Gerbera Daisy

I love, love, love these flowers! Problem is...they don't love me! I buy and kill them every year, each time thinking it will be different. I promise, one day I will update this with the perfect instructions to have and keep these beauties alive and thriving. 

Today, all I can tell you is what I've tried:

In the ground - died

In the ground with compost added - survived 2 seasons, looking sad though

In a pot with Happy Frog Soil - Happier plant, died in winter

In a pot with Miracle Gro Soil - died in the summer 

I've tried mixing in cornmeal to prevent powdery mildew. It still got it. Spraying with Neem helped, though. I do have a bad habit of watering in the evenings, so that is part of the issue. 

These guys technically can survive here in our zone, and it is a personal goal to figure them out! If you have been successful with them thriving through multiple seasons, please reach out. I would be forever grateful for any advice that I can use and pass along.