Gerbera
Name: Named after Traugott Gerber, a German doctor. Usually
pronounced JUR-bra. Infrequently called Transvaal Daisy or Barberton
Daisy.
Origin: South Africa (Transvaal
and Cape Province)
Colour: Gerberas offer an incredibly
wide range of colours with every colour except blue represented
(including fashionable shades
of buff and maroon).
Availability: All year round.
Family: Miniature gerbera (germinis)
are available, as well as the standard size, and large headed
types (bigger
than your palm).
Varieties: There are over 200
varieties of gerbera and breeders have developed many variants
from serrated
or frilly petals to
double flowers and extra wide petals. A new developement
is the mini-gerbera or 'germini' which have the same
wide choice
of
colours but are smaller and more appropriate for smaller
flower arrangements.
Care Tips: Need warmth and bright
light. Treat gerbera as long-lived bouquets rather
than long-term
plants
- once flowering has finished,
don't be afraid to throw the plant away. You can
plant it outside if temperatures are over 5 degrees. Likes
warm water;
keep
it very clean.
Zodiac: Associated with the
star sign Leo
History: Little-known 20 years
ago, but now extremely popular and fashionable.
Gerbera
were first
imported
to Europe in the
19th century.
