Gerbera Royal Neon Violet

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Order

Asterales

Genus

Gerbera

Species

jamesonii

Description

Ornamental herbaceous plant with compact Growth and Plant habit. It displays, during the spring-summer period, elegant daisy-shaped flowers with petals in a wide range of colours. Easy to maintain, it is suitable for giving decorative value to balconies, terraces and flower beds, also in Composition with other flowering ornamental Species.

Species Video

https://youtu.be/KpXGZVx6KDE

Varietal description

Seasonal plant re-blooming throughout the spring. Suitable for sun exposure on a balcony, available in different colours. Easy to grow.

curiosity and special features

The generic term, Gerbera, was given to it in honour of the German botanist T. Gerber while the specific epithet, jamesonii, honours R. Jameson who introduced it to Europe from South Africa.

It is known as Transvaal daisy as it is native to this African region, in some texts it is also nicknamed Barberton daisy after the town of the same name.

Due to the colour variability of its flowers and their persistence, it is widely used as a cut flower for bouquets, also for brides, and fresh flower arrangements for every occasion.

Origin and Diffusion

Native to South Africa, in particular the northern and north-eastern Transvaal region, it was discovered in 1875 and arrived in Europe a few years later thanks to Scottish businessman R. Jameson, who brought some specimens with him from South Africa which were later sent to Kew, England. Introduced in Italy between 1925 and 1930 by a German floriculturist, it initially had small flower heads; only around 1950 were the larger-headed cultivars that we know today introduced. Since the beginning of the 20th century it has been subject to cross-fertilisation aimed at extending the colour range of the flowers, their size and duration; the gerberas currently on the market are hybrids.

Flower size

The flower individually is average in size when compared to other varieties of the same species.

Leaf

Leaf has a lobed lamina.

Flowering period

The vibrant and intense colours of the flowers show themselves from early spring to late summer for a duration of 60 to 120 days.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence head, typical of Species belonging to the botanical Family of Compositae.

Leaf color

Solid colours.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.15 to 0.2 m, making it ideal for creating flower bed compositions with other ornamental species of different development, creating perspective effects.

Lifespan

Plant grown mainly as a seasonal.

Suggested planting locations

With its spectacular spring-summer blooms, it is ideal for decorating spaces such as balconies, flowerbeds, terraces, planters

Stem/stem

The stem is herbaceous and the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is daisy-shaped, medium-sized, with plain petals. It is arranged in medium-sized flower head inflorescences. It flowers from early spring to late summer, with a flowering period of between 60 and 120 days. It is not particularly attractive to pollinating insects.

Growth

Growth is compact, a characteristic appreciated by professionals and green enthusiasts at all levels of experience to create dense and formally ordered final effects.

Plant habit

It displays an erect habit that allows association with other differently developed ornamental species to create attractive focal points.

branching

It develops with Medium branching, showing a good leaf to leaf ratio.

pH

For gerberas, the optimum pH values of the Soil/medium are acid or slightly acidic, between 5.0 and 6.5.

soil preparation

Before transplanting into the garden in spring, lightly dig up the soil and remove any weeds, residues of previous crops and bulky stones; if the soil is too compact and has poor drainage capacity, bury sand. Continue by breaking up the coarsest clods and finally distribute professional substrate for flowering plants on the surface to a height of approximately 5/10 cm, then carefully leveling.

sun exposure

It prefers half-shade, full Sun exposures to express its full ornamental characteristics.

Ideal climate and temperature

It prefers mild temperatures. The ideal temperature is between 15 and 20 °C. The biological temperature is between 5 and 35 °C. In these temperature ranges the plant can survive, however, it is the ideal temperature conditions that allow the best vegetative development and optimal flowering.

Use

With its spectacular flowering, it is one of the main seasonal herbaceous plants used in

the ornamental field

Hardiness

A variety of medium hardiness; with a few cultivation measures regarding exposure and irrigation it will guarantee highly ornamental results.

Soil/medium

The ideal soil for gerberas is preferably peaty and well-draining; for use in pots, planters and tubs, a substrate for spring plants containing peat and perlite is recommended.

Maintenance

A variety that is easy to grow and maintain, the level of management effort required is low.

cultivation tips

Some suggested cultivation conditions for better growth and flowering

Avoid over-watering Prefers low-lime water

Composition

In flowerbeds as well as in pots or planters, it is possible to create well-proportioned overall compositions with a refined colour balance by combining it with Antirrhinum majus, Begonia x hybrida, Coleus blumei.

planting

The recommended average planting density in flowerbeds is 20 plants per square metre to allow each specimen to express the best growth vigour, achieving a well-proportioned and harmonious overall result. It is also suggested to position the plant with vegetative apex outside the soil surface making sure that the root ball is well moistened and wetting after transplanting.

Reproduction/Propagation

Multiplication is by seed.

Irrigation

Use rainwater, or alternatively low-lime aqueduct water, either manually or through an irrigation system.

When transplanting, assist the seedling to allow it to adapt properly to its new site by keeping it at a constant humidity but without overdoing the water supply; then water frequently to keep the soil or substrate slightly moist but free from water stagnation that could encourage root rot. It is advisable not to water the plant directly from above but to supply water to the soil or pot to prevent the development of mould or rot on the flowers.

Fertilization

After proper post-transplantation settling, apply a balanced liquid fertiliser specifically for flowering plants to the Soil/medium, to be diluted in the irrigation water according to the appropriate doses and frequencies as stated on the relevant information label.

Pet friendly

Ingestion toxicity to pets not known; avoid administration and consider case-specific.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Human toxicity

Toxicity not known, avoid ingestion.

advise 1

With excess brightness, the flower petals tend to discolour.