Herbras (gerbera daisy) is a plant with bright, large, colorful flowers. In warmer climates, herbaceous plants can be grown in the garden as a perennial (all year round). However, in colder climates, herbaceous plants can be grown outdoors as seasonal crops. Herbras also grow well in pots. Planting herbs in pots is very easy because you can bring flowers into the house when the weather is cold. The trick to caring for herbaceous plants is to provide the right amount of water for the plant to thrive.
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Part 1 of 3: Making Sprouts from Seeds
Step 1. Make sprouts indoors in early spring
Herbras cannot be planted outdoors until the frost has cleared and the soil has begun to warm. To get an early start, you can germinate indoors beforehand so the plant is ready to move in late spring or early summer.
Making sprouts early will also ensure the plant blooms the following season
Step 2. Fill the nursery tray with ready-to-plant soil
Ready-to-plant soil is a mixture of loose soil with a lighter content than ordinary soil mixture so it is better for making sprouts. Once the trays are filled, use a spray bottle to moisten the soil in each box. You can also make your own ready-to-plant soil medium by mixing the same composition of:
- Vermiculite
- pearlite
- Peat moss
Step 3. Plant the seeds
Use the sharp end of a pencil or toothpick to make a hole in the center of the soil in each square. The hole should be about 0.5 cm deep. Insert each seed into the hole with the pointed end facing down. The top of the seed should be just below the soil line. Compact the soil around the hole to cover the soil.
Step 4. Water the seeds
Use a spray bottle or small gembor (embrat) to moisten the soil medium and help firm up the seeds. As the seeds germinate, water as needed to keep the soil slightly moist, but not soggy.
Step 5. Cover the tray with plastic
You can place a tray lid on top or use a piece of plastic to cover the seedling tray. This cover will keep the seeds warm and keep moisture in the soil while the seeds germinate. You can remove the plastic within 2 to 3 weeks of the seeds starting to germinate.
When the tray is covered with plastic, you don't have to water it too often. However, once the plastic is opened, water it every day to keep the soil moist
Step 6. Place the seed tray in a bright place
Choose a bright window sill or other location where the seeds can get 8 hours of indirect sunlight each day. Bright sunlight and a plastic cover will also keep the seeds warm and stimulate germination.
Part 2 of 3: Moving Herbras to the Garden
Step 1. Wait for two pairs of herbaceous leaves to grow
After the seeds germinate, the herbaceous seedlings will continue to grow. Herbras seedlings cannot be moved outdoors until two pairs of leaves have grown (four leaves in total), and the soil has begun to warm in late spring or early summer.
Even if the herbaceous saplings already have two pairs of leaves, do not remove them until the winter frost is over
Step 2. Choose a location where there is sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon
Herbras are native to South Africa so they tend to dislike temperatures above 21 °C. For this reason, herbs should not be exposed to the hot midday sun. Herbras also like lots of sun so an ideal location is a spot that is bright and sunny in the morning, but protected from direct sunlight during the day.
Step 3. Improve soil quality with compost
Herbras are very perishable if exposed to too much liquid. You can improve soil drainage by mixing 5 cm of compost into the garden bed before planting. Compost will enrich the soil and make flowers grow better.
- In addition to compost, you can also use peat or other organic material.
- For soils that have a high clay content, improve the quality by adding sand to improve drainage. Otherwise, you can grow herbs in pots.
Step 4. Dig a hole for the herbaceous seedlings
Use your hands or a shovel to dig a hole deep enough and wide enough for the herbaceous root tissue. If you plant herbs too deep, the plants will rot. Holes should be spaced about 30 to 46 cm apart to provide adequate airflow between each plant.
Step 5. Plant the herbs in the soil
Carefully remove the tillers from the seedling tray and place one tiller in each hole. Cover the root tissue with soil and use your hands to gently press the soil around the roots to secure the herbaceous saplings in place.
Step 6. Water the saplings thoroughly to establish them in the soil
Water the soil around the herbs, but don't let the water touch the plants. As the plant grows, water it thoroughly once a week to keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy. Do not let water get on the flowers or leaves because the plant can rot.
Water the herbs early in the morning so that the remaining water dries up during the day
Step 7. Fertilize herbs every month
Herbras require a lot of energy to produce large, beautiful flowers, and you can help them by providing them with nutrients on a regular basis. Fertilize once a month by mixing all-purpose liquid fertilizer into the water before pouring it onto the plants.
Step 8. Remove dead buds to stimulate new flower growth
When the herbaceous flowers bloom, watch them carefully so you can cut them off as soon as they start to wilt. Use sterilized shears to cut off dead flowers and leaves. This pruning will stimulate the plant to grow more flowers.
So that you don't have to spend money on flowers, just cut the herbs while the flowers are still fresh and put them in a vase. Flowers placed in water will stay fresh for several days
Part 3 of 3: Growing Herbras In Pots Indoors
Step 1. Choose a well-drained container
The most important thing when growing herbs in pots is to choose a container that has plenty of drainage holes. Choose the smallest pot that will hold herbs so you can move the plant outdoors when the weather permits. Growing herbs in these pots is ideal if you:
- Lives in colder climates with very cold autumn and winter months.
- Lives in a rainy climate where the plant is exposed to too much water if grown in a garden.
- Lives in a climate where the relative humidity is often over 65%.
- Lives in high clay soils with poor drainage.
Step 2. Fill the pot with ready-to-plant soil with a light composition
The ideal soil for herbaceous soil is one that is well drained and fertile, such as ready-to-plant soil with a rich mixture of peat, perlite, and vermiculite. Fill the pot then water the soil using a spray bottle.
Step 3. Dig up herbs from the garden
If you are transplanting a plant from the garden into a pot for winter, use a shovel to carefully dig up the soil around the herbaceous roots and loosen it from the soil. Once the roots have loosened, hold the plant by the base and gently lift it off the ground.
Step 4. Plant the herbs in the pot
Use a shovel to dig a hole in the ground. The hole must be large enough to accommodate the root tissue. Transfer the herbs from the garden or nursery tray (if you are transplanting the seedlings straight away) into a pot and cover the roots with soil. Use your hands to gently compress the soil around the roots.
Step 5. Water the plant every 3 to 5 days
Herbras like soil that is evenly moist, but not muddy or wet. The way to test it is by sticking your finger as deep as 2.5 cm into the soil. If the soil feels dry, water the plant thoroughly. If it still feels wet, let it sit for a day or two.
Herbras tend to need less water during the winter, but don't let the soil dry out completely
Step 6. Place the pot in a place that gets morning sun
The ideal temperature for herbs is around 21 °C. So, don't put it in direct sunlight. To give it enough light, look for a window that gets a lot of direct morning sunlight, but is shaded during the day, and only gets indirect sunlight in the afternoon.
In the warmer months of spring and summer, you can leave potted herbs outdoors, where there are similar lighting conditions
Step 7. Fertilize the plant every month during the growing period
Herbras need additional nutrition in the spring and summer when the plant is actively growing and flowering. Every 30 days, dilute a 15-5-15 fertilizer in water before spraying it on plants.
Step 8. Cut off the dead flowers
When the flower buds begin to wilt and die, cut them off with clean cuttings. By removing dead flowers, plant energy will be channeled to stimulate the growth of new flowers. You should also trim any leaves and clumps that are starting to wither and turn brown.
