Gomphrena globosa ‘Qis White’ seeds – (Globe Amaranth)

Description

This annual plant  is prized for its pure white  flowers which have showy papery bracts  which last very well. The flowers are borne on stiff upright stems from summer right through to the frost. In addition, it  is easy-to-grow in the sun-baked garden. This plant is amazingly  resistant to both heat and drought, and its blooms and fresh foliage keep on  looking neat and colorful through the worst heat of summer.

Gomphrena grows about 60cm  tall and about a foot wide with stiff, erect branched stems. The opposite leaves are long and slender. They begin life as  white and woolly looking when young, but lose this characteristic as they mature. The hairy foliage  collects dirt quite easily, so it is best to mulch around the plants for a  clean look.  Its open branches intermingle nicely with other garden informal flowers. It makes an excellent container plant.

It likes full sun and moist soil but can tolerate some shade once it is established.

Sowing advice

Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Soaking the seeds in water  for a day or two before planting appears to  speed germination. Scatter seed on top of the soil and then cover very finely (Gomphrena need light to germinate, but germination appears to be better when the seeds are very lightly covered.) Optimum temperature 30 deg C daytime and  21 deg C night time (Gomphrena  germinates better if exposed to some  temperature fluctuations).  Keep seeds moist while germinating. Covering with plastic or glass will keep the moisture constant. Plant outside (after hardening off) about 20 cm apart after all danger of frost has passed. Pinch out the first flowers to encourage a bushier plant with more flowers or let them grow for a more open look. Keep regularly cut to encourage more blooms.