When and how many gerberas bloom and why they do not?

The homeland of gerbera is the land of South Africa. Under natural conditions, there are only a few species, but thanks to the efforts of breeders, the variety now numbers hundreds varietal varieties in greenhouses and houses of enthusiastic flower growers.

Of course, the greatest advantage of this plant lies in its flowering, that is what gerbera is so valuable for. To grow a gerbera at home and at the same time get flowering in full splendor, you need to create favorable living conditions for it.

Description

Gerberas are perennial plants that belong to herbaceous asters.. The root system of the flower is quite developed and strong. The foliage is large, reaches 35 cm, is an elongated feather-shaped leaves with veins, pointed at the ends. Forms a rosette type outlet. From the center of the outlet during the flowering period, flower-bearing stems rise, thin and flexible. It happens that peduncles and petioles are abundantly pubescent. On each stalk sits one flower. The length of the peduncle reaches from 30 to 60 cm, and the diameter of the basket from 4 to 15 cm.

When does the process take place and how long does it take?

Flower description

Gerbera flowers in the shape of baskets. In the central part of each basket there are many tiny flowers, which at first glance look like twisted petals.

In fact, these are just small flowers, which suggests that in this case it is not a basket of one flower, but a whole inflorescence, gathered together. The inflorescences are rather heavy, and the stems are thin, therefore, with a lack of moisture or excess heat, they quickly wilt.

Gerberas of a simple type resemble daisies, and terry-flowering gerberas are similar to asters., they are even called - Trasvaal or African daisies. The color of gerberas is the most diverse, red, orange, pink, white, yellow and cream tones are especially popular. Polycolor looks very interesting, when along the length of the petal one color smoothly passes into another.

Features

In the natural environment, gerberas stay in shortened daylight hours, usually its duration is from 12 to 14 hours. Encourages the plant to bloom a decrease in the duration of the light part of the day. After flowering, it begins dormancy, lasting until the beginning of spring. So she is gaining strength for the next period of activity, preparing for the growing season.

With proper care, the gerbera lives safely in this rhythm for up to four years, and then the dynamics begin to decline. This is a signal that requires rejuvenation of the bush by its separation.

You can encourage indoor gerbera to continue flowering, when you create certain conditions, increasing its time to the spring season and even more. That is, in essence, a home gerbera can bloom continuously, but it requires so much power from the plant that in the end it is depleted and most likely will die. The life span of a continuously flowering plant will not exceed two years. Therefore, it is desirable to grow a gerbera in accordance with natural cycles.

ATTENTION: Around February 15, her development time begins, leaves begin to grow, new stems form, the plant begins to accumulate forces in the green mass, which later will be used to create flowers. Vegetation lasts through July inclusive, and in August begins to form peduncles and buds and blooms until late autumn.

The necessary conditions

For gerberas to bloom magnificently - you need to properly care for them:

• Proper watering.
• Favorable temperature conditions.
• Twelve hour daylight hours.
• Full coverage.
• Humid climate.
• Regular top dressing.
• Soil appropriate to the type of plant.
• Timely rejuvenation of the bush.

Read more about caring for home gerberas in pots here, and from this article you will learn how to grow a gerbera from seeds at home.

Why does this not happen at home?

Consider the reasons why an indoor plant does not bloom:

1. Improper care.
2. Inappropriate climate for the plant.
3. Nutrient deficiency.
4. If during the growing season the gerbera has not gained the necessary green mass, then it will give color only by next year.
5. In winter, this may be due to a lack of light. Providing full illumination and heat, you can "persuade the gerbera" to give color all winter, without diving into sleep. As mentioned above, this is fraught with the risk of plant death.
6. In the summer season, gerbera does not bloom or stops flowering due to too long daylight hours and too hot climate. Here the situation can also be adjusted.

How to care?

Shine

The quality of flowering is directly related to the full lighting and long light period. Gerberas love bright lighting. Scattered light is more suitable, but they are not afraid of direct sunlight. For this reason, a flower pot should be placed on the western or eastern windowsills.

Excess light radiation will create obstacles to a generous and timely flowering. To get flowers from gerbera, you need to adjust the length of the day to 12-14 hours.

Fertilizers

Do not use organic fertilizers for gerberas. In December and January they stop fertilizing the gerbera. During the growing season, nitrogen compounds are added so that the plant is stocked with substances necessary for the growth of leaves. When the gerbera blooms, it is fed with potash compounds.

IMPORTANT: General rule of recharge - make weaker solutions than recommended in the fertilizer instructions, about half as much. Overfeeding with nitrogen fertilizer will reduce flowering. Replenishment of magnesium sulfate type is also recommended, and phosphorus compounds at low temperatures.

Pot selection and transplant

The plant loves crowding, but not excessive. Each subsequent pot is taken three centimeters more in diameter. If the vessel is too spacious, then the gerbera, following the natural desire to master the space, will put all its strength into the formation of roots and thus the potential for flowering will be exhausted.

It is necessary to do regular rejuvenation of the plant and updating the waste soil mixture. Blooming gerbera is not transplanted, so as not to knock it off the natural rhythms. A transplant is done after flowering is complete.

Read about how to plant a gerbera in the garden and at home, as well as the rules for caring for it, and from this article you will learn about when and how to transplant a gerbera after purchase.

Watch the gerbera transplant video:

Temperature

She does not tolerate cold weather, although at the same time it is resistant to drafts. Low temperatures can interfere with flowering. The optimum mode of spring and summer is 22-25 degrees, and a decrease beyond the mark of +20 degrees will entail the immersion of the gerbera in a state of rest.

In winter, after flowering, the plant contains it at a temperature of 14 degrees. The minimum temperature is +12 degrees. Gerbera is very vulnerable to temperature changes during flowering., this can cause the formation of flowers to stop and the baskets to open to fade.

The soil

A slightly acidic mixture, closer to the neutral type. A drainage layer of expanded clay, polystyrene or broken red brick is required. Soil involves a combination of turf soil, peat, fine gravel, sand and humus (1: 1: 1: 1: 1/4).

Humidity

As a resident of the tropics, gerbera requires a humid climate. She is completely unsuitable for life in a dry atmosphere. To compensate for the lack of humidity, you can install an evaporator or a bowl of water next to it. A large volume pallet with wet expanded clay is also suitable.

Watering

The soil should be kept moist, but without excess. That is, the top layer may dry out, but the soil under it should remain moist. Overdrying for gerberas is worse than a bay.

TIP: It is imperative to adhere to the system, watering the plant at the same time at approximately equal intervals, adjusting them depending on the time of year, heating, weather conditions. During the growing season, watering is made more restrained.

When watering, do not allow water to fall on foliage and stems, pour it under a wall outlet, directly on the soil. Water is taken only soft and settled at room temperature.

Conclusion

Gerbera as a tropical guest, although it requires special conditions, it cannot be said that they are impracticable. In general, caring for these plants is not so complicated, you just need to reckon with its biological "habits" and then it will colorful and abundantly bloom the entire prescribed time.

Watch the video: How Often Do Gerbera Daisies Bloom? (December 2024).