Gerbera:

practice
& theory

Dr. Yoseph Shoub copyright by the author ©

In our gerbera breeding farm in Israel we breed gerbera

varieties for countries with climate similar to yours.

We develop advanced growing techniques for soil and for hydroponics,

and we guide our growers via questions and answers.

This lecture is part of our efforts to support the growers.

www.gerberaisrael.com gerbera1@zahav.net.il

At several locations in different countries we hold varieties’ trials.

We do it with the cooperation of our producers “ Selecta”.

www.selectaworld.com
The morphology
of the gerbera

The stem
Includes: 4 mature leaves
2 flowers
1 new productive bud
2 dormant buds
 scheme of
2 flowers’ stems
A gerbera productive bud
branch
built of 4 stems

each stem is
~ 5 mm. long on : each stem
4 mature leaves (1 - 4)
(4 Internodes of ~ 1.25 mm.) 2 flowers’ stems
(each one is ~ 700 mm. Long)

1 new productive bud

2 dormant buds
’3
’4 ’1 scars of 2 picked flowers
’2 old mature leaves (1’ - 4’)
Gerbera seedling * `
*Seedling: a plant
originated from seed,
used in the breeding
process.
4 mature leaves

3 juvenile leaves

short stem of ~3mm

 The leaves

Gerbera plantlets ready for planting.

At this stage, all the leaves are juvenile leaves.
’Reading’ the
plant phenotype*
helps to reach the
right professional Mature leaves at different ages
decisions.

* The plant phenotype

is the unique form of
a variety.
Active leaf
Normal aged leaf, already
.contributed its content
 Changes in the minerals
content, cut the leaf activity.

early changes in the

minerals content

active leaf
Same leaves, bottom side
Something is wrong !
What do we tend to assume ?
Regarding flowering
The gerbera is:
’Self inductive plant’.
Flowering is not
affected by the length
of the day, nor by the
temperature.

Gerbera seedling
6 weeks after
replanting. A branch
with 2 flowers
and a new young stem.
A new young stem
A seedling
10 weeks
after
replanting,
already
has more
than 2 stems.
What about leaves thinning
Mature gerbera plants
and optimal leaves number?
 Scars of:
The crown detached flowers stems
A live tissue of
compressed stems detached leaf

exposed growing 3
centers
view from above

As a perennial wild plant,

more growing centers are
developed and turn into
semi-independent plants.
The crown
Adventitious root

Secondary roots

view from aside

 Adventitious roots
are formed from the stem, and not from
another root.

In the photo - Adventitious roots of Polygonum sp. which have been formed
while the green stem was covered by a wet soil.
 The roots
The roots system of the Soil surface*
gerbera, is consisted of
:two roots’ types

A. Adventitious roots Adventitious roots

The main roots,
formed only
on young stems,
close to the soil
surface.

B. Secondary roots
* The soil surface is a sensitive
The white rootlets, level, regarding temperatures,
formed only water holding, evaporation,
on the drying up, EC, pH, etc.
adventitious roots.
The white rootlets supply Oxygenated water and
minerals solution via the root tips and the root hairs.
"Let us grow roots, the flowers are the by-products"

(This is the
whole practical truth)
Young root system

Secondary roots

Adventitious root
In containers, the
appearance of the
outer white rootlets,
reflects the situation
of the roots inside.
Washed roots system of
a gerbera plant
.grown in container
Established
roots system of
an Israeli variety,
in Ecuadorian soil.

Use a shovel, for

. uprooting
the roots.
Continuity of growth
in spite of the :
’Old’ crown
Contaminated scars
of flowers’ stems semi independent
new branch
And water supply
via ’rusty’ tissues
New roots are able to emerge from
a healthy gerbera young stem,
in spite of the older roots’ condition.
 de
co
ing
ed
e
Br

The Flowers

Variety - Province
Variety - Lorca
by botanical definition

The gerbera ’flower’

.is an inflorescence

Flower bud
as first seen at bottom of the
.leaves

At this phase
.the flower stem is not visible
 Stem elongation

Stem elongation upwards

starts at the base of the
.young stem
The flower bud grows
.upwards
The elongation process of
the stem is not
.symmetric
+
One side grows and +
elongates faster than the
.other side
This growth pattern is
directing the flower head
.downwards +
 +++

As long as the flower head is

located among and under
the leaves, the stem
continues to grow
in non-symmetric pattern.

This kind of growth protects the

flower head until it passes the
leaves.

Than the growth turns, the stem

and the flower head will continue
to grow upwards.
The flower head Flower head among
just passed the .the leaves
edges of the
leaves.
 Stem tip
Maturation of the ’Flower-stem’
Or when not to harvest gerberas *
Maturation (lignifications) of the
gerbera ’flower stem’, starts at the In our breeding program,
stem’s base, and continues we pay attention to such
stem qualities as -
upwards, following the stem length, strength, early
elongation. lignifications and longevity.

At the same time, downward

lignifications at the stem’s tip,
continues only a few centimeters
.and than stops

As long as the elongation process

continues, the elongation sites
remains flexible.*
* Do not harvest gerbera flowers stem base
At early stages, the petals develop in non symmetric pattern, and this is normal.
 ! Cross section of gerbera inflorescence, ready for harvest
! At least 2 full circles of ripen male flowers are seen

petal

receptacle
Female
female flowers,
flower, malemale flowers
flower, bract
stem tip
Single type flowers

Ligulate female flower

Tubular flowers
Male females
Male female
Double type flowers
All are ligulate flowers

male females
Single type flower,
’Female stage’.
Not ready for harvest,
the stamen are not
yet visible.

Pistil and
Stigma
Same flower
two days later:
Ready for harvest,
.’Male stage’ circles of male 2
.flowers are open

Stamen
and pollen
Post harvest treatment - essential and simple: saturation with
.post harvest solution

Our varieties grown in soil - Ecuador

 Packing

mature gerbera flowers packed for shipment 30

Leading lines for harvest:
• Harvest during the cool hours of the morning.
• Pick only mature lignified stems.
• Pick only when two circles of male flowers show their stamens.
• Cut the stem base and immerse immediately in post harvest solution.
• Transfer the flowers’ containers to cool packing area as soon as possible.
Top Bottom

Open tray, designed in Israel, for 30 gerbera flowers.

Note - the side holes are touching the walls.
 Top

Tray ready for packing, 2 trays packed in one container.

60 flowers per container.
30 packed flowers
The other side
of the same tray
Essential
preparations
before
packing ’Bunching’
.Bunches of one tray, are laid beneath the second tray
The tray’s top is tied to the container head
The container is ready to be covered
 Important Note -

Stems packed in the container, and laid horizontally during the

storage and the shipment, will react, after the arrival, with active
Curved growth.

active curved growth

Storing and shipping the packed gerbera containers, in upside-down

position, helps to avoid the phenomena.
 ’Fertigation’ = Irrigation with fertilizers

5 Major questions about fertigation of intensive crops:

• When to irrigate
• How much to irrigate
• When to fertilize
• How much to fertilize
• Which fertilizers to use
 A few words about the importance of water and Oxygen

Oxygen plays an important role in the life of plants as for all living things.
The fact is that plants are able to use the vital Oxygen only when

it is dissolved in water, and water, for the plants, is the only Oxygen supplier.

By irrigating, we are supplying Oxygen, water, and minerals,

all needed for optimal growth and production.

Note the descending order of importance – Oxygen, water, all the other minerals.
 With higher oxygen rate in the soil solution

,the plants are able to absorb fertilizers without difficulty

.even if the concentrations of the minerals are low

About 11 to 8 ppm O2 is almost the higher possibility rate for O2 to dissolve

in water (at sea level), for temperatures of 12 – 27C (the optimal range for
gerbera Growth).

.Stagnant water (reservoir water), contain less oxygen than fresh water

Water of high temperatures (35 - 40C), contain less Oxygen than cool
.water
Water surface and Oxygen availability

O2 molecules dissolve into the water, through the surface of the water.
The greater the surface area of the irrigated water, the higher the amount
of O2 dissolve in it.

Therefore drip irrigation systems increase the Oxygen rate in the soil
solution, compare to other traditional irrigation systems.

For the same reason, Micro drip irrigation systems are excellent Oxygen
suppliers.
 .… Drops

Micro flow
A B
200cc / hour 2000cc / hour

With conventional dripping 2000cc / hour

Withmicro drip irrigation e.g. 200cc / hour (A), (B), less O2 is dissolved into the solution.
more O2. is dissolved into the solution

The above data is a result of the physical fact - that the total number of
drops, for the same water volume, is greater with micro dripping, than the
total number of drops of conventional dripping.

Thus, the area surface of micro irrigation is bigger and so is the amount
of O2 dissolved in it.
“In one drop of water, there is a degree of perfection, greater than in any
machine designed by man”.

Albert Einstein
 Water movement in the soil

Water movement in the soil is affected, in addition to other factors, by the

rate of the water flow.

Micro irrigation is changing the gravity movement character to a diffusion

movement.
 Slow water Fast water
movement
200cc / hour movement
Piston’ movement’ 2000cc / hour Salts accumulation

(diffusion) (gravity)

Micro dripirrigation Conventional drip irrigation

Creates diffused water movement, and Creates gravity water movement and
helps to avoid salinity in the roots zone. .enable salinity conditions to develop
 Fertigation

timing and quantities

When to irrigate plants and how much, depends on the following factors:

A. The amount of water used by the plants from the previous irrigation,
. plus the amount of water evaporated from the soil surface

B. The saturation point of the soil or the media, and the drainage
quantities from the roots zone.

]A & B are easily measured and controlled by sensitive electronic tensiometers[

C. The minerals content of the water in use (EC).

D. The accumulated salts in the soil solution and in the drainage (EC).

]C & D can be measured and controlled automatically by sensitive

electrodes.[

E. The sensitivities of the plant variety, regarding salinity, pH, aeration, etc.
 The daily irrigation quantity
.(The data below are solely for the purpose of the discussion)

An example for summer time:

If the daily transpiration rate of a mature gerbera plant (including the evaporation)
is ~ 500cc therefore the effective amount of irrigated water on such days, should

be ~ 625cc per plant.

:Calculation
The transpired 500cc + 125cc needed for leaching the excessive salts = 625cc.

This irrigation quantity, can create 20% drainage.

How frequently to irrigate

How frequently to irrigate depends on the soil or the media character,

on the water quality, on the plant activity, and on the irrigation system in use.

In sandy soils, for example, it is advised to divide the daily amount of water,
for 2 or more irrigations, and in clay soils to irrigate once a day or less.

If the EC of the original water is above 0.8mmhos/cm, it is advised, as for the

risk of salinity, not to let the soil surface to dry.

As for the timing of the first daily irrigation, it is advised to follow the
transpiration rates, which normally increases about 1 - 2 hours after sun rise.
’Auto Agronom’

With the newly accurate irrigation control system – the ’AutoAgronom’,

the daily amount of water is divided automatically to many small pulses.

These irrigation pulses are controlled via very sensitive tensiometer,

affected by the water consumption of the plants.

The purpose of these small irrigation pulses is to keep the water tension

in the soil close to the saturation point of the soil, and by that to keep the

continuity of optimal growing conditions around the clock.

Auto Agronom by Rotem Dan (88) Ltd, Israel
rotem_d@zahav.net.il htpp//rotemdan.com
.

The Auto Agronom system:

• Controls the amount of water in the soil / media, close to the saturation point.

• Measures and controls the the Nitrates, the EC, and the pH, in the irrigation
water and in the roots’ zone solution.

• Enables diffused water-movement in the soil, instead of gravity water-movement.

• Is able to create optimal growing conditions for the white rootlets, by

increasing the Oxygen rate, at a reduced soil volume (from the soil surface to

a depth of 10 - 20cm).

This soil volume is optimal for managing high plant activities, and at the same time,
saves fertilizers and water, and avoids salinity.
The ’Auto Agronom’ technique fits many kinds of soils and crops.

Therefore, it is already in use in soil farms (indoors and outdoors) and in

hydroponics farms of:
Roses, Gypsophila, Carnations, Gerberas, Tomatoes, Pepper, Citrus, Avocado
and some other flower crops.

It is already installed in countries like: Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, Australia,

Tunisia, and of course in Israel.
 Tens.1 %Humidity Temp Oxy %

13.0 120.0
12.8
100.0
12.6
12.4 80.0
12.2

Temp.+Humidity
MiliBars

12.0 60.0
11.8
40.0
11.6
11.4 20.0
11.2
11.0 0.0
13/09/2005 14/09/2005 14/09/2005 14/09/2005 14/09/2005 14/09/2005 15/09/2005 15/09/2005
19:12 00:00 04:48 09:36 14:24 19:12 00:00 04:48
’Auto Agronom’ graphs :
Daily irrigation pulses, Humidity, Temperatures and Oxygen.
.(Gerbera Breeding ltd. Ganey Am, Israel (14/ 09 / 2005
 EC pH EC Line NO3 Linear (NO3)

18 67
16 66
65
14 64
12
MiliBars+ec+ph

63

NO3 PPM
10 62
8 61
60
6
59
4 58
2 57
0 56
28/07/2006 29/07/2006 29/07/2006 29/07/2006 29/07/2006 29/07/2006 30/07/2006 30/07/2006
19:12 00:00 04:48 09:36 14:24 19:12 00:00 04:48

: Auto Agronom’ graphs’

.Daily data of: EC.(irrigated water and soil solution), pH, and NO3
.(Gerbera Breeding ltd. Ganey Am, Israel (29/ 07 / 2006
Auto Agronom results in Coco peat media
Gerbera breeding , Israel. April 2005
Autoagronom results in soil

Pepper - Israel
January 2005

–8
m
9c .
Feeding

A. Oxygen
Oxygen is involved almost in all the physiological processes in
the plant. Therefore, it can be considered as the most
important element for the plants.
The source of the Oxygen used by the plants, is O2 molecules
dissolved in the water.
Absorbing water by the roots means Oxygen supply.

And we already said it !

 C B A
C A Experi
mental

B. All the other minerals

tanks system 3 A. for minerals + microelements
 Feeding formulas
A. An average common used Feeding formula for gerbera (750 – 1000 gr. Fertilizers / 1000 Liter).

B. Feeding formula in ‘Gerbera Breeding’ Israel (250 – 400 gr. Fertilizers / 1000 L = ~ 70% saving).

Net fertilizers Acidity Macro elements Micro elements

E.C. pH N P K Ca Mg S Fe Mn Zn Cu Bo Mo

A. (common used formula)

0.8 - 1.3 5.5 - 6.5 (ppm)170 30 220 100 40 60 2.0 0.28 0.26 0.06 0.5 0.03

B. ( saving formula)
0.3 - 0.5 5.5 - 6.5 (ppm) 45 12 60 80 40 60 1.8 0.22 0.24 0.10 0.3 0.01

Frequently drip irrigations and suitable pH , help the

roots’ system to absorb the minerals; Because of their
availability and the presence of Oxygen.
 Salinity conditions endanger plants life

’SALINITY’ is a situation in the roots’ zone, when salts accumulate

above the ’Normal’.

The presence of the excess salts is causing physiological and physical

damage to the roots and to the above soil organs.

Early detection of developing salinity conditions, and professional

treatment, can avoid the economic damage.

Early detection of developing salinity conditions, is possible only by using

accurate electronic devices e.g. tensiometers, electrodes and other
accurate sensors.
Stages of Economic crisis !!!!
salinity damage Development of vegetative buds

in gerbera
Weakening of apical dominance

Sensitivity to diseases increases

Minerals accumulate in the leavesand Normal growth stops

Flower diameter is reduced

Flower stem becomes shorter

Difficulties in water uptake

Browning and roots burning

.Intensive crops such as gerbera, react positively to rich feeding formulas

However, at the same time ,and especially in hot countries

gerbera plants are very sensitive to accumulation of excessive salts in the

soil solution, and in the plants organs.

Being ’Master’ in the art of growing intensive crops, is to find the right

optimal way of supplying oxygen, water and minerals, and avoiding

.salinity risks, at the same time

 Washing the soil

Irrigating with an overdose quantity of water, at regular times,

.is a common technique to avoid salinity damage

However, it is not logical to ’wash’ regularly, when irrigation is controlled

by sensors as: tensiometer, EC and pH meters.

.
Intensive irrigated agriculture, and techniques such as
washing the soil,
mean simply - leakage of minerals that pollute our water.
Gravity water-movement below the drippers, creates in the soil-beds,
the so called, wetted ’Bulb shapes’ (Normally not seen by the growers).
Continuous seasonal fertigation creates
’Salinity fronts’ around the ’bulbs’.
Diffusion of minerals brings salts to the soil surface on top
of the salinity fronts, shown in the previous slide.
 Normal
Salinity damage
Salinity damage
 300

250

200
Leaves analysis
% 150
%
100
N P K
50 ’Normal’ 1.5 0.22 3.3

Accum. 3.9 0.50 4.5

0
Gerbera Breeding, Israel

N P K Ca CL

Under salinity conditions, minerals accumulate in the leaves

above the ‘normal’. ’Normal’ Accumulated
Salts accumulation in the leaves
Salinity + fluoride damage
Temperatures
Air Temperatures -

Temperatures between 8 to 38C are possible range for growth & blooming.

Day temperatures between 17 - 34C are sufficient for normal growth & blooming.

Day temperatures of 17 - 27C are optimal for high quality growth & blooming.

Night temperatures of 12 -17C are optimal for high quality stems & flowers.

Night temperatures of 20 - 22C and above, decrease flowers & stems qualities.

Night temperatures of 8 - 10C for long period delay growth and produce

malformed flowers.
Night temperatures of 0 - 4C for long period stop the growth and cause

plant death.

Soil Temperatures –

Winter soil temperatures of 18 - 20C at soil level (0 -17Cm), are optimal for the
development and the activities of the white rootlets.
Humidity

Relative - Humidity

The optimal relative humidity range for gerbera growth, is within

.to 85% 60%

At this optimal range, the plants transpire, absorb water, minerals

and CO2 .without any difficulties

As a result, greenhouse gerberas develop properly and produce a lot of

quality flowers.

On the other hand ,Low relative humidity, can cause as much damage as
.salinity
Flower of plant
:grown at
Humidity up to 80%
and temperatures
up to 32C.

Without
Humidity
and
temperature
control
Salinity and Low Humidity damage
.Low relative humidity affects the growth of gerberas as negatively as salinity

Under salinity conditions: Salts accumulate in the root zone.

causing damage to the root tips

. and preventing further root growth

Causing difficulty in water uptake.

Under Low Relative Humidity,

or Salinity conditions : Transpiration rates are higher than

what the roots are able to supply.

:When stomata are closed, the following processes occur in the leaves

Physiological Physical & chemical

CO2 absorption is prevented Humidity at leaves level decreased
Photosynthesis is eliminated Leaves temperature is raised
Less sugars, more salts Salts concentration is increased

physiological results
.Limitation of energy sources lead to weak growth
Accumulation of retarding compounds in the plant organs.
Agricultural results
No bud breaks, no growth of new branches, no roots, no flowers,

Poor production, .poor quality, increasing sensitivity to diseases

 Higher relative humidity ,85% to 95%, for 7 to 10 hours
under low temperature conditions, are optimal forBotrytis development
Air movement in the greenhouse throughout the high humidity night hours, is
aimed at avoiding Botrytis damage.
 Light

Natural light is very important factor:

It activates photosynthesis, increases water and minerals consumption,
affects growth production and qualities, increases plants resistance to diseases,
and more.
Gerbera production as affected by Israeli light

April – May
Shading – who needs it
Automatic shading
 Automatic folding

Our varieties are selected under these light conditions

’Unnecessary permanent use of black ’saran
Israel 1963 - The first year of gerbera production.?Can you count the mistakes
Common practice mistake of beginners:
Low flat soil beds resulted in other related growing problems.

Unnecessary plants Chlorosis

The chlorosis indicate probably, that the number of the white rootlets,
of this variety, in this soil bed is limited.
It does not indicate about deficiencies, as we tend to assume.
Is it possible to change it ?
Yes, it is!
High raised beds are precondition for gerberas in soil
30cm is the minimal bed height for optimal drainage and
aeration.

Increasing the soil surface of the beds, is important also

for seasonal heat accumulation in the soil.
 dripping line
plants

Soil beds for one plants-line

Raised soil beds
for two plants
lines

:Sizes
.Height - 45cm
(Width - 66cm. (upper level
Pathways -45 .cm
Slopes -11 .cm
Plants line -13cm. from bed
.shoulders
Between plants lines - 40cm.
In the line - 20cm.
13 40 13 11 45cm
Dripping tubes, inside the bed
.close to the plants
Preparations for the coming season: A. Cutting down the foliage
B.Loosening the soil beds
C. Subsoil ploughing
D. Raising soil beds for one plants line
 Nematodes are real problem for

gerberas grown in soil.

Especially if we plan to
grow them
more thanDisinfection
one
E . (Fumigation (Methyl Bromide). (Edigan, Condor and others
season.
Growing in containers, so called, Hydroponics

4 liter plot, Gerbera breeding Ganey Am Israel

 17Cm

liter 4
Cm 21
New varieties trial
13.5Cm
Seedlings in 1.5 liter containers

Gerbera breeding Ganey Am

Israel
5 liter plastic bags – Colombia
With our varieties
Our varieties grown in soil - India
Our varieties grown in hydroponics - Colombia
 List of main Pests & diseases

A. Potential Fungal Diseases

Botrytis cinerea
Phytophtora cryptogea
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Oidium (Mildew)

B. Mites
Tetranychus urticae
Polyphagotarsonemus latus

C. General Insects
Aphids spp.
Trialeurodes vaporariorum & Bemisia tabaci (White fly)
Frankliniella occidentalis (Thrips)
Liriomyza trifolii (Leaves miners)
Spodoptera littoralis (Caterpillars)

D. Nematodes
Meloidogyne spp.
Sprayer
Blower type