How to Grow Gerber Daisies & How Long Before Full Bloom?

Potting

• Gerber daisies grow from seeds in pots or directly in the ground as fall perennials. Potting generally happens in the spring since the daisies are not winter flowers. However, seeds planted in greenhouses or indoors away from the frost can blossom out of the usual season. Cover seeds with 1 inch of soil and water enough to keep the soil moist. Mix a variety of colors or choose one specific color to compliment your garden. Gerber daisies come in bright pink, red, orange, yellow, white and even a dark burgundy, also called chocolate.

Blooming

• Gerber daisies bloom best when they are given abundant light and kept at temperatures between 45 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant generally takes 14 to 18 weeks to develop flowers after the seeds are planted. In warm climates where it's not too humid, the daisies can bloom until the first frost outdoors, or later if kept indoors or a greenhouse. Healthy blooms should last two to three weeks. Fresh cut Gerber daisies can last up to three weeks under ideal conditions. Keep fresh cut bouquets in a cool place after trimming the stems and placing in warm water.

Monitoring Growth

• Healthy plants don't require extensive pruning. Remove dead leaves and stems with clippers or your fingers. Leaves turn black when the plant is too cold. Brown leaves mean the plant is either being watered too much or too little; check the soil moisture and adjust to resolve the issue. Dark spots on the leaves suggest the water is too cold when watering the plant. Adjust the environment to improve the condition of unhealthy Gerber daisies.

Pest Control

• Gerbera daisies are most afflicted by the white fly. Regular inspection of the underside of the leaves prevents infestation. Upon noticing little white dots under the leaves, employ a regimen of insecticide to eradicate the pests. Aphids are another concern but are not as prevalent as white flies.