Gerbera

Gerberas are plants of the Compositae family, native to southern Africa. It is known as the "African daisy" because of its resemblance to this flower. One of the most beautiful and, at the same time, most unknown and undervalued flowers, but which make any garden look its best.

The most common colours are red, orange, yellow, pink and white. They grow in cold climates but with sun. Climates where they receive direct sunlight but where temperatures are not very high.

For gerberas to grow properly, it is necessary to apply a good mulch that provides the necessary nutrients. In addition, they should be repotted into new soil at least every 2 years, preferably in the spring months and always into a pot of larger diameter so that they have enough space.

Gerberas give very delicate flowers and their roots do not tolerate excess water, so care must be taken. In order for the plant to drain well, the pot in which you place the plant should have holes in the bottom. Ideally, you should put a bed of gravel or clay balls at the bottom of the pot to improve the flow of water when watering. Also, remember that the humidity should be low but constant and not soak the leaves and flowers.

The ideal temperature for gerberas should be between 18 and 24 degrees Celsius. It should never be below 13 degrees. Otherwise they will die. In this respect, the best location for them is a place where they receive sunlight but not direct sunlight, especially in summer, when the sun's rays are strongest.

Do not place your gerberas near a heat source such as an air conditioner, fireplace or radiator, as this is a tropical plant that requires a humid environment. In summer, for example, you can place them outdoors in a shady spot. And if you are in a city with a Mediterranean climate, you can keep them outdoors all year round without any problems as long as they are protected.

In the spring and summer months it is important that your gerberas always have moist soil and that you make sure that the water drains properly. A little liquid fertiliser should also be added once a month to keep the bloom going for as long as possible.

For this purpose it is recommended to place a bed of clay balls with water underneath. In the autumn and winter months, watering should be reduced and only be done when the soil is completely dry. As for fertiliser, it is best to stop fertilising during these seasons.