Gerbers
THE GERBER is the fifth most used cut-flower in the world, after the Rose, Carnation, Chrysanthemum and Tulip, and is a genus of the family of Sunflowers, Daisies, and Asters – or Asteraceae.
Also known as the African Daisy, this gem is a native of Transvaal, South Africa, and was named in honour of the German botanist and naturalist, Traugott Gerber, who travelled extensively in Russia and Africa in the mid-18th Century.
This flower was last week said to be making a quiet but impressive appearance in Guyana, most likely being brought here by traders travelling to and from Suriname.
Generally, the Gerber is a plant with a height of 18 to 24 inches.
The species bears a large flower-head with striking two-lipped ray florets in yellow, orange, white, pink or red colours.
The flower-head, or capitulum, has the appearance of a single flower, but is actually composed of hundreds of little individual flowers.
The form and structure of the flowers vary, depending on their position in the flower-heads, which can be as wide as seven inches across, though the average size is five to six inches.
The centre of the flower is sometimes black, and often the same flower can have petals of several different colours.
Through hybridization, Gerbers are available in a massive array of colours.
Miniature Gerberas, known as Germini, are much the same as their larger sibling, but smaller and more delicate.
Worldwide, the Gerber is the most popular florists’ flower, next only to the Carnation and the Rose.
An Internet source describes the flower as the embodiment of modern-day floristry.
The source, a florist, said:
“Gerbers epitomize modern-day living, and have sentiments of happiness, modernism. They are eclectic, enigmatic and a joy to work with.
“Their bright, bobbing heads give the impression that they are smiling up at you. They are perfect in all sorts of bouquets.”
Internationally, Gerbers have symbolic meanings, some stemming from the meanings attributed to the general Daisy family.
These, like the Daisy, include innocence and purity, and classic beauty.
The Gerber, however, holds an added meaning of cheerfulness, which stems from the assortment of colours available.
Having a long vase life, Gerber flowers are widely used in the cut-flower industry, and for  adding colour to any room or garden as a decorative plant.
They can also be used in landscapes as bedding plants, for borders and flowerbeds, and are  attractive to bees, butterflies and  birds.
According to Secretary of the Horticultural Society of Guyana (HSG), Mrs. Coreen Alleyne, the Gerber is rarely seen locally, since it is a very tender plant.
She however said she saw some being sold last week by a florist in Bourda Market generally at a price of $2,000 per pot, and though not quite sure, she believes that the plant is now making an appearance in Guyana via Suriname.
She added that Gerbers flower all year round, and can be enjoyed for a long time, when proper care is taken of the plant.
“All it needs is a liberal amount of sun and water, since a high source of light can give an abundance of flowers.”
The settled plant lasts for three to four years,  and is rarely bothered by pests. Mrs Alleyene  feels that the  local price-tag of $2000, although “a bit hot,”  is not a bad investment  for the  visual delight and fragrance of the Gerber in one’s garden or home.