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PART
I
Gerbera was first discovered in 1878 in South Africa by botanist R. Jameson. The plant has since proved to be excellent for cultivation, and has become a popular and wide-spread cut flower and pot plant. Nurseries are constantly producing new hybrids and cultivars, and new varieties are being introduced to the market all the time.
BOTANICAL INFORMATION:
Botanical Name: Gerbera
Dutch Name: Gerbera
English Name: African daisy
French Name: Gerbera
German Name: Gerbera
Italian Name: Gerbera
Spanish Name: Margerita africana
DESCRIPTION: These herbaceous plants are found in South Africa. The fuzzy leaves grow in a rosette close to the soil and are lance-shaped, deeply lobed and about 12 inches long. During the summer, these plants bear many orange-scarlet flowers that resemble daisies atop a long stalk. There are many hybrids that come in white, cream, yellow, orange-pink, crimson, purple or violet. These plants are usually grown in greenhouses and are used for cut flowers, but in mild climates, they can be cultivated outdoors.
POTTING: When they are grown in a cool greenhouse, the minimum winter temperature must be 40 degrees. Repotting should be done in April. The compost should consist of equal parts of loam, peat or leaf mold with a liberal amount of sand added. When they've been repotted, be sure to shade and lightly sprits them until they're established, after which no shading is necessary. Throughout the summer, the soil should be kept moist and applications of weak liquid fertilizer should be given once in a while. From November to May, water should be given only when the soil becomes fairly dry.
PROPAGATION: The basal shoots can be detached in April and inserted in sandy soil. Keep them in a box covered with glass until they form roots, they can then be potted in 3-inch pots and later, in the 5-inch pots in which they will bear their flowers. Seeds may also be sown in pots of sandy soil in the spring or early summer. The pots are covered with a pane of glass and when the seedlings are an inch tall they are plucked out and placed in deep pans and subsequently into separate pots.
VARIETIES: G. Jamesonii (This is the main kind that grows 12 in. high and produces orange-scarlet flowers in the summer).
COLORS: Variety of unique. clear and intense colors including reds, pinks, salmon, orange, yellow, and white.
FORM & SIZE: Large. daisy-like flowers on long. wiry flexible stalks. Flower form Varies from fluffy and double to single. Flower diameter runs 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) and stems range from 12-18 inches (30-45 cm).
VASE LIFE: 3 to 8 days. depending on variety and environmental conditions such as temperature. The use of floral preservative can double the lasting quality.
AVAILABILITY: Year-round with greatest supplies in the spring and summer.
STORAGE: Gerbera should not be placed in extended cold storage. Gerbera can only be stored at 35° F (2° C). 90-95% humidity for short periods of time (up to 7 days). After one week. subsequent vase life can be reduced by 40%. Storage in preservative solution is better than storage dry, in water, or in plastic bags. Maintain good ventilation to keep ethylene levels low. Hold gerbera under same conditions.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS:
Temperature - Fewer than 5 days at 45-65 degrees
& more than 5 days at 40-45 degrees F
Location - Interior
Irrigation - Water moderatly with regular interverals.
Grooming - Remove all dead leaves as well as flowers.
Light - Moderate sunlight year around.
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