indoor gerbera help

[janeyo]

I was given a beautiful gerbera for my b-day in August (they are my fave flowers, so happy looking).
It has now finished flowering and is looking a little tatty. It's in a smallish pot at the mo (about 4inch)
What do I have to do for it now? Do I chop it back? Deadhead? Pot on? Can I move it outdoors?
I really want it to live!

Thanks

[Bigmallly]

I bought 80 Gerbera plants for my beds but thought they were annuals so I binned mine when they finished........

[janeyo]

maybe they are...I hadn't thought of that!

[Tam]

I have had gerberas in the garden (Scottish borders) for a number of years now - they are in a well drained spot and I cover the plants in winter with a thick mulch. They will die if they get frozen. The older ones are dug up in the spring and I divide the crowns; there are always people who are happy to have any that I don't want. I should keep your plant ticking over in its pot over winter and repot it in the spring in a slightly larger pot - divide it if you think it looks large enough.

[Bigmallly]

I have had gerberas in the garden (Scottish borders) for a number of years now - they are in a well drained spot and I cover the plants in winter with a thick mulch. They will die if they get frozen. The older ones are dug up in the spring and I divide the crowns; there are always people who are happy to have any that I don't want. I should keep your plant ticking over in its pot over winter and repot it in the spring in a slightly larger pot - divide it if you think it looks large enough.

Damn & Blast.....

[janeyo]

Thanks Tam. Do I need to chop it back?

[Tam]

You mentioned dead heading in your original post and this, of course, should be done constantly. unless you wish to produce seeds. The plant itself will die back naturally and dead material should be removed. When they are growing from springtime the soil in the pot should be kept damp, but not wet and appreciate a feed (Tomorite is good for most flowers) every couple of weeks or so.