1939-1940 CATALOG OF RICHARD DIENER NURSERY, oxnard, calif., u. s. a. 
GERBERA JAMESONI 
(Diener's Hybrids) (Transvaal Daisy) 
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. 
GERBERA JAMESONI 
(Diener's Hybrids) (Transvaal Daisy) 
The sales of our Gerbera seed have been 
very satisfactory. This year the double 
strain have produced a greater amount of 
seed and we are now in a position to fill all 
orders promptly. 
It is predicted that these new Gerberas 
will be in every garden in the near future. 
They are even successful 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 reported that they 
were successful with this method last win¬ 
ter. 
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 cov¬ 
ered with clean sand and no dirt. With this 
method of handling, the seeds come through 
easily. When dirt covering is used it is im¬ 
possible 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 
Ys oz. $1.25 ^ oz. $2.00 
1/2 oz. $3.50 1 oz. $7.00 
In separate colors of Pink in all variations. 
Pale Lavender, Red, Yellow and White 
Double Variety. All colors mixed. 
Pkt. (about 40 seeds) 50c 6 pkts. $2.50 
(Not sold in quantity) 
New Single Garnet Variety 
About 40 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 
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