The birthplace of gerberas is South America. To date, breeders have bred about 80 species of this plant. Gerbera flowers are very similar to daisies. However, depending on the variety, they can have the most diverse color and size of the buds. The plant feels great both in open ground and in a regular flowerpot. In this article, you will learn how to care for gerberas at home. It is enough to follow simple recommendations, and the plant will periodically delight you with its bright flowering.
How to care for a home gerberaLanding
For growing at home, it is best to purchase undersized varieties (up to 30 cm). If a young gerbera was bought at a store, do not immediately transplant it into a new pot. Give her time to adapt to the new atmosphere. It is recommended to transplant a gerbera only two weeks after the acquisition, and only when it has completely faded. Otherwise, the flower will hurt. A flowerpot should be chosen more spacious than the one in which the gerbera was sold. For planting, slightly acidic soil (sand, sphagnum, sheet land, peat) is best suited. Place drainage on the bottom of the pot. How to care for gerberas at home? 3 weeks after the transplant, feed the plant with a solution of mineral fertilizers.
Care
Gerbera loves light and warmth. She will feel most comfortable on the east or southeast windowsill. How to care for gerberas at home so that they are healthy? You should know that this plant is susceptible to various diseases. Therefore, for the purpose of prevention, it should be treated with phytosporin once every two weeks.
Watering
Home gerbera loves moisture. However, excessive watering can cause her irreparable harm. It is recommended to irrigate the soil only when the top layer becomes dry. It is best to water through the lower pan. The air around the gerbera should be sprayed regularly. However, this should be done at a distance to avoid dropping water on flowers and leaves.
Temperature
Want to know how to care for a room gerbera? Create conditions under which the flower will feel comfortable. In summer, the temperature should be within twenty degrees. Moreover, in no case should the plant be placed in the open sun. Periodically ventilate the room in which the flower is located. If this is not possible, take it to the balcony for 10-15 minutes. In autumn and winter, for this plant, the best temperature will be +14 degrees. The fact is that during this period the gerbera is resting and preparing for the next flowering.
Top dressing
How to care for gerberas at home, so that they regularly bloomed and delighted with lush greens? From February to April and during the summer months, it is necessary to fertilize with mineral fertilizers containing nitrogen. However, the solution should be weakly concentrated.
Gerbera is recommended to be fed every three weeks. During flowering, fertilize the soil more often. In this case, it is best to use solutions with a high content of potassium.
Bloom
For a plant to start buds, it needs a certain length of daylight. Usually no more than 12 hours. That is why the gerbera blooms from August to November. In winter, she begins a period of rest. And from June to August, the plant begins to intensively grow green mass. Flowering problems may occur if the gerbera has been planted in an excessively large pot. In this case, she will devote all her strength to growth. Excessive fertilizing with nitrogenous fertilizers can also cause flowering problems.