
After rose, carnation, chrysanthemum and tulip, the fifth most popular cut flower is the Transvaal daisy, which is also commonly known as the gerbera daisy, Gerbera hybrida. The composite (daisy-like) flowers are typically about three to four and a half inches wide, in bright shades of yellow, orange, red, pink and white, with dark centers. They stand several inches high on bare stems, adequately above the lower, coarsely textured foliage. Transvaal daisies can bloom well for a month or more as potted houseplants in sunny spots, but rarely survive more than two months indoors. If planted in a sunny but not too harshly exposed spot in the garden as they begin to deteriorate, they can sometimes recover and continue to bloom as short lived perennials. They need good drainage but uniform moisture in organically rich soil.
I’ve occasionally tried Gerberas, which, with their big, bold blooms, are incredibly tempting, but I’ve found them to be too demanding with their water needs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is sort of my experience! Well, I suppose that I am not the only one who does not enjoy growing them. I do not find them to be satisfactorily perennial, or if they are, their foliage is not very pretty.
LikeLike