Thursday's Plant -- Gomphrena

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'QIS Carmine'

Gomphrena

Gomphrena (Gomphrena globosa and G. haageana) is a versatile plant that can be used as a landscape bedding plant, a fresh cut flower and as a dried flower. Plants are easy to grow and very heat and drought tolerant. Gomphrena was one of the plants that thrived under the hot, dry conditions that occurred last summer, especially in the South. Plants produce 3/4- to 2-inch globular flowers in various colors including purple, lilac, rose, pink, white, red, carmine and orange.

Both compact (Gnome series from Sakata Seed America) and taller ('Bicolor Rose' from American Takii and the QIS series from Kieft Seeds) are available. The QIS series is a blend of five globosa and three haageana types. 'Qis Carmine,' a haageana variety, was selected as the first 1999 Dried Flower of the Year by the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers.

The haageana varieties don't germinate as well and flower about a week later than the globosa varieties. However, the haageanas are usually taller (26-30 inches) and hardier, being able to tolerate both warmer and colder temperatures than the globosas (6-24 inches tall). Both species are usually grown as annuals.

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Purchase clean, de-wooled seed to ensure a higher and more uniform germination rate. Sow seed in open flats or as plugs (two seeds per plug). If grown as an outdoor cut flower, seed can be direct sown in the field.

Germinate seed in a growing medium with good drainage and a pH of 6.2-6.5; cover seeds lightly. Maintain temperature at 68F-75F nights and 75F-plus days. Germination usually occurs in seven to 14 days for the globasa types, up to 21 days for the haageanas. Keep medium moist during germination.

Plants should be ready for transplanting four to six weeks after sowing. Grow plants warm (75F plus) and on the dry side. Transplant into a well-drained growing mix.

Avoid excessive application of nitrogen fertilizers and overwatering, which can result in excessive growth. A 20-20-20 (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) fertilizer can be applied after transplanting. Keep humidity low in the greenhouse and don't use overhead irrigation when plants begin to flower.

Plants in flats and 4-inch pots should be in flower and ready to ship 12 weeks after transplanting. If grown as a cut flower, plants should be on 10-inch-by-10-inch centers; provide netting for support. To increase the number of flowers for cuts, remove the terminal flower. Flower color can fade if plants are grown under high temperatures or if flower spikes are allowed to elongate. If growing as a fresh cut, harvest flowers when spikes are 3/4 to 2 inches long.

Problems you might encounter with gomphrena include leaf spot, rust, damping off and spider mites.

For more: Kieft Seeds, 22053 Bulson Road, Mount Vernon, WA 98274-9590; phone/fax (360) 445-2031. American Takii Inc., 301 Natividad Road, Salinas, CA 93906; (831) 443-4901; fax (831) 443-3976. Sakata Seed America, 18095 Serene Drive, Morgan Hill, CA 95037; (408) 778-7758; fax (408) 778-7768.

SPECIFICS:
Name: Gomphrena (Gomphrena globosa and G. haageana)
Crop timing: From sowing to flower takes four months. Haageana varieties usually take longer to germinate and flower than globosa varieties.
Grower benefits: Versatile crop that can be grown as bedding or cut flower crop. Heat-tolerant crop that is easy to produce.
Selling points: Heat and drought tolerant; good selection of colors; compact to tall varieties lend themselves to various uses in the landscape as container, bedding and cut flower crops.