Gerbera at home: care and cultivation

Gerberas are perennial representatives of the flora, which belong to the Astrov family. Inflorescences of plants are baskets resembling chamomiles. In diameter, they can reach 15 cm. The leaves of gerberas are collected in a rosette near the root. The peduncle is large, resembles a dandelion. There are many varieties of plants that vary in color and size of inflorescences. Gerbera at home requires a lot of attention and proper care. It is best cultivated in greenhouses and on the open ground. But dwarf compact varieties are successfully grown at home.

After purchase, the plant should be transplanted into a large pot no earlier than two weeks later, otherwise it will be painful. For gerberas, slightly acidic soils are best suited. Soil can be prepared independently. To do this, take two parts of sand, one part of leafy land, peat, sphagnum moss and mix it all. At the bottom of the pot you need to make a good drainage. Gerbera at home needs regular feeding. Solutions of mineral complex fertilizers are best suited for this, since this representative of the flora does not tolerate organic. The first time it is better to feed the plant 20 days after transplantation.

Gerbera loves warmth and light. Therefore, at home it is better to place it on the windowsills from the southeast and east sides. In extreme heat, this flora needs light shading, because foliage can lose its brightness. Gerbera at home needs a warm and humid regime. The temperature should not be lower than +18 ° C. The room should be regularly ventilated, and periodically moisten the air near the plant with a spray gun. This representative of the flora is not afraid of drafts, so he can be safely taken out onto the balcony. For watering, use warm water. Soil does not need to be waterlogged. It is very important that when watering the water outlet does not get water. With proper care, gerberas develop well at home. Photos of these plants can be seen in this article.

Flowering periods

Gerberas have two intervals of active growth and flowering in a year. The first of them begins around February 15, and ends at the end of May. At this time, it is advisable to feed the flora representative with a mineral complex for indoor plants. Withered flowers should be regularly removed, completely breaking out of the nest, since the remaining parts of the peduncle can rot and infect the entire body. The second growth period lasts from the 3rd decade of August to October. However, timely top dressing and additional lighting can sometimes extend this time to the winter months, although it is more advisable to let the gerbera rest and gain strength. In winter, the plant is not fertilized, watered no more than once a week, and the temperature is maintained at 10-12 ° C.

Transplantation and reproduction

To this representative of the flora regularly pleased with its flowering, it should be rejuvenated twice in a three-year period by dividing the bush (one of the methods of reproduction) and transplanted into a new disinfected soil. Then gerberas will develop correctly at home. Their reproduction, in addition to dividing the bush, can still be carried out by seeds and cuttings. The transplant should be done before active periods (February or July).