GROWING gerberas stemmed from a promise Gerry Gillett made when he inherited his uncle’s plants.
The 92-year-old has been part of gerbera growing groups for more than 40 years and was one of the founding members of the Gerbera Research Group when it started three decades ago.
His interest started after his uncle died in the early 1970s and Mr Gillett inherited his plants.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“He was a very keen gerbera grower,” he said.
“His widow made me promise that I would look after gerberas if I took his plants.
“I made a solemn oath that I would be diligent – I’ve been growing them ever since.”
Mr Gillett said he was still exhibiting flowers and hoped to have about 20 blooms on display at the Gerbera Research Group’s annual show in Hamersley on May 5.
“I breed a lot of my own single gerberas,” he said.
“I’ve got something like 100 seedlings on the go and about 60 or so matured ones.
“There’s a lot of work involved but I get through them in about three hours and that’s about the extent that I spend on them (each day).”
At the annual show, the group will sell gerberas in pots for $8 each and have a pot plant stall with a mixture of plants from frangipani to succulents to ferns and geraniums.
There will also be a raffle of gerberas, refreshments available and division demonstrations on the hour from 11am to 2pm.
THE ESSENTIALS
What: Gerbera Research Group annual show
When: 10am to 3pm on Saturday, May 5
Where: Stirling Leisure Centre, Belvedere, Road Hamersley
Entry: $3
More: www.gerberaresearch.com.au
MORE: Police release CCTV images of Freo train jumper
MORE: Live sheep export: RSPCA puts pressure on authorities to investigate another ship