Gomphrena

Family. Amaranthaceae.

Origin. America.

Description. Gomphrena are herbaceous compact plants with branched, erect and rigid stems. The leaves are opposite, oblong, ovate, 10 - 15 cm long, with whitish pubescence, especially on young leaves. The flowers are small and almost invisible; the main beauty of the plant is given by the bright bracts of white, pink, yellow and purple.

Height. Usually reaches a height of 40 cm, and quite quickly. But there are also dwarf forms from 15 to 20 cm in height.

Planting and care

Reproduction

Gomphrena is propagated by seeds sown in March. The seeds are only slightly pressed into the top layer of soil and covered with a thin layer of sand. Maintain the temperature at least 15 ° C, watering the seedlings so that the soil remains slightly moist. 

How to grow

These attractive bushes grow easily and bloom for a long time.

When it blooms 

From July to October, long-term.

Diseases and pests 

Powdery mildew. 

Of the harmful insects, aphids most often attack the flower.

Temperature

Loves hot weather. Cool conditions can completely stop the growth of gomphrena.

Lighting

Place the pot under direct sunlight in the morning and evening. On hot summer days, provide light shading in the form of a yule curtain. In autumn and winter, provide the most illuminated location.

Soil

Rich, light and well-drained soil. Use a mixture of soil and sand.

Fertilizer

The use of fertilizers with a high potassium content promotes abundant flowering. Feed the plant 3 times a month. 

Spraying

Does not require spraying.

Watering

Gomphrenas love water very much. Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. 

Transfer

This species is grown as an annual and does not require replanting.

Purpose

Gomphrena flowers can be used for cutting and as dried flowers; they dry easily and retain their decorative value for several months. Buds intended for drying are cut before the bracts are fully developed and hung upside down in a cool, well-ventilated room. Complete drying takes about a week.

Varieties:

Gomphrena globosa

A low herbaceous annual, reaching 30 - 60 cm, with erect, strong, branched stems at the base. The leaves are entire, oblong-oval, glossy, green, on short petioles. In the summer months, the plant decorates itself with spherical apical inflorescences, reaching 4 cm in diameter and consisting of many bright bracts, colored in red, pink, and purple shades. The flowers are tiny, tubular, cream, yellow. 

Gomphrena haageana

Quite tall herbaceous plants, reaching 60 - 70 cm with erect, strong stems. The leaves are green, narrow, lanceolate, 3 to 8 cm long, covered with long pubescence. Globular inflorescences appear in the summer months at the tops of the stems and reach a diameter of 2.5 cm. The bright bracts are colored in red, crimson, yellow or orange. The flowers are small, tubular, yellowish.

Gomphrena serrata

Herbaceous plants with abundantly branched, lodging, thick stems. The leaves are oblong - oval, matte, green, sessile or on short petioles, covered with slight pubescence. The bracts are white or pinkish, the flowers are tubular, yellow.