Gerbera - rules and features of growing from seeds

Gerbera is a bright flower that belongs to the Astrov family. Gerberas can also be found on city lawns and flower beds, at home and in gardens. Very beautiful bouquets and flower baskets are made of them. Due to their small bushes and bright colors of flowers, gerberas are very popular among gardeners and ordinary citizens.

Garden gerberas

Gerberas: photo of flowers

If you properly care for gerberas, and when planting seeds, take into account all the rules, then you can get gerberas that will be resistant to various diseases and will not get sick as often as other purchased gerberas. Therefore, if you want to have gerberas in your garden, you can safely try to grow them from seeds. But be prepared for the fact that growing gerberas from seeds is not a very simple matter. You will need to pay a lot of attention to him, and most importantly, have a desire. Even if, for example, the first time your attempt is not crowned with success, then be sure to do it a second time, then for sure you will succeed.

If you are hoping for self-pollination, then unfortunately, gerberas are not capable of self-pollination. Therefore, you will have to collect the pollen yourself, by hand. This should be done in May - August. This should be done when a few days have passed after the inflorescences bloom. To do this, take a glass container and shake the pollen from the stamen there. This pollen can be stored for about 3-3.5 months. As for pollination, it should be done a little earlier - 40-70 days after harvest. After the pistils open the stigmas, gently apply pollen on it with a brush.

After successful pollination of gerberas, you can have more than 100 seeds from each inflorescence. Those seeds that you collect need subsequent drying at a temperature of 25-35 degrees. Then they should be cleaned of the fly.

Planting gerbera seeds

Gerbera seeds: video about preparing seeds

Sowing gerbera seeds is best from January to May, as gerberas begin to bloom after 8-11 months. Gerbera seeds should be sown in a small but wide box. It is imperative to put drainage at the bottom of such a box. From above you need to pour a mixture of 2 parts of sod land and 1 part of leaf land, sand and humus. You can also use ready-made substrates. The seeds should be placed on top of the substrate and sprinkled with a small layer of peat and pressed a little with your hands. Cover the container with seeds with a covering material or glass and put in a warm place. You can see the first shoots in 7-10 days. When shoots appear, you can transfer the container with seeds to a bright place, but not where the sun hits.

Gerbera: caring for a flower after planting

After the grown seedlings are transplanted into separate glasses, it is necessary to constantly maintain the required temperature, humidity of air and substrate. It is required to provide moderate watering with water at an optimal temperature. Make sure that there is no deep drying out of the soil. In the summer, once a week, take the container out to the balcony or veranda, while spraying the plants is required.

A month later, after you transplant gerberas, they will need feeding in the form of liquid mineral fertilizer. If you do not follow the watering regime, do not provide the necessary lighting, overdo it with nitrogen fertilizers, or there is excessive humidity, then all this can become the main reason for the death of seedlings.

In winter, gerberas should be covered with a covering material. It is best to move your plants to a cool place.This will help them to cope well with the winter period and will have a strong and healthy appearance with the onset of the season.

Gerberas: photo of flowers