Gerberas are among the most popular cut and potted flowers. In order for them to live as long as possible, you should know about the perfect care for gerberas.
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Gerberas are among the most popular types of flowers and decorate many homes: on the one hand as cut flowers in a vase, on the other hand also in pots. For both variants, we have put together the best tips for you on how best to care for your gerberas.
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Caring for gerberas in the pot
- Tip 1: When buying gerberas, pay attention to the quality
- Tip 2: Choose the right location for gerberas
- Tip 3: Water the gerbera properly
- Tip 4: Fertilize gerberas properly
- Tip 5: Overwinter gerberas in optimal conditions
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Caring for gerberas as cut flowers
- Tip 6: Cut the gerbera properly
- Tip 7: Correct water level in the vase
- Tip 8: Change the water for gerberas regularly
Caring for gerberas in the pot
Tip 1: When buying gerberas, pay attention to the quality
Whether you decide to buy gerberas for cut flowers or a potted plant, you should always pay attention to the quality. With flowers for the vase, only the outer ring of the tubular leaves should be open, then they will last up to 14 days with proper care.
The leaves of the potted plant should be a rich, healthy green and show no signs of pest infestation. Common gerbera pests are:
- aphids
- white bow tie
- spider mites
Tip 2: Choose the right location for gerberas
As a potted plant, gerberas always need a bright spot in the house. However, it should not stand in the bright midday sun. In summer the pots can be placed outside. Your gerberas also like it sunny outdoors, but they are sensitive to strong sunlight. At night it should not get colder than 14 °C.
Tip 3: Water the gerbera properly
A gerbera planted in a pot should be watered regularly. It is ideal when the soil is evenly wet but not waterlogged. You can also moisten the leaves with a spray bottle. It is also good for the plant if you mix coconut hum and sand into the potting soil. This increases the pore volume and the soil becomes more permeable.
Tip 4: Fertilize gerberas properly
In order for the flower to develop properly, you should add a small amount of liquid fertilizer to the irrigation water every week from May to September. Withered plant parts are always removed immediately.
Tip 5: Overwinter gerberas in optimal conditions
In the winter months, the gerbera in the pot is placed in a cool room. The room temperature should not be higher than 12 °C, but also not below 8 °C. The dry parts of the plant are removed, but not cut back. You should water with a little water about every 14 days. The pots that were in the garden are also brought in, and the plants that were in the bed over the summer are brought into the house to overwinter.
Caring for gerberas as cut flowers
Tip 6: Cut the gerbera properly
Before placing the gerbera in the vase, cut the stems at an angle with a clean knife. Caution: The wire supporting the gerbera stems can leave rust spots in the vase. This does not look very nice, especially with glass vases.
Tip 7: Correct water level in the vase
When caring for gerbera cut flowers, care must be taken to ensure that they are sufficiently supplied with water. However, the water level in the vase should not be more than 2 cm, otherwise the stems will rot.
Tip 8: Change the water for gerberas regularly
The water in the gerbera vase should be refilled or replaced every two days so that the flowers stay fresh for a long time.
More information about Gerbera in pot, garden and as cut flower can be found in our special article.