India: Gerberas bring joy to Magura horticulturists

Offering a bold burst of colour in elementary design, the gerbera flower from the daisy family is a lesson in the genius of simplicity. It's little wonder that gerberas have come to symbolise innocence, purity and cheerfulness. In Magura the world's fifth most popular flower according to sales is bringing its promised joy to growers too, who are making good profits.

Also commonly known as the African daisy, a gerbera species from South Africa was first scientifically identified in 1889. Since then gerberas have been cataloged in natural habitats across the tropical regions of Africa, South America and Asia; the flowers have become a regular adornment to household gardens in many parts of the world. In Magura, gerbera production for the cut flower market is entering its sixth year.

“We buy the seedlings from Gadkhali Bazar in Jessore,” says gerbera farm manager Abdul Aziz. “It's best to plant them between October and January, and to give water sparingly since excess water will damage the seedlings.” Gerberas are best grown in shade, such that roof cover of plastic sheet and bamboo is a feature of the farm.

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