Irrigation of Florist's Cineraria

Florist's cineraria (Pericallis × hybrida) is evolutionarily adapted to the conditions of humid mountain forests and lacks mechanisms for adaptation to moisture deficit. The superficial fibrous root system is extremely sensitive to anaerobic conditions: substrate waterlogging inevitably triggers the development of root rots caused by Phytophthora and Pythium fungi.

Watering should be carried out when the top 2.5 cm of the substrate dries out, avoiding complete desiccation, which leads to irreversible damage to the leaf petioles. It is necessary to ensure deep saturation of the root ball with subsequent drainage of excess water, while avoiding wetting the pubescent foliage to prevent fungal leaf spots.