A house plant native of South Africa, gerbera jamesonii is a famous flower across the world and used as home décor. Also known as gerbera daisy, Transvaal daisy, Barberton daisy and gerber daisy, these are perennial plants. Gerbera jamesonii flowers are available in many colours like white, pink, yellow, salmon, red, lavender and orange. The plant is also available in bicolour. The floral disk of the gerbera jamesonii in the centre is usually of yellow, black or in shades of bronze.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Gerbera jamesonii is a species of flowering plant in the genus Gerbera belonging to the basal Mutisieae tribe within the large Asteraceae (or Compositae) family. It is indigenous to South Eastern Africa and commonly known as the Barberton daisy, the Transvaal daisy, and as Barbertonse madeliefie or Rooigousblom in Afrikaans. It was the first species of Gerbera to be the subject of a scientific description, studied by J. D. Hooker in Curtis’s Botanical Magazine in 1889.
The genus was named in honour of German botanist and medical doctor Traugott Gerber (1710 — 1743).
The Gerbera jamesonii was named in honour of Robert Jameson, who collected the plant near Barberton. The species epithet was proposed by the prominent South African botanist Harry Bolus, but first published by Richard Wills Adlam in 1888, so should be ascribed to him.
Gerbera jamesonii is a tufted perennial herb with the naked flowering scapes up to 75 cm high. Petiolate, deeply undulating or lobed leaves are 15–42 (up to 68) cm long and 4–14 cm wide, gathered in rosette. The plant produces spectacular flowers (capitula) of 4–5 cm in diameter with normally orange-red (rarely yellow, orange, white, pink) ray florets. It flowers from September to December, reproduces asexually. The seeds have a pappus of bristles.
The species grows from 500 to 1670 m above sea level on rocky slopes in woodland, usually in some shade or under bushes and trees. The flowers are pollinated by bees and other insects. The seeds are light and easily dispersed by wind.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
The gerbera jamesonii needs a lot of sunlight for its flowers to bloom. It can grow easily as an outdoor plant. However, as a houseplant, the situation is difficult in the absence of sunlight.
Nevertheless, intense sunlight for long is not good for gerbera jamesonii as it may burn its flowers and leaves. Place the gerbera jamesonii plant in the garden, in such a way that it gets proper sunlight. If it is a houseplant, place it near the windows so that it gets plenty of sunlight. Gerbera jamesonii plant should get sunlight daily at least for a few hours.
Temperature and Humidity
Gerbera daisies grow best in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 10, though they will need winter protection in zone 8. In cooler climates, gardeners grow Gerbera daisies as annuals. The flowers prefer a cool (but not cold) winter temperature of about 45 to 50 degrees F. Gerbera daisy plants have no special humidity needs.
Watering
Water should be in perfect proportion for gerbera jamesonii plants as they love humidity. The soil for gardening should not be too dry or too wet. Gerbera jamesonii plants should have moist soil. Once you find the top layer of the soil to be dry, water it immediately. Note, in warm conditions, soil dries faster so water it regularly. In cold places, the soil takes time to dry, so watering should be done accordingly. Do not keep the plant inside houses that remain humid as it can lead to fungus growth in both leaves and flowers.
Soil
Unless your soil is sandy or gritty, don’t plant it in the ground. Gerberas need excellent drainage. If the soil stays soaked for long, the plant will develop crown rot and croak before your eyes. Instead, grow it in a container you can fill with fast-draining potting soil. If there’s a saucer under the pot, empty it as soon as it fills with water.
According to The New Southern Living Garden Book, “Where gerberas are perennial, they can bloom at almost any time of year, unless frost kills them to the ground. In this case, they’ll sprout from underground stems in spring and begin blooming shortly afterward.” That’s as long as the soil is good, i.e. if it’s gritty enough to drain like a colander.
If you do plant your Gerbera daisies in the ground, add lots of organic matter to your sandy soil—an inch or two of compost or peat. Place your Gerberas so that the crown (where the stem and roots meet) is slightly above soil level. When mulching, be careful not to bury the crown. You may need to replant your Gerberas every couple of years to keep the crown above soil level.
Fertilizing
The amount of fertilizer your Gerbera daisies need depends on the quality of your soil. During the spring and summer, fertilize the plants every two weeks with a water-soluble fertilizer that is high in phosphorus and low in nitrogen. For the amount to use, follow product label instructions. Alternatively, spread compost around the plants monthly.
Pruning
Like many flowers that are repeat bloomers, deadheading extends the blooming period. As the blooms wilt or fade and petals are about to fall off the flower head, deadhead or prune the flower stems to the leaves where they emerge.
Trim the dying bud off before it is prompted to go to seed. To keep your Gerbera looking tidy and encourage new leaf growth, pinch or trim shabby or older fading leaves.
Propagation
Gerbera daisies can be propagated from cuttings, divisions, or seeds. Both propagation form cuttings and division are best done in the spring or summer during the most active growth period of the plant. Dividing mature plants helps to keep them vigorous, maintains air circulation around the plant, and promotes flowering.
To propagate from cuttings:
- In the summer when there is plenty of new growth on the plant, take cuttings from the base or the side shoots using sterilized pruners. Have a new pot, fresh potting soil, and rooting hormone (optional) ready.
- Dip the cut end of the cutting in rooting hormone to help the cutting develop a root system faster.
- Plant the cutting in a pot filled with fresh, well-draining potting soil. Keep it out of direct sunlight and water the cutting when the soil surface feels dry to the touch.
- Once you see now growth and the cutting has rooted (gently wiggle the stem to test), move the pot to a location with full to partial sun. Keep it watered. Wait until the cutting has grown into a vigorous little plant before transplanting it into the landscape or a bigger container.
To divide plants:
- In the early spring, just as the new growth starts, dig out the entire plant with all of its roots using a shovel or a spade. Have a sharp knife, a new pot or pots, and fresh potting soil (optional) ready.
- Cut through the roots with the knife or spade, separating the root ball into two or more parts depending on its size.
- Replant each part at the same depth as the original plant, or in new pots with fresh potting soil.
- Water each division thoroughly and keep it watered until it is established.
How to Grow from Seed
To grow Gerbera daisies from seed, start the seeds indoors approximately 12 to 18 weeks before the average last frost date in your region. Sowing seeds in peat or paper pots is a good idea since Gerbera daisies do not like having their roots disturbed by transplanting
- Press the seeds gently onto the top of your soil mixture, rather than burying them beneath it—they need light to germinate.
- Cover your container or pots with plastic wrap or a lid to help keep the soil and the exposed seeds moist. Place the seeds in a warm, sunny spot (a temperature range of 70 to 75 degrees F is best) and wait approximately two to four weeks for germination.
- Transplant your seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and harden them off before planting.
Potting and Repotting
Gerberas should be repotted yearly or every two years in the spring before new growth begins, especially once roots crowd the pot. Select a pot one size larger than the current one with at least one large drainage hole.
Remove the daisy by turning the current pot over in your hand, supporting the root ball. Brush away excess soil, snip browned or diseased roots, and place the root ball atop of bed of about 3 inches of new soil and fill around the sides. The root ball should sit about 1 inch beneath the rim of the new pot. Water until water comes out of the drainage holes.
Overwintering
If you are gardening in USDA zone 8 to 10, cut Gerbera plants back to about 1 inch above soil level before the first expected frost. The plants survive the winter outdoors if protected with mulch up to a depth of 3 to 4 inches. In zones 6 or cooler, dig up your Gerberas after pruning, pot them, and move them to a brightly lit, cool room between 45 and 60 degrees F for the winter.
Pests and Diseases
Gerbera daisies are easy to grow outdoors but susceptible to some pests and fungal diseases.
Common Pests
Aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, and thrips all feast on Gerbera daisy leaves. They’re attracted to stressed plants, so keep your plants in good health and monitor them regularly for signs of trouble.
Small populations are easily blasted off with a strong spray of water. To control larger populations, use insecticidal soap or natural horticultural oils like neem.1
Leafminers may also infest the leaves which will show the telltale sign of tunneling. Remove any damaged leaves.
Powdery Mildew
While unsightly, powdery mildew is mostly an appearance issue and rarely fatal to the plants. It does stress the plant, and severe or repetitive infections weaken it and make it prone to other diseases and insect damage. Use pruners to remove the portions of your plants that have visible powdery mildew on them. If the entire plant is affected, be assured that it will subside as the season changes.
Crown or Root Rot
The fungal culprit for crown or root is Phytophthora cryptogea, which causes stunted growth, affects flower production, and leads to leaf and stem wilt. The plant root appears rotted, brown, or black. If left untreated, the entire plant will die.
Crown or and root rot often affects the plants when their soil is wet. Make sure not to overwater and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. However, do not leave the plant unwatered for so long that they wilt and become drought-stressed.
Botrytis Blight
The fungal spores of Botrytis cinerea cause a velvety coating over infected flowers and leaf tissue. Other signs of gray mold are pock marks or brown spots on the leaf stalk and tan spots on flower petals.
To prevent it, ensure good circulation around the plant during high humidity periods and water the soil, not the flowers and leaves. To treat it, remove all infected parts of the plant. Apply a fungicide formulated to treat botrytis.
Iron Deficiency
Leaf yellowing on lower leaves or the yellowing of plant tissue between the green veins is usually caused by iron deficiency, which may also affect flower production. The deficiency is either caused by insufficient iron in the soil or fertilizer or by a soil pH exceeding 6.2.
Other factors that impede nutrient absorption are temperatures below 68 degrees F, soggy soil, and rotten or damaged roots, Check temperatures, soil moisture, pH levels, and root health to determine the cause. If needed lower the soil pH or add iron chelates to the soil. Avoiding overwatering.
III. Uses and Benefits
Gerbera jamesonii improves air quality, so it is good for your house. It produces oxygen and increases the humidity level in the surrounding. Further, it is also considered to be an auspicious plant according to Feng Shui. The colours of gerbera jamesonii flowers symbolise different aspects. For example, yellow gerbera jamesonii represents health and stability; red gerbera jamesonii means enthusiasm; purple stands for prosperity; and pink represents love.
