Select an area that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Gomphrena will grow in almost any soil condition, but it must be well-drained. Direct outdoor seeding is not recommended unless you’re in growing zone 9 or above. Gomphrena does not need to be pinched, as the plant will branch naturally. Grow under lights until plants have at least two sets of true leaves and begin hardening off to prepare seedlings to be planted outdoors. These guys are slow growers, so do not be discouraged if for the first couple weeks (or more!) you're staring at the same set of leaves. Seedlings will emerge on average after 7–14 days, although using a heat mat will speed germination. Sow gomphrena seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost into pre-moistened seed-starting mix. The flower's colorful papery sections are called bracts, which are essentially modified leaves.) How to Grow Gomphrena (Little known fact-these “fireworks” are the proper "flower" of Gomphrena. Each variety has the most subtle gold or white stamens presented in a halo around the flower's perimeter that look like miniature fireworks.Įven more captivating, there is a fireworks variety of gomphrena where these explosions are fully displayed. While not available in every color of the rainbow, you can find seeds in both bold and muted pastels of purples, pinks, oranges, reds, and true white. It’s the perfect accent for any design piece needing a little extra interest or volume. Using Gomphrena in Floral Arrangementsįresh or dried, gomphrena offers a playful, delicate, and diverse texture in bouquets and arrangements. Gomphrena (also known as Globe Amaranth) is that tiny but mighty workhouse flower every farmer should be growing-and one that every florist should consider incorporating. How about a flower with a two-week vase-life? Passing the beaten flowers through a fine screen mesh can help to remove the seeds from the chaff.Looking for an annual cut flower that is easy to germinate, low maintenance, and no-fuss post-harvesting? When the flowers are dry, seeds can be removed by brushing or by beating the flowers in a bag. The flowers can simply be cut from the plant using a pair of scissors and set in a warm, dry place to finish drying out. Grain amaranth varieties are usually ready to harvest after about three months. The plants will benefit from supplemental irrigation during dry periods and the addition of fertilizer once or twice throughout the growing season. Applying a layer of mulch will help to prevent weeds and conserve soil moisture. While the seedlings are young, it is important to remove any weeds from around the plants to prevent competition. The plants should be thinned to a final within row spacing of 20 cm (8 in).Īmaranth is easy to care for and requires little maintenance. Seeds should be sown to a depth of 1–2 cm (0.4–0.8 in) in rows spaced 50 cm (20 in) apart. Transplants can be started approximately 6 to 8 weeks before the forecasted last frost but seeds should not be sown outdoors until all danger of frost has passed. The plants are drought and heat resistant but will not tolerate frost.Īmaranths are propagated from seed and can be started indoors for transplanting or direct seeded. Most species of the plant will thrive in soils with a neutral pH, whereas some are adapted to grow in acidic soil. Amaranth will grow best in a well-draining soil in full sunlight.
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