How to Grow Gerber Daisies
Gerber daisies are also known as gerbera daisies or African daisies. These plants are known for their bright red and pink flower petals surrounding a bright yellow center. Hardy in zones 9 to 11, gerber daisies are grown as annuals in most of the United States. Gerber daisies do best in late spring and early summer as long as temperatures don't rise above 75 degrees F. In mid- to late summer, replace gerber daisies with other heat loving annuals, such as petunias or marigolds. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Gerber daisy Compost 14-14-14 commercial fertilizer Pruning shears or scissors
Instructions
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Select plants with compact growth and bright colored flowers. Choose plants that have flower buds as well as opened flowers. The plant should not show signs of insect damage, have browning leaves or have leaves with mildew on them.
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Choose a spot with full sun to part shade. If you must plant your gerber daisy in part shade, choose a spot that receives afternoon shade.
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Dig a hole twice as big as the root ball. Mix compost with the soil removed from the hole. The soil should be crumbly but should not fall apart when pressed into a ball. Refill the hole until it is just big enough for the root ball and the crown of the gerber daily will sit just above the soil level. Gently tamp the soil/compost mix around the root ball, taking care not to compact the soil.
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Water your gerber daisy well. Keep the soil moist, but do not allow standing water around the plant. If possible, water under the leaves to discourage powdery mildew.
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Remove spent flower heads to encourage continuous blooming. Remove dead leaves and leaves with insect or mildew damage.
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Fertilize your gerber daisy every 2 weeks with a 14-14-14 commercial fertilizer or 1/2 to 1 inch of compost applied at the base of the plant.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a generous spacing with gerber daisies to promote air flow between plants. Gerber daisies do best if grown in containers.
