Gerbera Daisy Gerbera Garvinea Sweet Surprise = 'Garsurprise' (Garvinea Sweet Series)
![gerbera [Garvinea Sweet Surprise]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fplants-admin.emdemapps.com%2Fimages%2Fplants%2F%2Fimages%2F604b57b3dc5b2.png&w=3840&q=75)
ABOUT
The Gerbera Garvinea Sweet Surprise, part of the Garvinea Sweet Series, is a perennial plant known for its vibrant and eye-catching flowers. The blooms are large and daisy-like in appearance, typically displaying a bright mix of colors such as pink, orange, yellow, and red, often with a contrasting, light-colored eye that adds to their charming look. The petals array themselves in an orderly fashion around the central eye, creating a neat, symmetrical appearance. The foliage of the Gerbera Garvinea Sweet Surprise is lush and attractive, consisting of dark green leaves that have a slightly leathery texture and a spoon-shaped or lobed form. The leaves form a dense clump or rosette, providing a rich green backdrop that enhances the visual appeal of the vividly colored flowers. This plant tends to have a bushy and vigorous growth habit, producing numerous flower stalks that rise above the dark green leafy base, creating a delightful contrast and making the flowers stand out even more. Overall, the Gerbera Garvinea Sweet Surprise is celebrated for its cheerful and energetic display of color, as well as its robustness and ability to produce an abundance of blooms throughout its flowering season.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Gerber Daisy, Transvaal Daisy, African Daisy, Barberton Daisy
Common names
Gerbera Garvinea Sweet Surprise = 'Garsurprise' (Garvinea Sweet Series).
ToxicityTo humans
Gerbera plants are generally considered non-toxic to humans. There are no significant symptoms of poisoning associated with these plants because they do not contain substances known to be poisonous to people. Ingesting any part of a Gerbera plant is unlikely to have serious consequences. However, it’s always a good precaution to discourage children from eating any parts of ornamental plants not intended for consumption.
To pets
Gerbera plants are also generally considered non-toxic to pets such as cats and dogs. They are not known to contain any substances that could cause serious illness if pets ingest parts of the plant. Therefore, if a pet ingests a piece of a Gerbera plant, they are unlikely to experience significant symptoms of poisoning. As always, it is advisable to keep an eye on pets to ensure they don’t consume large amounts of non-food plants, as this could potentially cause gastrointestinal upset or other non-toxic related issues.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Varies
Height
1 foot 4-6 inches (40-45 cm)
Spread
1 foot 4-6 inches (40-45 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
8-10
Native area
South Africa
Benefits
General Benefits- Long Blooming Season: The Gerbera Garvinea has a lengthy blooming period that can last from early spring until the first frost, providing vibrant colors in the garden for an extended time.
- Attracts Pollinators: This plant is known for attracting beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies to the garden, which can help with the pollination of other plants.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it exhibits a degree of drought tolerance, making it suitable for gardens in drier climates or for gardeners who prefer low-maintenance plants.
- Vivid and Colorful Flowers: It produces large, daisy-like flowers in a range of colors, which can enhance the visual appeal of any garden or outdoor space.
- Outdoor and Indoor Use: It can be used in outdoor garden beds as well as for indoor decoration in pots, offering versatility in placement and use.
- Resistant to Pests and Diseases: The Garvinea series has been bred to be more resistant to common pests and diseases, lowering the likelihood of plant damage and loss.
- Cold Hardy: This plant exhibits a certain level of cold hardiness, making it suitable for planting in regions with cooler temperatures.
- Easy to Propagate: The Gerbera Garvinea can be easily propagated from seeds or division, allowing gardeners to expand their collection without significant additional cost.
- Low Maintenance: Requiring minimal care beyond the basic watering and occasional feeding, this plant is ideal for both beginner and busy gardeners.
- Can Be Used as Cut Flowers: Its long-lasting flowers are suitable for cutting and using in floral arrangements, adding value as a source for home-grown bouquets.
- Enriches Garden Diversity: Adding Gerbera Garvinea to a garden can increase the diversity of plant species, which is beneficial for the overall ecosystem.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Art Supplies: The vibrant petals of Gerbera can be pressed and used in making unique and natural art supplies for creating botanical prints and floral paper designs.
- Photography Subject: Due to their beautiful and large blooms, Gerbera Garvinea can be used by photographers as a captivating subject for macro photography and artistic compositions.
- Edible Decorations: Although not commonly consumed, the petals of Gerbera Garvinea, after proper verification for edibility and safety, could potentially be used to decorate desserts and cakes.
- Color Inspiration: Artists and designers can use Garvinea Sweet Surprise as a muse for their work, drawing inspiration from its vivid color palette for their creations.
- Educational Tools: These flowers can be used in botanical studies for teaching about plant reproduction, as their structure is visible and easily understood.
- Natural Fabric Dyes: The pigments in Gerbera petals may be used to create natural dyes for textiles, offering an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic dyes.
- Bookmark Crafting: Pressed Gerbera flowers can be used as delicate bookmarks, either laminated or placed within the pages of a book for a touch of natural beauty.
- Theme Events: Garvinea Sweet Surprise can be used as an emblem for special events and parties, particularly when there are themes of gardening or nature involved.
- Hobby Gardening: The Gerbera Garvinea can be grown by hobbyists who specialise in cultivating different varieties of Gerbera for pleasure or competition.
- Gift Wrappings: Fresh or dried Gerbera petals can be incorporated into eco-friendly gift wrapping designs for an additional personal and natural touch.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Gerbera is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Gerbera is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Innocence: The gerbera is often associated with purity and innocence due to its delicate and cheerful appearance.
- Cheerfulness: With its bright and sunny disposition, gerberas generally symbolize cheerfulness, bringing a positive vibe to any place.
- Beauty: The gerbera, with its wide array of colors and large floral heads, is a symbol of natural beauty and a commonly used flower in bouquets to enhance aesthetic appeal.
- True Friendship: Gerberas are commonly given as a gift between friends to symbolize a deep and meaningful friendship.
- Vibrancy: The vivid colors of the Gerbera Garvinea Sweet Surprise can represent a vibrant personality or a lively spirit.
WaterGerbera daisies require consistent moisture and should be watered thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Generally, this means watering once or twice a week, but frequency will vary depending on climate and weather conditions. It is important to avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. Provide approximately one gallon of water to ensure the moisture reaches deep into the root zone. During hotter months, you may need to water more frequently to keep the soil evenly moist.
LightGerbera daisies thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. They should be placed in a spot where they will receive several hours of morning sunlight but be shielded from the intense rays of the afternoon sun. A location with east or west-facing exposure is ideal to provide the optimal light conditions they need for robust growth and flower production.
TemperatureGerbera daisies prefer temperatures between 40°F and 70°F, making them suitable for a range of environments. They can survive minimum temperatures down to 30°F for short periods but risk damage if exposed to frost. To encourage blooming, maintain an ideal temperature range of 60°F to 65°F.
PruningPruning gerbera daisies is important for encouraging new growth and maintaining a tidy appearance. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to stimulate more blooms. In early spring, prune back any dead or damaged foliage to allow new shoots to emerge unobstructed. The best time for a more extensive prune is after the main blooming cycle has finished.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Gerbera daisy requires well-draining soil rich in organic matter, with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. A mix of peat, compost, and perlite would suit it well.
RepottingGerbera daisies should be repotted every 1 to 2 years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth.
Humidity & MistingGerbera daisies thrive in average room humidity levels between 40% to 50%.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and ensure good air circulation.
Outdoor
Full sun to partial shade, protect from high winds and extreme cold.
Hardiness zone
8-11 USDA
Life cycleGerbera Garvinea Sweet Surprise, commonly known as Gerbera Daisy, starts its life as a seed, which when sown in well-draining soil and provided with warmth will germinate. The seedlings develop true leaves and grow into juvenile plants, requiring adequate water, light, and nutrients. As the plants reach maturity, they produce a rosette of leaves and begin to develop a sturdy stem on which flower heads will form; this stage typically involves the growth of multiple flowers over the season. Throughout its blooming period, the Gerbera Daisy will produce large, vibrant flowers that can be deadheaded to encourage further blooming. After the blooming season, if conditions such as temperature and daylight hours change significantly, the plant may enter a semi-dormant state, slowing its growth. Finally, as a perennial, it will enter a resting phase during colder months, conserving energy to regrow and bloom again in the following season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
The Gerbera Garvinea Sweet Surprise, commonly referred to as Gerbera Daisy, is most commonly propagated through division, which is typically done in the spring. To propagate by division, carefully dig up an established clump of Gerbera daisies. Using a sharp, clean tool, such as a knife or spade, divide the clump into smaller sections, ensuring that each section has at least one crown with attached roots. Reduce the foliage of the divisions by about half to minimize water loss, then plant each new section in a pot with well-draining soil or directly into the garden, maintaining the same soil level as before. Water the newly planted divisions thoroughly, and continue to provide consistent moisture as they establish themselves, taking care not to overwater and risk root rot.
