boyes37
fanatic
Reged: 02/22/04
Posts: 458
Loc: Canada
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I have several Gerber Daisey plants thatI have let go dormant...my question is are they dead or can I revive them? If I can when should I start to do this and how should that be done...where I live I can't put them out side until about the middle of May...So if they can be revived when should I start....Your comments will be appreciated...thanks..
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Boyes37
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morrisdancer
"Lunatic"
Reged: 10/27/05
Posts: 7522
Loc: Michigan
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I was surprised to find two listings in "the big book" for Gerber daisies, one is an annual and one is a perennial.
The main difference is that the perennial has "smooth edged leaves" where the annual has "deeply lobed", almost fern-like leaves. Our California Experts probably have a lot of great advice on this because up here, Gerbers are strictly "Summer Plants"
Here's what the bigbook says
Perennial:
In colder regions, lift in fall;keep in greenhouse or sunny window for winter bloom. Sow seeds in early spring, divide plants in spring
Annual:
(also called African daisy)
Grow cool (45-50degrees F) in Winter with slightly less moisture (I built a larger windowsill for my geraniums and have them right up next to the window, keeps them cool, they like that). Sow mixed seeds in late winter to early spring, transplanting progressively to 6" pots by early summer. Divide plants in spring.
Soooooo, first question-did you bring the plants indoors before the cold weather hit? Are they indoors now? Have you been watering them?
Liz
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Thanks, Chris and Ernie!
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bozodog
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/19/07
Posts: 8946
Loc: SW Michigan
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Opps! I don't see any info about dormancy.
Quote:
Dig up plants, and pot them up to bring indoors for the winter; or treat the plants as annuals, and buy new ones each year.
Methinks they're done for...
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Fairness as equal treatment does not produce fairness as equal outcomes.
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JackPatrick
newbie
Reged: 01/05/10
Posts: 3
Loc: Texas,U.S.A
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This is a good thread on gerber daisy.Gerber Daisey are fun looking flowers that come in bright shades.The average gardener can grow gerbera daisies with basic cultural care, such as full sun, good drainage and balanced fertilization.
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boyes37
fanatic
Reged: 02/22/04
Posts: 458
Loc: Canada
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[
Soooooo, first question-did you bring the plants indoors before the cold weather hit? Are they indoors now? Have you been watering them?
Yes I brought them inside and kept them into the garage in the fall before frost hit....its the coolest place I have.... and watered them about every month...they still look green...now what?
Put them under lights...if so is this too early for May outside?
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Boyes37
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bozodog
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/19/07
Posts: 8946
Loc: SW Michigan
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From what I read, they do fine on a window sill during winter. They don't bloom well but survive.
some guides Be sure to check the location of the responders.
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Fairness as equal treatment does not produce fairness as equal outcomes.
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morrisdancer
"Lunatic"
Reged: 10/27/05
Posts: 7522
Loc: Michigan
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Still green, thats great, you done good!!!
I'd go ahead and give them some light. Again, never grown or overwintered Gerberas but I'm guessing they can't be much different than overwintering geraniums and dragonleaf begonias, which I do every winter. The geraniums I keep on the windowsill go into a "slump" during winter (probably due to cloudy Michigan days) but start perking up in February-wonderful to see blooms at that time of the year! If the daisies start blooming but seem to be suffering, *sigh, pout* and pinch the flowers off so the plants will concentrate on growing a healthy plant vs. a flower display. Then they'll be eager to bloom in Spring and Summer.
And in Spring, what I would do is divide them up if they look crowded and "dividable", more posies for you! 
Didja ever figure out by the shape of the leaves whether they are annual or perennial? Seeing as they've stayed green in the cool garage, I'm guessing they are the annual type. Follow the instructions I found in the "bigbook" depending on the type, the "bigbook" is pretty darned accurate, which is why I wore one copy out already! Look at the links Darlene provided, too (in fact, I'm gonna check those out as soon as I'm done typing!)
You got me motivated. I think a Gerbera or six is in my future for Spring Posie Shopping, so let us know how they do! They are sooooo pretty and if they can be overwintered and divided, they won't be expensive in the long run. Hubby will be cussing under his breath when I march in the house with more flowers and gleefully announce,
"lookie what I got!".
Hope you have big shoulders 'cause I'm blaming you 
I'm going to go smell my geraniums now...........Gad, its only January and I'm already in gardening withdrawl.
Liz
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Thanks, Chris and Ernie!
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boyes37
fanatic
Reged: 02/22/04
Posts: 458
Loc: Canada
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Just an update on my Gerber Daisey......I brought them into the basement and put them under florescent lights gave them a little water and fertilizer and they have come alive....they all now have blooms not to big a blooms but never the less blooms....incidently from your advice they have jagged leaves so they must be annuals but they are thriving well at this point ...I just hope it continues.....
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Boyes37
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morrisdancer
"Lunatic"
Reged: 10/27/05
Posts: 7522
Loc: Michigan
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Yea!!!!!! My geraniums that overwinter in the dining room window just started blooming. Posies in the dead of winter sure are nice to see, aren't they?
Liz
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Thanks, Chris and Ernie!
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bozodog
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/19/07
Posts: 8946
Loc: SW Michigan
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Bah! Humbug! I'm too lazy to overwinter anything...  Nor do I have the room or polite, nicely mannered, sedate, "furbabies" around the house.  TheBrit tried a few years to start some things from seed... Josie that cat loved laying on them in the sun on that front porch. 
When my Snowdrops flower, and the Forsythia bloom, I'm well ready for Spring.
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Fairness as equal treatment does not produce fairness as equal outcomes.
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