Are you wondering how to prune your Gerbera Daisy for optimal health? Keep reading to find out the best way to prune your Gerbera Daisy for optimal health!
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Introduction
Few flowers are as cheerful and colorful as the Gerbera daisy. With its large, daisy-like flowers in a rainbow of colors, the Gerbera daisy is a popular choice for both gardens and floral arrangements. Though it is a relatively low-maintenance plant, proper pruning is essential to keeping your Gerbera daisy healthy and flowering optimally. Read on to learn more about how to prune Gerbera daisy for optimal health.
What You’ll Need
Pruning shears
Step 1
Start pruning your gerbera daisy when it has finished flowering. With most varieties, this will be in late summer or early fall.
Step 2
Remove all the dead and dying flowers and stems, as well as any that are diseased or damaged. Cut these stems back to the main plant.
Step 3
Trim back any stems that are leggy or scraggly. These thin stems will not produce many flowers, so it’s best to remove them. Cut them back to the main plant or to a healthy side branch.
Step 4
Shape your plant by trimming back any stems that are too long or out of place. You can also remove any flower buds that are not yet open. Trim these stems back to the main plant or to a strong side branch.
The Pruning Process
Pruning your gerbera daisy is a process that should be started when the plant is young. The ideal time to prune is in late winter or early spring, before the plant begins to actively grow. You can also prune in mid to late summer, but this may result in fewer blooms.
To begin, cut back any dead or damaged stems. Then, cut back the main stems by about one-third. Next, trim any lateral stems (side shoots) that are longer than 6 inches. Finally, remove any leaves that are yellow or brown.
You may also want to shape your plant by pruning it into a mound or other desired shape. Once you have finished pruning, water the plant deeply to help it recover from the stress of being pruned.
After Pruning
After you have pruned your Gerbera daisy, it is important to fertilize the plant. This will help it to recover from the pruning and produce healthy new growth. Use a balanced fertilizer that is high in nitrogen, such as 10-10-10. You can apply the fertilizer directly to the soil around the plant or dilute it in water and give the plant a good soaking.