Gerbera — Package of Practices
A long-flowering cut-flower crop — plant tissue-culture plants with the crown just above soil on raised beds, deleaf regularly, and pick flowers as the outer disc florets open.
Overview
Gerbera is a leading cut-flower crop, grown for its large, showy daisy-like flower heads in a wide range of colours used in bouquets, arrangements and decoration.
It is a perennial usually grown on raised beds under a polyhouse or shade net, where a single planting keeps flowering for about 2–3 years. Plants are raised from disease-free tissue-culture material for uniformity and health. Types differ in flower size, form and colour. No specific cultivar is named here.
Climate & season
Gerbera needs mild, bright weather (about 20–25 °C day and 12–16 °C night) with good light but protection from scorching heat and frost.
- Protected cultivation (polyhouse or shade net) gives the best flower quality and year-round supply.
- Good light drives strong flowering, but very high heat fades and deforms blooms.
- Avoid frost, cold winds and waterlogged, poorly ventilated conditions.
Soil & land preparation
A light, well-drained, slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter suits gerbera best, at a pH of 5.5–6.5. Heavy, wet soil causes crown and root rot.
- Grow on raised beds (30–40 cm high) for excellent drainage.
- Mix in plenty of well-rotted farmyard manure and coco-peat or organic matter.
- Solarise or sterilise beds before planting to cut soil-borne rots.
- Avoid heavy clay and saline or alkaline soils.
Choosing a type & material
Select by flower size, form (single, semi-double, double) and colour. Healthy tissue-culture plants are the planting unit and decide crop health and uniformity. No specific cultivar is named here.
Planting material
- Use healthy, hardened tissue-culture plants, free of disease.
- Plant at about 6–8 plants/m² on the bed.
- Reject weak, wilted or root-bound plants.
- Buy from a reliable source to avoid virus and nematode carry-over.
Preparation
- Harden plants before transplanting.
- Set the plant so the crown sits slightly above the soil — never bury it.
- Lay drip lines and plan for regular deleafing.
- Dip or drench against root rot at establishment.
Planting & spacing
- Prepare raised beds and mix in farmyard manure and organic matter.
- Lay drip irrigation lines along the beds.
- Plant tissue-culture plants at 30 × 30 cm (about 6–8 plants/m²), keeping the crown just above the soil surface.
- Irrigate lightly to settle the plants without wetting the crown.
- Remove the first flower buds early to let the plant establish.
- Deleaf regularly to open the canopy for light and airflow.
Nutrient management
Figures below are a general guide per hectare for one crop cycle — on protected raised beds most nutrition is given through fertigation; adjust to soil and water tests. Avoid excess nitrogen, which gives soft growth and weak flower stalks.
| Input | Dose (per ha) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Farmyard manure / compost | 20–25 t | Mix in at bed preparation Basal |
| Nitrogen (N) | Regular low doses | Through fertigation during growth and flowering Split |
| Phosphorus (P₂O₅) | Basal + fertigation | Supports roots and flowering Basal |
| Potassium (K₂O) | Regular doses | Improves flower quality and stalk strength Split |
| Iron & micronutrients | as needed | Foliar chelated Fe on high-pH soils to prevent chlorosis Foliar |
Water management
Gerbera needs steady moisture at the root zone but a dry crown and foliage.
- Irrigate through drip to keep the root zone evenly moist.
- Avoid wetting the crown and leaves — it invites rot and leaf disease.
- Most critical at establishment and continuous flowering.
- Never waterlog; ensure the beds drain freely after every irrigation.
Intercultural & crop management
- Deleaf regularly — remove old, yellow and diseased leaves to improve light, airflow and flower quality.
- Keep beds and paths clean; remove fallen leaves and spent flowers.
- Weed the beds and maintain the drip system.
- Remove early buds at establishment so the plant builds a strong crown.
- Monitor for thrips and mites during deleafing, when the canopy is open.
Plant protection
| Problem | Type | Watch for | Manage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thrips | Pest | Silvery streaks on leaves and scarred, discoloured flowers — the key pest; they also spread virus | Blue sticky traps, sanitation, a recommended insecticide at threshold |
| Red spider mite | Pest | Fine webbing and stippled, bronzed leaves in hot dry weather | Raise humidity, remove affected leaves, a recommended miticide |
| Whitefly | Pest | Tiny white flies under leaves; honeydew, sooty mould and virus spread | Yellow sticky traps, neem, a recommended insecticide |
| Leaf miner | Pest | Winding pale tunnels inside the leaves | Remove mined leaves, yellow sticky traps, a recommended insecticide |
| Crown & root rot (Phytophthora / Pythium) | Disease | Wilting and rotting at the crown, worst when planted deep or over-watered | Plant crown-high, good drainage, avoid over-watering, recommended drench |
| Powdery mildew | Disease | White powdery patches on leaves in mild, humid weather | Airflow, deleafing, recommended fungicide or sulphur |
| Botrytis / Alternaria | Disease | Grey mould or brown leaf and petal spots in cool, damp spells | Keep foliage dry, remove infected parts, recommended fungicide |
IPM-first routine
- Start with healthy tissue-culture plants on a well-drained, sterilised bed.
- Plant crown-high and irrigate at the root zone only.
- Deleaf and keep beds clean to remove pest and disease shelter.
- Scout weekly; use blue and yellow sticky traps for thrips and whitefly.
- Favour natural enemies, neem and bio-agents first.
- Use recommended chemicals only at threshold, rotating modes of action.
Use crop-protection inputs safely
Always read the product label and follow it. Use the correct dose — more is not safer or better. Wear protective clothing (gloves, mask, full sleeves) while mixing and spraying, and respect the pre-harvest interval before you pick. Put IPM and cultural methods first and treat chemical sprays as a last resort.
Harvesting & yield
Flowers are picked young so they open fully in the vase.
- Pick when 2–3 outer rows of disc florets have opened, in the cool morning.
- Pull the stem with a slight twist rather than cutting, then trim the white base — this is how gerbera is harvested for longer vase life.
- Place stems in clean water immediately and keep them cool.
- Pick regularly (every 1–2 days) through the flowering period.
- Typical yield: about 200–250 marketable flowers per square metre over the crop’s life.
Explore related crops
Gerbera — Package of Practices
A long-flowering cut-flower crop — plant tissue-culture plants with the crown just above soil on raised beds, deleaf regularly, and pick flowers as the outer disc florets open.
Overview
Gerbera is a leading cut-flower crop, grown for its large, showy daisy-like flower heads in a wide range of colours used in bouquets, arrangements and decoration.
It is a perennial usually grown on raised beds under a polyhouse or shade net, where a single planting keeps flowering for about 2–3 years. Plants are raised from disease-free tissue-culture material for uniformity and health. Types differ in flower size, form and colour. No specific cultivar is named here.
Climate & season
Gerbera needs mild, bright weather (about 20–25 °C day and 12–16 °C night) with good light but protection from scorching heat and frost.
- Protected cultivation (polyhouse or shade net) gives the best flower quality and year-round supply.
- Good light drives strong flowering, but very high heat fades and deforms blooms.
- Avoid frost, cold winds and waterlogged, poorly ventilated conditions.
Soil & land preparation
A light, well-drained, slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter suits gerbera best, at a pH of 5.5–6.5. Heavy, wet soil causes crown and root rot.
- Grow on raised beds (30–40 cm high) for excellent drainage.
- Mix in plenty of well-rotted farmyard manure and coco-peat or organic matter.
- Solarise or sterilise beds before planting to cut soil-borne rots.
- Avoid heavy clay and saline or alkaline soils.
Choosing a type & material
Select by flower size, form (single, semi-double, double) and colour. Healthy tissue-culture plants are the planting unit and decide crop health and uniformity. No specific cultivar is named here.
Planting material
- Use healthy, hardened tissue-culture plants, free of disease.
- Plant at about 6–8 plants/m² on the bed.
- Reject weak, wilted or root-bound plants.
- Buy from a reliable source to avoid virus and nematode carry-over.
Preparation
- Harden plants before transplanting.
- Set the plant so the crown sits slightly above the soil — never bury it.
- Lay drip lines and plan for regular deleafing.
- Dip or drench against root rot at establishment.
Planting & spacing
- Prepare raised beds and mix in farmyard manure and organic matter.
- Lay drip irrigation lines along the beds.
- Plant tissue-culture plants at 30 × 30 cm (about 6–8 plants/m²), keeping the crown just above the soil surface.
- Irrigate lightly to settle the plants without wetting the crown.
- Remove the first flower buds early to let the plant establish.
- Deleaf regularly to open the canopy for light and airflow.
Nutrient management
Figures below are a general guide per hectare for one crop cycle — on protected raised beds most nutrition is given through fertigation; adjust to soil and water tests. Avoid excess nitrogen, which gives soft growth and weak flower stalks.
| Input | Dose (per ha) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Farmyard manure / compost | 20–25 t | Mix in at bed preparation Basal |
| Nitrogen (N) | Regular low doses | Through fertigation during growth and flowering Split |
| Phosphorus (P₂O₅) | Basal + fertigation | Supports roots and flowering Basal |
| Potassium (K₂O) | Regular doses | Improves flower quality and stalk strength Split |
| Iron & micronutrients | as needed | Foliar chelated Fe on high-pH soils to prevent chlorosis Foliar |
Water management
Gerbera needs steady moisture at the root zone but a dry crown and foliage.
- Irrigate through drip to keep the root zone evenly moist.
- Avoid wetting the crown and leaves — it invites rot and leaf disease.
- Most critical at establishment and continuous flowering.
- Never waterlog; ensure the beds drain freely after every irrigation.
Intercultural & crop management
- Deleaf regularly — remove old, yellow and diseased leaves to improve light, airflow and flower quality.
- Keep beds and paths clean; remove fallen leaves and spent flowers.
- Weed the beds and maintain the drip system.
- Remove early buds at establishment so the plant builds a strong crown.
- Monitor for thrips and mites during deleafing, when the canopy is open.
Plant protection
| Problem | Type | Watch for | Manage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thrips | Pest | Silvery streaks on leaves and scarred, discoloured flowers — the key pest; they also spread virus | Blue sticky traps, sanitation, a recommended insecticide at threshold |
| Red spider mite | Pest | Fine webbing and stippled, bronzed leaves in hot dry weather | Raise humidity, remove affected leaves, a recommended miticide |
| Whitefly | Pest | Tiny white flies under leaves; honeydew, sooty mould and virus spread | Yellow sticky traps, neem, a recommended insecticide |
| Leaf miner | Pest | Winding pale tunnels inside the leaves | Remove mined leaves, yellow sticky traps, a recommended insecticide |
| Crown & root rot (Phytophthora / Pythium) | Disease | Wilting and rotting at the crown, worst when planted deep or over-watered | Plant crown-high, good drainage, avoid over-watering, recommended drench |
| Powdery mildew | Disease | White powdery patches on leaves in mild, humid weather | Airflow, deleafing, recommended fungicide or sulphur |
| Botrytis / Alternaria | Disease | Grey mould or brown leaf and petal spots in cool, damp spells | Keep foliage dry, remove infected parts, recommended fungicide |
IPM-first routine
- Start with healthy tissue-culture plants on a well-drained, sterilised bed.
- Plant crown-high and irrigate at the root zone only.
- Deleaf and keep beds clean to remove pest and disease shelter.
- Scout weekly; use blue and yellow sticky traps for thrips and whitefly.
- Favour natural enemies, neem and bio-agents first.
- Use recommended chemicals only at threshold, rotating modes of action.
Use crop-protection inputs safely
Always read the product label and follow it. Use the correct dose — more is not safer or better. Wear protective clothing (gloves, mask, full sleeves) while mixing and spraying, and respect the pre-harvest interval before you pick. Put IPM and cultural methods first and treat chemical sprays as a last resort.
Harvesting & yield
Flowers are picked young so they open fully in the vase.
- Pick when 2–3 outer rows of disc florets have opened, in the cool morning.
- Pull the stem with a slight twist rather than cutting, then trim the white base — this is how gerbera is harvested for longer vase life.
- Place stems in clean water immediately and keep them cool.
- Pick regularly (every 1–2 days) through the flowering period.
- Typical yield: about 200–250 marketable flowers per square metre over the crop’s life.