Content
Growing gomphrenes from seeds begins at the end of February. The plant is very thermophilic, so the first step is to create a high temperature. Gomfrena 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 fertilizing (but sufficient moisture), flowers will appear until the beginning of October.
Full description of gomfrena
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 also been adapted to a more severe climate. Therefore, many species and varieties of gomphren are freely grown in Russia.
The plant is not very tall (up to 20-40 cm), therefore its life form is grass (annual and perennial). Leaves are small in size, with short petioles, herbaceous green.
The flowers of gomphrene are small, they are organized into spherical inflorescences, the diameter of which is 3-4 cm.The color is varied:
- white;
- pink;
- purple;
- orange;
- carmine;
- lilac;
- fuchsia.
Gomphrene bloom begins in mid-July and continues until the first frost. In most regions, the process lasts until early October, in the south - until the end of the month. Gomfrena is distinguished by its unpretentiousness: the flower does not require special care. However, the culture needs good lighting, so it is better to plant the plant in open places.
Types and varieties
There are more than 100 different types and varieties of gomphrene. They differ in height, leaf shape and flower color.
Spherical
This is the most popular variety. The spherical gomphrene grows to a height of 30-40 cm. Its leaves are slightly pubescent, therefore 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 Berry, Pompon, Globoza, Gnome.
Purple gomphrene flowers go well with rich green leaves
Scattered
A variety with creeping shoots that quickly grow over the site. Therefore, the scattered gomphrene is used as a ground cover, and also planted in pots. The flowers of the plant are greenish, with graceful yellow stamens. The leaves are elongated, rich green.
Gomphrene scattered flower resembles a miniature green cone
Gomfrena Haage (golden-flowered)
This is one of the most beautiful views. The shape of the leaves of the gomphren Haage is similar to the classic spherical, but it is distinguished by a large number of flowers with bright orange and red color. This species is characterized by thermophilicity. Therefore, if the summer is cool and cloudy, the flowers on the plant may not appear at all.
Gomphrene golden-flowered got its name from its bright, attractive flowers
Purple
Gives many globular inflorescences with a diameter of 30-40 mm, rich purple color. It goes well with light green leaves.
The height of the purple gomphrene bush reaches 20-30 cm
Strawberry
One of the tallest bushes, reaching 50 cm, is the 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 gomfrena blooms from June to early October.
In appearance, the flowers of this gomphrene resemble ripe strawberries.
Dwarf
This variety is notable for its small size - the stems grow no more than 10-15 cm. Therefore, the growers even called it "Gnome". Flowers are spherical, double, have white, pink and rich red (carmine) color. The plant can be used in flower pots. Also, the culture is great for creating a flower border.
The undersized bush of dwarf gomphrene gives a large number of graceful white or pink, red flowers
Application in landscape design
Culture can liven up a space and blend harmoniously with the design of any garden. Gomfren is used in various ways:
- Single plantings - the flower is suitable as a ground cover. Gomfrena hides the soil well and decorates nondescript corners. In addition, it looks great in a flower bed (even without adding other ornamental plants).
- Mixborders, gomphren planting along the tracks.
- Floral borders.
- Rock gardens.
- Floor vases and pots on the veranda.
- Landings on the coast of the reservoir.
The photo shows that the gomphrens in the flowerbed 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 garden.
The bushes are small, so they need to be placed in the foreground.
The best option is to plant gomphrene next to plants of the same height.
A harmonious combination can be achieved by planting several species with flowers of different colors on the site.
The composition with gomphrenes and decorative greenery looks bright and eye-catching.
A single planting in a flowerbed requires virtually no maintenance, but it looks decent.
Breeding features
Compared to many other flowers, Gomfren can only be propagated by seed. They are purchased in stores, prepared in February and begin to be planted in early March. Vegetatively (cuttings, layering), the flower will not work. Despite this, all efforts will pay off: the spherical graceful flowers perfectly decorate the garden.
Planting gomphrene seeds for seedlings
Growing a gomphrene flower is possible by sowing seeds for seedlings. It is not worth planting them in open ground, since even in the southern regions they may not rise.
Timing
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 characteristics of the region).
Preparation of containers and soil
The soil for gomphrene should be fertile enough and, most importantly, loose, loose. You can buy a 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 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, the seedlings are grown in plastic cups or peat pots. The latter option is more convenient - when transplanting into open ground, the gomphrene seedling does not need to be dug out. It is enough to transfer it to the flowerbed together with the pot, without contacting the root system.
Seeding Algorithm
The seeds must be prepared in advance. To do this, they are placed in a container and filled with warm water for 1 day.Stir occasionally, then drain the water. This is repeated 2 more times (only 3 days). Then the seeds of gomphren are thrown back on a sieve and washed with warm ode. Put in an airtight jar, cover with a lid and put in the refrigerator for 7-10 days.
The first shoots of gomphrenic seedlings appear in 5-10 days
During landing, proceed as follows:
- The soil is placed in containers and watered well.
- Gomphrene 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.
- Lightly sprinkle with earth on top, do not tamp.
- Cover with foil or cellophane with holes and put away in a very warm place. The suitable temperature is 30-35 ° C. For this, containers are placed next to heating devices.
Seedling care
After 5-10 days, the first shoots of gomphrene will appear. At this moment, the film must be removed, and the containers themselves must be 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, being careful not to damage the roots. Watering is carried out with the same regularity, while it is important not to break the norm, otherwise the gomphrene 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, gomphrenic 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 gomphrene in the open field
It is not difficult to plant homphrene flowers on your site, the main thing is not to rush: the plant is very thermophilic, so you need to wait until the soil and air have completely warmed up.
Recommended timing
Since gomphrene is thermophilic, it can be transferred to open ground only at the end of spring, when there is no threat of return frosts. The specific timing of the transplant depends on the region:
- Moscow region and middle lane - end of May;
- Urals, Siberia, North-West and Far East - early June;
- southern lands - the first decade of May.
Site selection and soil preparation
Gomfrena is very thermophilic, so the place for her planting 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, apply a complex mineral fertilizer in an amount of 50-60 g per m22... 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
Landing rules
Algorithm for planting gomphren:
- The holes are drained with small stones and pebbles.
- If the soil is infertile and no fertilizing was previously introduced, add 1 tbsp to the sod land. l. potassium salts and superphosphate (or 1 tbsp. l. wood ash) for each well.
- Seedlings are carefully removed from cassettes or transferred directly into peat pots.
- Then sprinkle with earth, but do not tamp - the soil should remain loose.
- Moderately watered with settled water at room temperature.
Watering and feeding schedule
Gomfrena needs regular but moderate watering. Those. the soil should not dry out, but it should not be too wet, "sticky" to your hands. Therefore, in the absence of precipitation, watering is carried out weekly, and in the presence of rains, additional moisture is not given. From the beginning of autumn, watering is completely stopped, but if the weather is dry, you can give a little water.
If there was no feeding during the planting of the gomphrene flower, then after a few days it is recommended to apply a complex mineral fertilizer (it is previously dissolved in water according to the instructions). In the future, you do not need to add additional fertilizing - 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 gomfrena in winter:
- Mulching and shelter.
- Transplanting the plant into a pot.
The first option is suitable for the south, as well as for the middle zone (if the variety is winter-hardy). In mid-October, the gomphren 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 Gomphren 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, feeding is excluded.
Diseases and pests
All types of gomphrenic flowers are distinguished by good resistance to both diseases and pests. But sometimes they can suffer from blackleg or cercosporia. Also on the stems and leaves of gomphrena, it loves to parasitize aphids.
Disease / pest | How to identify (signs) | What to do (methods of struggle) |
Cercosporiasis | Sheet plates are deformed, dark spots appear on them | Treat with fungicides: "Tattu", "Fitosporin", "Profit", "Agat" |
Blackleg | The stems turn black and become weak | Stop watering completely, loosen the soil well and sprinkle the surface layer with wood ash |
Aphid | Insects on the leaves, plaque, mucus | Treat with a solution of wood ash, liquid soap or insecticides ("Fufanon", "Iskra", "Biotlin", "Decis") |
Conclusion
Growing gomphrene 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, the care of the plant is minimal: after transplanting the gomphrene into the open ground, it does not even need to be fed.
