I have at least 20 old fashion Gerber daisies that bloom great & have healthy leaves but 2 of them also bloom great but leaves stay curled heat or not. Why
Check those plants for powdery mildew or insects such as thrips, aphids or spider mites. The third article shows control of these problems if you find them.
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/gerbera-daisy.html
I had a gerbera from my grandchildren but am unsure how to best care for it. It had 4 blooms which in time died so I deadheaded the plant. Now I have another 6 blooms, some of which are quite tall and sturdy but some have very slim stems and aren't very strong. The leaves keep multiplying and are crowding out the blooms. Should I cut back some of the leaves to make more room for the blooms ? Also,can I do anything to support the weaker blooms please ?
Gerbera daisies need to be fertilized regularly or they will stop blooming. Use a balanced controlled release such as 10-10-10 for convenience. I can attest to this. If mine stop blooming, I add a little fertilizer, and they start right up again.
You don't need to remove any leaves; the flower stems will shoot straight up.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gerbera-daisy/growing-gerbera-daisies.htm
sun. follow indoor directions? applied time-release fertilizer during summer, which I suppose accounts for the lush foliage. But kept in planter with other flowers in shade.
They need full sun to bloom well. That is probably why yours didn't bloom much outside. When mine stop blooming outside, I fertilize again to get them going. This article outlines all the conditions needed for your Gerbera when it's moved into your home: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gerbera-daisy/gerbera-daisies-indoors.htm
Do gerbera daisies stay outside or do you bring inside? Want them to come back next year. Will they propagate on their own when the blooms fall off?
You can bring your potted gerbera daisies inside. Here's an article on how to care for them: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gerbera-daisy/gerbera-daisies-indoors.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gerbera-daisy/growing-gerbera-daisies.htm
I've not heard of them self-propagating, although it's possible they do in some areas. Normally, the seeds must be collected from the plant and started within a couple months to be viable, and the new plants may not be true to type. You may have better luck dividing the plant or rooting some cuttings. You are in Zone 8a, and Gerberas are considered perennials there, meaning they should come up again each spring.
Where can I get comprehensive information about this?
They are native to South Africa. These references should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gerbera-daisy/growing-gerbera-daisies.htm
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/gerbera-daisy.html
The ants appear to be carrying something whitish and I'm curious what they be and if they could be damaging the plant.
They may be moving their eggs around. They probably aren't damaging anything but check to see if there are any insects on your plant that may be producing honeydew, an ant attractant. This article tells more:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/ants-in-flower-pots.htm
w leaves at the base of the plant. What can I do? Plant doesn’t look full. It is droopy. When soil feel somewhat moist or dry I water and try not to taster too much but I have pulled off some yellow leave. I’ve never had much luck with these plants but this one is producing quite a few blooms so I would like to try and get it looking and feeling better.
It looks, very, crowded in that pot. They will appreciate some more room. Other than that, it appears healthy. Since it is about to flower, do not disturb the roots.
In the future, plant into a container about twice that size. This will give the roots more room to spread out, and give it a little more time between feedings, as well!
Here are some articles that will help you to care for them:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gerbera-daisy/growing-gerbera-daisies.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/containers/thriller-filler-spiller.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gerbera-daisy/gerbera-daisies-indoors.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gerbera-daisy/gerbera-daisy-winter-care.htm