Gerbera Daisy Tissue Culture and Propagation

Basics

• Tissue culture, sometimes also called micropropagation, is a type of vegetative propagation that involves removing a small piece of tissue from the desired parent plant and placing the tissue in a tissue culture container with a medium that supports a rapid growth rate. The tissue grows to form a mass known as a callus, which develops plantlets or produces plantlets directly. After several weeks, once plantlets begin to develop true leaves and roots, they can be transplanted into containers with good-quality potting soil or used to make more plantlets. The young plant must be introduced to the environment outside the container gradually to ensure survival, so maintain warm, humid conditions for the plantlet in its new container. After about a month, the gerbera can be gradually exposed to outdoor conditions.

Materials and Other Considerations

• An individual can often successfully propagate gerbera daisies and other plants if they utilize the needed materials correctly. All materials should be sterile, or aseptic. Use only healthy, actively growing gerbera daisies that are disease- and insect-free to obtain parent tissue. Purchase sealed, sterile culture dishes or containers that already contain a suitable nutrient medium and open the container only when the tissue is ready to be placed. Sterilize the workspace and tools used to remove tissue and place it in the container.

Propagation by Seed

• In addition to propagation through tissue culture, gerberas can be propagated by seed. However, many growers opt to purchase established plugs or plants because gerbera seeds are expensive, sensitive to germinating conditions and can take 14 to 18 weeks to produce flowers. The seed, which is sold in moisture-proof packages, should be sown immediately after it is opened, as the seed loses viability quickly in room conditions. Water the germinating media before sowing and cover the seeds with a thin layer of vermiculite. Maintain a humidity level as close to 100 percent as possible until the seeds germinate and keep the temperature between about 70 and 75 degrees.

Propagation by Crown Division

• Gerbera daisies can be propagated through division of the crown if the daisy has produced multiple suckers, or shoots. Carefully separate suckers, minimizing damage and making sure that each sucker has some roots. Cover the divided plants with clear plastic until they become established to minimize moisture loss.