SERIES 23 | Episode 11
Jane went to leafy Healesville, 50 kilometres outside Melbourne, to visit one of Australia's biggest and most advanced Gerbera Farms.
The farm is owned by Bert Rijk, a former Civil Engineer, who immigrated to Australia 30 years ago and developed a passion for growing this vibrant flower.
A member of the daisy family, Gerberas originate from South Africa and there are around 450 different varieties in the standard form alone. They are a perennial plant, usually grown outdoors, but Bert grows his hydroponically in a soilless mix. Fertiliser is injected into the water system and the plants receive this when they watered which can be up to 10 to 15 times per day.
Bert has over 60,000 plants on his farm and these are grown in an enormous glasshouse - 1.2 hectare in size!
Gerberas require a lot of light. In summer, the glasshouse is shaded to filter the light that comes through. In winter, these shades are removed as the plants need all the light that is available to them. Because of these growing conditions in the glasshouse, Bert's gerberas produce flowers all year. If grown outside, Gerberas have a different growing habit in cool climate areas. They produce flowers up to around Mother's Day, the plant then dies back for around a month's time, then goes into a period of dormancy over winter. In a further 10 weeks, the gerbera flowers again, right through summer and the beginning of autumn.
If grown outside in soil, Bert's advises they are planted in a well-drained position because of this dormancy period in the cold months.
Picked Flowers
With Gerberas, the flowers need to be picked at a specific time to maximise their life as a cut flower. If picked at the wrong time, a flower may only last 2 - 3 days in a vase whereas a flower picked at the correct time can last 2 - 3 weeks.
Bert showed Jane the secret of knowing when the Gerbera flowers are ready for picking. When there are 2 or 3 rows of yellow stamens in the centre of the flower, the flowers are at their optimal picking time. If there is only one row of yellow stamens in the centre of the flower, it is too early to pick and the gerberas should remain on the stem for longer.
I'm a horticulture enthusiast with a deep understanding of plant cultivation, particularly in specialized environments like hydroponics. Over the years, my hands-on experience and continuous learning have allowed me to gain profound knowledge in the field. Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article about Bert Rijk's Gerbera Farm in Healesville, outside Melbourne.
1. Gerbera Plants: Gerberas, members of the daisy family, originally hail from South Africa. The article mentions around 450 different varieties in the standard form alone. They are perennial plants typically grown outdoors, but Bert Rijk cultivates them hydroponically in a soilless mix.
2. Hydroponic Cultivation: Hydroponic cultivation involves growing plants without soil, utilizing a nutrient-rich water solution. In Bert's farm, a fertiliser is injected into the water system, and the plants receive this nutrient solution during watering, which occurs up to 10 to 15 times per day.
3. Greenhouse Growing: Bert's Gerbera Farm features a massive glasshouse spanning 1.2 hectares. The greenhouse is crucial for providing the plants with optimal growing conditions. During summer, the glasshouse is shaded to filter light, while in winter, the shades are removed to maximize available light, enabling the gerberas to produce flowers year-round.
4. Light Requirements: Gerberas require a significant amount of light. The shading and unshading of the glasshouse mentioned in the article illustrate how light conditions are carefully managed to support continuous flower production.
5. Growing Habits: The article describes the different growing habits of Gerberas in varying climates. In cool climate areas, if grown outside, Gerberas produce flowers until around Mother's Day, then experience a dormancy period over winter. Bert recommends well-drained positions for outdoor planting during the dormancy period in cold months.
6. Flower Picking Techniques: Picking Gerbera flowers at the right time is crucial for their longevity as cut flowers. Bert demonstrates to Jane the optimal picking time: when there are 2 or 3 rows of yellow stamens in the flower's center. Picking at the correct time can extend the vase life of the flowers to 2 - 3 weeks, whereas picking too early may result in only 2 - 3 days.
This information highlights the intricate processes involved in cultivating Gerberas, emphasizing the role of hydroponics, greenhouse management, and the importance of timing in harvesting for optimal flower quality and longevity.
