Landscape / Patio Gerbera Growing Instructions
1. Introduction
Landscape® Gerbera is a selection of patio plants, selected for their compactness, flower size and abundant flowering. Starting with a selection of 7 varieties, this series will develop within the future years. The varieties are suitable for outside as well as inside use and are all named after national parks.
The uniform plant material is multiplied through tissue culture and offered as hardened young plant material per 45 plants (Jiffy-6) or per 105 plants (Jiffy-4). These plants will be delivered after 5-6 weeks and they have to be potted after that time. More information on the cultivation aspects will follow in this manual.
The available varieties can be found in the separate Landscape® gerbera catalogue.
Landscape gerbera cultivation manual
2. Basic principles for Landscape gerbera cultivation
This cultivation manual has been based on Western-European conditions. In this manual, guidelines are given about growing Landscape gerbera from young plant to fully flowering plant, which is ready to be delivered to garden centers, etc. First of all we want to explain some basis principles for professional Landscape gerbera cultivation:
2.1 Greenhouse conditions
2.1.1 Required equipment
• For Landscape gerbera cultivation you need a well-equipped greenhouse (glasshouse or plastic greenhouse) where you can monitor the climate through ventilation, screening and when necessary, heating. Furthermore you also need culture tables, cultivation mats or different systems on the ground with an ebb and flow system. When watering from above, please be aware of the danger for fungus mould that could grow within the centre of the plant. If you don't use this ebb and flow system you can also place a dripper in each pot (dripping system).
• The greenhouse must be closed through plastic and/or glass to protect the plants from the danger of insects and to prevent any weeds blowing inside the greenhouse.
• Landscape gerberas are sensitive to water therefore it is important to make sure that irrigation is applied at the right times (in the morning or afternoon). It is very important that the crop is dry when the night falls.
2.1.2 Climate
• Depending on the stage the young plant is in, the ideal situation for Landscape gerbera cultivation is reached when the greenhouse temperature lies between 15°C and 25°C. This temperature should only reach a minimum of 14°C and a maximum of 30°C. The average temperature calculation for Landscape gerbera culture calculates an average day temperature of 18/19°C . If the temperature lies 1°C above the given heating temperature (heat-line) it is time to ventilate. The night temperature should not be too high, to stimulate bud induction. A temperature, which is too low, might cause a slower growth. The ideal night temperature lies around 15-18°C. High night temperatures can trigger a stress reaction in the plant, which means they are more susceptible to fungus infections at that time. High temperatures will also cause a more vegetative growth. Please note it is very important to Landscape gerbera to keep a compact plant !
• The ideal light intensity is 150-200 Watt (approx. 5.000 –10.000 Lux). After potting this value lies around approx. 400 Watt (35.000 Lux). Above these figures screening must be applied to prevent higher light intensity/sun radiation.
• During wintertime it is recommended to use artificial lighting in order to maintain the necessary product quality. Approx. 5.500 Lux can be added to prolong the day length.
2.2 Used substrate
It is recommended to obtain a coarse substrate with good drainage, being not too moist. pH must be between 5,5 and 6,0 and an EC of 1,0 m/s – 1,3 m/s. These are ideal values to ease the intake of micro elements. When having a high pH the crop will start growing chlorotic (mainly yellow leaves).
The ideal substrate is composed of the following elements*:
50% coarse coco
50% peat, fraction above 20/30
A mixture with good drainage is of great importance.
Please take the fraction into account !
* Ask your local supplier about the characteristics of the available substrates.
Flamingo Holland cannot be liable for any loss of profit, growing result or any other commercial damages resulting from use of this guide. This guide is for information purposes only and are not warranted for content, accuracy, or performance overall.
