Why did you call your company Gerbera Mania?
I have been fascinated by Gerberas since my schooldays and I like the sound of the name.

What do you find so fascinating about Gerberas?
The huge variety of colours and characteristics – every Gerbera is different. The flower is not easy to grow and I find this quite a challenge too.

What is your favourite Gerbera?
‘Sunshine Mania’, a bi-colour mini. This is one of my own creations. The purplish brown ‘Blue Eye’ is another beauty and is a large flowered variety produced by a colleague.

How can you tell a good Gerbera?
Once it is mature, the flower has to be flat. In the case of large flowered varieties a circle of stamens must be visible, something that is not essential in the minis. And when you gently pinch the stem, it should be hard and definitely not hollow. The petals should also feel firm when you slide them over your palm. Soft petals are more susceptible to infection.

Have you any advice you would like to share with florists?
You sometimes see wired Gerberas, but I really dislike this. In fact, if the wire is pushed through the bud, it can cause rot to set in. Do not do this! Buy the better varieties. Keep the flowers out of the sun as they react badly to this.

Who would you like to give a Gerbera to?
To Princess Maxima, because she reminds me of a Gerbera: versatile, colourful, young and dynamic.

Facts & fun
There are more than 750 different Gerberas on sale, 70 % of which are mini and 30 % large flowered. Minis have a flower diameter smaller than 8 cm. New flower types include the Pasta and Gerrondo cultivars. Two coloured (bi-colour), flamed and even dyed blue Gerberas are gaining in popularity. The flower originally comes from South Africa and is a member of the aster family. On 31 May (No smoking Day) orange Gerberas are used internationally as a symbol for non-smokers.

In the grass Modern wildflower bouquet using large flowered Gerberas ‘Red Explosion’ (20076), ‘Heatwave’ (23397) and Classic Fabio Orange (17116) with Ophiopogon jaburan T-Grass (15789) and Flexigrass.	Green heart Grouped mini Gerberas ‘Timo’ (7055) and ‘Kimsey’ (17018) with Tillandsia xerographica (9624), Cryptanthus (9218) and lily seed capsules in the centre.
‘Pasta’ (25169) First cultivar with curled petals.	Fiction’ (23000) Red and white striped, large flowered.
Lollipop (23527) Purple edged mini with purple ring.	Terra Mars (27707) Well-filled, double mini Gerbera of the Gerrondo type.
‘Hocus Pocus’ (24482) Green sphere with short ray florets.	Pompadour (22199) Mini with red and white petals.
Tip Top (25219) Striking two coloured mini.