Landscaping with Barberton Daisies - Landscape SA - September

The indigenous Barberton Daisy can be a successful landscape plant as its vibrant colours and rich green foliage produce appealing results when grouped in beds. The dominant colours are red orange, yellow and pink.

Although Gerberas are sub-tropical plants, they can be grown in most parts of South Africa. They tolerate light frost, but where this occurs, they should be planted in shady spots. The best results are found in mild temperature areas where minimum night temperatures are higher than 6 degrees Celsius. Gerberas are not affected by maximum temperatures and can tolerate harsh sunlight. The relative humidity should average 65%.

The original Barberton Daisy prefers full sun and the best results are obtained on north facing sites. The hybrids prefer filtered sun with a tolerance of 40 000 lux. Colours of flowers tend to fade in shady areas but the stem length of the flowers is then much longer. Gerberas will not flower in areas with shade of less than 80%.

Gerberas originated in the granite mountains of Barberton and thrive in these eroded sandy soils, which are well drained and hold little water. Well drained soil with a minimum depth of 30cm is necessary. The soil should be free of clay particles and can be 25% composted. The pH level should be 6,0 -7,0.

Gerberas are very vulnerable to soil diseases and too much water will result in root and crown rot. Never give too much water and ensure that all irrigation water is drained. The hybrid cultivars cannot tolerate water on their leaves and an underground irrigation system is required. Irrigation should commence in the early morning and cease by 2 pm to allow drainage from the roots.

Fertilisation and cultivating

The best method of providing the necessary nutrient requirements is through the irrigation system or by means of a slow-release fertiliser. Nitogen at 200-250 ppm is preferred and a low ammonium fertiliser such as 15-15-18 is recommended. Irrigation water should have a pH between 5,5 and 6. For best flowering results during spring and summer, a balanced micronutrient application is necessary. Gerberas require more boron and calcium for flowering.

The sowing of Gerbera seeds in a landscape area will not result in a lush bed of flowers. It is best to propagate them in large plug trays and transplant the young plants after six to eight weeks into the landscape area. Plants should be propagated in a sowing medium of 60% peat and 40% perlite.

North-facing rocky areas are ideal for Gerberas. Nine plants per square metre are recommended. Plant Gerberas with the crown 2 to 3 cm above ground level since the plant will pull itself into the ground in due course, and ensure that the crown section receives direct sun.

The main insect pests affecting Gerberas are spider mites, leaf miners, white fly and aphids. The main diseases are powdery mildew, bacterial blight, crown rot and root rot.

Landscaping result

Landscaping with Gerberas is somewhat more challenging than with most other commonly used plants, but a well-maintained landscape with attention to detail will produce attractive results. Gerberas flower for eight months of the year. They react on picking and new flowers will continuously be produced when old flowers are removed at the stem base.

Information supplied by Johann Rademeyer, Imvuba Gerbera.
Photos by Volkmar Seifert of The Gerbera Association.

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