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Among the many green plants that fill the planet Earth, especially "immortal" species are distinguished. Gomfren is a charming representative of bright undying colors. When you watch these plants, you can not help wondering why people live so little. Some turtles live 300 years, trees - a thousand, and a man only 70 - 80. Despite this, we manage to enjoy the earthly beauties in full, especially with flowers.
Gomfren came to the territory of Europe from the far American tropics, which indicates her love of warmth. Proceeding from this, in the southern regions of our country the plant can be grown outdoors by sowing seeds, in the middle latitudes - through seedlings. But, before you fall in love with this pretty plant, you should take a closer look at it to notice all its charms.
Thin strokes of the "immortal" flower
Gomfren is considered an enchanting representative of dried flowers, which are widely used to decorate country cottages. It belongs to the Amaranth family and is very similar to the usual clover. Unlike it, the plant is much larger, but buds are of different colors.
Gomphrena is a herbaceous plant for open ground, capable of creating a stunning beauty carpet. The shoots near the flower are erect with many branches. Some varieties are creeping in nature. They grow up to half a meter in height and are covered with thick, sessile foliage of elliptical shape. On each leaf plate, one can see gray miniature hairs.
Small buds are collected in inflorescences in the form of a ball and are located, basically, on tops of lateral and main stalks of a flower. Each of them is covered with original natural paper, which never fades. In addition, on the heads of bright buds you can see light dots. They resemble small insects of golden color that enjoy the sweet nectar of the inflorescence.
In a natural environment, the gomfren plant emits buds of different coloring, namely:
- snow-white variants;
- pink shades;
- red tones;
- yellow and orange;
- purple.
It is interesting that the perianth in gomphrene also has a pubescent structure, like leaves. This "design" gives the plant a certain charm and uniqueness. Blossoms are blossomed with the onset of summer, pleasing the hearts of summer residents before the first autumn frosts.
Buds, which blossomed the very first on the plant, do not lose their beauty for a whole season. For this unique property and appreciated "immortal" flower.
Original varieties of gomphrene
When it comes to dried flowers, you understand that these unique flowers practically do not lose their decorative qualities. Therefore, breeders provided gardeners with several varieties.
Charming Spherical Gomphrene
A plant with such a simple name is a branchy bush that resembles a ball. Gomphrena Globular has leaves of elliptical shape, which are covered with dense delicate hairs. When they are exposed to the rays of the sun, the plant seems to be immersed in a blue mist, which causes considerable admiration.
Delicate pubescent buds are no less attractive on a bright summer day. Although to the touch they are tough, it does not prevent the dried flowers from attracting the attention of gardeners. Refined colors of colors gomfreni do not cease to please their fans for a whole season. I would like to note the following:
- snow-white;
- cream;
- carmine;
- purple or purple.
Interesting fact - the buds do not lose their color even after they completely dry. That's why flowers are used in decorative bouquets for a home interior.
The first flowers of the glumphrenic glomphrenia appear in early July, the last in September-October. Seeds mature in autumn, most often on the main stem of the plant. They are stored in a seed - a small fruit of a flower.
To obtain a quality planting material, the ripe buds are dried. They hang them upside down in the room or on the street under a canopy. Then thresh and get the seeds.
Exotic variety - gomfrena Strawberry
An incredibly bright annual belongs to the undying dry flowers. Its branched bushes grow only up to 30 cm in height, and resemble a strawberry meadow. Foliage in gomfrena Strawberry dark green color of elongated form. Large inflorescences are located on long peduncles. They are colored, like strawberries, in a bright red color. Variety likes loose and nutritious soil. Optimum variant of cultivation is solar areas. Gomfrena Strawberry is used to decorate the dacha territory, as a creeping plant. Her and florists love it when they create flower bouquets of dried flowers.
Gomphrene Dissipated
This kind of dried flower has creeping shoots, which can grow in different directions. Based on observations of gardeners, it was observed that one bush can cover for a short time 1 m? Of the garden bed. If you grow a variety in pendant containers, its shoots fall down, creating a weeping shape.
Gomfren Hare
The plant will grow to 30 cm, which is successfully used for landscaping homestead territory. At the tips of green creeping stems in summer appear bright orange or coral flowers.
On the photo of the Harefs, you can see these chic buds of unprecedented beauty.
The main methods of planting an "undying" plant
To the flower appeared on the garden bed, as soon as possible, it is important to plant it correctly. After all, it depends on whether the flower will settle on the site or not. Although it is a dry flower, it still requires attention.
Cultivation of gomphrene from seeds in early spring in containers, makes it possible already in the coming season to see its flowering. For this, in March or early April, it is necessary to prepare suitable soil. First, the substrate is disinfected with chemical preparations or simply poured with boiling water. Then the soil is loosened to make it soft. In shallow holes, seeds of gomphrene are densely sown, they are sprinkled with earth and covered with film.
For a plant, do not create too hot a medium. Crops well feel at a temperature of about 20 degrees.
As soon as the first shoots appear, the containers must be taken out to a bright place. After 14 days, crops can be dived in separate containers or pots. It is interesting that gomfrena perfectly tolerates the diving process and is quickly adopted on new soil. The main condition for her is a moderate watering.
Landing gomfren in the open ground and care for it begins when the last threat of frost disappears. The best option is the end of May or the beginning of June. It is also important to select a site for a heat-loving plant. Suitable places are sunny, where the soil warms up well throughout the season. In areas with frequent summer rains, it is desirable to grow gomfren in greenhouses.
To ensure the plant a comfortable care, it is important not to forget, regularly plow the soil. Do this carefully, without damaging the young shoots. Timely watering will ensure that the gouffrene has constant access to life-giving moisture. A top dressing with complex fertilizers, promotes the rapid appearance of buds.
Often, top dressing is added to the soil already in containers with seedlings. After landing on the flower bed - with an interval every 2 weeks. If the plant is grown in flower pots, then fertilizers are added more often, but in a weak concentration. When gomfrena starts to bloom, top dressing should be stopped immediately. The landing shown on the photo, and the care for which was carried out correctly and in a timely manner, does not cease to please its fans.
If the soil is immeasurably fertilized with organic, the plant will luxuriantly expand into greenery. But for a whole season can never bloom.
Gomphren and lovers of beauty
Since gomfrena belongs to decorative dried flowers, it is used to create various floral compositions. When the plant blooms magnificently, the buds are neatly cut and dried. To do this, they are placed in a dark room with good ventilation. The shoots are collected in bundles of several pieces and hung with buds down. After full drying, flowers are used by florists and lovers of natural beauty.
Gomfren looks wonderful in bouquets:
- with zinnia:
- in a company with exotic succulents;
- in tandem with English roses;
- neighboring with kraspedii.
Such compositions of flowers amaze with their refinement and beauty. Therefore, often appear in the homes and apartments of connoisseurs of nature.
In landscape design, gomfrena is used in rock gardens, garden beds, in hanging containers and floor pots. It is mainly used as:
- decorative filling of various voids between trees;
- border decoration of the main flower beds;
- exquisite plant surrounded by garden scenery;
- a flower in a huge pot in the country plot.
In addition, gomfrenu is used to treat various diseases. For example, in India it was used to give strength to the elderly. Modern "healers" prepare various decoctions from the flower and are used in the treatment of bronchitis or general strengthening of the body. Whatever it was, it is important to approach wisely any treatment for diseases. After all, what helps one can be harmful to another.
Summing up, it can be noted that gomfrena takes its place of honor in garden design. She wonderfully decorates the garden beds. Excellent looks in the cut and can retain its color and properties for a long time in winter bouquets. Truly, the undying natural masterpiece.
