Resource Book on Horticulture Nursery Management

Gerbera Plantation in Polyhouse
For asexual reproduction, division of clumps may be done at the end of the rainy season.
Individual sucker can be planted in pots containing a well-drained media. The single
potted sucker needs to temporarily stay in partial shade for 2-3 months before they can be
transplanted in the bed under full sun. Clumps are usually composed of about 2-4
suckers. Though this is a slow process, a much faster technique of propagation was
developed, wherein a suitable plant is kept without water for three weeks. Its roots are
then pruned and the sucker is planted in peat and held at 80% relative humidity at a
temperature of 25-30 0 C. This method produces 30-50 buds per plant. At 2-3 leaf stage,
the buds are severed from the mother plant and treated with a rooting hormone before
they are planted to a sterile media. They will be ready for transplanting in about 2-3
months.
Seed Propagation:
The seeds of Gerbera are expensive, delicate, and sensitive to germinating
conditions. The Gerbera crop requires 14 to 18 weeks duration from seed to flower.
Considering this fact many small growers prefer buying seedlings from specialist
propagators. Seeds are packed in moisture-proof packages and should be stored under
cool conditions away from strong sunlight until sowing. Once the package is open, all
seeds should be sown at once because they lose their viability very quickly when exposed
to room conditions. Though it is not advised, unused seed can be resealed in the package
and stored in a refrigerator for a short time. Gerbera seed can be sown in open flats or in a
variety of plug flat sizes. The more common practice is to sow into a variety of large
plug trays that have 72 to 288 cells per tray. Some growers sow into small celled trays
and then transplant to larger trays or pots. This allows the seedlings to be sorted by size
for a more uniform crop but requires more labor. Water the sowing media before sowing.
The seeds are covered with a thin layer of fine grade vermiculite sand.
Mass Scale Production of Jasmine
Jasmine is commercially multiplied by cuttings. However, propagation by layering
and even by grafting (approach or inarching) and budding is possible. To facilitate the
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