How to grow and care for gerbera
Gerberas produce bright, colourful flowers on long stems during the warmer months of the year. Gerbera daisies grow in most Australian climates, except the very coldest - where you could try growing them as indoor plant instead.
Grow gerberas from potted plants or seeds planted out after the risk of frost has passed. They love a full sun spot in a free draining soil or plant in raised beds or containers if needed.
Top 5 steps to growing gerbera
- Choose a full sun spot in a free draining soil.
- Gerbera can be grown from gerbera seeds or potted plants easily during the warmest months of the year.
- Gerbera hate wet feet, waterlogged soil or potting mix will quickly cause them to rot.
- Fertilise with Scotts Osmocote® Controlled Release Fertiliser: Roses, Gardenias, Azaleas & Camellias in spring and again in summer
- Harvest gerbera flowers regularly to encourage new blooms and remove any dead flowers throughout the season.
Shopping List
- Gerbera potted plants or seeds
- Scotts Osmocote® Controlled Release Fertiliser: Roses, Gardenias, Azaleas & Camellias
- Scotts Osmocote® Compost Premium Soil Improver
- Garden shovel
- Mulch
- If growing in pots, you’ll need Scotts Osmocote® Rose, Gardenia, Azalea & Camellia Mix + Scotts Osmocote® Controlled Release Fertiliser: Roses, Gardenias, Azaleas & Camellias for Pots, Planters and a suitable pot or container
- If sowing from seeds, you’ll need Scotts Osmocote Seed & Cutting Potting Mix
- Defender Slug & Snail Pellets
Preparation
Gerbera prefer a full sun spot in a well drained soil - a waterlogged or soggy soil can quickly cause them to rot from the centre of the plant. If your soil is easily waterlogged or you get a lot of rain during summer, consider planting them in containers or raised beds to improve drainage.
Prepare the site for planting gerbera by mixing a little Scotts Osmocote® Compost Premium Soil Improver through the original soil - using a garden shovel to turn it through the top 10cm.
Planting gerbera in the garden
Gently remove the gerbera from the nursery pot and tease the roots lightly if they are compact.
Plant your gerbera into the prepared soil and backfill around the root ball. Water in well and mulch to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
How to grow gerbera from seed
Gerberas can be grown from seeds sown into punnets filled with Scotts Osmocote Seed & Cutting Potting Mix. Lightly sprinkle the gerbera seeds onto the surface of the potting mix and press them into the mix. Gerbera seeds need light to germinate, so don’t cover them with soil.
While the seeds germinate keep the punnets in a warm, protected spot and make sure the soil remains moist, but not soggy.
Transplant your gerbera seedlings once they’re about 10cm tall into their final position in your garden or pots.
Planting gerbera in pots
Gerbera can be grown in small to medium pots or planters (at least 20cm wide and deep) with good drainage.
Fill your pot or planter with Scotts Osmocote® Rose, Gardenia, Azalea & Camellia Mix. Gently remove the gerbera from the nursery pot and tease the roots lightly if they are compact. Allow 30-40cm between gerbera plants (small pots may only fit a single plant). into the potting mix and backfill around the plant. Water in well and top the soil with mulch to retain moisture.
How to care for gerbera plant
Fertilise gerberas with an application of Scotts Osmocote® Controlled Release Fertiliser: Roses, Gardenias, Azaleas & Camellias in spring and again at the end of summer.
Deadhead gerberas throughout the flowering season to encourage more flowers and to keep the plants tidy.
Pests & Diseases
Frosts are likely to kill gerberas over winter, if you get heavy or regular frosts consider growing them in pots so they can be moved into a protected area over winter.
Avoid watering over gerberas leaves as this can encourage fungal diseases - water around the plants or use drip irrigation under the mulch.
Slugs and Snails can cause significant damage to young gerbera seedlings. Protect young plants by setting beer traps (saucers filled with beer) amongst seedlings or use Defender Slug & Snail Pellets.
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