In this article we will know everything related to the care of the Gerbera, a very beautiful plant and frequently used for the realization of different decorations for parties or bouquets of flowers. If you want to know a little more about the meaning, characteristics and care of the Gerbera, we invite you to continue reading.
Gerbera Care
When talking about the forms of maintenance that must be respected when caring for the life of the gerbera as a plant and flower, it must be recognized that they are a very sensitive floral species in the face of direct contact by the owners or gardeners in charge of the same. For this reason, in the following paragraphs, we will explain the best care you can have in the cultivation, use of fertilizers, pruning and irrigation of this interesting and colorful flower.
Fertilization and soil
The first thing that must be kept in mind so that the cultivation of the gerbera plant has a surprising success in our cultivation or garden, a series of considerations about the soil must be taken into account. So, when planting it, you must be prepared for cultivation, keeping in mind that the plant has specific requirements for organic matter and soil acidity. This can be supplemented with a special fertilizer, that is, nitrogen.
For this reason, it is found that many gardeners advise that fertilizing the soil is essential for the optimum development of the gerbera to be satisfactory. Therefore, during the growth phase, the compost must necessarily be balanced. It can also be said that nitrogen nutrition also affects the lifespan of gerbera flowers. If it went to the extreme, that is, too much or too little, it would cause the plants to wilt.
On the other hand, if the gardener wishes to have a soil rich in matter and acidity for the young plants, it is recommended that it be somewhat loamy and sandy, and supplemented with a compost filled with manure. However, it can be the case of an excess or a lack of phosphorus in the gerbera. This particular fact allows the leaves to be small, green, blue or with purple edges. It is also important to take into account for the care of the gerbera that an excess of phosphorus can cause iron and potassium deficiencies, causing the plants to have a dull tone and lack quality.
For its part, it can also be mentioned that the application of manure or fertilizer within the care of the gerbera must be frequent and accompanied by a good weekly irrigation system, which preferably has to be treated when there is a considerable amount of sunlight. on the land of the garden of our home or the place where it is grown. However, it is worth mentioning that the proportion of the fertilizer to be used must be less than 1 kilogram per liter of water.
Reproduction
Within the care of the gerbera, one of the topics that gives more interest, is about reproduction. In this case, there are two methods: the first is by seed and the second is by cutting. In the following paragraphs we will explain each of them. When it comes to the first method, it should be mentioned that the seeds have a low germination rate, so you must be sure of their quality. Some recommend that the best way to obtain good specimens is to take them directly from the parent plant, which are ready for use.
Once quality seeds are obtained, it is best to plant them in an environment that is 21 degrees Celsius, regardless of the month. The only thing you need to know is that the first plants will sprout, 12 days after sowing. Even so, remember that the climate has a great impact on the gerbera, as it is a plant that does not withstand the cold very well, it is recommended that during the seasons of the year where this climate occurs, they should be planted in pots inside the home and when the weather improves, be transplanted outside.
The other means of reproduction that is treated in the care of the gerbera, is through cuttings. This needs a special place for rooting, which will be integrated in equal segments of peat, perlite and coarse sand. With this group of elements, a correct distribution of water in the crop is allowed. When making one, take into account that every plant must be at least 15 centimeters long, flowers, buds and leaves that do not exceed 7 centimeters, have to be subtracted. Therefore, it only remains to place it in a place where it indirectly hits the sun's rays.
Some additional recommendations on the care in the reproduction by cutting of this African plant, is the need to supply it with water often in order to prevent it from deteriorating. In addition, it must be protected with a plastic sheet against dry or hot temperatures. On the other hand, when you see that it begins to grow, you have to transplant it to a fixed place, but be careful with the roots, you don't have to damage them.
Pruning
This plant needs a lot of care, among which is pruning, which will help us to remove all the imperfections that the flower has. This is only of the type of maintenance and to be able to carry it out, it is suggested that it be done manually and with great care when removing both the leaves and the flowers that are dry. Remember then that the gerbera is such a beautiful flower that it requires subtle treatment to maintain its durability and beauty.
Irrigation
It is done taking into account the spreading method, as well as the drip or localized irrigation technique. However, the quality of the precious liquid must be of the best quality, considering that the conditions of calcium and other types of soluble salts must be in a very small amount. This would damage all aspects of the plant. On the other hand, in the care of the gerbera, it is necessary to mention the situation called hydric stress, which is the inability of the plant to grow in high heat. To solve this, you need to water frequently and place the plant in a shady spot.
Plagues and diseases
Like any plant, it can be affected by a series of pests and diseases. On the one hand, through insects such as: the white fly, the red spider, snails and caterpillars; and on the other, due to the inadequate application of the aforementioned care, especially irrigation, since an excess of water can make it sick. Some types of fungi may even affect the plant when it is dry. In this way, the application of natural products to eliminate pests and apply good care to avoid diseases is recommended.
plant meaning
Finished the points on the care of the gerbera, we can deal with an interesting topic about it, that is, its meaning. The meaning of this plant is light, joy and happiness; because it always blooms in spring and its petals open to receive the sun. In ancient times, the Egyptians used it to worship Ra, for them it meant faith, devotion, being closer to the sun. Also in the Celtic civilization they were used to decorate diseases. They believed that they could eliminate sadness, depression, tension and worry from life.
Gerbera Characteristics
About 150 species of this plant are known, of which only 38 have been officially accepted, it is an ornamental type plant, available in different colors, where pink, red, orange and yellow predominate. But, most of them have the following features. First, the leaves and petals are rhizomatous, in the form of a basal rosette, circular, elongated and oval. In turn, they are resistant to any climate and soil pH, except in cold areas or in areas that are too wet due to rain.
On the other hand, its size is variable and in the center the flower, on rare occasions, can be black, and there may be plants whose flowers have petals of different shades. In addition, it has a thick, shortened stem axis, small internodes, and they lie one above the other. We can also say that in their leaves are the auxiliary buds from which the lateral shoots emerge, which then form their own rosettes with leaves and roots, so they are compact plants, new flower buds emerge from their petioles.
To finish with the characteristics, we can say that the length of the plant will depend on the place where it is planted, as well as the climatic and environmental conditions that exist in the environment. It can even be noted that the flowers belonging to this species of flowering plant of African origin are heteromorphic, so the same genotypic group may not have the same symmetry, sexuality, number of petals and colors.
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