Gerbera, also known as the African Daisy, Transvaal Daisy, or Hilton Daisy.

It is a flowering perennial plant native to South Africa and also found in the wild in Madagascar and Asia.

Gerbera is grown in India in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Himachal Pradesh.

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Division: Magnoliophyta
• Class: Magnoliopsida
• Order: Asterales
• Family: Asteraceae
• Genus: Gerbera
• Species: jamesonii

• Flowers are the most economically important part of Gerbera

Gerbera can be grown from seed or crown divisions.

Seeds should be germinated within 1 to 2 months of collection, at temperatures of about 20°C to 25°C.

Gerbera plants require full sun and moderate watering.

They grow on grasslands, rocky slopes, the veldt and in sandy soils.

They thrive in full sun or partial shade in tropical, subtropical and temperate climates and are very tolerant towards infertile soils but do not like temperatures below about 7°C.

• The major challenges involve
• Biotic Causes:
  • Major Pests: White Fly, Leaf Miner, Mites, Aphids and Thrips.
  • Major Diseases: Root Rot, Foot Rot, Blight, Powdery Mildew and Bud Rot.
• Abiotic Causes:
  • Bushiness
  • Stem Break
  • Yellowing and Purple margin