GERBERA ( ger’ – be- ra ) jamesoni (Sometimes spelled Gerberia.) – Transvaal or Barberton Daisy. A tender South African perennial which has attained tremendous popularity as a florists’ cut-flower, following the introduction of an improved, large-flowered scarlet type and the development of variously colored hybrids. Usually grown as greenhouse or window plants, where they flower over a long winter season, they produce long-petaled daisy-like flowers 2 to 4 in. across on exceedingly long stems. The flowers are excellent for cutting and stand well above a rosette of gray-green leaves and are solid colored in many pastel shades, from pale amber through salmon and rose to rich ruby red.
Raising plants from seed is not difficult, except that germination is uncertain and careful handling is required. For this reason propagation is generally by cuttings of side shoots. In sowing seed, start them in slight heat, such as a sunny window, hotbed or greenhouse, in well-drained sandy peat soil. The fuzzy, pointed end of the seed should come just above the soil surface. About two weeks after they germinate the seedlings should be put into pots and repotted occasionally as the plants develop. A temperature of about 70 deg. is best. Flowers appear in six to nine months after sowing, and plants will continue to bear for years if given winter protection in the garden or wintered over in the coldframe.
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