Gomphrena Globosa

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Annual

Familiy, Origin:Amaranthaceae, Tropic of America

Sitelocation:Full sun

Garden Height:30 cm, 11,81 inch

Crop Time:Plug crop: 4-6 weeks; Cut flower production: 8-10 weeks, depending on season

Sell Period:May-July

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:444 K/g

Sowing Time:January-June, sowing in intervals

Sowing Method:1-2 seeds per plug, sowing directly into pots is possible

Germination:10-14 days at 22-24 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-5.8. Required light for germination. Cover seed lightly with vermiculite after sowing. Consistent moisture of the substrate and high humidity above 95 % for fast, uniform germination. Avoid direct sunlight by shading seeds after sowing.

Plug Culture:From Stage II* reduce the soil moisture, but the plug should not dry out. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,75 EC. Start fertilization at 50-75 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased up to 100-150 ppm.

Growing On:6-8 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pack or pot (8-12 cm). Plant the cut flowers in 20-25 x 25 cm space (16-20 plants per m2).

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-20 % parts (e.g. coconut fibres, perlite), 1-1,5 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer (3 months), iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-5.8. Field: well-drained, sandy loamy soils. Standard fertilization: 60-80 g/m2 of a slow release fertilizer.

Temperature:Grow at 20-24 °C during daytime and at 15 °C during night or outdoors. Avoid temperatures below 10 °C. Protect the young plants outdoors against frost. Gomphrena does not tolerate frost.

Fertilization:Moderate-high fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-150 ppm nitrogen (at 2 kg/m3 slow release fertilizer in substrate), using complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Take care of the phosphate level in substrate.

Cut Flowers:Cut flower stems can be harvested, when the flower sizes are 2,5 cm and their intensive colour is visible. The bigger (8- 10 cm) the flower, the more pale is the flower and the intensive colour vanishes. Remove the bottom leaves and soft lateral stems. Vase life: 10-12 days. Cold storage is possible. Flowers for dried flower production can be harvested, when the flowers size is are approx. 1,5 cm.

Cultural Hints:Gomphrena needs a relative high amounts of water during season, but for cultivation allow for the pots/soils to dry thoroughly betweens irrigations. Avoid a high relative humidity in greenhouse and overhead irrigations during the flowering.