Gerbera Daisy Problems

Gerbera daisies are big, bright, blooming members of the Aster/Daisy family and a perennial herb. They are known by the botanical name of Gerbera jamesonii. You can propagate the flower by seed or by crown divisions. The daisy was discovered in 1878 by Robert Jameson. Although not prone to many diseases or pests, seven of them can commonly occur in the species.

Leaf Miner

Leaf miners are small flies, part of the Agromyzedae family, which can disease the plant and host upon it. They are yellow and black, with the male being smaller than the female. It can go from egg stage to the adult leaf miner in about 2 weeks.

Grey Mildew

Gerbera daisies are most susceptible to the grey mildew. Grey mildew is a plant pathogen. There is a greater risk of the disease in temperatures 4 to 32 Celsius and in 85 to 90 percent humidity.

Aphids

Aphids are known as plant lice. They are tiny insects that can be colored yellow to black. Aphids are so thin and small, they are nearly transparent. They are like miniature mosquitoes that feed on plant sap.

Leaf Spots

Leaf spots are fungus. They typically get bigger and bigger and are seen as spots or circles on leaves. There is a greater chance of leaf spots in high temperatures and high humidity.

Thrips

Tiny insects called thrips can invade gerbera daisies. These are female insects that put their eggs inside vegetable tissues. They spread the Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV).

White Fly

The white fly is a dangerous phytophagous that can get into gerbera daisies. They feed on the plant. It looks more like a tiny white moth than it does a fly and it can lay 20 to 40 eggs at a time.

White Powdery Mildew

Another fungus that plagues gerbera daisies, white powdery mildew, feeds on leaves and flowers. It looks like flour and can be on all parts of the daisy. It will spread well in warm, damp conditions.