AboutC.L. Fornari Expertise Annuals suggested for specific situations (sun, shade, windowboxes etc) New or unusual annuals are a particular interest of mine, and I grow many of these from seed. I am happy to help problem solve, answer questions about maintenance, and guide you to sources of unusual plants.
Experience I am a garden writer/speaker/consultant and host of a weekly gardening radio program in the Northeast. I have been gardening all my life for my own pleasure, and started as a professional gardener and garden communicator 15 years ago. I work part-time at a garden center, selling and tending shrubs/trees/annuals/perennials...and doing some propagation and design work. I often think that all these professional activities serve to put a somewhat legitimate framework around a serious case of plant-lust.
Question I had 2 gerbera daisy plants given to me in spring, planted outside for summer, they did very well. I've now re-potted them to bring in for winter. Do I have to cut them right down to start them over or can I just trim back some of the leaves, as they've become quite bushy and are still producing very lovely flowers. thanks in advance, Vicki
Answer Vicki,
You must have a green thumb - not everyone can keep these plants alive!
As long as the foliage is green and looking capable of photosynthesis, leave them on. Remove any yellowing leaves or ones that start to brown, but otherwise don't cut it back. The green leaves are manufacturing the energy needed to grow new roots.
Since this plant does best in cooler conditions, don't put it over a radiator if possible. An eastern or western facing window would be good. Water well when the plant is dry, but don't let the soil stay wet constantly - they are prone to crown rot. So water well, let water drain into a saucer, and then pour out that water. Some people even water them by setting them in a bowl of water for a couple of hours and then pour the water out and set them back on a saucer to drain.
Don't fertilize much until January, and then start regularly as the hours of daylight get stronger.
If the plant fails quickly after you move it indoors, it's probably from the shock of having roots cut to pot it up in combination with the change from outdoor conditions to the indoor environment. As I said at first, these aren't the easiest plants to grow.
Keep on the lookout for whitefly and if you see tiny white bugs around it, get the yellow sticky whitefly traps and spray the plant with insecticidal soap.
