Gerbera Daisy Gerbera 'Fleurie' (PBR) (Garvinea Series)

Water

Gerbera daisies should be watered thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. In general, this may mean watering once or twice a week, although the frequency can vary based on environmental conditions like temperature and humidity. Choose a method that moistens the soil deeply but avoids wetting the foliage, which can promote disease. Aim to provide around one gallon of water per plant each time you water, ensuring that it's sufficiently dampened but not waterlogged. During hot spells or if the plant is situated in a particularly sunny spot, you may need to water more frequently, while cooler, cloudy days might mean less frequent watering.

Light

Gerbera daisy thrives in a location where it can receive plenty of bright, indirect sunlight. The ideal spot would provide around 6 to 8 hours of daylight, protecting the plant from harsh midday sun that may scorch its leaves. Morning sunlight is particularly beneficial, as it is less intense and will promote vigorous growth without the risk of causing too much stress to the plant.

Temperature

Gerbera daisies prefer warm conditions and do well in temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They can survive minimum temperatures of around 40 degrees Fahrenheit and should not be exposed to freezing conditions. To ensure the plant thrives, it's best to maintain an environment that avoids significant temperature fluctuations and is consistently within the ideal range.

Pruning

Pruning gerbera daisies is important to encourage more blooms and maintain a tidy appearance. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote new growth and cut back any dead or damaged leaves as needed. The best time for more substantial pruning is in the spring; this helps the plant focus its energy on producing new, healthy growth. Pruning every few weeks during the blooming season can help ensure a continuous display of flowers.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The Gerbera Daisy 'Fleurie' thrives in well-drained, fertile soil well-amended with organic matter. A mix consisting of equal parts peat, pine bark, and perlite or sand offers good drainage and aeration. The ideal soil pH for Gerbera Daisy 'Fleurie' ranges between 5.5 and 6.5, ensuring nutrient availability and healthy growth.

Repotting

Gerbera Daisy 'Fleurie' should generally be repotted every 1-2 years to prevent root-bound conditions and replenish its soil. It's best to repot in the spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing to minimize stress and promote quick establishment in its new container.

Humidity & Misting

Gerbera Daisy 'Fleurie' prefers moderate humidity levels, ideally between 40-60%. Avoiding extremes in humidity is key, as too low can lead to desiccation, while too high can encourage fungal diseases.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright, indirect light with some morning sun.

• Outdoor

  Choose a sunny spot with afternoon shade.

• Hardiness zone

  8-11 USDA

Life cycle

The life of a Gerbera 'Fleurie' (Garvinea Series), commonly known as Gerbera Daisy, begins with seed germination, where the seed needs light, warmth, and water to sprout and grow its first leaves. This is followed by the vegetative stage, where the plant develops a rosette of leaves at the soil surface, increasing in size and producing more leaves, and in the case of cultivated varieties, may be propagated via division or tissue culture. As the plant matures, it enters the flowering stage, producing large, colorful daisy-like flowers that can be various shades of yellow, orange, pink, or red, with this cultivar being bred for a specific hue and blooming continuously if deadheaded and cared for properly. After pollination, which is often facilitated by insects, the flowers produce seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. The plant then enters a period of senescence where older leaves and flowers may wilt and die, though Gerbera daisies can continue to produce flowers for several years with appropriate seasonal care. If environmental conditions are unsuitable or the plant exhausts its resources, it will eventually reach the end of its life cycle and die.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• The most popular method for propagating Gerbera Daisy 'Fleurie' (Gerbera jamesonii) is through division. This should be done in the spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. Carefully dig up the plant and shake off any loose soil to expose the crown and root structure. Using a sterilized sharp knife or spade, divide the clump into smaller sections, ensuring that each division has at least one healthy shoot and a portion of the root system attached. These divisions can then be replanted into well-draining soil at the same depth they were originally growing, spaced about 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 centimeters) apart to allow for mature growth. Water the new plants thoroughly after planting and maintain consistent moisture without overwatering. In a few weeks, the divisions should establish themselves and begin to grow into new, healthy Gerbera Daisy plants.