any home and apartment.

What is this plant?

Gerbera, or, as it is also called, African chamomile, is a herbaceous plant belonging to the Aster family, which naturally grows in South Africa, Madagascar and in some countries of tropical Asia. This bright and beautiful flower was named after the German botanist Traugott Gerber.

Outwardly, the gerbera resembles a chamomile or daisy, but its flowers are much larger: their diameter is from four to fifteen centimeters.

Attention

: There are several

species of gerberas

, the diameter of the inflorescences of which reaches thirty centimeters.

The type of inflorescences in this plant is a basket, and both simple and semi-double and double. There are a lot of colors, both monochrome and multi-colored, in which one tone passes into another. The most common are red, yellow, orange, white, cream or pink color of gerbera flowers.

What it is?

Gerbera is a flower crop that can grow over several years.... It can be lilac, orange, cream, blue, burgundy. It is characterized by long leaves, pointed at the ends and collected in a rosette. The bases and petioles can be strongly lowered.

Peduncles are often tall, they can reach 70 cm in length, they have no leaves. The flowers are collected in inflorescences-baskets, attracting with their unusually beautiful and bright appearance. The size of the inflorescences is from 4 to 15 cm. In some varieties it can be 30 cm. The marginal flowers are ligulate, they have different colors and lengths. After flowering, they bear fruit, the viability of which can last up to 6 months.

The rules for caring for them are very simple.

Before you put the gerberas in the vase, be sure to cut off all the lower leaves from them. Otherwise, they will quickly rot and spoil the water. In order for a bouquet with gerberas to last especially long, try to keep the direct rays of the sun out of the flowers.

Gerbera care in the photo

It is curious that in terms of sales, gerberas occupy the fifth place in the world among all flowers. In general, cut gerberas are quite persistent flowers. It is quite possible to use them in a bridal bouquet, they will hold out with dignity the whole difficult wedding day.

Like all flowers, gerberas need to trim the stem every day. Harvest at least 1 cm, trying to cut the stem obliquely. After trimming, close the cut with your finger to keep out air. Trapped air can clog the pores and the flower will not be able to drink water. For the same reason, it is better to cut in a basin or under running water.

Also, do not forget to change the water for the gerberas every day, while it is advisable to pour colder water into the vase. It is better to use soft, boiled water, in addition, you can add a little sugar there. The liquid level itself should be low, because the stem of the gerbera is covered with fine hairs that quickly become covered with mucus. Therefore, when changing the water, do not forget to wash not only the vase, but also the flower stems themselves.

Bouquet of gerberas in the photo

One of the most important disadvantages of gerberas is their heavy bloom. If not properly cared for, it can sink quickly. To prevent this from happening, florists often wrap the upper part of the peduncle up to the flower with wire or tape. When buying, pay attention to this fact, it is quite possible that they want to sell you substandard flowers.

In general, these sunny flowers are very pleasant to give, because they always look advantageous against the background of quite familiar roses. Gerberas are joyful, cute, cheerful and radiate optimism with all their appearance.

What should be done to prevent the delicate stems of gerberas from breaking?

Transvaal chamomile is a refined nature and requires delicate handling.Tall vases with a narrow neck are selected for compositions with gerberas. The delicate stems of flowers should not touch the bottom, so as not to damage the vessels, and the tapered top will provide support for flower baskets if the soft stem bends under the weight of large inflorescences. In floristry salons, special cardboard stands are used or flowers are hung on a fishing line, and a plastic tube or spring is put on the stem to support the inflorescences. At home, you can wrap the flower heads with thin wire or cut out clips from cardboard like protective collars for dogs and cats.

Does it grow in water?

Roses placed in water are allowed to root over time, so that they can be easily transplanted into a flower pot or into open ground, where they are more likely to take root easily. But gerbera does not grow in water, and therefore, no matter how long it stands there, it will not be able to start up the roots. Therefore, if you decide to grow this beautiful plant, then it is better to purchase it in a specialized store and not waste time waiting for the roots of a gerbera standing in the water. You can read about how to transplant a plant after purchase here, and how to care for a gerbera in a pot, read here.

Compositions on piaflora - a modern alternative to vases

If you are really too lazy to fool around with fixatives, dressings and antiseptics, daily pruning of stems and spa treatments for flowers, order bouquets in hat boxes or flower baskets, and fan-shaped and oblong compositions - in wooden boxes.

Souvenir packaging was invented not only for beauty, it greatly simplifies the care of flowers. Compositions are collected on piaflora - a fine-pored material that retains water perfectly, providing plants with constant access to moisture. The impregnation material contains all the necessary dressing and antibacterial agents, so you don't need to be smart - you just have to choose the right place for the bouquet.

A wooden box with roses, gerberas and spray chrysanthemums will bring joy and happiness to your home!

Gerbera in a pot

Photo gallery: Gerbera in a pot

Gerbera flowers look great in a bouquet. So, bouquets of gerberas can be presented to both men and women. And with the right handling of cut flowers, you can achieve a long-lasting freshness of the bouquet. But a gerbera can be presented not only in a bouquet. Gerbera in a pot is a wonderful gift for any woman. The Land of Soviets will tell you how to care for a gerbera.

Gerbera is a plant from South Africa and tropical Asia. Thanks to the efforts of breeders, at the moment there are gerberas of various colors: white, yellow, pink, orange and shades of red. Blue gerberas are not yet grown, but breeders are actively working on their breeding.

Indoor gerbera is an unpretentious plant, the care of which will not be difficult for you. But it should be borne in mind that here, too, there are tricks for caring for a gerbera. If you follow some simple rules, your gerbera in a pot will delight you with abundant flowering.

Gerbera grows well at home. The main thing is the temperature of its content and lighting. Gerberas like bright sunlight or diffused lighting. But the temperature regime for the gerbera is more difficult to choose. In summer, the optimum temperature for keeping gerbera in a pot is 16-20 ° C. In winter, the plant is dormant, so it is best kept at a temperature of 12-14 ° C.

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Gerbera: home care

Home gerbera loves moisture very much, so this plant should be watered abundantly, but not excessively. In winter, you should slightly reduce watering. When watering indoor gerberas, make sure that water does not fall on the flower rosettes.It is best to water the plant through a drip tray to avoid possible root rot. It is also worth considering that the gerbera in a pot is very fond of soft water, the temperature of which should be 20 ° C.

In addition to watering, a room gerbera should be sprayed from time to time. It is best to spray the water so that there are no large enough droplets in the air. Also, make sure that droplets do not collect on the leaves of the plant. The flowers of the plant themselves cannot be sprayed.

When caring for a room gerbera, do not forget about feeding the plant. Do not use organic fertilizers, as this plant cannot tolerate them. During the period of abundant flower growth, from April to August, you can feed the plant once every three weeks. During the flowering period, fertilizing should be done more often - once every two weeks. For gerberas, only complex mineral fertilizer is used.

Gerbera: proper home care

It is necessary to talk separately about transplanting gerberas. These flowers do very well in deep, wide-topped pots. Since gerberas in pots are not grown here, but are brought from Holland, it is advisable for the flower to acclimatize. Therefore, immediately after purchase, do not transplant the gerbera into a new pot.

Leave the plant alone for 1-2 weeks, and only after this period you can safely transplant it into a permanent pot. Remember that when transplanting, the root collar of the flower should rise 1-2 cm above the soil level. Place a small layer of drainage on the bottom of the pot. The gerbera should be transplanted with a clod of earth in which it grew in the store.

Potted gerberas: tips on how to care

Gerberas are propagated by dividing the bush, cuttings or seeds. When transplanting a plant, you can divide its bush into several parts, in each of which 2-3 points of growth should be left. Flowers during transplantation will have to be removed, the roots should be cut a little and the sections should be disinfected. For gerbera propagation by cuttings, pieces of rhizomes with 2-3 leaves are cut from the mother plant. The leaves are shortened and the cuttings are planted in pots. For the rooting of cuttings, it is important to maintain a constant air temperature of 20-25 ° C.

Gerbera is not a plant that requires careful maintenance. But violations in watering and humidification of the air can lead to the development of various diseases, such as gray and white rot. Lack of moisture will lead to damage to the plant by spider mites, whiteflies or aphids.

Gerbera indoor: care

When is a transplant required?

Advice! By following the rules and adhering to the plan, you can achieve excellent restoration of the gerbera with minor damage that will not affect growth.

A plant transplant is carried out some time after purchase. in order to place the plant in a suitable pot. It can also be carried out after flowering in order to transplant the gerbera into a larger container.

The transplant is carried out when it is necessary to change the soil - nematodes and other parasites can settle in it, which have a negative effect on the gerbera. New soil and a pot will help solve the problem and restore flowering.

Ideally, gerberas are transplanted in the spring.when she finishes blooming. After the inflorescences fall, the plant goes into hibernation or dormancy. At this time, you need to reduce watering, but at the same time fertilize as often as possible. Complex minerals are best suited for these purposes - they will accelerate recovery and prepare the plant for transplantation. After all, it can be very traumatic for a flower. To avoid this, it is better to carry out top dressing, which will improve the transport of nutrients and strengthen the roots.

How much can they stand?

I want to keep the original bouquet as long as possible. And not only because it is a sign of attention, politeness and love. Fragrant unique flowers decorate the interior, raise energy, improve mood.So that the positive does not leave the room for a long time, you should properly care for the cut flowers and by all means prolong their life.

After the fresh gerberas have endured the waterless period, bringing them home, they should be placed in a container of water at room temperature and allowed to drink freely. In the same place, the ends of the stems should be cut off, not with a pruner, which crushes the stem, but with a sharp knife, obliquely, in order to increase the area for absorption.

While the flowers are drinking life-giving moisture, a vessel should be prepared for them. It is desirable that the vase be tall, but with a narrow neck. This is due to the fact that a rather heavy flower is located on a delicate soft stem. In order for the stem to support the weight of the peduncle, it should not touch the bottom of the vessel. Most often, special cardboard tablets are used for this, which hold the flowers in a suspended state.

Before immersing the flowers, the vase should be thoroughly rinsed, pour settled water into it, you can rain or melt, but always at room temperature. To disinfect the environment, add one tablet of aspirin and activated carbon to the water, or several crystals of citric acid or potassium permanganate.

To nourish cut flowers, you can add special concentrates and nutrients that can be purchased at flower shops. There should be enough water in the vase so that the stems are lowered by 3-4 cm, otherwise decay will begin. Every day, the water must be changed to fresh, not forgetting to add antiseptics and top dressing. Then you need to cut the stems. In a hot room, you need to monitor the level of liquid in the vase and constantly top up it.

If your bouquet has begun to fade, and the curved stem is unable to hold the flower, take water into a deep vessel and immerse the flowers to the very peduncles so that the tips of the stems do not touch the bottom. After a while, the stalk will straighten, and several punctures can be made on it at the top and bottom. After that, the gerberas can be moved into the vase without flooding them to the top with water.

Colorful bouquets are stored up to two weeks in shaded places at room temperature, without heaters and drafts, even though these southern plants came to us from hot African countries.

In the composition, these flowers do not like fluffy fragrant flowers, preferring fresh greens and decorative elements.

Depending on the conditions of storage, transportation and care of already cut flowers, gerberas can stand in a vase from seven to fourteen or more days. Here are the basic requirements for cutting and storing these flowers:

• Gerberas can only be cut after the inflorescence has fully expanded and the pollen has ripened.
• Immediately after cutting, the stems of flowers are dipped for several hours in a small amount of water at room temperature, after which several pieces are placed in cardboard boxes.
• Cut gerberas are stored for no longer than 36 hours at a temperature of 3-5 ° C.

If these conditions were met, and the flowers put in the vase were properly cared for, then the gerberas will stand for a very long time, even longer than two weeks.

detailed instructions

1. If you just bought a gerbera, you need to give it some time to adapt.
2. Then, using the transshipment method, transplant it into a ceramic, breathable pot, which must first be rinsed with boiling water. There should be drainage at the bottom, and the soil should be slightly acidic, consisting of leaves, earth, sand and peat. You can also add a little expanded clay, perlite, pine bark to it. It is better to buy ready-made mixtures - gerbera is very sensitive to various infections.
3. After the plant is transplanted into a new pot, caring for it will be reduced only to timely watering. But there are a number of nuances here:

   
   watering is done often and in small quantities, since the plant should not be flooded or allowed to drought;

4. watering is carried out very carefully - not to the root, but to the pan;
5. the liquid accumulated in the pallet must be drained;
6. the water should be at room temperature, since watering with cold water will lead to the death of the plant;
7. if the air in the room is dry, a good solution would be to spray the gerbera, namely its leaves and stems - the humidity should be at a high level, because this is a special feature that contributes to the good growth of the plant.

Gerbera: home care

Why, right after lighting (read here), I decided to talk about the tricks of the Gerbera bloom? Because the flowering of Gerbera is in direct proportion to the quality and amount of light that it receives. Oddly enough it sounds, but the light-loving Gerbera can stop flowering if there is too much light.

The fact is that for the flowering of Gerbera at home, a strictly defined duration of daylight hours is required - no more than 12 hours, therefore, from the end of August to November, Gerbera blooms very abundantly. In winter, it is advisable to give her a rest, but if you really want to, you can extend the flowering of Gerbera until May with the help of additional lighting.

In a word, if your home Gerbera bloomed, bloomed, but stopped, most likely she entered a period of rest. Watch the flower: if the dormant period lasts more than 3 months, perhaps the reasons are not in the lighting.

Flowering problems can occur if you overfeed the plant with nitrogen fertilizers. Gerbera will not bloom if you transplanted it into a too large pot - it will spend all its energy on building roots, and it will not be up to flowering.

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Temperature.

Indoor Gerbera blooms well at home only when it is warm in the room - 20-24 ° С. She tolerates heat more easily than cold. If in winter it is cool in the room where Gerbera stands (for example, on a glassed-in balcony), it will not bloom and will enter a dormant period. The lowest winter temperature for Gerbera is 12-14 ° C, but only for a short time: do not overuse the plant's hardiness.

Gerbera is a tropical plant: it loves water and requires constant watering. It is dangerous to water Gerbera with cold water, especially in the heat - it can get sick: water it only with warm water (at least 20 ° C). And make sure not to overmoisten the soil, from this the lower leaves of the rosette can rot, which can lead to diseases. In addition, tiny worms - nematodes - grow in constantly moist soil. And it is very difficult to get rid of them.

Frequent temperature changes also lead to a decrease in the resistance of the flower.

Spraying is a mandatory procedure for a home Gerbera, but this should also be done only with warm water.

Gerbera transplant.

If you were presented with a blooming Gerbera, do not rush to transplant it. It is worth waiting for a dormant period, because a transplant during flowering can bring down its biological rhythm. In addition, Gerbera can feel wonderful in a small pot for a long time.

When the time comes for transplanting, prepare a pot that will be 2-3 cm larger than the current one.

The soil needs light, but nutritious. You can take the following mixture: leaf earth - 2 parts, peat - 1 part, sphagnum moss (or sand) - 1 part. But humus or compost Gerbera is contraindicated.

If Gerbera has been growing at home for several years, it has probably already formed several bushes. In the spring, it can be divided and planted in 2-3 pots. Just pay attention to the fact that each separated bush should have 2-3 new growth points.

Dividing the Gerbera bush is the main way of its reproduction. When grafting, the varietal characteristics of the flower may disappear. You can share a three to four year old flower. The new bush takes root for almost six months and blooms 10-11 months after planting.

The most troublesome method of reproduction of Gerberas is by seeds.First you need to grow seedlings. After the appearance of 2-3 true leaves, the seedling dives for the first time. When there are 4-5 leaves, the seedlings are dived a second time into permanent pots.

Fertilizing Gerbera.

Gerbera needs nutrients, but different fertilizers are needed for each period of development. During the period of growing green mass (in summer and from February to April), feed it with complex fertilizers with a high nitrogen content. But there is one caveat: for Gerbera, the solution must be weakly concentrated. Dilute it with water more than indicated on the package.

During flowering, choose a fertilizer with a high potassium content, but again, the concentration in the irrigation solution should not be very high.

In general, the domestic Gerbera is resistant to diseases and pests, but she still gets sick sometimes. The first thing a plant can suffer from is improper watering. If you flood this moisture-loving flower, then (as I already said) the lower leaves of the rosette may begin to rot, the stem and roots will also suffer. In addition, this condition leads to the appearance of viral diseases and rot.

Among fungal diseases, powdery mildew and gray rot are most dangerous for gerberas.

But just like waterlogging, lack of moisture and dry air can lead to the death of a flower: home Gerbera can fade and dry out. In addition, low air humidity can trigger the appearance of spider mites. As a rule, it is possible to get rid of it only with the help of fungicides.

Due to improper watering, domestic Gerbera is sometimes affected by late blight and fusarium. This happens especially often due to waterlogging, when moisture stagnates in the rosette of leaves and in the soil.

Gerberas planted in open ground can suffer from aphids. When you decide to reintroduce the plant into the house, inspect it carefully and treat it with an insecticide just in case.

Provided all recommendations are followed, caring for Gerbera at home is not that difficult, and the amazing bloom of Gerbera will reward you for all your efforts.

Soil and pot

The best solution for a gerbera would be a clay pot, not covered with glaze - such a container is excellent for air permeability and allows the roots to breathe. You can also take a plastic container, but the main condition is that it must breathe.

The soil must necessarily remain nutritious and light. - there should be no humus or compost in it. Two parts of leafy soil should be mixed with peat and part of river sand.

Reference! If you have difficulty creating a suitable soil, you can buy a ready-made one in the store. Just take the right amount and carefully transplant the flower into a new pot.

To make a bouquet of gerberas last longer

The main problem of gerberas is a large basket with a relatively thin and fragile stem. Therefore, when composing a bouquet of these beautiful and bright flowers, you must act extremely carefully so as not to accidentally damage them.

So, what needs to be done to maximize the life of gerberas placed in a vase?

Flower preparation

First you need to prune the leaves and stem, it is especially important to remove the lower leaves that rot while in the water. You should also cut off any dried leaves and shorten the stem. It is best to cut it under water and obliquely.

Why cut underwater? To prevent the cut from oxidizing in air. A sharp knife should be used as a pruning tool, not a pruner, which can squeeze the capillaries, which will cause the flower to receive less water. Subsequently, every two to three days, the cut should be regularly updated.

To prevent gerbera stalks from being nicked due to a too large and heavy basket, you can wrap them with thick paper or special wire for flowers.

Before placing flowers in a vase, it should be washed with a disinfectant.Due to the fact that the gerbera does not absorb water well, its stem must either be pierced from below, or an incision must be made in it vertically.

These flowers should not be placed so that the cuts of the stems reach the bottom of the vase. To do this, use special tablet devices.

Tip: You can also, by wrapping the stems with a bandage or cotton ribbon, fix them with a fishing line on the neck of the vase.

Place for a bouquet

Gerberas do not like heat and bright sunlight. If you put them in an open, brightly lit place or near heating appliances, they will soon droop and begin to wither quickly. But drafts are not good for these flowers either.

It is best to place the bouquet of gerberas in a cool shaded place - there they will be most comfortable. At the same time, make sure that the flowers do not come into contact with anything: if their petals even wrinkle a little or are cut by some object, this will accelerate their withering and spoil the appearance of the bouquet.

Spraying the flowers daily will also prolong their life.

What kind of water?

Water for gerberas must be taken fresh, already separated from chlorine and harmful impurities. Its temperature should be room temperature. For disinfection, you can add an activated charcoal tablet and an aspirin tablet to the water. Instead of the latter, it is also permissible to use a little citric acid.

The water level in the vase should be such that the stems are covered by no more than 5 cm, otherwise they will rot. The water for gerberas must be regularly changed, preventing the appearance of turbidity and sediment in it, and in the hot season or under artificial heating conditions, pour it in between replacements.

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The vase should be selected in such a way that the flowers in the bouquet are not tightly pressed against each other, or even more so, squeezed. At the same time, a too wide neck of a vase can accelerate the wilting of gerberas, since these flowers, due to the presence of a soft and easily bending stem, can wilt due to insufficient support.

Important: If gerberas were brought into the room from frost, they should not be placed in the vase immediately: you need to let the flowers warm up and get used to room temperature.

Chrysanthemum is considered one of the most beautiful flowers. The breeders managed to bring out many original varieties: with large and small flowers, perennial and annual, white, pink, yellow, red ... The number of varieties is in the hundreds, so it is not surprising that chrysanthemum bouquets are very popular.

If you want chrysanthemums to stand for a long time, you need to create comfortable conditions for the bouquet. Florists recommend not cutting the stems of these flowers, but breaking them off, and especially thick ones - slightly split at the end. It is very important to rid the flowers of excess greenery: leaves that fall into the water will definitely rot, so it is better to completely clean the part that ends up in the vase.

To keep chrysanthemums in water for a long time, add aspirin (half a tablet is enough) or a pinch of granulated sugar. A little feeding will benefit the gift.

If your bouquet consists of small-flowered chrysanthemums, pick off the wilted inflorescences in time: they will be replaced by new buds, and you will admire the magnificent sight for several days.

Gerbera pests

Aphid

Sucking parasites small size. They have an elongated, rounded body of brown, green or black color and long, thin legs. Most individuals are inactive, but highly fertile. In a short time, numerous colonies are formed, quickly destroying plants. Gerbera development stops, the ground parts begin to turn yellow and dry, new leaves grow small and deformed. Flowering stops, the leaves curl.

These pests are quite easily destroyed by modern insecticides.

To combat them, Agravertin, Aktara, Aktofit, Vertimek, Intavir, Bankol, Spark Double effect are used.

Shield

Homoptera pests. They have an oval body, completely closed on top by a dense shield of a waxy consistency. Adults are inactive, they stick to the leaf and draw the juices out of it. When attacked by scale insects, the plant becomes covered with convex plaques that are difficult to pick out with your fingers.

In the affected area, necrotic spots are formed. The plant begins ache, wither, cease to bloom and release new leaves.

Contact insecticides are powerless against scabbards covered with a dense shell. Systemic and intestinal agents such as Actellik, Biotlin, Bankol, Aktara, Confidor Extra are used against them.

Whiteflies

Cute little moth-like butterflies. Their wings are covered with a waxy, snow-white coating, similar to starch. The larvae feed on plant sap and leave a sticky discharge, which attract sooty fungus. Butterflies actively carry many viruses. As a result of their activity, deformation of leaves, buds and flowers occurs, the stems stop growing.

To completely get rid of a harmful insect, the plant is treated several times using the following insecticides: Kinmix, Aktara, Admiral, Oberon, Vertimeka.

Spider mite

Microscopic parasites that feed on sap. Themselves invisible to the eye, they leave very characteristic traces - a thin cobweb covering different parts of the gerbera. In addition, small punctate necrosis appears on the leaves, which gradually increase and begin to merge. The leaves dry up and fall off, flowering stops, the stems are bare.

Plant recommended wash with a solution of soap and soda, tear off all damaged leaves and spray with one of the acaricides. Usually they use Sunmight, Actellic, Apollo, Oberon, Nissoran.

Additional tips and warnings

1. 
   Gerbera stems should be shortened as much as possible: the shorter the stem, the longer the flowers will stand in the vase.

2. Due to the fact that the stem of the gerbera is covered with a small "edge" of hairs, mucus easily collects on them. Therefore, when placing flowers in a vase, it is necessary to pay special attention to antibacterial treatment. To do this, you can either place a small silver object (spoon, pendant, ring) in the water, or add a weak solution of potassium permanganate, coniferous extract. You can also put in charcoal and add some boric alcohol or regular ethyl alcohol.
3. In no case should you take tap water for gerberas, as it contains a lot of impurities and chlorine that can be harmful to these flowers. The water should be defended, and its temperature should be room temperature.
4. The water in the vase must be changed daily.
5. Sweetening the water or adding fertilizer, as some florists advise, will be beneficial for gerberas.
6. You can revive a withered bouquet using the following solution: add two teaspoons of ethyl alcohol and two drops of ammonia to four liters of water. And you can also put the flowers that have begun to fade in a bath of water, a few hours after that the gerberas will most likely come to life.

Gerberas are considered quite capricious flowers, however, if done correctly, they will stand in a vase for at least a week or even two. It is not very easy to care for gerberas in a vase, but all the effort is worth it. After all, these flowers are distinguished by such a variety of shapes and colors that they are able to create any mood: from solemn and even pretentious, to light and relaxed.

Like any garden flower, gerbera is extremely susceptible to diseases, pests and other negative factors.Therefore, it is extremely important for a responsible gardener to clearly understand how to care for gerberas in order to maintain their healthy and blooming appearance.

• Decaying root collar is the most common disease affecting this plant. There are several reasons for this disease: it is a fungus in the soil, and stagnant water. It is extremely difficult to deal with disastrous consequences, therefore experienced gardeners recommend prophylaxis in the form of high-quality soil drainage, as well as strict adherence to the irrigation rate. Careful care of the gerbera will allow you to enjoy the luxurious flowers in the flower bed.

Delicate pink gerberas in a bouquet

Healthy bright gerbera flowers

Diseases of room gerbera

A healthy plant that receives adequate moisture, light and the necessary nutrition is rarely subject to characteristic diseases. Lack or overabundance of micronutrients, violation of the irrigation regime, exposure to pests cause room gerbera disease caused by a decrease in protective properties. A weakened plant is unable to fight fungal infections. For home gerbera, the greatest danger is infection with powdery mildew and mold.

Powdery mildew - a disease caused by microscopic fungi... The mycelium of the parasite has a characteristic white color and spreads over the surface of the house plant, forming a kind of plaque, similar to flour. The fungus draws nutrients from the gerbera, interfering with the process of photosynthesis. The main reason for this disease is a violation of the irrigation regime, leading to a decrease in gerbera immunity. In addition, the fungus can develop in conditions of an excess of nitrogen.

Gray and white mold develops in conditions of high humidity and rare ventilation of the room. On the soil and parts of the plant, plaque appears in the form of a crust, gray fluff or white powder. The spores of the parasitic organism move through the air, they can be in the irrigation water. For the prevention of mold damage, periodic disinfection treatment of surfaces with solutions containing insecticides is used.

Gerbera in a dacha flower bed: exquisite luxury of flowering

The constant renewal of the varietal base and the development of new species testifies to the attention to these plants not only on the part of scientists, but also on the part of potential consumers. However, it should be understood that growing and caring for gerberas is a rather complicated process that requires attention.

Growing gerberas in the middle lane is quite problematic, since this plant requires not only heat, but also the sun. Therefore, experts advise planting gerberas in a warm climate, which guarantees a long flowering period. The description of the gerbera flower explains the attention to this plant: bright color, large velvety or semi-velvety flowers become an adornment of the summer cottage. The multi-colored shrubs attract attention and are recognized as stylish garden décor.

Advice! The home gerbera will become an adornment not only for the garden plot, but also for the home: small but neat flowers will delight with their colors the whole summer.

In cold climates, gerberas should be dug up for the winter and kept at a temperature of no more than 7 degrees. This technique will make the gerbera not an annual, but a perennial plant that grows more magnificent and luxurious.

Bright and delicate coral gerberas

Delicate white gerbera with black center

Gerberas planted along the fence look beautiful

Sunny yellow gerberas in the original "pot"

Large pink gerberas with terry centers

Pink gerberas planted in a flower bed

Gerbera flowers can have a wide variety of shades - from light yellow to coral

Gerbera is a wonderful flower for planting in the garden

What does the lifespan depend on?

First of all, on the conditions and time of transportation and storage.

Standards required for a bouquet of fresh and strong gerberas:

Read also How to grow a porcini mushroom at home

Caring for gerberas after purchase is also important. This is the second half of the guaranteed two-week freshness of the flower.

Popular gerbera varieties and their features

All gerberas are traditionally divided into two large groups: with large and small flowers. The difference, as the name implies, consists in the size of the flowers - from 5 to 15 centimeters in diameter. Smaller gerberas look more organic in indoor conditions, while larger specimens are ideal for outdoor use.

All types of gerberas are bred by breeding two varieties - classic green-leaved and Jameson

Fact! White, yellow, orange, red flowers - this is not a complete list of possible shades of gerberas. Neighborhood in one flower bed of several shades can diversify the garden area and make it more cheerful.

For home conditions, the Festival variety is considered an ideal option. It is this gerbera that manifests itself most favorably at home, since it has a spectacular appearance. Short stalks in combination with large and expressive flowers make them the optimal flowers for the windowsill.

Gerbera Festival varieties are ideal for planting in pots on windowsills

Advice! Experts note the individuality that the home gerbera possesses: home care is somewhat different from the street one, therefore, these subtleties should be taken into account when choosing methods and techniques of care.

For garden plots, the preferred variety is Jameson's gerbera. This large, bright plant with a massive stem, spreading leaves and large flowers is considered ideal for the garden. The long flowering period (up to 3 weeks) makes the gerbera flower a welcome guest in summer cottages.

Delicate cream-colored flower

Gerberas can be sown throughout the flowerbed - they will create a bright multi-colored "carpet"

Gerberas go well with other plants in flower beds

Tags: gerbera, cut, care

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Planting a plant

Gerbera / Gerbera indoor

A slightly acidic soil is best for growing home gerberas. A good structure and a sufficient amount of the necessary acids are possessed by leafy soil, which is formed during the decay of fallen leaves. Such soil is not as nutritious as humus, but it is easier for thin and delicate roots to take the necessary nutrients from it. Breathable lumps of leafy earth have good hygroscopicity.

The pot in which it is planned to grow the gerbera should also be breathable, so it is advisable to use clay products.

Gerbera propagation occurs by seeds or vegetatively, through dividing the bush and grafting. Seeds are best planted in the spring in leafy soil with little sand. Planting depth is about 5 mm. Transplanting into separate pots occurs when 3-4 true sheets are formed. Under favorable conditions, it takes about 11 months from sowing to flowering of a home gerbera.

Video "Sowing gerbera seeds"

Signs of improper care and microclimate

Improper care of the home gerbera leads to the all-round oppression of the growing season. In addition, a weakened plant is often attacked by pathogenic fungi and flower pests. The lack of timely correction leads to the irrecoverable death of the specimen. Most often, the plant suffers from damage to the root system or improper lighting.

Symptoms of improper care include:

• Uneven leaf color.
• Yellowness of two or more leaves.
• Lodging of flowers and buds.
• Withering of leaf blades.

How to determine the defeat of the root system

The turgor of gerbera leaves does not always depend on soil moisture. Quite often, sluggish leaves are observed in plants with a moist substrate in a flowerpot. Novice growers make a mistake - they increase the intensity of watering at the sight of sluggish greenery. First you need to make sure that the substrate is really dry.

The lack of elasticity of the leaves against the background of moist soil indicates the presence of problems with the root system. The plant simply does not have access to moisture.

The reason for the twofold situation is:

• infection of the root system with rot;
• inappropriate soil acidity;
• too large flowerpot;
• contaminated soil.

In the soil, moisture should be distributed as follows:

• a small part comes out through the drainage holes;
• the proportion of evaporation depends on the ambient temperature, but it is rarely high;
• most of the water must be consumed by the root system.

The fibrous gerbera root slowly assimilates the soil. The roots are located at the depth of the first third of the flowerpot. Moisture from a deeper layer remains unclaimed and serves as a fertile ground for harmful fungi. In addition, the root system does not grow in breadth, which must be taken into account when choosing a flowerpot.

It is recommended to occasionally moisten the substrate with a barely pink solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) to prevent root rot.

You should also carefully consider the choice of the flowerpot and the composition of the substrate. Too large a flowerpot leads to acidification of the soil and inhibition of vegetation. Gerbera reacts extremely negatively to an excess of peat.

Incorrect planting of the specimen requires emergency intervention:

• The plant is moved to a smaller pot.
• Top up with dry earth to reduce moisture.
• Reduce the intensity of watering and dressing.

Be sure to inspect the roots for rot damage. If necessary, carry out the treatment with one of the fungicides.

How to identify a violation of the lighting mode

Indoor gerbera refers to light-loving plants that cannot tolerate intense sunlight. Signs of a violation of the lighting mode and remedial measures:

Lack of natural light leads to lengthening of the leaves, stretching of the petioles. The effect of "one-sided" vegetation is observed. Leaves grow more actively from the side of the window. The opposite side of the rosette slows down growth and turns yellow. It is necessary to put the flowerpot closer to the light or arrange artificial lighting with a phyto-lamp. A tropical beauty needs 12 hours of daylight.

An excess of sunlight leads to a general suppression of the plant. The rosette becomes discolored, losing its green pigment. It is best to set the pot away from bright light or shade.

How to identify signs of gerbera disease

Damage to a plant by diseases can be both primary and secondary. That is, the flower got into the house already infected, its immunity was not enough and the pathogenic flora developed. Or, improper care has led to malnutrition, decreased immunity and damage by harmful fungi and bacteria.

The primary signs of illness are very similar to the response to stress and inappropriate care:

• the vegetation of the plant stops abruptly;
• decorative signs are lost;
• changes in the color of the leaves appear.

Sometimes pests are added to gerbera disease. Timely treatment with appropriate means will help avoid the loss of a tropical flower.

Reproduction methods

Gerbera is propagated by seeds, dividing a bush or cuttings.

Seeds

Seed packs can be purchased at specialized stores. It should be taken into account that Gerbera retains good germination for only 7–8 months. However, flowers grown from seeds do not always retain the properties of mother plants.Even the shade of the inflorescences may differ from what is indicated on the bag.

1. In late winter - early spring, sow the seeds in a light soil mixture (leaf soil, sand, peat, perlite). Embedding depth - 2-3 mm. The optimum temperature is not lower than 18 ° C.
2. Seedlings should appear in 1-2 weeks.
3. Open the seedlings after the appearance of 2-3 true leaves.
4. After the appearance of 4–5 leaves, young plants should be cut open again and transplanted into separate containers.

It will take about 10 months from sowing seeds to the beginning of flowering gerbera

By dividing the bush

A suitable age for a gerbera bush for dividing is 3-4 years. To reproduce in this way:

1. Divide the bush into parts with 2-3 points of growth.
2. The roots are pruned to 10 cm, processing the cuts with crushed charcoal.
3. The divisions are planted in the substrate, placing the outlet above the ground by 1.5-2 cm.

The divided plant will begin to bloom no earlier than 10 months later.

Each separated plant should have 2-3 growth points

By cuttings

For propagation, a plant older than 1 year with a well-formed rhizome is required.

1. In the spring, when the gerbera starts to grow, they take out the mother bush along with a lump of earth from the pot.
2. The rosette is rinsed and carefully trimmed.
3. The rhizome is planted in a greenhouse in a loose earthy mixture with a temperature of about 23 ° C. Slices should be 5 cm from the ground.
4. After 1–1.5 weeks, young shoots will appear from the axillary buds. They are cut with a sharp knife with part of the root.
5. Cuttings are planted in a loose peat substrate, moistened and covered with a transparent cap.
6. Landings are provided with bottom heating up to 25 ° C.
7. After a month, the rooted cuttings are planted in separate containers.

If cuttings are carried out in March-April, then the new plant will bloom in the second half of the year. With summer breeding, flowering will occur only in the next season.

a brief description of

Only two varieties became the progenitors of decorative gerberas: Greenleaf and Jameson. The Jameson dwarf gerbera (Gerbera Jamesonii) has become an indoor culture and is often sold as bouquets in flower shops. Its height is 60 cm, the leaves reach a length of 15 centimeters. In August, buds bloom with red, orange, white and yellow petals.

With a variety of colors, the Mini Gerbera reaches a height of up to 30 cm, so it is convenient to breed it to decorate homes and offices. The Festival variety has short stems and large flowers.

The pet Zelenolistnaya has narrow leaves, and the inflorescences are pale pink. In greenhouses or open ground in areas with a warm climate, Wright's gerbera thrives.

Usually, an adult and well-formed plant develops roots on the rhizome, which penetrate deeply into the soil. Its leaves are basal, leathery and deeply divided. On each straight and bare peduncle, 25-30 cm high, there is a bud that blooms with snow-white, white-pink, orange, yellow, red and other colors of double or simple petals. The diameter of the blossoming flower is 5-6 cm. Thanks to the efforts of breeders, there are now 70 varieties of crops with a varied palette of colors.

The most popular is the compact indoor gerbera:

Sweet caroline - with bright orange petals and the presence of yellowish tips and a lemon center;

Sweet surprise - with light crimson petals and a green center with a yellow halo;

Sweet honey - with pale yellow petals and a snow-white center;

Sophie - with fuchsia petals, the flower has a yellow-white center and long stamens;

Rachel - with petals of a bright red tone, with a center of light green color and long stamens;

Valerie - with petals painted with a white-pink tone on the outside, lilac on the inside, and a two-color yellow-brown center;

Catherine - with white petals, which have a needle-like shape, and a yellow center.

Pam - with a dark brown center and the presence of a beige halo and bright pink petals.

Care errors and their elimination

Possible problems when growing gerbera and how to fix them:

How to propagate by seeds

Reproduction of room Gerbera by seeds occurs in the spring. You can buy them at any flower shop, but when buying, you need to look at the expiration date, since the seeds are capable of sprouting if they are not more than 8 months old. For planting seeds, you need to take high-moor peat, leafy soil and sand. The seeds need to be buried 5 mm in the ground, filling them first with sand, then with peat and finally with earth. The flower will rise in a week.

Growing room gerbera

You can admire a blooming gerbera for as long as possible if you know a few secrets of success:

• the flower loves the sun's rays, which prolongs flowering and improves the quality of flowers,
• the optimal temperature for growing gerbera is 19-23 degrees,
• drying stalks cannot be cut off in order to avoid rotting, it is better to gently break them out,
• avoid excessive moisture.

The necessary conditions

The plant blooms only with competent content, which suggests:

• a sufficient amount of light and heat;
• twelve hour daylight hours;
• correct watering;
• sufficient air humidity;
• suitable substrate;
• timely full dressing;
• regular rejuvenation of the bush;
• absence of diseases and pests.

Only when all conditions are suitable for the plant will it bloom on your windowsill.

Typical diseases and pests

Indoor gerbera is a fairly resistant crop to the defeat of various pests and diseases. The main reason for the appearance of fungal spores is excessive watering of the soil and stagnation of liquid in the substrate. The main danger for gerbera is powdery mildew, fusarium, late blight and gray mold.

At the initial stage, it is necessary to immediately cleanse the plant from damaged areas. The humidity level should be reduced. Air circulation can be increased by airing three times a day. Copper sulfate must be sprayed onto the plant.

As preventive measures, you need:

1. Carefully adhere to the rules of plant care.
2. Provide drainage in the container.
3. Stop feeding with nitrogen components.
4. Regularly monitor the moisture level of the substrate and environment.
5. Process the flower with Fitosporin once every two months.

Dry air (below 45%) promotes the appearance of aphids, spider mites, whiteflies and thrips. It is necessary to isolate the flowerpot and treat the culture with an insecticide. For a room gerbera, it is advisable to purchase Fitoverm.

It is necessary to regularly inspect the culture. In the early stages of defeat, saving a gerbera is much easier. The soil and container should be thoroughly disinfected before planting.

Cucumber mosaic

In the event that gerbera leaves begin to become covered with incomprehensible specks and veins, the presence of which is completely unusual for such a plant, this indicates such a viral disease as cucumber mosaic. At the same time, after a while, the leaves can even noticeably change shape, becoming ugly and deformed.

Most often, this virus is carried to the flower by insects, which can fly into the room in the warm season through open windows and doors. The chance of developing this disease also increases if there are plants of the Pumpkin family next to the gerbera.

This disease is not so dangerous, since it does not affect the root system. In this case, the virus does not even persist in the substrate. For treatment, you just need to treat the room gerbera 2 times with an insecticide, and then, when the flower starts to develop normally again, wash it under a warm shower.

Major diseases

There are a number of diseases that can destroy indoor Gerbera:

• spider mite: one of the most dangerous diseases for Gerbera, the vigorous activity of this pest, which may appear due to a lack of moisture in the room, leads to the death of the plant literally in a matter of days. It is very simple to understand that a flower has undergone a disease: yellowing and falling leaves symbolize this;
• powdery mildew: another common disease that develops due to sudden changes in temperature, especially when watering the plant with cold running water;
• white or gray mold: arises from an excess of moisture.

All pests that bring diseases to the plant must be dealt with immediately, upon detection of the first flower lesions.

Care after flowering gerbera

It does not need pruning. Such manipulation is carried out only during the reproduction of the plant.

After flowering, it is advisable to smoothly transfer the plant to a dormant state. Reduce the temperature gently so that it does not get sick from a sharp drop.

What has faded should not be cut off, but broken out, and then removed from the pot. Rotting parts can infect healthy stems and leaves of a flower, so do not store them in a pot.

Gerbera is a plant that requires rest

Many people believe that the plant does not suffer too much if it constantly blooms. In fact, it is very difficult for him to be constantly active.

Be sure to give your gerbera periods of calm. This will give her a chance to live longer and reproduce successfully.

Features of seasonal care

To ensure proper care of a gerbera, you need to consider its life cycles at different times of the year. Flowering usually occurs from summer to late fall. In the period from November to the end of February, the plant needs rest in order to gain strength for a new flowering. It can be placed on southern windows at a temperature of about +14 degrees. From the beginning of spring, gerbera begins to grow actively (growing season). At this time, it is necessary to increase the regularity of watering, introduce top dressing. For a comfortable life, the temperature is maintained at + 20-24 degrees.

Photo

Next, you can see a photo of a blooming Gerbera:

Bloom

It blooms only when the length of daylight hours is twelve hours. The beginning of this period is August.

Usually gerbera blooms from August to early November, as daylight hours are gradually getting shorter. The rest period for the rest of the time is important. During this period, the gerbera recovers its strength, preparing for a new flowering period. This cyclicality is observed for three to four years. When the gerbera is mature, it is difficult for it to bloom every year. It is necessary to divide the bush so that the plant is young.

In a normal home setting, a gerbera will bloom for the same amount of time. If it is possible to create a suitable artificial lighting and provide all the required conditions, the process can be extended. It is advisable to increase the period to a maximum until spring, and then allow the gerbera to rest.

Prevention

It is necessary to regularly spray the leaves with clean running water, maintain a sufficient level of humidity in the air and soil, but avoid excess moisture. An effective solution would be spraying with chamomile and sage infusions, burdock roots. This will keep the plant healthy and keep some parasites away.

Also we must not forget that indoor flowers need vitaminsjust like people. Sometimes it is important to “feed” your gerberas so that they do not have a deficiency of vital substances.

Diseases in room gerbera can be easily avoided if you carefully follow the rules of care and take preventive measures. However, if infection with a virus, fungus or parasites does occur, then you should not despair: if you carry out competent treatment, your favorite flower can always be saved.

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