Planting Gomphrena Plugs:
* Timing: Plant after the last frost date has passed.
* Location: Choose a location that receives full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. This is crucial for abundant flowering.
* Soil Preparation:
* Ensure the soil is well-draining. Gomphrena thrives in soil that doesn't stay waterlogged.
* Loosen the soil in the planting area with a garden fork or trowel to improve aeration.
* Amend the soil with compost or other organic matter. This will improve soil structure, fertility, and drainage, giving your plugs a good start.
* Water the Plugs: Water the Gomphrena plugs in their trays thoroughly about an hour before planting. This helps to hydrate the roots and makes them easier to remove.
* Dig the Holes: Dig holes in your prepared garden bed that are slightly wider and just as deep as the root ball of each plug.
* Carefully Remove the Plugs: Gently push up from the bottom of each cell in the plug tray to ease the plant out. Handle the plugs by their leaves, not the stems or roots. Try to keep the root ball intact.
* Place the Plugs: Position each Gomphrena plug in the center of a hole, ensuring that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil surface. Planting too deep can lead to stem rot.
* Space Appropriately: Space the plugs according to the mature size of the Gomphrena variety you have. Generally, space them 8-18 inches apart. Check the plant tag or description for specific recommendations. Closer spacing can be used if you're primarily growing for cut flowers and want longer stems.
* Backfill Gently: Fill the holes with the amended soil, gently firming it around the base of each plant to eliminate air pockets. Avoid packing the soil too tightly.
* Water Thoroughly: Water the newly planted plugs deeply to help settle the soil around the roots and establish good soil-to-root contact.
Post-Planting Care:
* Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist for the first few weeks as the plugs establish their root systems. Once established, Gomphrena is relatively drought-tolerant, but regular watering during dry periods will promote better growth and more blooms. Water at the base of the plants.
* Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch (such as shredded bark, wood chips, or straw) around the plants. This helps to retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Keep the mulch a few inches away from the plant stems to prevent rot.
* Fertilizing: Gomphrena generally doesn't need heavy fertilization. The compost you incorporated at planting should provide sufficient nutrients. If your soil is very poor, you can apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength a few weeks after planting. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which can encourage excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers.
* Pinching (Optional): If you want bushier plants with more blooms, you can pinch back the main stem of young plants when they are about 6-8 inches tall. Simply snip off the top inch or so of the stem. This encourages side branching.
* Deadheading (Optional): While Gomphrena flowers are long-lasting and even dry nicely on the plant, removing spent blooms can encourage more continuous flowering and a tidier appearance.
* Pest and Disease Monitoring: Gomphrena is generally quite resistant to pests and diseases. However, keep an eye out for any signs of problems and address them promptly if they occur. Good air circulation helps prevent most issues.
By following these steps, your Gomphrena plugs should thrive in your East Glenville garden, providing you with a beautiful display of colorful blooms throughout the summer and into the fall! Enjoy!