We’ll be the first to say it: Gerbera daisies are drop-dead gorgeous, which is why it’s no surprise they are currently the world’s fifth most popular flower. Their sun-shape appearance and colorful rays will brighten up any room.
But to many people’s surprise, daisies are actually composite flowers, meaning they are technically two flowers in one. The petals, which come in nearly every color, are one flower and the “eye” is another.
About Gerbera Daisies
If you’ve recently been lucky enough to receive a Bouq of these mesmerizing beauties or are planning to gift one to that special someone in your life, read on to learn how to best care for these stunning flowers. After all, you don’t want them dying a premature death. So make sure to follow our tips and tricks on how to care for daisies.
Before we get into cut Gerbera daisy care, let’s run through some of the meanings, history, and facts surrounding daisies. Trust us; it’ll go a long way in showing what exactly makes daisies so freaking desirable. And who knows, maybe you’ll be able to wow someone with your newfound daisy knowledge at the next party you attend.
Daisy History and Symbolism
In general, daisies symbolize innocence and purity. Most likely, this comes from Celtic folklore, which stated that whenever an infant died, God would scatter daisies across the earth in an attempt to console the baby’s grieving parents.
In Norse mythology, the daisy symbolized childbirth, motherhood, and new beginnings thanks to being the sacred flower of Freya, the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. In Roman mythology, the daisy represents transformation and chastity.
In Old English, daisies were called “day’s eye” because at night the petals close over the eye before reopening during the day. Hence the popular phrase “fresh as a daisy.” Speaking of sayings, in the 19th-century “ups-a-daisy” was a phrase often used to encourage fallen children to get back on their feet. Over time, the saying morphed into “whoops-a-daisy”—and was said by someone after suffering a physical blunder or mistake.
Daisy Color Meanings
Gerbera daisies can have specific meanings based on their color:
- Red gerberas represent romantic love and passion
- Pink gerberas symbolize admiration, sympathy, and grace
- Orange gerberas signify warmth, joy, and happiness
- Yellow gerberas are a symbol of friendship, trust, and compassion
- Purple gerberas represent grace, charm, and fascination
- White gerberas symbolize purity and innocence
- Mixed-color gerberas represent a strong bond and cheerfulness
Daisy Fun Facts
Gerbera daisies don’t just sport an ultra-attractive facade; they are also rich with interesting facts like belonging to the largest plant family in the world, naturally growing everywhere on earth except Antarctica, and being edible in salads.
On top of that, daisies also have many medicinal properties, including the ability to stop bleeding, relieve indigestion, ease body aches, and get rid of a cough. And if you’re having trouble getting those much-needed 8 hours of sleep a night, gerberas can help put you under thanks to the oxygen they release that helps remove chemicals from the air. Cool, right?
How to Care for Daisies
So you finally got your hands on that delightful Bouq of daisies. Great! But now it’s time to give those fresh and dazzling flowers a perfect home—one that’ll keep them happy and healthy for up to two weeks. Here are some cut daisy care tips:
Fill a Vase and Trim the Stems
The first step in cut daisy care is the simplest. Find a very clean vase or wash out a dirty one with hot water and soap. A vase with bacteria is a surefire way your gerberas won’t live a long life.
- Fill the vase halfway with cool water.
- Drop in the flower food that came with your Bouq.
- Hold each stem next to the vase to determine how much to trim.
- Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle while holding underwater to promote exceptional water absorption.
- Get rid of any leaves that would rest below your vase’s waterline as they can introduce harmful bacteria to your daisies’ habitat.
- Arrange the flowers however you like—they’re yours, after all!
Find Them a Suitable Home
To make absolutely sure your daisies live a healthy life, give them an environment where they can thrive. This means keeping them away from direct sunlight and any hot or cold drafts, such as those from your AC unit or heater.
Recondition Every Day
For most flowers, reconditioning is only needed every 2-3 days. But because gerbera daisies are notoriously susceptible to harmful bacteria and dehydration, it’s paramount that you re-cut the stems, change the water, and give them fresh nutrients daily.
Don’t worry, once all your flower food is used up, you can easily craft a homemade, nutritious snack for your daisies. Simply refill your vase with a solution of one teaspoon of sugar and two drops of liquid bleach per gallon of fresh water. Also, it’s important to keep them away from any fruits or vegetables. The ethylene gas they produce is extremely lethal to your flowers.
Purchase Gerbera Daisies at The Bouqs Co.
As you can see, cut gerbera daisy care doesn’t need to take a herculean effort. Just a few minutes out of your day and our super helpful steps, of course! You can also learn more about common daisies. If you don’t yet have a Bouq of gerberas or just want some more to take your home’s beauty to the next level, head on over to The Bouqs Co. and order an artisan bouquet from one of our floral artists. Beautiful bouquets can brighten up you or your loved one’s day.
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