Gomphrena: photo of flowers in the flower bed and in the garden, planting and care

Growing gomphrena from seeds begins at the end of February. The plant is very thermophilic, so the first step is to create a high temperature. Gomphrenu is transplanted into open ground at the end of May or even at the beginning of June. Caring for the crop is very simple: even in the absence of top dressing (but sufficient moisture), flowers will appear until the beginning of October.

Full description of gomphrena

Gomphrena is a perennial flowering plant belonging to the Amaranth family. In nature, it is found in tropical zones, however, thanks to breeding work, the plant has adapted to a more severe climate. Therefore, many types and varieties of gomphrenia are freely grown in Our Country.

The plant does not differ in high height (up to 20-40 cm), therefore its life form is grass (annual and perennial). The leaves are small, with short petioles, grassy green.

The gomphrena flowers are small, organized into spherical inflorescences, the diameter of which is 3-4 cm. The color is varied:

• white;
• pink
• purple;
• orange
• carmine;
• lilac;
• fuchsia.

Gomphrena flowering begins in mid-July and continues until the first frost. In most regions, the process lasts until the beginning of October, in the south – until the end of the month. Gomphrena is unpretentious: the flower does not require special care. However, the culture needs good lighting, so it is better to plant the plant in open areas.

Species and varieties

There are more than 100 different types and varieties of gomphrena. They differ in height, leaf shape and flower color.

spherical

This is the most popular variety. The spherical gomphrena grows up to 30-40 cm in height. Its leaves are slightly pubescent, so they often appear gray. The flowers of the plant are red, crimson, lilac and white. This species consists of several varieties: Fireworks, Bright Border, Buddy, Raspberry, Pompom, Globoza, Gnome.

Purple gomphrena flowers pair well with rich green leaves.

scattered

A variety with creeping shoots that grow rapidly over the site. Therefore, scattered gomphrenu is used as a ground cover, and also planted in flowerpots. The flowers of the plant are greenish, with graceful yellow stamens. The leaves are elongated, rich green.

The scattered gomphrena flower resembles a miniature green cone

Gomphrena Haage (golden-flowered)

This is one of the most beautiful views. In terms of the shape of the gomphrena leaves, Haage is similar to the classic spherical, but differs in a large number of flowers with bright orange and red colors. This species is characterized by thermophilicity. Therefore, if the summer is cool and cloudy, the flowers on the plant may not appear at all.

Gomphrena golden-flowered got its name due to bright, attractive flowers.

Purple

Gives a lot of spherical inflorescences with a diameter of 30-40 mm, the color is rich purple. Combines well with light green leaves.

In height, the purple gomphrena bush reaches 20-30 cm.

Strawberry

One of the tallest bushes, reaching 50 cm, is a strawberry variety. The flowers are bright red, with yellow stamens, outwardly similar to ripe berries. This plant needs good lighting and loose, light soil. If summer and autumn are warm, then strawberry gomphrena blooms from June to early October.

In appearance, the flowers of this gomphrena resemble ripe strawberries.

dwarf

This variety is small in size – the stems grow no more than 10-15 cm. Therefore, flower growers even called it “Gnome”. The flowers are spherical, double, have a white, pink and rich red (carmine) color. The plant can be used in flower pots. Also, the culture is great for creating a floral border.

A low-growing shrub of dwarf gomphrena produces a large number of elegant white or pink, red flowers.

Application in landscape design

Culture is able to enliven the space and harmoniously fit into the design of any garden. Gomphrena is used in various ways:

1. Single planting – the flower is suitable as a ground cover. Gomphrena hides the soil well and decorates nondescript corners. In addition, it looks great in a flower bed (even without the addition of other ornamental plants).
2. Mixborders, gomphrenia plantings along the paths.
3. Floral borders.
4. Rock gardens.
5. Floor vases and flowerpots on the veranda.
6. Landings on the coast of the reservoir.

The photo shows that the gomphreys in the flower bed are combined with wildflowers. They can also be used in compositions with asters, petunias, daisies and many other plants. The main condition is the correct combination of colors and tiers. As a rule, gomphrens are planted along the edges of the flower bed.

The bushes are small, so they need to be placed in the foreground.

The best option is to plant gomphrenia next to plants of the same height.

A harmonious combination can be achieved if several species with flowers of different colors are planted on the site.

The composition with gomphrenas and decorative greenery looks bright and attracts the eye.

A single planting in a flower bed is practically maintenance-free, but it looks decent.

Features of reproduction

Compared to many other flowers, gomphrenu can only be propagated by seeds. They are purchased in stores, prepared in February and planted in early March. Vegetatively (cuttings, layering) the flower cannot be propagated. Despite this, all efforts will pay off: spherical graceful flowers perfectly decorate the garden.

Planting gomphrena seeds for seedlings

Growing a gomphrena flower is possible by sowing seeds for seedlings. They should not be planted in open ground, because even in the southern regions they may not sprout.

Deadlines

Sowing seeds begins in late February or early March. In greenhouse conditions (at home), seedlings grow for at least 2,5 months. They are transferred to open ground at the end of May (specific dates depend on the climatic features of the region).

Preparation of containers and soil

The soil for gomphrena should be quite fertile and, most importantly, loose, loose. You can purchase universal soil for seedlings or make a mixture yourself from garden soil and humus, taken in the same amount. The earth is abundantly moistened, but at the same time they observe the measure. If you take the soil and squeeze it into a lump, and then throw it on the table, the earth should disintegrate.

For growing seedlings, you can use any containers – wooden boxes, cassettes. After picking, seedlings are grown in plastic cups or peat pots. The latter option is more convenient – when transplanting into open ground, gomfrena seedlings do not need to be dug up. It is enough to transfer it to the flower bed along with the pot, without contacting the root system.

Seeding algorithm

Seeds must first be prepared. To do this, they are placed in a container and poured with warm water for 1 day. Stir occasionally, then drain the water. So repeat 2 more times (only 3 days). Then gomphrena seeds are put on a sieve and washed with warm water. Put in an airtight jar, cover with a lid and put in the refrigerator for 7-10 days.

The first seedlings of gomphrena seedlings appear in 5-10 days

During landing, proceed as follows:

1. The soil is placed in containers and watered well.
2. Gomphrena seeds are taken out of the jar and immediately laid out in 1-2 pieces. into the cassette to a depth of 0,5-1 cm.
3. Lightly sprinkle with earth on top, do not tamp.
4. Cover with a film or cellophane with holes and clean in a very warm place. Suitable temperature is 30-35 °C. To do this, the containers are placed next to the heating devices.

Care of seedlings

After 5-10 days, the first shoots of gomphrena will appear. At this point, the film must be removed, and the containers themselves rearranged a little further from direct sunlight. In this case, the temperature must be maintained at the same level.

The soil is loosened 2-3 times a week, trying not to damage the roots. Watering is carried out with the same regularity, while it is important not to violate the norm, otherwise the gomphrena can get sick with a black leg (the stems will become lethargic and turn black), and it will be difficult to cure the seedlings.

2 weeks after the appearance of the first shoots, gomphrena seedlings dive into individual containers. After that, the temperature can be reduced to 25-26 ° C (in any case, it should remain above room temperature). 1-2 weeks before transplanting into open ground, it can be grown under normal conditions (18-22 ° C).

Planting and caring for gomphrena in the open field

It is not difficult to plant gomphrena flowers in your area, the main thing is not to rush: the plant is very thermophilic, so you need to wait until the soil and air warm up completely.

Recommended dates

Since gomphrena is thermophilic, it can be transferred to open ground only at the end of spring, when there is no threat of returning frosts. The exact timing of the transplant depends on the region:

• Moscow region and the middle lane – the end of May;
• Ural, Siberia, North-West and Far East – early June;
• southern lands – the first decade of May.

Site selection and soil preparation

Gomphrena is very thermophilic, so the place for her landing should be:

• open (no shadow);
• moist, but not swampy (lowlands are undesirable);
• protected from drafts.

The soil for the flower should be light and fertile enough, with a neutral reaction. The site is pre-cleaned and dug up. If necessary, make a complex mineral fertilizer in the amount of 50-60 g per m². Several shallow holes are prepared at a distance of 30 cm for tall varieties and 20 cm for short ones.

The flower loves open, sunny places.

Rules of landing

Gomphrena landing algorithm:

1. The wells are drained with a small stone, pebbles.
2. If the soil is infertile and no top dressing has been applied before, 1 tbsp is added to the sod land. l. potassium salts and superphosphate (or 1 tablespoon wood ash) for each well.
3. Seedlings are carefully removed from the cassettes or transferred directly in peat pots.
4. Then sprinkle with earth, but do not tamp – the soil should remain loose.
5. Moderately watered with settled water at room temperature.

Watering and fertilizing schedule

Gomphrena needs regular but moderate watering. Those. the soil should not dry out, but it should not be too wet, “sticky” to the hands. Therefore, in the absence of precipitation, watering is carried out weekly, and in the presence of rain, additional moisture is not given. From the beginning of autumn, watering is completely stopped, but if the weather is dry, you can give some water.

If there was no top dressing during the planting of the gomphrena flower, then after a few days it is recommended to apply a complex mineral fertilizer (it must first be dissolved in water according to the instructions). In the future, you do not need to add top dressing – even without them, the culture will feel comfortable.

Weeding, loosening

Weeding is carried out as needed.

Loosening should be done regularly, especially before watering and fertilizing.

In this case, moisture will spread faster through the soil, and the roots of the plant will be saturated with oxygen. The flower does not need special care, so it is very easy to grow it in the garden.

Wintering

There are two ways to save gomphrenu in winter:

1. Mulching and covering.
2. Transplanting a plant into a pot.

The first option is suitable for the south, as well as for the middle lane (if the variety is winter-hardy). In mid-October, the gomphrenia bush is completely cut off and covered with mulch – dry foliage, straw, spruce branches. Then the plant is covered with spunbond, and on top with a film.

The second wintering option for gomphrena is suitable for all other regions. At the end of September, the bushes are transplanted into spacious pots and taken home. In winter, plants are kept in a warm and dry place. Watering is rare, fertilizing is excluded.

Diseases and pests

All types of gomphrena flowers are distinguished by good resistance to both diseases and pests. But sometimes they can suffer from blackleg or cercosporiosis. Also, aphids like to parasitize on the stems and leaves of gomphrena.

Conclusion

Growing gomphrena from seeds can be organized at home. But for this you need to create a suitable temperature (30-35 ° C at the initial stage). In the future, plant care is minimal: after transplanting gomphrena into open ground, it does not even need to be fed.