Pot and bedding - Gomphrena globosa

New Entry 2009
Gomphrena globosa
"Las Vegas White"
Flowering period: May - October

Height 25 - 50 cm
Spread: 25 - 50 cm
Habit: Upright
Flower type: Double
Leaf Color Light Green
Placement: Full sun to partial shade
Water Medium to low
Fertilizer need: Medium to low
Plant type: Annual

Class New Entry 2009

GOMPHRENA GLOBOSA, GLOBE AMARANTH 'Las Vegas White'

Like its namesake, the Gomphrena 'Las Vegas' series provides the bright colours, excitement, and heat tolerance that the 'Las Vegas' strip is known for. Gomphrena is known for its adaptability, and the 'Las Vegas' series is no different. Cleaned seed offers easier sowing and reduced production times, which lead to higher margins for the grower. At 40-50 cm 16-20'' tall, the 'Las Vegas' series is perfect for 11 cm 4'' pot production. Three vibrant colors: 'Pink', 'Purple' and 'White' offer a bright mix for any landscape setting. Quick crop times (11-12 weeks) and versatility in the landscape make this series a sure winner. For a combination that is sure to sizzle, pair the 'Las Vegas' series with the Pentas 'Graffiti'® series. The dynamic and vibrant color combination is sure to draw in plenty of hummingbirds and butterflies.

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 Time:   January-June, sowing in intervals

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 71-75 °F day temperature and 18 °C 64 °F 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'' 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 °Fduring daytime and at 15 °C 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.

All colors
M6440 'Las Vegas Mix' 2009/2010
M6390 'Las Vegas Pink' 2009/2010
M6370 'Las Vegas Purple' 2009/2010

* Germination Stages (from seed to finished young plant)
Stage I: Starts with the radicle breaking through the testa. The roots are touching the medium. Ends with fully developed cotyledons.
Stage II: Starts from fully developed cotyledons. Ends with the fully developed true leaf or true leaf pair.
Stage III: Starts from the fully developed true leaf or true leaf pair and ends with 80% of the young plants being marketable.
Stage IV: All young plants are ready for sale and in the process of being hardened off. This stage lasts about 7 days.

Hint:
The cultural recommendations are based on results from trials conducted under Central European conditions. Different conditions in other parts of the world may lead to deviations in results achieved.