Gomphrena Seeds,
Salmon Pastel

4.33 ReviewsSKU: #FL404Min. seed count: 25
Price
Regular price $3.00
Regular price $0.00 Sale price $3.00
Save $-3
/
FREE SHIPPING IN THE U.S.A.
Faster shipping options also available.

Description

A reliable and profuse producer of everlasting flamingo pink globes. Plants reach 2 to 3 feet tall and are very low maintenance, and they are perfect for tidy borders, low water gardens, containers, and the cut flower patch. This long-season bloomer provides color for months and it makes a fantastic, vibrant dried flower. The little pink heads make an amazing pink tea popular in Asia.

Growing Tips: Sow seeds 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep, indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, or direct sow after. Presoak seeds for 24-48 hours. Prefers well-draining soil.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Gomphrena globosa
Life Cycle
Annual
Sun Requirement
8–12 hr.
Days to Germinate
5–14
Days to Maturity
85
Planting Depth
⅛–¼ in.
Plant Spacing
10 in.
Ideal Temperature
70–78°F
Frost Hardy
No

When to Grow

Count back 6 to 8 weeks from your last frost date to start Salmon Pastel indoors, and transplant out only after all chance of frost has passed, since this annual is not frost hardy. Direct sowing outdoors after the last frost works as well. Seed sprouts in 5 to 14 days at an ideal germination temperature of 70 to 75°F, while the growing plants prefer 70 to 78°F. It is 85 days from sowing to the first flamingo-pink globes, and because the plants finish at 2 to 3 feet, give them room toward the back of a border.

How to Sow and Plant

  • Seeds germinate in 14-21 days.
  • Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost and transplant out after all chance of frost has passed, or direct seed outdoors after last frost.
  • Ideal germination temperature is 70-75 F.

How to Grow

  • Plants prefer full sun.
  • Plants are considered quite heat and drought tolerant.
  • Plants prefer well-drained soil.
  • Space plants 6-8 inches apart.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • A generally pest-free plant.
  • Plants will suffer from oedema if overwatered consistently.

How to Save Seeds

  • Pollinated by bees, butterflies and other insects.
  • Allow the flowerhead containing the seeds to mature completely and dry on the plant, then clip it off and place it in a container.
  • Working over the top of another clean, opened container, rub the flowerheads between the palms, breaking them apart.
  • The seeds can be separated from the chaff by first screening and then winnowing.
  • Store in a cool, dry, dark place over winter.

FAQ

Can Salmon Pastel flowers be used for tea?

Yes. The little pink heads make an amazing pink tea that is popular in Asia, and gomphrena is used as a tea plant.

How tall does Salmon Pastel get, and how far apart should I space the plants?

Plants reach 2 to 3 feet tall. Space them 10 inches apart where they get 8 to 12 hours of sun, and sow the seed 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep after a 24- to 48-hour presoak.

Is Salmon Pastel a good choice for a low-water garden?

It is. Gomphrena is considered quite heat and drought tolerant, and these very low-maintenance plants suit tidy borders, low water gardens, containers, and the cut flower patch. Give them well-drained soil, and avoid consistent overwatering, which causes oedema.

Customer reviews

4.3 / 5 3 Reviews

What gardeners are saying

  • Easy to start: Germinates readily and shrugs off neglect in small pots.

  • Soft pink blooms: Petite plants with elegant buds in a pretty salmon-pink.

  • Loves the heat: Thrived through 100-degree days with no deadheading.

You may also like