Description of indoor gerbera varieties, cultivation and care, diseases and pests

Indoor gerberas look like multi-colored daisies. What makes them especially popular is the variety of color shades. Flowers are a stunning home decoration and, with proper care, will delight you with an abundance of colors when blooming. These delicate plants require careful care. Otherwise, immunity decreases and the risk of infection by fungal diseases or pests increases.

Gerbera varieties suitable for home cultivation

Specially bred dwarf varieties supplied from Holland in special containers are suitable for home breeding. Indoor gerberas are characterized by compact sizes, not exceeding 0.3 m in height. The following varieties of gerberas are adapted for cultivation at home:

• Gerdera Happipot - has pink petals with a multi-layer structure, matte color, brown middle surrounded by tiny pink petals.
• Gerbera Parade - flowers have orange and yellow hues, the middle has a similar color.
• Gerbera Ilios - has flowers of different sizes and colors, the color range ranges from soft tones: orange, yellow, light red.
• Gerbera Hummingbird - has inflorescences of bright scarlet, crimson, and yellow colors.

Features of cultivation

An important condition for preventing damage gerbera indoor diseases and pests is compliance with the cultivation characteristics:

• steam the soil for disinfection before replanting;
• control the level of soil acidity;
• monitor the temperature;
• arrange sufficient lighting;
• follow the rules of watering, do not allow excessive humidity or drying out, which will cause the development of diseases.

In addition, gerberas in a pot are rejuvenated every fourth year. An important requirement remains the creation of a cycle for the plant. Flowering time is from August to October. Then the gerbera sleeps for four months. It is necessary to reduce the number and volume of watering and reduce lighting. At the end of winter, the growth phase begins actively. It is important to resume the volume of watering and feed the flower.If you do not follow the cyclical rules, the plant will bloom all year, which will lead to its depletion. Gerbera may die.

What should I do after purchase?

After purchasing from a specialized store, the flower needs to be replanted. To do this, it is important to wait 2-3 weeks. The plant is difficult to adapt to changing climatic conditions. Transplantation is postponed if the gerbera blooms.

Before the transplantation process, you need to choose the right pot. It should exceed the previous one by only 20-30 mm. The pot should not be very deep and wide, otherwise the gerbera will stop blooming and begin to develop the root system. The ideal material for the container is clay.

It is recommended to choose a sunny place. Gerbera does not like drafts; it is not recommended to place it on a window that is used for ventilation. Although the plant is heat-loving, it does not tolerate extreme heat and direct sunlight. In sunny weather, it is not advisable to place the plant on a south-facing window.

Houseplant care

The flower needs careful care, since its absence will cause the gerbera to be affected by diseases and pests..

Temperature and light conditions

The culture does not like temperature changes; if during the day the pot is taken out onto the loggia or balcony, it must be brought in at night. Optimum temperature - from 20 to 25 ^OC. At rest, the required temperature is 12-15 ^OC. When the thermometer drops below 12 ^OThe flower dies.

Regulating lighting promotes high-quality flowering. Although gerberas love light, prolonged exposure to the sun will shorten the flowering period. In summer, the duration of light wakefulness is 10-12 hours. There is an increased growth of the leaf part; by the middle (end) of autumn the first buds will appear.

Watering rules

The natural habitat of the plant is the tropical zone. Accordingly, gerbera prefers humidity in the environment: air and soil. The optimal watering required is twice a week. In winter, if the flower is located next to a heating device, and in summer, the amount of watering increases. The main rule: the soil should not become dry and should not be overly moist..

During the watering process, it is important to ensure that the liquid does not fall on the rosette of leaves. This will cause the development of harmful organisms and molds. For irrigation, use exclusively melted or settled warm water.

Air humidity

If the air is dry (in winter near the battery or in summer), it is necessary to irrigate the plant, but make sure that water does not get on the inflorescence and the base of the leaf blades. It is recommended to place a container with wet pebbles next to the pot. Evaporation will provide sufficient water balance to the flower.

Transplantation, soil and fertilizing

Gerbera is unpretentious and easily tolerates transplantation. This procedure is carried out at the end of winter, when the plant is dormant. The most optimal method is transshipment along with the root ball. You cannot cut the roots.

The soil must be porous, light, and breathable. For the substrate, it is recommended to use peat and perlite in equal parts. The following mixture is also suitable: earth (2 parts), sand and peat (one part each). The acidity of the soil is taken into account - 6 pH. You cannot add compost or rotted organic matter; they will burn the root system.

The plant must be fed throughout the spring and summer. For full growth, it is enough to apply complex fertilizer twice a month.Organic use is not recommended.

Protection from diseases and pests

This flower is susceptible to a variety of diseases, but they are primarily caused by improper care.

If the plant turns yellow and drops its leaves, there is a suspicion of spider mite infestation. These parasites develop in dry soil with insufficient moisture. For preventive purposes, it is recommended to irrigate the leaf blades and stems with non-cold water.

Often gerberas are affected by powdery mildew. The reason is a change in temperature, watering with cold liquid or an excess of fertilizers containing nitrogen.

If brown spots appear on the leaves, this indicates an alternaria infection. Over time they become lighter. If the flower is overly moistened, they become covered with a velvety coating. Yellowing leaves also indicate the presence of the disease. Weak plants with insufficient nutrition are most affected.

Flower propagation

Flower propagation is carried out in several ways, each of which has its own characteristics. Taking this into account, the florist chooses a convenient and optimal method for himself.

Cuttings

The process requires a special temperature regime - 24 ^OC, and high humidity.

Necessary:

• dig up the bush, wash it, cut off the leaf blade;
• plant the rhizome in a greenhouse;
• shoots will grow from the axils, they will become the basis of the cuttings;
• Prepare cuttings from mature sprouts: cut at the root with a knife, plant in loose soil, and lay a 2-centimeter layer of sand and perlite on top.

For successful rooting, it is necessary to keep the container at a temperature of at least 24 ^OC and high humidity. If the cuttings are treated with a growth stimulator, rooting will occur faster.

Planting seeds

To obtain a young plant, seeds are sown. It is recommended to purchase seed material from a specialized store. Planting is done in small containers. Cover the sowing with glass or film. Air humidity must be increased for fast and effective germination. Optimum temperature – 24 ^OC. After the sprouts appear, remove the glass or film.

Dividing the bush

The home breeding method also involves dividing the bush. Recognized as the most convenient. Produced in summer. Necessary:

1. Remove the top layer of soil. Expose the roots and make cuts, dividing the plant into two parts.
2. Sprinkle the cut area with crushed coal.
3. It is necessary to water along the edges of the pot.
4. When new roots appear, carefully remove the flower from the pot, divide it into two parts, and plant it. The plants will bloom next year.

What mistakes to avoid

Sometimes, if the necessary requirements for growing are met, gerberas do not bloom. It’s worth figuring out why indoor gerberas don’t produce flowers. One of the reasons is a large pot. The plant has actively begun to form a root system, which causes the above-ground part to suffer.

Excessive nutrition and non-compliance with temperature conditions stop flowering. Also, gerbera does not bloom, observing the usual cycle. In winter, the plant rests. Don't break your usual routine. Only with careful compliance with the basic care requirements will gerberas delight you with an abundance of flowering.