 Properties of good water used for irrigation:

Number Particular Standards

1 pH 5.5 -6.5

2 EC (mS /cm) < 0.70

3 Alkalinity Ratio as CaCO3 (ppm) 60-80

4 Sodium Absorption ratio <2

5 RSC (Residual Sodium Carbonate) <1.25
6 Nitrate (NO 3) (ppm) <5

7 Phosphate (H2PO4) (ppm) <5

8 Potassium (K) (ppm) <5

9 Calcium (Ca) (ppm) 40-120
10 Magnesium (Mg) (ppm) 6-25

11 Sodium (Na) (ppm) < 80

12 Chlorides (Cl) (ppm) < 80

13 Sulphates (SO4) (ppm) 24-240

14 Boron (B) (ppm) < 0. 5

15 Fluoride (F) (ppm) <1
16 Iron (Fe) (ppm)
<5
17 Manganese (Mn) (ppm)
<2
18 (Zn) (ppm)
<5

19 Copper (Cu) (ppm) < 0.02

20 Molybdenum (Mo) (ppm) < 0.02

21 Bicarbonates (HC03) (PPM) < 90

 10. Important Greenhouse crops: Cultivation Guide and
investment profitability analysis

Greenhouses are mainly used to grow high-quality, high-commercial-value

crops. Because the initial cost of building a Greenhouse is high, we choose
crops that will benefit us the most.
Also, if you grow open field crops in a Greenhouse, we have to compete in the
market with open field crops when selling.
When planting in a Greenhouse, you should choose the crop after
researching the climate and market.

Gerbera

 Gerbera is an important commercial crop in the Greenhouse.

 Gerbera flowers are very attractive.
 These flowers are available in yellow, orange, white, pink, red, and many other colors.
 Gerbera flower stalks are elongated and green in color.

 Due to good market demand for gerbera flowers, gerbera floriculture has become a viable
source of income for farmers.

 Gerbera is cultivated in soil or without soil (coco peat).

 The major gerbera-producing states in India are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil
Nadu, West Bengal, and Himachal Pradesh.
  Selection of soil for gerbera cultivation

 Gerbera cultivable soil must have these elements.

• Soil pH should be between 5.5 to 6.5.

• Ee 1 MS/cm. Should not exceed
• The soil should be very porous and well-drained; this promotes
healthy seedling growth.

• Red lateritic soil is considered an ideal soil for gerbera cultivation.

 when you decide to do Greenhouse farming, you should check the soil
and water as soon as possible.

 Soil Sterilization-

 The soil needs to be Sterilized before planting crops in the

Greenhouse.

 The eggs of fungi, bacteria, and insects present in the soil can be
destroyed.

 There are two main methods of soil Sterilization used in India.

1. Solar radiation method

 This method is generally used on summer days from April to June.

 The soil is first plowed and then flattened and carefully covered with
plastic sheeting (25-30 microns) thick. For 4-6 weeks.

 This increases the temperature of the soil and kills the insects and
their eggs and larvae.
2. Chemical method
 We can use various chemicals to Sterilize the soil chemically.
 Methyl bromide, chloropicrin, formaldehyde, and hydrogen peroxide
with silver are options available.
 Hydrogen Peroxide with Silver is the most advanced and useful
of these options.

Hydrogen peroxide with silver

Process-
Generally, 120 l i t e r s of hydrogen peroxide with silver is required for 1 acre
(4000 sq. m).

• First, the beds made for planting should be wetted by drip irrigation
• Then mix 90 liters of hydrogen peroxide with silver with 10,000-11,000
liters of water and release it on the bed by drip irrigation.
• Mix the remaining 30 liters of hydrogen peroxide with silver in 4000
liters of water and spray it on the bed and the side of the bed.
• After that, we can plant the crop in 4 to 6 hours.

Benefits of Hydrogen Peroxide with Silver

1) Financially accessible.
2) Very easy to use and safe.
3) The crop can be sown 4 to 6 hours after Sterilization.
4) Friendly to the environment and no harmful effects on the plant.
5) Destroys insect eggs in the presence of almost all fungi and bacteria.

Bed preparation process For Gerbera Cultivation

Gerbera plants need well-drained soil, so gerberas are grown on Raised beds;
The size of the bed should be as follows.

• Bed height: 1.5 feet (45 cm)

• Bed width: 2 feet (60 cm)
• Distance between two beds: 1 foot (30 cm)
  For better drainage, gravel or murum (6 "layer) can be added, and
the recommended quantity of soil along with farm yard manure
(FYM) is added.

 FYM is Increasing soil texture and giving nutrition gradually to the plant.
 Neem cake (@1 kg /m) is added in Bed preparation to prevent
nematode disease.

Fertilizer Area Quantity

Single Super 20m2 5000gm
Phosphate

Magnesium Sulphate 20m2 1000gm

Humiguard Granules 20m2 400gm

Bio zyme Granules 20m2 400gm

Once the soil bed is ready for gerbera, apply a basal dose of fertilizer to that bed.
Before transplanting, this dose should be well mixed in 6 inches of soil on the bed.
Selection of gerbera seedlings.

 Before Gerbera Planting, Selecting the right gerbera variety was

important also colour combinations affect gerbera profit.
 The gerbera grower makes the right colour combination in the box
for marketing purposes.
 We use this colour combination in our Greenhouse.

RED 20%
YELLOW 20%
PINK 20%
ORANGE 20%
WHITE 20%
Some Famous Varieties of Gerbera -

• Dune, Pre Intenzz

• Intense
• Winter Queen
• Inferno
• Cacharelle
• Jaffa
• Dana Ellen
• Sangria
• Diana
• Imperial
• Thalsa
• Sonsara
• Balance
• Paganini
• Anneke
• Nette
• Rosaline
• Rosetta.

List of nurseries providing gerbera seedlings-

• KF Bioplants
• Florence Flora
• Rise & Shine

These are India's leading and reliable gerbera seedling companies (nurseries).
Gerbera Cultivation

 The plant crown should be above 1 - 2 cm soil level without

disturbing the root ball when transplanting Gerbera plants.
• The seedlings are planted in two rows on a single bed with a spacing of 37.5 cm
between the two rows. And the distance between two plants is kept at 30
cm. (Rows -Rows= 37.5 cm= 1.25 Ft Plant - Plant= 30.0 cm=1' Ft)
Fertilizer management

1. After three weeks on a plantation, fertilization begins. For the first

three months, just starter fertilizer is used. Fertilizer doses are given
to the plant every other day.
2. After 45-50 days, the flower bud starts to grow, and the cut flower
bud (disbudding operation) completes plant growth. When 16 to 18
fully developed leaves are seen on the plant stop flower bud cutting.
3. After this, give productive phase fertilizer. In this period, N: P: K2: 1: 4
(e.g., N: P: K15: 8: 35)@ 0-4 g / Plants give each alternate day to increase
volume and quality with EC 1.5 ms/cm.
4. For optimum results, irrigation is in small quantities and
often fertilized.
5. According to the symptoms, micronutrients have been given (e.g., Combi
II, Microscope B, Rexolin, Sequel, and Mahabrexil @ 40 grams per 1000
liters of water).

6. Analyze soil every 2 to 3 months to decide the especially Nutritious

schedule

Gerbera Flower Harvest:

 After 30-45 days of gerbera, the plantation bud initially started, but
the initial bud is of inferior quality.
 Hence this bud should be removed from the base of the flower stalk.
 This disbudding helps in making the plant strong and healthy.
 This operation was carried out up to 80 -85 days.

 The first flowers are harvested after planting 12-14 weeks (85- 90 days).

 When the stomach 2 - 3 Varlo is fully developing,

 Flowers are a harvest; It will decide the flower vase's life.

 The good gerbera flower has a stalk length is 45-55 cm, and the
diameter of the flower is 10 - 12cm.
 Morning or evening is the best time for gerbera flower harvesting.
Harvested flowers are kept in a bucket containing clean water. Flowers are
very delicate; hence they should be carefully handled.
One Gerbera plant produces approximately 45 flowers per year.

Intercultural Operation
Gerbera is a perennial crop. Proper care of the gerbera crop is required to get
maximum profit from this crop.

Pest and disease control in Greenhouses

For pest and disease control, use various pesticides, fungicides, and tonics
every 2-3 days. Also, careful inspection of the crop daily can help early
control the disease.

Weeding and raking of soil:

Weeds compete for gerbera plants, take the nutrients, and affect
production. Hence, they should be removed. Due to daily irrigation, the
gerbera bed surface becomes hard, so soil raking is required. Raking increases
soil aeration. Raking should be done twice a month.

Removal of old leaves:

The old, dry, infected leaves should be removed from the plant. It helps keep
the disease and pest infestation below the economic threshold.
Marketing of gerbera flowers
Gerbera flowers are in high demand during the wedding season, mainly in
January, February, May, August, November, and December. Gerbera
production should be planned accordingly.

The major flower markets are Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata,

Ahmedabad, Pune, and Bangalore.
Information on major diseases and pests of gerbera crop
Major diseases of the gerbera

1) Powdery mildew

The disease causes a white powder (fungal) layer on the leaves of the gerbera plant. This layer
affects the photosynthesis process of the plant. Powdery mildew appears mainly in winter.
2) Root rot

Plants die as a result of root rot, and their younger leaves fall off. Pythium is
responsible for root rot.
3) Fungal Complex
In this disease, the growth of plants is stunted, and low-quality flowers are
obtained.

4) Alternaria leaf spots

If moisture remains on the surface of the leaves for a long time, black spots
appear on the leaves.

5) Botrytis
Botrytis occurs when the relative humidity of the air is more than 92%. In
botrytis, gray spots appear on the flower.
The Major pests of Gerbera

1) Whitefly

The whitefly is a major pest in polyhouses. Initially, the whitefly must be

controlled; after that, it gets tough to control.

The hot and dry climate is conducive to the growth of whitefly.

Yellow sticky traps are used for whitefly control in Greenhouses/polyhouses.
2) Leaf-Miner

Leaf-Miner eats the green part in the middle of the leaf. This creates
serpentine lines on the leaves, and then the leaves turn white, which affects
photosynthesis.

3) Red Mites

The red spider absorbs the sap from the underside of the leaves, causing brown spots to develop on the
underside of the leaves, resulting in dryness, and reduced flower quality.
4) Cyclamen mites

This causes the old leaves to wrap and the new leaves to come to the plant to
become deformed. This reduces the quality and size of flower petals.

5) Armyworm

This is a very annoying pest in the Greenhouse. It damages the new bud as
well as the leaf.
6) Thrips

Thrips cause straps on a flower petal. The flower size and shape are
distorted. Silver-spotted patches on leaves

7) Nematodes
Due to nematodes, plant leaves become Yellow, so stunted growth of the
plant. Dirty water in the rainy season is a favorable condition for developing
and spreading nematodes.
GERBERA CROP ECONOMICS
Polyhouse Type: Naturally Ventilated Polyhouse
Crop: GERBERA
Area of Polyhouse: 4000 Sq. meter. (1.0 Acre)
Sr.No Particular Description Amount
Area of Polyhouse 4000
Naturally Ventilated Polyhouse
Polyhouse Construction as per National Horticulture 3,300,000
1
Board norms: Totally GI pipe
structure & imported
Polyethylene @ Rs. 825 /- per
Sq.
mtr.
Drip Irrigation system for plants.
376,000
Fogging system to maintain the
Drip Irrigation System
2 temperature and Humidity in
Polyhouse.
Fertigation unit and Water
Filtration unit
Growing System 45 - 60 cm high & 60 - 70
440,000
3 (Bed Preparation) cm wide raised bed prepared
with Red Soil, Farm Yard
Manure
(FYM), Rice Husk, Sand etc.
Plant Density: 6 plants/ Sq. Mtr.
Tissue culture Plants Total No. of Plants: 24,000 720,000
4 Nos.,
Cost per Plant: Rs. 30 / plant
Total Investment Rs. 4,836,000
5 Cost of Cultivation per Year
Water requirement 0.7 liter/ plant/ day+ 100,000
Misting+ Spraying
Electricity & Generator 3.0 unit per day 100,000

Fertilizers Water Soluble fertilizers 120,000

Labour 5 - 6 labours per day 504,000

Crop Protection Spraying 120,000

Packing
Material, Flower packing and transport to 324,000

Transport, market
Sales
Commission
Miscellaneous Maintenance, Depreciation etc. 483,600

Supervision Rs. 12,000 / month 144,000

Subtotal Rs. 1,895,600

6 Returns per Year

Yield / Plant / Year 45 1,080,000

Price per Flower Rs. 2.75 2.75

Total Returns Per Year 2,970,000

Cost of Cultivation Per Year 1,895,600

NET RETURN Per Year 1,074,400

 STAGE 1
TRANSPLANTING
 STAGE 2 AFTER 30
DAYS

STAGE 3 AFTER 60
DAYS
 STAGE 4 AFTER 75
DAYS 1ST BUD

STAGE 4 AFTER 100

DAYS 1ST FLOWER
STAGE 5 AFTER 120
DAYS 1ST HARVEST
STAGE 6 HARVEST

STAGE 7
PROCUREMENT 1ST
STAGE
 STAGE 8
PROCUREMENT 2ND
STAGE
 STAGE 9
PACKAGING &
TRANSPORT