The plants can be difficult to overwinter
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Q. I’ve been growing purchased gerbera daisies outdoors for the summer and bringing the pots indoors in October. I set them at a window and keep them watered. They stay green and sometimes even produce the odd bloom, but when I set them out again in the spring the plants practically fade away before putting on fresh growth. Sometimes it isn’t until late summer that they resume full growth and flowering. Any suggestions?
Indoors in winter, bright indirect light and cool room temperatures (around 15 C) are ideal. Over-watering in winter, when the soil should be kept just barely moistened, is a common problem causing setback in the plants. Another issue that arises often to adversely affect gerberas is burying the plant crowns, which should be kept slightly above soil level.
Q. Though I’ve seen fall seeding recommended for broad beans at the coast, my fall seedings have failed. Why?
I aim instead for seedings as early as possible in the year. In the past few years, every seed I planted has germinated and developed into a productive plant — from an outdoor seeding made usually in February, but sometimes January if conditions permit.