Growing Orange Gerbera Daisies

Choose a planting site for your gerberas. Although gerberas need sunshine to bloom profusely, the intense sun of the western United States can damage them. Gerberas do well in full sun in the Southern states where the sun isn't as intense, but use your own judgment when choosing a garden location for these flowers. If your sun is too intense, plant them in filtered sunlight, or locate a site with afternoon shade.

Water gerberas thoroughly while still in the pots. Remove them from the pots gently and carefully loosen the roots. Plant gerbera daisies in well-drained, organic soil. Amend clay soil generously with compost, or peat moss. Plant these flowers with the crown at or slightly above soil level spacing them 12 to 18 inches apart. After planting, mulch with 1 to 2 inches of organic matter.

Water gerberas generously in the morning hours but not to the point of making them soggy. Let the soil dry out slightly between waterings and avoid watering overhead. Poor drainage and overwatering can lead to problems such as crown rot and poor flower production. Feed gerberas a slow-release, water-soluble fertilizer once a month. Remove spent flowers and old leaves to encourage flower production. Snipping the spent flowers at the base is more aesthetically pleasing than deadheading.