Gerbera cultivation

Gerbera daisies (Gerbera jamesonii, Gerbera viridifolia or Gerbera hybrida) are a favourite of many people and are commonly grown for their bright and cheerful daisy-like flowers; they are bright, colourful, pretty flowers that make both the garden and any floral arrangement appear vibrant and alive. They originate from South Africa and come in various sizes and colors—red, pink, yellow, salmon, orange and white with flower sizes anywhere from 2 to 5 inches across.There are many gerbera daisy cultivars available to choose from, bred for their color and flower shape (single, double or multiple petals).  

                                                                                      Varieties                                                                                                                 

    Common varieties found are

     Red          : Ruby Red, Sangria

    Yellow      : Doni,Supernova, Mammut,Talasa

     Orange     : Carrera, Goliath,Marasol

    Cream      : Farida, Dalma, Snow Flake, Winter Queen   

     Rose        : Rosalin, Salvadore

     Pink         : Pink Elegance, Marmara, Esmara

Important instructions for Planting Gerbera

By growing from seed or seedlings in spring or early summer. Seeds sown into small seedling containers. Sunlight is necessary for germination. Transfer the seedlings to larger pots or the garden. Acclimatization is necessary, If the seedlings are going into a pot, plant into pots approximately 13 cm/ 5" in diameter. A little compost added at planting will encourage good flower growth. Plant in well-drained soil that has been dug over. Position the gerbera daisy plants in a cool, well ventilated and bright part of the garden. It is also important to have a warm climate; if you are growing them in a colder climate, protect them from cold blasts and frosts.

The flowers will form a few months after sowing; feeding (fertilizing) will encourage bigger flowers Water freely during the warmer and hot months. Water sparingly during winter and cold spells

Maintenance and care

Gerbera daisies are susceptible to fungal diseases, although older varieties less so. Fungal sprays do not generally prevent crown rot, so correct planting and watering is essential for gerbera daisy care.Production of quality flowers requires shade house (50%) or naturally ventilated polyhouse. Day temperature of 22-25°C and night temperature of 12-16°C are ideal. Soil Well drained, rich, light, neutral or slightly alkaline soil with pH range of 5.5 - 7.0.Commercially propagated through division of suckers and tissue culture plants.Soil fumigation withFormaldehyde (100ml in 5l/m2) or Dazomet (30g/m2) is recommended to control soil borne pathogens (Phytophthora, Fusarium and Pythium). Raised beds of 1-2m width and 30cm height are prepared. Growing media consisting of FYM: sand: cocopeat/paddy husk (2:1:1) is ideal.p x p, R X R = 40 x 30 cm or 30 x 30 cm.Drip irrigation is done once in 2 – 3 days @ 3.75 litre/drip/plant for 15 – 20 minutes. Average water requirement is about 500 – 700 ml/day/plant.

Fertilization

Fertilizer	Quantity (g/500m2)
A tank (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
Calcium Nitrate	700
Pottasium Nitrate ( 13:0:46)	400
Fe EDTA / sulphate	20
Mono Ammonium Phosphate (12:61:0)	300
Sulphate of Potash (0:0:50)	700
Magnesium Sulphate	700
Manganese Sulphate	5
Zinc Sulphate	3
Copper Sulphate	3
Molybdenum (Sodium Molybdate)	1
Boron (Borax)	3

  .

Plant protection

Hand weeding is done whenever necessary

Pests

Aphids:to control aphids Apply Imidacloprid 17.8 % SL @ 1 ml/l or Dimethoate 30 EC @ 2 ml/l

Whitefly: to control Spray Imidacloprid 17.8 % SL @ 2 ml/l or Dimethoate 30 EC @ 2 ml/l

Thrips: to control Spray Fipronil @ 2 ml/l or Dimethoate 30EC @ 2 ml/l 

Red spider mite: to control Spray Abamectin 1.9 EC @ 0.4 ml/l or Propargite @ 1 ml/l

Nematode: to control Soil application ofBacillus subtilis (BbV 57)or Pseudomonasfluorescens @ 2.5 kg/ha at the time of planting for the management of root knot nematode.

Diseases:

Flower bud rot: to control Spray copper oxychloride @ 2 g/l

Powdery mildew: to control Spray wettable Sulphur @ 2g/l or Azoxystrobin @ 1g/l

Season of flowering and Harvesting                                                              

When flowers completely open, harvesting is done. Flower stalk is soaked in Sodium hypochloride solution (5-7 ml/lit of water) for 4-5 hours to improve vase life.   

Yield                                                                                                                         

Harvest starts from 3rd month of planting and continued up to two years. Under open condition, 130 -160 flowers / m2 / year and under greenhouse condition, 175 - 200 flowers /m2/ year can be obtained.