Globe amaranth
Gomphrena globosa
Caractéristiques de la plante
- Gomphrena globosa : Globe amaranth
- Family: Amarantaceae
- Origin : South America
- Height in its natural environment : 0,60 m
- Hardiness : -7°C
- Colour of the flower : Purple
Height : about 10 to 20 cm (depending on seasons)
Fast grower
Descriptif de la plante
It forms low bushes and its rigid stems are crowned with tiny yellow flowers hidden in spherical bracts of a particularly vivid, luminous purple. It dies in the cold season, leaving the seeds that have fallen into the ground to reawaken in spring and perpetuate the beauty of its blooms!!
Once picked, the Gomphrena globosa holds its shape and color for many weeks, making it a highly sought-after flower for florists. In Asia, it's nicknamed "earring flower" or "jacket button flower".
But our Globe amaranth isn't just beautiful, it's also a good companion thanks to its therapeutic virtues. In particular, its powdered root helps combat stress, calms the nerves and reduces anxiety, promoting restful sleep and combating depressive states. Amaranthine is said to be adaptogenic, helping the body to adapt and regulate itself in the face of stress; it is both relaxing and revitalizing.
So add a touch of color to your flower beds and interiors!
Conseils de culture
Growing tips
Repotting
When you receive your plant, repot it in a pot slightly larger than the bucket, which must be well pierced. Avoid pot covers which prevent residual water from draining away and encourage fungal diseases. Choose a fine potting soil, ideally with added perlite or sand to lighten the substrate (do not use garden soil or acidic soil such as heather). Then plan two repottings per year (spring and autumn), gradually increasing the size of the pot and adapting it to the size of the root network (the roots must have room, but not too much as the plant must be able to dry out its substrate between waterings). This avoids having to add fertilizer, which always risks burning the fragile roots of the plants and making the plant wither as soon as the fertilizer is stopped.
Watering
Copious watering: when watering, the entire root ball should be wet, then wait for the substrate to dry on the surface before watering again. These plants are greedy in water, but you should not drown the roots either. Always water at the base of the plant, and do not mist it, because stagnant water in the armpit of the leaves favors cryptogamic diseases. If your atmosphere is too dry, put bowls of water nearby (above radiators for example), so that evaporation humidifies the air.
Fertilizer
Our plants are grown naturally, without chemical fertilizers, so we advise you to repot them regularly (twice a year) rather than adding fertilizer.
In case of pest attack
If your plants are under attack by aphids or other pests, the best way to control them is by hand. Change their soil, remove as many undesirables as possible by hand and then shower your plants with a strong stream of water to eliminate any eggs that may be present. Spray them (insist on the underside of the leaves) with liquid black soap diluted in water. Repeat the operation several times at a few days interval. Take them outside in good weather, rain, sun and wind will kill most of the aggressors!
Rayon de Serre's word
Plant several of them for an even more striking bush effect!