Feature Articles

Gerbera Daisy Gerbera daisy is probably one of the most desirable impulse items available to consumers . .  when they're attractive. That last little provision is where the devil is in the details with this crop. Gerbera tend to be a little "sans-si-tave", as Bugs Bunny would say, to just about any condition that's contrary to exactly what they need. They'll be problematic from start to finish if you don't strictly hold to culture and maintenance protocol.

Even though gerbera are considered picky, the tight spacing that many of the newer genetics allows  for in greenhouses makes them a desirable crop for many growers. Average crop times now range from six eight to 10 weeks in March to six to eight weeks in May, depending on cultivars

What to use? Gerbera can be started form seed, but high seed costs may offer sufficient stimulus to consider purchasing established seedlings from a reputable propagator. The need for a good start coupled with the relatively long crop times needed for spring production are good arguments for employing a specialty propagator to supply young plants. You have quite a few offerings of gerbera genetics. Most of the  breeding today is focusing on uniformity across colors in terms of crop timing, bloom count per pot and plant size.

Breeders have done a lot of work recently to produce gerbera that will force fairly easily in containers as small as 4- or 4.5-in. pots. On the other end of the spectrum, Ole Nielsen of Sunshine State Carnations, Inc., has bred a line of "cut flower" gerbera for 8-in. containers and larger that are vigorous and long stemmed with a wide variety of flower types. These are being offered by Ball Seed for trialing.

Media. Gerbera don't like "wet feet", as they say; so any soil, container or growing location that promotes saturation can result in latent problems for this crop. Most soilborne disease issues associated with gerbera, if not directly attributable to the soil mix, are at least exacerbated by a poorly drained and aerated mix. Mixes may not protect us from cultural slip-ups, but they can go a very long way towards minimizing the effects of poor culture.

Of course, the reverse consideration is that as gerbera mature, their large wide leaves pass incredible amounts of water in comparison to many other plant species. Because of this, it's necessary to have a soil mix that breathes but that will wet-up easily and retain sufficient water to allow for a nominal shelf life at retail.

Here in the Southeast, this is accomplished with "bark fines" that range in size from 0.5 in. in diameter all the way to powders. Barks will absorb water, but their rigid structure maintains air space by preventing too much compaction over time. The fines will create a wicking effect in the soil when combined with peat moss to promote rapid rewetting of dry soils. They also help hold the soil intact, minimizing the pull-away effect you see when soils separate from the wall of the container. If bark products aren't as available, take a look at coir/peat mixes or composted peanut hulls. There are also some excellent commercial mixes that have blends of perlite, vermiculite and peat moss, all milled to a relatively uniform particle size that works well.

Hoping not to offend environmentalists, I'd like to at least mention Styrofoam grind or airlite is well worth a look. It can be a little messy, but small quantities of this material in a soil mix impart an excellent capacity to resist soil impaction. I've trialed a great many soil mixes over the years and there are mixes that perform as well s those that contain Styrofoam, but I've yet to see a mix without Styrofoam that performs significantly better. Airlite is an inexpensive additive and is a by-product of the construction industry. With all the focus on recycling in today's culture, this would seem like an excellent way to participate in the process. Of course, depending on who your clientele is, this subject may not even be open to discussion, but nonetheless, it's hard to argue with success, and Styrofoam grind does impart some excellent qualities to a soil mix.

When everything's said and done, you should have a mix that will promote good, disease-free growth and provide a reasonable, postharvest shelf life at retail to maximize sell through within the first two to three days after the finished plants arrives. And certainly, wettability is critical to any soil mix in most gardens just in case someone actually decides to water the dry plants.

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