Gomphrena

The name of the genus Gomphrena has a very ancient origin: the first surviving mention can be found in Pliny, who so called the species of the genus Amaranthus (Amaranthus). Gomphrena unites about 90 species, but only one of them is widely grown - Gomphrena globosa, an annual herbaceous species, not very stable, growing up to 30-40 cm in height, with dense, oblong-lanceolate, usually green, leaves, in varieties - variegated. In the summer period, starting from July, spherical inflorescences appear with dry non-falling bracts of white, orange-yellow, pink, bright red, purple (for example, in the 'Buddy' variety) or lavender bright color. In addition, there are dwarf varieties, usually no more than 20 cm high. Seeds of plants of the genus Gomphrena are sold, among other things, in mixtures of dried flowers of various colors. Gomphrena Hage (G. haageana) is an erect shrub with larger, reddish-orange inflorescences.

The name of the genus Gomphrena has a very ancient origin: the first surviving mention can be found in Pliny, who so called the species of the genus Amaranthus (Amaranthus). Gomphrena unites about 90 species, but only one of them is widely grown - Gomphrena globosa, an annual herbaceous species, not very stable, growing up to 30-40 cm in height, with dense, oblong-lanceolate, usually green, leaves, in varieties - variegated.

In the summer period, starting from July, spherical inflorescences appear with dry non-falling bracts of white, orange-yellow, pink, bright red, purple (for example, in the 'Buddy' variety) or lavender bright color. In addition, there are dwarf varieties, usually no more than 20 cm high. Seeds of plants of the genus Gomphrena are sold, among other things, in mixtures of dried flowers of various colors.

Gomphrena Hage (G. haageana) is an erect shrub with larger, reddish-orange inflorescences.

Cultivation

Gomphrena is grown in the open ground in flower beds, and most often as a border crop. More compact varieties can also be planted in pots and flower beds on balconies and terraces. Tall varieties are suitable as flowers for cutting and mainly dried flowers. To do this, the flowers are cut while they are still not fully opened, and dried, hanging in the shade "upside down". They do not like low air temperatures (critical 7-9 °C). Therefore, if the winters are cold, planting in the open ground is postponed until the end of May. Suitable for growing well-cultivated, drained and fertilized organic substances of the earth. Between plants, depending on the variety, leave a distance of 20-30 cm. When growing in pots, a mixture of disinfected earth (40%), leaf humus (15%), sand (15%) and peat (30%) is used, to which 30 g of complex mineral fertilizer is added per bucket. In the period from May to July, once every 15-20 days, a complex fertilizer is diluted in water for irrigation.

Gomphrena is grown in the open ground in flower beds, and most often as a border crop. More compact varieties can also be planted in pots and flower beds on balconies and terraces. Tall varieties are suitable as flowers for cutting and mainly dried flowers. To do this, the flowers are cut while they are still not fully opened, and dried, hanging in the shade "upside down". They do not like low air temperatures (critical 7-9 °C). Therefore, if the winters are cold, planting in the open ground is postponed until the end of May. Suitable for growing well-cultivated, drained and fertilized organic substances of the earth. Between plants, depending on the variety, leave a distance of 20-30 cm. When growing in pots, a mixture of disinfected earth (40%), leaf humus (15%), sand (15%) and peat (30%) is used, to which 30 g of complex mineral fertilizer is added per bucket.

In the period from May to July, once every 15-20 days, a complex fertilizer is diluted in water for irrigation.

Location

Always very well lit, but preferably protected from the wind.

Temperature

Gomphrena is a thermophilic plant, the lower permissible temperature limit is 7-9 °C.

Watering

Potted plants are watered frequently, and ground plants are watered only during hot dry periods. In general, gomphrena is a fairly drought-resistant crop.

Care

Remove withered flowers and damaged parts of the plant.

Reproduction

Propagate by seed. Usually sowing is carried out in spring, in March-April, in boxes, which are then kept indoors at a temperature of 18 °C. Seedlings dive, then finally planted in a container or open ground, usually in May.

Diseases

Gomphrena is quite resistant to diseases caused by fungi and pests. And viral infections are often transmitted with seeds, which causes dwarfism of plants and deformation of leaves and shoots. It is recommended to get rid of the affected plants. Spots on the leaves are a manifestation of cercospore. Perform fungicidal treatment.

Gomphrena is quite resistant to diseases caused by fungi and pests. And viral infections are often transmitted with seeds, which causes dwarfism of plants and deformation of leaves and shoots. It is recommended to get rid of the affected plants.

Spots on the leaves are a manifestation of cercospore. Perform fungicidal treatment.

Acquisition

Seeds of both single-color varieties and mixtures can be found in specialized retail outlets. Check the expiration date, which determines the germination of seeds. In nurseries and horticultural centers, they buy ready-made seedlings in cups.