Gomphrena Las Vegas Mix

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Garden Height:40-50 cm

Crop Time:Plug crop: 5-6 weeks; flowering plants (from sow to flower): 11-12 weeks

Seed Form:Clean Seed

Seed Count:0 K/g

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

Germination:Stage I: 10 days at 25 °C 77 °F; Stage II-IV: 11-35 days at 22-24 °C 72-75 vF day temperature and 18 °C night temperature. Cover seed slighty with vermiculite and keep substrate fully saturated. Avoid direct sunlight during germination. From Stage II on reduce moisture and grow on in a well ventilated and bright greenhouse.

Growing On:5-6 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a 10-12 cm 4.5'' pot.

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.

Temperature:Grow at 20-24 °C 68-75 °F during daytime and at 15 °C 59 °F during night or outdoors. Avoid temperatures below 10 °C 50 °F. 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.

Cultural Hints:Gomphrena needs a relative high amount of water during season, but for cultivation allow for the pots/soils to dry thoroughly between irrigations. Avoid a high relative humidity in greenhouse and overhead irrigations during flowering. If too much fertilizer is applied, Gomphrena will be oversized and soft.