Gerberas

  Our featured flower this week is the Gerbera Gerberas are great flowers for adding bright pops of colour to any room or garden. Gerberas come in a wide range of colours - from light to dark yellow, orange, pink, brilliant scarlet, deep red, and many more. Preferred growing conditions: - Gerberas are perennials and do best in full sun, in well-drained soil. They will grow in most parts of Australia but are happiest in a warm climate. - In cool or moist areas plants need excellent drainage and shelter from the cold. If your soil is poorly drained, grow the plants in a raised garden bed. - If you experience wet Autumns and Winters plant Gerberas where they will keep dry during those colder months. Care: - Gerberas are susceptible to fungal disease so must have very well drained soils. - Clean up plants by regularly removing diseased leaves and spent flower stalks. Fertilise once a month in Spring and Summer to encourage vigorous growth and plenty of big flowers. - Reduce watering in Autumn and Winter. - Arrange flowers in a vase immediately after cutting the stems. The shallow water should only cover about 1 inch of the stems, otherwise the gerber stems may become soft and weak if fully submerged. - Replace the water in the vase every two days or sooner if it begins to discolour.