Care & Handling
Cut Flower Gerbera Care:
- Remove from any packaging or boxing you have received the gerbera stems.
- Re-cut the stems at an angle with a sharp knife under running water.
- Place in room temperature water that has a small amount of bleach or flower preservative of your choice (sugar often works to 'perk up' flower heads).
- Keep stems suspended so not to touch bottom.
- The ideal room temperature to maximize the stem life should be between 45-60 degrees.
- Be sure to keep away from drafts of cold air. Do not place in cooler like other cut flowers such as roses that need a cooler temperature.
Potted Gerbera Care:
- Keep plant around 75 degrees daytime temperature and 65 degrees nighttime temperature if possible.
- During the brightest part of the day in the spring and midsummer some shading is required.
- Keep out of hard frost or freezing by covering plant or bringing inside.
- Remove any lower leaves that are turning yellow, and over ripe blooms from crown of plant.
- Water only when dry to the touch - be careful not to over water. Gerberas need good drainage to prevent root rot, use fungicide drench to prevent this problem.
- Fertilize monthly with a regular plant fertilizer such as 10-10-10. Use a fungicide drench to prevent root rot.
Poinsettia Care Instructions:
- All poinsettias need to be handled carefully at all times as they are more delicate than they look.
- Place in room with sufficient natural light or regular (incandescent-filament) house lamps. Avoid drafts or excess heat from appliances, radiators, or other heaters
- Place plant high enough out of reach of small children and animals. (Though research shows no ill effects from eating leaves and bracts, it is not recommended).
- Water plant thoroughly when soil surface is dry to touch. Do not let soak.
- To prolong bright color of bracts, temperatures should not exceed 72 degrees daytime temperature or 60 degrees nighttime temperature.
- When bracts age and become muddy green, cut the plant back to 8 inches to grow as a foliage plant.It may be placed outdoors in summer when temperatures are warm.
- Avoid temperatures below 50 degrees in the night.
- Return plant to room for direct light 6-8 hours daily and 60-70 degrees for nighttime temperatures.
- For the best looking poinsettia that will turn color for Christmas, start between September 23rd – October 10th (depending on variety) ensuring a fourteen hour dark (pitch black) period at night for at least three weeks.
