* Family: Compositae
* Origin: South Africa
* Common Name- Africa Daisy, Barberton daisy, Transyaal daisy
* Gerbera is a dwarf perennial herbaceous plant wich is named after Gerber, a German Naturalist.
* Commercial flowering start, 3rd year onwards.
Gerbera has a special and important place among cut flowers. Gerbera is also known by the names of African Daisy, Transvaal Daisy, Warverton Daisy. Gerbera is world famous for its attractive appearance and colors as well as cut flowers and for remaining fresh for a long time. There are thousands of varieties of Gerbera hybrida. They vary greatly in shape and size. Colors include white, yellow, orange, red and pink. The center of the flower is sometimes black and tulip. Gerbera contains naturally occurring coumarin derivatives. Gerbera is a tender perennial plant. It attracts bees, butterflies and/or birds. It is grown on a priority basis in different climatic regions of the world. It is grown in pots, fields and greenhouses.
Botanical Description
Generally 20-50 flowers bloom on the Gerbera plant in a year. In its tetraploid varieties, the size of the plant and flowers increases. Gerbera varieties can be of three types, one is those in which self-pollination takes place. The second are those in which cross-pollination occurs instead of cross-pollination, which results in the production of high quality seeds and the third are those in which there is no such difference.
Climate
How to Grow Gerbera From Flower
Soil and Its Preparation
First ploughing should be done with a soil turning plough. After that, 2-3 ploughings should be done with a cultivator. After every ploughing, be sure to use a leveller.
Improved Varieties
Only foreign varieties of gerbera are grown. Hence, the colours and sizes of world famous improved varieties are mentioned below-
White - Ansophie, Candine, Delphi, Maria, Valivio (center pink).
Cream - Cream Clementine, Juanita, Prince's, Star Light.
Yellow - Denim, Fredeking, Hori John, Michaeli, Nadja, Uranus, Princess, Laurentius, Sundance.
Orange - Annelies, Clementine, Marron, Mirage, Sunspot.
Red - Besta, Beauty, Clivia, Crystal, Cilia, Dusty, Fodorella, Monica, Peugeot, Shanghai.
Pink – Varentine, Sonia, Fredaji, Flamingo, Lucky Star, Pameliam, Piona, Pink Flavour, Ressa, Rosamur.
Propagation
Gerbera is propagated both sexually and asexually. There is a difference in the plants grown from seeds and they take more time to flower. Hence, this method is not good for commercial production. On the contrary, flowers are obtained quickly from the crop grown by asexual method and their yield is also high. Asexual method is considered best for commercial production of Gerbera. By this method, plants are propagated by clamp division, chemical and tissue culture.
For propagation by seeds, fertilization has to be done, for which 10-12 o'clock in the day is the best time. Seeds should be sown immediately after extraction because the germination capacity of the seeds ends in about 15 days, if the seeds are stored at 5°C temperature, then their storage capacity remains for 2-5 years. A temperature of 25-28°C is necessary for the best germination of gerbera seeds. After sowing seeds in the nursery, the plants are ready to be planted in the field within 5-6 weeks.
In asexual method, the clamp division is done at the time when the plants are to be planted in the field or greenhouse. With proper care, 5-6 plants can be made from one plant. Before planting the plants, their leaves and roots are lightly pruned but the main branch is not cut. It is also taken care that while planting the main bud, it should not be covered with soil.
For grafting, watering the plants is stopped 3 weeks before, the roots are pruned a little and they are planted in peat and kept at 25-30°C temperature and 80 percent humidity. New stems form roots quickly in mist. Buds from the corners of leaves are separated and roots are made from them and in 2-3 months the plant becomes ready for planting. In this way 50-60 plants can be made from one mother plant in 2-3 months.
The speed of propagation in gerbera can be greatly accelerated by micro-propagation method from terminal bud, flower bud and main vein of leaves. For this purpose, medium made on the basis of Murashigi and Skoog is most suitable.
Planting Gerbera In Pots
Manure and Fertilizer
For successful production of gerbera, the organic content in the field should be high. Therefore, it is recommended to add 7.5 kg of cow dung manure or compost per square meter of land. Lime should be added as per requirement to maintain the pH value of the soil 6-0-7.5. Phosphorus and potassium are also necessary for good flowering. For which analysis should be done for the nutrients of the leaves. For good yield, it is absolutely necessary to have sufficient amount of micro-nutrients in addition to 2.7-3-13 percent nitrogen, 0-19-0.35 percent phosphorus 3-06-3-64 potash 1-66-2-18 percent calcium and 0.3-0.48 percent magnesium in the leaves. According to the fertility, 15 grams of nitrogen, 10 grams of phosphorus, 10 grams of potash should be given per meter of land. The full amount of potash and phosphorus is given once a year and nitrogen 3-4 times. Complete nitrogen should be given one month before flowering.
For growing in summers, 15 cm plastic bags can be used. For filling these, mix nitrogen, phosphorus and potash with peat, soil, sand (3:1:1) in the ratio of 2:1:3 and put one gram of the mixture in one kilogram of soil and get a good crop of flowers.
Planting – Gerbera is planted in glass or plastic houses from May, June or October to March, but mostly it is planted in May-June and by controlling the environment, flowers keep coming from it for 2-3 years.
The time of planting gerbera in the field is also the same as in glass or plastic houses. That is, 15 May to 15 July. While planting it, the beds are kept about 15 cm high or it is planted on small ridges. The distance between the rows can be kept 20-40 cm and the distance between the plants can be kept 30 cm (9.4-4.7 plant / meter). Increasing the density initially increases the yield of flowers and there is no adverse effect on the quality of flowers, but for the second year or the crop thereafter, the distance between the rows should be kept 30-40 cm (9.7-7.5 plant / meter) only.
Irrigation
Gerbera requires deep irrigation, but water should not stagnate. Therefore, in summers, irrigation every day and every 4-5 days in the beds has an adverse effect on flowering and its qualities. Because for gerbera, light soil, rich in organic manure and having high water retention capacity is required. Therefore, to make soil for pots, tree bark is used after rotting it for 4-5 months. In its 90 percent quantity, 3-4 kg of urea is added per cubic meter. The soil of the pot should be changed every year, otherwise the quality of flowers will decrease.
Growth and Flowering
By sowing seeds in the nursery, the plant is ready in a month and it does not flower until 3-4 months after planting it in the field. Flowers keep blooming on it for 3-4 years. In the second and third year, the flower production per plant doubles as compared to the first year. Light and temperature have a special effect on its flower production. The temperature of the soil should be around 20°C and the maximum day temperature of the atmosphere should be 30°C and if the night temperature is less than 16°C, then the flowering and the size of the flower is not good. Therefore, in the plains, the best flowers come in September-October and February-March.
It has been found that the use of growth regulators in gerbera has been found to be best. Tests have shown that spraying a solution of gibberellic acid (G.A.) of 10-1000 ppm has two major benefits - viz. 1. Increase in the number of shoots per plant. 2. Flowering may occur early, from 10-28 days.
Insect Control
Leaf Minor - By eating the leaves of the plant, white crooked stripes are formed in them. The leaves of the plant become incapable of producing food. Hence, the development and growth of the plant is adversely affected.
For the prevention of this pest, Carbofuran and Photet granules should be applied at the time of soil preparation.
4% extract of Neem Kernel should be sprayed.
Aphid - This is a small brown coloured insect which sucks the juice of leaves, stems, buds and flowers. The leaves turn yellow.
For the prevention of this pest, 0.1% solution of Malathion should be sprayed.
Mite - These insects eat both the surfaces of the leaves. As a result, the leaves become spotted, in case of severe infestation, they curl. Irregular spots and brown mottling appear on the flowers.
To control this pest, 0.2% solution of Dicofol should be sprayed.
Root Knot Nematode – Knots are formed in the roots of the plants due to which the plants are unable to absorb moisture and nutrients. The plants remain dwarf.
Temic granules should be used to prevent this.
How to Grow Gerbera From Seeds
Disease Control
Foot Rot - This disease is caused by Fusarium oxysporum. Due to its attack, the leaves turn black. Leaves and flowers dry up.
To prevent this, treatment should be done with Benlate. Water should not collect in the field.
Blight - Due to this disease, black spots appear on leaves, top buds and flowers and later the whole part gets affected. This disease is more prevalent due to excess moisture and planting the plants at a depth.
To prevent this disease, 0.1 percent solution of Benlate should be sprayed 2-3 times at an interval of 8-10 days.
Powdery Mildew - This disease is caused by a fungus called Erysiphe polygoni. Initially, white powdery spots appear on the affected leaves. The symptoms of the disease gradually spread to the stem and other parts of the plant. These powdery spots are scattered on both the surfaces of the leaves. Initially their size is small and in favorable environment they become large in size.
To prevent this disease, 0.2% solution of Dithane M 45 should be sprayed.
Leaf Spot - This disease is caused by fungus due to which watery spots are formed on the leaves. Later the leaves rot. Both the growth and development of the plants stop. Due to which there is an adverse effect on flower production.
To prevent this disease, 2-3 sprays of Blitox 50 or Phytolan (2 grams per liter of water) solution should be done.
Downy Mildew - This disease is caused by Peronospora pisi. Initially yellow spots appear on the surface of the leaves which later turn brown and finally dry up. Some cotton-like raised or muddy coloured fungal growth is seen below the spot on the lower surface of the leaf. This disease spreads rapidly in favorable environment.
To prevent this disease, 1.0-0.15% solution of Ridomil should be sprayed 3-6 times.
Root Rot - This disease is caused by a fungus named Pythium species. This disease is found in hot, poorly drained and wet soils. The upper root layers can be uprooted easily.
To prevent this disease, 0.2% solution of copper oxychloride should be sprayed.
Harvesting of Flowers
When cutting flowers, the two outer petals of the disc floret should be perpendicular to the flower stalk, but in some varieties it can be cut a little later. Especially in those varieties whose flowers close at night, but under no circumstances should they be cut until pollen is visible on the outer rows.
How to Grow Gerbera Flower at Home
Yield
The yield of gerbera depends on many factors among which fertility of the soil, method of cultivation and care of the crop are important.
Maintenance of cut flowers
After cutting the flowers, the stalk 10 cm below the flower is pricked. By doing this, more water can be absorbed. Then the flower stalk is kept in fresh water. After cutting, the flowers can be kept for some time at 1.7 degree Celsius temperature for 4 to 8 days, but after doing this, when they are decorated, they remain fresh for a shorter time. After cutting the flowers, they should be sent to the market as soon as possible. To protect the flowers from the adverse effects of high, low and extreme temperatures, they should be packed in insulated boxes and sent. In chlorinated water, the flowers remain fresh for a longer time and their life increases by 14 days. The flower stalk should be put in water immediately after cutting. Apart from this, if kept in some solutions for 24 hours, the shelf life of flowers increases, as in the case of 200 mg/litre Hydroxyquinoline Sulphate (H.Q.S.), 50 gm/litre Silver Nitrate and 5% sugar, it increases the life span by 4-5 days.
.webp)
0 Comments