Gerberas have perfect shapes, and the simplicity and rich shades of this flower conquer people for many years. This beautiful miracle of nature looks like a chamomile, therefore it has received the name “transvaal chamomile” among the people. Bright gerbera petals charge positively and give a great mood.
Popular types and varieties
The genus of the gerbera family is 80 species. But as a result of breeding, thousands of new varieties appeared. They have a different size of inflorescences, shape and color. Gerberas are large-flowered and small-flowered. With the help of the latter, the owners of cottages decorate garden plots, creating luxurious flower beds, and large-flowered plants are grown for cutting.
Gerberas that exist in nature are of great value to nerds. We list the most prominent representatives who have proven themselves in floriculture:
Gerber Jameson
This species is the founder of modern gerberas. A perennial plant is distinguished by a shortened stalk, which is hidden in the basal leaves. Inflorescences bloom in August, their diameter reaches 15 cm.
The variety was bred for cultivation in indoor floriculture, as well as in gardening.
The amazing color scheme of double and semi-double flowers can have a yellow and dark core, thanks to this the plant is highly appreciated by flower growers.
Elegans
This variety has a yellow color, as a result of which it looks like a sunny circle, framed by rays from the petals. Yellow gerbera will fill any home with happiness and light. There are pink varieties Elegans (as in the photo above). The plant has a well-developed root system, elongated and pointed leaves 30-35 centimeters long. Dense peduncles without leaves reach 65 centimeters, and the diameter of the flowers is 15-30 centimeters. The matte appearance of the petal is created due to the velvety surface.
Green Gerbera
The main difference between this species is the jagged petals of a dandelion. They are tougher and tougher to the touch.
Large inflorescences have a pale pink hue and rise on stems up to 1 m long.
Helios
The name corresponds to the appearance of the plant - it is the sun with diverging rays.
The inflorescence has 3 layers of petals, the shortest of which is located at the core.
Festival
Variety Festival have a rich color scheme. Plants are compact, have short stems and large inflorescences. The variety is ideal for growing at home.
Alcor
Alcor has a dark cherry color. Small flowers with narrow foliage represent a bush up to 50 cm long.
Saturn
Flowers of this variety are small plants with wide petals.
Mars
The flower stalk opens whole baskets with rows of petals.
Jupiter
The variety has a pleasant aroma and blooms for 3 weeks. Appearance reminds a camomile because of long and narrow petals. Terry varieties have short petals, therefore, they are similar to chrysanthemum. This is a large-flowered variety with a stem up to 70 cm.
Breeding and care
Gerbera is an unpretentious perennial plant, so caring for it is quite simple. When growing at home, it is necessary to create favorable conditions:
- A sufficient amount of sunlight, except direct rays.
- Moderate watering along the edge of the pot or into the pan.
- Bait soil and roots once every 15 days. Exclude horse manure, organic fertilizers and fertilizing with chlorine, which adversely affect the development of the flower.
Gerbera can be grown in the garden in a warm and hot climate. The optimal conditions for a flower are warm soil, which is fertilized with inorganic fertilizers. During growth, you need to water the plant abundantly, in the rest of the period - moderately. For the winter period, it is recommended to build shelters from a layer of dry leaves.
Bouquet of gerberas
Nowadays, gerbera is very popular and in demand in floristic art. Almost everyone knows this charming flower thanks to the bright colors of its petals and the perfect shape of the inflorescence. In modern floristry, the plant takes fifth place in popularity after roses, carnations, chrysanthemums and tulips.
You can buy chic compositions of their gerberas throughout the year. But when creating a bouquet you need to consider complex and simple details. These magnificent flowers can be used as an individual bouquet, so apply in different compositions. When combining gerberas with other colors, the latter can attract all the attention.
Decorative greens will help to shade and decorate a natural masterpiece. Real works of art are obtained by combining these flowers with irises and lilies. Look at the photo! Popular compositions are duets with chrysanthemums, roses. These creations will decorate any interior, even artificial flowers will fill the space with beauty, warmth and originality!
Designers do not recommend using more than 3 colors in a bouquet. This will give a loose and bulky appearance to the composition. When combined with orchids and tropical plants, gerberas will become invisible.
How to keep a bouquet longer
To make a bouquet of gerberas longer please you with its beauty, you must follow these recommendations:
- First, cut the stems with a sharp knife. To increase the area of absorption of liquid, it is necessary to make a slope obliquely. Short stems allow the composition to stand in a vase longer.
- Due to the fragility of the gerberas, they need to be placed in a vase in a special way. The stem should not touch the bottom, so that the severity of all the weight of the flowers does not fall only on the stem. Stems can be strengthened by piercing under the inflorescence.
- Pour with settling water without additives. You can use activated carbon, citric acid to disinfect water.
- Every day, change the water and cut off the stems of the plant to get moisture.
- To clean a vase with gerberas from direct sunlight. Ideal conditions are a cool room.
- Eliminate drafts
If you take care and follow the above tips, then the flowers will decorate your room with bright colors for a long time, without losing their original freshness and beauty.
Gerbera for a wedding
Today, brides refuse traditional bouquets in favor of more original and interesting ones.
Gerbera is a symbol of modesty, which carries a positive. Wedding compositions of these flowers demonstrate the individuality, originality and brightness of the bride, creating a happy wedding atmosphere.
In addition to gerbera in the wedding bouquet, you can use other plants to dilute the color and give originality.
For a harmonious look of the composition, you must adhere to the following tips:
- Be sure to add green decor to the composition to give a finished look.
- It is permissible to use a maximum of three types of flowers in a bouquet.
- Correctly combine shades. Dark colors look great with light, creating contrast.
- You can achieve the ombre effect using gradation of shades.
- You can create a stunning bouquet in a rounded style or in the form of a cascade.
Landscaping
One of the purposes of gerbera is landscape design or home decor. These bushes with incredibly beautiful flowers look like compact bouquets. The plant is used in landscape design to create flower beds and to design borders.
Gerbera is an excellent flowerbed neighbor with flowers such as roses, daisies and chrysanthemums. That is why, gerbera is considered the queen of prefabricated compositions.
Desktop wallpaper
We are almost sure that, looking at these beautiful photos and pictures, you wanted to change the desktop wallpaper. Below you will be presented with a list of wallpapers, by clicking on which the images will open in maximum resolution.