1939 catalog of RICHARD DIENER NURSERY, oxnard, California, u. s. a. 
0ERBERA JAMESONI 
(Diener's Hybrids) (Transvaal Daisy) 
The sales of our Gerbera seed have been very pleas¬ 
ing, but the double strain has not produced enough 
seed to fill the orders that we had on hand, therefore 
we are filling the orders in rotation as fast as the 
seeds ripen. 
It is predicted that these new Gerberas will be in 
every garden in the near future. They are even suc¬ 
cessful in the far north where the temperature goes 
below zero. If they are covered just before the frosts 
start, with 12 to 15 inches of sawdust, pine needles, 
straw, or leaves, they will come through the winter 
in perfect shape. Many of our customers have re¬ 
ported that they were successful with this method 
last winter. 
During the growing season Gerberas will stand 
plenty of water, more so than the old type. They 
should be in a location where there is good drainage 
so that the soil may not become water-logged. Where 
there is little or no rain, and irrigation is used, give 
them plenty of water. We have discovered that to 
bring the seeds up easily, when they are sowed in 
furrows, they should be covered with clean sand 
and no dirt. With this method of handling, the seeds 
come through easily. When dirt covering is used it 
is impossible to cover them evenly and many are 
smothered trying to get through. There is very little 
loss when a sand covering is used. 
All colors mixed (single) 
Pkg. 25c 1/16 oz. (about 500 seeds) 75c 54 oz. $1.25 
14 oz. $2.00 54 oz. $3.50 1 oz. $7.00 
In separate colors of Pink in all variations, 
Red, Yellow and White. 
Double Variety. All colors mixed. 
Pkt. (about 20 seeds) 50c 6 pkts. $2.50 
(Not sold in quantity) 
New Single Garnet Variety 
About 25 seeds 25c 6 pkts. $1.25 
(Not sold in quantity) 
Directions for Sowing Gerbera Jamesoni: In those parts of 
the country where only light frosts are liable to occur, it is 
all right to sow Gerbera directly in the open, in rows one 
foot apart. Smooth the soil, then press the surface over with 
a flat board, then draw the rows with a pencil so that the 
furrow is not deeper than one-fourth inch. Drop the seeds 
into the furrows, about three seeds to an inch, and then cover 
with fine white sand, just enough to hold the seeds down. 
In using a sand covering every seed will come up easily and 
surely, while in the old way of covering with the same soil 
many seeds were smothered trying to get through. Water 
and cover with a frame made of cheesecloth shading. A light 
shade is necessary to bring the seeds up quickly. Keep the 
soil just moist. They should be kept in the place where sown 
without transplanting for at least four months, then they 
should be planted in the open fifteen inches apart and in rows 
two feet apart. It is very essential in transplanting the plants 
that only the roots are in the ground, the heart must be even 
with the top of the ground. If they are planted too deep it is 
hard for them to do well. 
When you raise the young plants under glass and you 
intend to plant them out in the open, you should put them 
in a cold frame for about two weeks and shade them with 
muslin or double thickness of cheesecloth. In this way the 
plants will be well hardened off and will not be burned by 
the sun when put out in the open. As Gerberas make very 
long roots if they are raised under glass they are best raised 
in solid benches and not in pots. It is our experience that they 
do not do well in pots, meaning for flower raising. But if 
planted out like Carnations or Roses they will do fine. They 
should have plenty of light. 
In regard to fertilizer, fresh manure is poison to Gerberas; 
the best thing we have found is Vigoro; this is a well-bal¬ 
anced fertilizer and it should be worked in between the 
plants, at the rate of two pounds to one hundred square feet 
outdoors. The effect of the Vigoro will be noticed in the 
deep green foliage and the rich colors of the flowers in about 
two or three weeks. Gerberas are perennials and the plants 
can be divided after two or three years. All seeds that we 
send out are perfectly fresh, as we harvest the seeds the year 
around, summer and winter. So you will always get fresh 
seed. Gerbera seeds that are over six months old are prac¬ 
tically worthless, as they will not germinate. 
IVY LEAF NASTURTIUM 
This Nasturtium is of dwarf compact growth. It has 
deep green heavily veined leaves, and a deep flaming 
blood-red flower. A novelty that has been admired 
by many of our visitors, and should be in every 
garden. 
Package 25c 6 Packages $1.00 
NEW MIXED COLORS IN 
DOUBLE NASTURTIUMS 
Giant, double, fragrant, new colors in many soft 
shades to deep brilliant red. These have long stems 
and are excellent for cutting as well as for garden 
decoration. Don’t fail to have them in your garden 
for the summer to come. 
All New Colors, Mixed Package 25c 6 pkgs. $1.00 
NEW DOUBLE SWEET-SCENTED 
NASTURTIUM 
"Golden Gleam" 
An outstanding novelty. The color is golden yellow. 
The flowers have stems six inches in length which 
makes it a fine cut flower. Continuously full of 
flowers. Excellent for bedding and pot plants and 
for forcing. Very sweet scented. 
Package 15c 6 packages 75c 
ZEPHYRANTHUS HYBRID SEED 
Zephyranthus are bulbous plants, resembling Free- 
sias, but belong to the Amaryllis family, and flower 
during the late Summer. They are white, pink, yel¬ 
low and all intermediate shades. These seeds come 
from crosses that we have made, and almost every 
seedling is different. Sow out like Amaryllis. 
Package 25c 6 packages $1.00 
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