Growing media for protected cultivation of Gerbera

Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus ex. Hook. f.) commonly known as Transvaal daisy or Barberton daisy or African daisy belongs to the family Asteraceae produces very attractive flower. It is a dwarf perennial plant, used in many ways such as cut flower, pot plant and makes a good show in exhibitions on floral arrangements. Gerbera will be endowed with a splendid future if the varieties and the growing techniques are well adapted to the economical and ecological conditions prevailing at those areas. Studies on growing media for quality gerbera production have shown that gerbera can be cultivated on a number of media. The prime objective in testing a growth medium, whether soil or soilless, is to characterize the nutrient environment as closely as possible to the way the plant root system experiences it.