Why Do My Gerbera Daisies Keep Dying?

Powdery Mildew

• The most common problem is wind borne powdery mildew (Erysiphe). Yellow spots are followed by white fungus on older leaves. Remove affected leaves and spray with fungicide or a 1:9 milk to water mix or 1 tsp. of baking soda in 1 quart of water.

Gray Mold

• Gray mold (Botrytis) affects petals and seedlings after overhead watering in high humidity. Soft brown rot on lower leaves or flowers is followed by decay at growing tips. Wooly gray spores appear.

Root Rot or Damping Off

• In wet soil, Pythium or Phytophthora fungi enter the root tip and the root turns black. The plant wilts and yellows. If the soil dries out quickly, the plant may recover.

Verticillium Fungus

• Verticillium blocks water transfer from root to crown. Leaves wilt, turn yellow and then brown beginning at the margin. Leaves die from bottom to top of plant. Avoid verticillium by growing seedlings in sterilized potting soil.

Cutting

• With Gerbera, when a flower is cut leaving several inches of stem, the stem rots and can transfer rot to all of the plant. Flowers should be picked rather than cut.