Preparing and growing amaranth from seeds. Growing amaranth with seedlings - rules and tips Amaranth from seeds, planting and care

Amaranth is an annual flowering almost all summer with beautiful red-violet leaves and interesting inflorescences, which can vary greatly depending on the variety. In most cases, this plant is planted as seedlings, but it is possible to grow amaranth from seeds photo. The second method can be planted in regions with early, warm spring.

Planting amaranth seeds

Growing amaranth from seeds photo can begin in the fall, sowing them before the soil freezes, or in early spring, since this plant takes a long time to germinate (which is why it is most often planted as seedlings). Pre-winter sowing allows you to get early shoots, but with spring sowing the main thing is to choose the right time - the soil should warm up to 6°C and be saturated with moisture.

Then you need to plant kohia. Amaranth is very similar to castor beans. Amaranth is an unpretentious plant that does not make any special demands on the composition of the soil, although it responds well to the addition of additional nutrients.

For example, It is worth fertilizing the planting area with humus or compost, or nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus fertilizers, or nitroammophos according to the instructions. Sow annual seeds in lightly rolled soil in rows at a distance of 45 cm, spacing 7-10 cm between seeds.

Since the seeds are small, for convenience, it is recommended to mix them with sand before sowing. Planted to a depth of 1-1.5 cm, then rolling the soil. After germination, the seedlings are thinned out, leaving the strongest ones at the recommended distance.

Due to denser planting, amaranths will grow low and not as branched.

Amaranth care

In the process of growing amaranth from seeds, photo, the first shoots appear after 8-10 days. Since this branching plant grows poorly during the first month, during this period special attention should be paid to weed control, thinning of plants and regular loosening of rows with moisture as needed.

Growing amaranth seedlings

For seedlings, amaranth seeds are sown in suitable containers in March. Typically, amaranth is grown from seeds, photo seedlings, in boxes or pots 10 cm high. Sprouted seedlings with three full leaves are planted in separate containers.

They are planted in open ground in May, when the frosts have passed and warm weather has set in. It is recommended to grow amaranth from seedlings if the goal is to obtain seeds. When sowing directly into open ground, the seeds may not have time to ripen.

This is especially true in the northern regions in early autumn.

Check out similar articles in the section: Flowers

If you sometimes like to stroll through the squares and parks of your city, then you’ve probably noticed plant with lush foliage and red garlands. This plant is called amaranth. For quite a long time, amaranth in agriculture was considered a weed and was used to feed animals; only recently it was discovered decorative and medicinal properties.

Amaranth plant

Amaranth is an annual plant that is most often planted as seedlings due to the fact that it takes a long time to rise. Although in regions with warm climates, amaranth is grown in open ground. In total, there are almost 900 species of amaranth and 65 genera. In Russia, 17 species of this plant are grown, of which the most common are tricolor amaranth, caudate amaranth, scarlet amaranth, paniculate amaranth, upturned amaranth, and common amaranth.

Growing amaranth from seeds

If you are wondering whether it is worth growing amaranth, then do not hesitate - it is worth it! This plant really has beneficial properties.

Any soil is suitable for growing amaranth. Seeds should be sown in it when the temperature of the ground at a depth of half a meter is approximately 6 C°; it is at this temperature that the soil is able to absorb the necessary amount of water for the normal development of seeds.
If this condition is met, then there will be no need to weed the beds, because the greens will grow much faster than weeds. If you want to grow early shoots of amaranth, then the seeds should be sown before the ground freezes. When this plant sprouts late, you should constantly weed and monitor watering. Also, do not forget about pests - various insects from which amaranth must be constantly protected. Amaranth should be sown with row spacing of 45 cm., the distance between the seeds should be 10 cm. If this condition is not met, the plant will grow small and the harvest will be small.
Seeds should be planted in moist soil at a shallow depth.- approximately 1-1.5 cm. Since amaranth seeds are very small(1000 amaranth grains weigh only 0.6-0.9 g), then before planting they should be mixed with river sand or ordinary sawdust in a ratio of 1:20, the resulting mixture should be uniform. Also, before sowing, do not forget to level the soil and fertilize the soil. The first shoots will appear within 8-10 days after sowing. The upper part of the amaranth develops rather slowly at first, so once every 10 days it is necessary to thin out the plant, as well as loosen and weed the soil. When the amaranth reaches a height of 20 cm, fertilizer must be added to the soil; this must be done before precipitation or before watering.Next amaranth will increase its growth by 6-7 cm every day.
This plant fully matures 100-110 days after planting. If you live in the northern region of the country, then it is better to plant amaranth with seedlings, otherwise it will not have time to develop properly before the onset of cold weather. At the moment when the so-called “panicle” forms on the plant, it needs to be removed. This phenomenon seems to give a sign that the plant has collected the maximum amount of useful substances. Panicles need to be collected at the moment when the seeds have just begun to ripen. After harvesting, they require some time to ripen. To do this, the seeds need to be spread out in a room with good ventilation for 7-10 days. To prevent small rodents, such as mice, from destroying your crop, place elderberry branches around the seeds. peel amaranth seeds, pass them through a very fine mesh sieve and then dry. After these steps, amaranth seeds can be planted for about 5 more years. eating amaranth in winter, it can be frozen, dried or pickled.

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How to dry amaranth?

Exists several ways to dry amaranth. You can chop the plant into small pieces and place it in a well-ventilated area, stirring occasionally to prevent the plant from compacting. You can also collect the leaves of the plant in a small bunch and hang it.

All that remains is to periodically check the amaranth for readiness - rub a leaf of the plant between your fingers - if it crumbles, it means the amaranth has dried out.

If you want to preserve as many useful substances as possible in amaranth, then dry it in the refrigerator. To do this, chop the plant into small pieces, place it on a cutting board and place it in the refrigerator, but not on the top shelf. With this method of drying, the plant remains not only as useful as possible, but green and beautiful. Amaranth is usually stored in a dark, ventilated, non-humid place in a suspended state. The plant is frozen in bunches, previously washed and dried, by placing the bunches in the freezer. For pickling amaranth you can fill it with brine made from water, sugar and salt, or simply put it in a container and cover it with salt.

Useful properties of amaranth

Amaranth contains many substances beneficial to our body. Many experts claim that Amaranth protein is even higher quality than milk protein.

Amaranth protein is recognized as dietary; it is often used to prepare baby food. Amaranth also contains more lysine than other plants. Amaranth also contains elements such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and potassium.

This plant is very rich in dietary fiber, which is very beneficial for our health. Amaranth contains 18% sugar, 14% fiber and 18% protein.

Amaranth oil for health

Oil is extracted from amaranth, which has a lot of beneficial properties and is easily absorbed by our body.. The oil is obtained by cold pressing the seeds of the plant; much less often, stems and vegetation are used for this.

Amaranth seeds contain squalene, with its help it is very good to treat tumors, and it also helps to increase immunity. Amaranth oil tastes like a nut, which is why it is also used in cooking.

And with all its many advantages in growing, amaranth is unpretentious and undemanding. One of the main advantages of this vegetable crop is that almost all parts of the plant are suitable for food: leaves, stems, and (especially valuable) seeds. It turns out that it would be a sin not to allocate a piece of land on your summer cottage to such a profitable amaranth. And we will tell you everything you need to know and take into account to obtain an excellent harvest of valuable amaranth.

Technology for growing vegetable amaranth

Amaranth is a light-loving, heat-loving plant and responsive to watering. It grows in almost all types of soils, including sandy, rocky and saline soils. The ripening period for greens is 60-70 days, for seeds - 100-120 days. Amaranth is an excellent green manure and green manure.

Therefore, you should tear off the leaves, stems and tops for food, leaving the roots in the ground. The summer resident receives a vitamin salad, and soil microorganisms receive the necessary organic matter. And everyone is happy! There are two ways to grow amaranth: seedlings and non-seedlings.

As a rule, grain varieties of amaranth are planted for seedlings to speed up the growth and ripening time of seeds, or decorative varieties for faster flowering. Growing amaranth for its leaves is quite possible by directly sowing the seed into the ground.

Growing amaranth through seedlings

Amaranth seeds are planted for seedlings in late March - early April. First, the seeds are sown in a common box and sprinkled with moist soil. Then cover with film and send to a dark, warm place.

After 7-12 days, shoots appear, then the box is moved to the windowsill. With the appearance of the first true leaf, amaranth seedlings are planted in pots. It tolerates transplantation well, so there should be no problems. After the threat of frost has passed (late May or early June), the seedlings are planted in a permanent place.

Growing amaranth by direct sowing

Seeds are planted one at a time in moist soil. They can be sown in late April-early May, when the soil has warmed up to +6°C. Any distance between bushes and rows is allowed and depends on the immediate purpose of cultivation.

If you need powerful plants, with a large number of panicles and seeds, use a 70x30 cm pattern. If preference is given to delicate greens, you can thicken the plantings and use a 15x15 cm pattern. For those who decide to plant a large area with amaranth, it will be more convenient to mix the seeds with sand and ash or sawdust in a ratio of 1:20, sow in rows and then thin out. You shouldn’t bury the seeds too deep; just sprinkle them with a 1-2 centimeter layer of soil and roll them a little for better contact with the ground. Under favorable conditions, seedlings appear in 7-10 days.

Amaranth care and harvesting

Amaranth requires care only in the first month of growth. At this time, its ground part grows so slowly that it is difficult to believe that these blades of grass will soon turn into powerful tall bushes.

Therefore, you need to periodically weed the bed, mulch with cut grass to prevent drying out, and if desired, you can feed it with an infusion of mullein and ash (or liquid fertilizer from grass). Starting from the second month, amaranth begins to grow rapidly and adds 5-7 centimeters per day. Now he himself is able to choke out any weed, and all he needs from the gardener is regular watering. Amaranth is cut for greenery when it reaches a height of 20-25 centimeters.

After cutting the top, new shoots begin to grow from the lateral axils. In early September, the seeds ripen. At this time, the panicles begin to turn brown, and the lower leaves dry out and fall off.

Amaranth seeds ripen unevenly and fall off very quickly, so it is preferable to cut off the panicles in advance and dry them in a dark place. The seeds ripen well.

Amaranth varieties

There are a great many varieties and varieties of amaranth. Vegetable, grain, fodder, ornamental... As gardeners, we are primarily interested in universal varieties (which are grown for both greens and grain), leaf and grain varieties. Valentina.

An excellent early vegetable variety with a large number of shoots along the entire length of the stem. The leaves and stems are purple, the flowers are erect and purple. The seeds are translucent, light brown, with a red border.

It grows in height up to 1.7 meters. The ripening period for leaves is 45-60 days, seeds - 110-120 days. Giant. A forage variety that can be grown for grain. The leaves are dark green, the flowers are red or yellow, and the seeds are white, disc-shaped. It grows 1.6-1.9 meters in height.

The period from germination to seed ripening is 115-127 days. Sturdy. An early ripening vegetable variety, grown for fresh greens. The leaves are green, juicy and tender, the flowers are brown with red spots. The seeds are light yellow. It reaches a height of 1.3-1.4 meters.

The growing season is 70-80 days. White sheet (White Leaf). A dwarf vegetable variety, grown for greens. It is cut off when it reaches a height of 18-20 centimeters.

The leaves and stems are light green, very tender and tasty. This variety can be grown on a windowsill in winter. Kharkovsky-1. A universal variety, one of the best for growing for grain. The leaves are green, the inflorescences are erect yellow, the seeds are light.

It reaches a height of 1.7-1.9 meters. The growing season is 90-110 days. In memory of Covas. A universal mid-season variety. The leaves are dark green, very juicy and tender.

The inflorescences are erect, red with a brown tint. The plant is 0.9-1.1 meters high. Voronezh. Early ripening grain variety. The leaves are green, the panicle is long, erect, yellow-green, the seeds are light.

The average plant height is 0.8-1.2 meters. Grain ripening time is 90-100 days. Helios. Early ripening grain variety.

The leaves are light yellow with orange veins, erect orange panicles, and white grain. Can grow up to 1.5-1.7 meters tall. The seed ripening period is 105 days. Kizlyarets. It is considered a forage variety that can be grown for grain.

The leaf is large, light green. The inflorescence is a straight panicle of yellow-green color, turning red when ripe. The seeds are round, light yellow.

Plants reach 1.2-1.6 meters in height. The ripening time for grain is 80-120 days. Remember that in vegetable and grain varieties of amaranth, the color of the seeds should be light. If the seeds are dark, it is an ornamental amaranth, which is grown for its beautiful bright panicles.

It is not recommended to eat the grain of such plants, but the leaves can be added to summer salads in any case. We wish you success and large harvests!

The unfading flower is called caudate amaranth ( Amaranthus caudatus). The ancient Greeks saw it as a symbol of immortality.

And not in vain: amaranth inflorescences look spectacular both in the garden and in winter bouquets; when dried, they retain their beauty for a long time. Amaranth came to Europe from the East Indies in 1596. The colorful waterfalls of its luxurious inflorescences made such a strong impression that in Sweden, Queen Christina founded the Order of the Knights of Amaranth in 1653.

To this day, despite their rather demanding nature, these flowers are loved by gardeners. It is not nearly as exotic as its “close relative”, the Australian endemic Ptilothus, but its cultivation does not raise any puzzling questions or bitter disappointments.

External data

Amaranth caudate is an annual plant. In favorable conditions it reaches a height of one and a half meters. Amaranth grows slowly at first, so it is grown exclusively by seedlings; the optimal time for sowing seeds for the Non-Black Earth zone is mid-March. The uniqueness of this plant lies in its unusual paniculate inflorescences, consisting of many small burgundy-red or yellow-green flowers.

Amaranth blooms approximately two and a half months after the shoots appear. Appearing at the top of the plant, the inflorescences gradually grow, drooping and hanging down; The length of the inflorescences can reach up to 80 cm.

Growing amaranth seedlings and choosing a place in the garden

Sowing seeds for seedlings is carried out to a depth of one and a half centimeters. The optimal temperature for seedlings is from +20 to +24* C; in such conditions, the first shoots appear already on the 4th – 5th day.

It is important to protect the seedlings from the cold; When placing containers on the window, take care to protect the roots from hypothermia. The recommended air temperature for seedlings is from +19 to +21* C. Seedlings require good lighting.

To prevent the plants from shading each other, the seedlings are thinned out, removing weak plants, and when 1 - 2 true leaves appear, they are planted in pots measuring 6 x 6 cm. In the garden for amaranth, you should also choose a light area. To protect against the black leg, the seedlings are watered with pale potassium permanganate solution.

Treatment with bioregulators (for example, immunocytophyte or epin) is useful to increase the resistance of plants to unfavorable conditions. It is advisable to limit fertilizing, given the slow growth of seedlings. Soils for growing amaranth are preferably loamy or sandy loam, well-drained.

It is advisable to prepare the site in the fall; Digging up the soil, add humus (at the rate of 5 kg per square meter), potash and phosphorus fertilizers. Planting plants in open ground is possible after the threat of late frosts has passed. The optimal planting pattern is 40 x 70 cm. It is preferable to place amaranth in the background of the flower garden or plant it in separate groups - this will not only emphasize its features, but will also allow you to hide the stakes, to to which adult plants are tied.

Features of care

During the summer, amaranth requires regular feeding. Organic fertilizer is applied to the soil 1 – 2 times per season; Flowers are fed with full mineral up to three times a summer.

It is necessary to monitor soil moisture: an adult plant can withstand drought, but at the same time almost completely stops growing. Care should be taken to protect against pests in a timely manner. Amaranth inflorescences are often affected by aphids.

To get rid of it, it is recommended to treat it with biological preparations Akarin or Fitoverm. Grown amaranths must be tied up. In June, you should pinch the tops so that the plants do not stretch; Amaranth planted in the ground grows quite quickly. At the end of August, the inflorescences for winter bouquets are cut and quickly dried with hot air to preserve their shape and color.

Growing amaranth. Video

Description of the plant

Amaranth is a very beautiful plant that can become a real decoration for a summer cottage or lawn. This annual crop reaches 2-3 m in height, has a fleshy stem and leaves of red, purple and green colors.

Amaranth is a weed crop, so it is not afraid of long droughts, is little susceptible to diseases and pests, but at the same time loves light and warmth. Amaranth is absolutely picky, grows on any soil, except swampy, and in any weather conditions, with the exception of the desert and the far north.

It feels best at an air temperature of 25 to 30 °C, and can easily tolerate light frosts and heat of 45-50 °C. In addition to its decorative properties, amaranth is used in livestock and poultry farming. This plant serves as the most effective and environmentally friendly feed compared to other feed crops.

It contains 18 out of 20 all existing amino acids. Amaranth is not just a fortified and nutritious food, but also replaces some medications. In addition, the plant is actively used in human nutrition.

Grain and flour made from it are used in baked goods, in canning and as an additive to vegetable salads. Bread made with amaranth flour does not go stale for a long time.

Leaves and inflorescences are used to prepare medicinal tea, which can remove harmful salts and radionuclides from the body. The leaves can also be added to fresh salads instead of spinach. And amaranth oil is considered more useful than even sea buckthorn oil.

It is very widely used in the food industry and cosmetology.

Amaranth varieties

There are many varieties of this beautiful and useful plant. Get to know the most popular types:

Decorative variety “Red-leaved” - its height can reach up to 1.5 m in height. Inflorescences of dark purple color in the form of “tails” hang almost to the ground. The leaves have a rich red color. The decorative variety "Gulliver" is a low-growing crop, reaching a height of 50 to 70 cm. This variety is unusual because of its appearance - flowers form from the very ground to the top of the plant, forming a beautiful ear of small dark purple flowers or almost black. “Gulliver” is very similar to an exotic cactus. The decorative variety “Elbrus” is a low-growing plant about 70 cm in height. The unusual 15 cm pyramidal inflorescences are white with a greenish tint. The “Argentine” variety is a classic bush variety of amaranth, reaching a height of 1.5 m. It has a large number of “tails” of violet-lilac color. It is from this type of amaranth that decorative bouquets are made. The “White-seeded” variety is a very valuable type of amaranth, which is used to feed domestic animals. The plant reaches 2 m in height and has large grayish leaves. Pyramidal inflorescences in the form of panicles are bright red or green. The “Tailed” variety is a classic type of amaranth, which is used to decorate bouquets. It has inflorescences of various colors. The “Emerald” variety got its name for its beautiful green color. Amaranth grows up to 70 cm in height. The Helios variety is a grain type of amaranth. Its leaves are light green, its “tails” are orange. The largest percentage of amaranth oil is extracted from this variety. The Aztec variety is a fodder type of amaranth. In addition to livestock feed, it is used for the production of amaranth oil, and the grain is used for baking bakery products. The height of the crop reaches 1.5 m. It has red-green leaves and a red panicle. The “Sem” variety is a forage type of amaranth. Used to make amaranth oil. Has a high protein content. The stem, panicle and leaves are red. The variety “Kharkovsky 1” is a universal variety of amaranth (food, fodder, grain and medicinal). It has green leaves and a panicle of the same color. The “Lera” variety is a predominantly grain variety of amaranth and is also used for making oil. It has a green stem and green leaves with red veins. The panicle is always red.

Obtaining amaranth seeds

In order to grow amaranth, you can buy seeds at any specialized store. Still, many people prefer to grow crops from their plants. It’s easy to get amaranth seeds:

Cut the amaranth at the very base and place the panicles on a table or any other surface to dry completely for another 2 months. The room in which the amaranth will dry must be dry and well-ventilated. After 2 months, sift the panicles using a sieve with very small cells. Place the extracted seeds on the surface in the same well-ventilated room and leave for another 7-10 days. Stir the seeds periodically. Make sure that rodents do not get to the seeds. To do this, place elderberry sprigs around the seeds. Place the dried seeds in paper envelopes or boxes. They can be stored for 4-5 years.

Germinating amaranth from seeds

Germinating amaranth from seeds for seedlings does not require much effort, but some recommendations are still worth considering:

You can start germinating seeds for seedlings as early as March. Prepare special soil - mix humus and sterile sand in a 3/1 ratio. Do not forget to warm the soil to destroy pests and various fungi. The container in which you plan to grow the seeds must be at least 10 cm high. These can be pots or wooden boxes. The pots must have holes to drain excess moisture and water. If there are no such holes, make them yourself. This is a mandatory condition, otherwise the seedlings may rot. Place the seeds in moistened soil to a depth of 1.5-2 cm. After this, cover the boxes and pots with film. Pots and boxes with seeds should be in a warm and bright place. It is best to moisten the soil with seeds from a spray bottle. If you do decide to water the soil, do not overdo it, otherwise the seeds will rot. Provided that the room temperature is 22 °C, the seeds will germinate in 3-4 days. If the air temperature is 16 °C or lower, then you will have to wait for sprouts no earlier than 10 days. It is advisable to thin out the seedlings so that they do not grow too densely. Leave only stronger and healthier sprouts.
When 3-4 leaves appear on the sprout, each seedling must be transplanted into a separate pot. The diameter of the pot should be at least 12 cm. Fill each pot with soil. It is correct to use the same soil in which you germinated the seeds. Moisten the soil in which your seedlings grow in advance, and only then carefully remove each sprout. Make holes in the soil and plant the seedlings in it. Water the plant. After transplanting each seedling into a separate pot, pinch the top of the sprout. This will help the roots of the plant grow stronger. Seedlings can be planted in open ground in early May, when the average air temperature reaches 4 °C. By this time the soil will have warmed up enough, and there is no danger of frost.

Transplanting amaranth into open ground

Choosing a place in the garden

Before transplanting seedlings into open ground, you need to choose a place where the plant will be comfortable. Amaranth is absolutely not picky and takes root anywhere. And, nevertheless, there are some points that need to be taken into account when choosing a place to transplant seedlings:

Amaranth loves a lot of sunlight and warmth. In such conditions, it will grow much more actively, and its inflorescences will have a brighter color. Amaranth does not like too wet and swampy soils, but prefers loamy, sandy loam with good drainage. The soil for planting seedlings must be prepared in the fall: dig up, add humus and minerals fertilizers (potassium and phosphorus). Amaranth feels good and looks great next to any other plants. It is advisable to plant amaranth in the background of a common flower bed in the garden. This will highlight its unusual beauty well.

Preparing seedlings for transplantation

In May, when the average air temperature reaches above 4 °C, you can begin planting seedlings in open ground. Since the seedlings have been in greenhouse conditions all this time, before transplanting they need to be prepared - hardened and accustomed to outdoor conditions:

7-8 days before the planned transplant, reduce watering of the seedlings. Start taking the pots with seedlings outside. This can be a balcony, loggia or garden. During the first days, leave the seedlings outside for 2-3 hours. And after 3-4 days it will be possible to let the seedlings spend the night in new conditions.

Planting seedlings

If you have already hardened the seedlings sufficiently, the soil is completely ready to accept seedlings, and there is no threat of frost, it’s time to start planting plants in open ground:

Moisten the soil with the seedlings in advance so that you can easily remove the flowers. Make holes in the soil. If you want to plant amaranth in rows, then the distance between them should be at least 80 cm, and the distance between the bushes 40-50 cm. Remove the seedlings from the pots and transplant them into recesses. Amaranth must be planted slightly at an angle and deepened to the first leaf. The best time to transplant amaranth is cloudy weather. If you nevertheless decide to transplant the seedlings in sunny weather, wait until the evening, when the sun is not so bright. After transplanting, water the plants well.

How beautiful amaranth grows from seeds can be seen in the photo:

Features of caring for amaranth

Amaranth is completely unpretentious in care; it does not require a lot of moisture or any special conditions. But in order for the plant not to die and produce a good harvest, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

Throughout the summer, amaranth needs to be fertilized with organic and mineral fertilizers. Although amaranth is drought-resistant, in very hot summers it must be watered regularly, otherwise it will simply stop growing. Amaranth can be affected by aphids. To avoid this, for prevention it is necessary to treat the plants with biological preparations - acarin and fitoverm. Weed and hill up the plants as necessary. Be sure to tie up the amaranth so that its branches do not break under the weight of the flowers. In June, pinch the tops of the plants, then the bushes will be more lush, the stems are stable, and the number of ovaries on the branches will be greater. In the fall, you will be able to collect a new crop of seeds and grow seedlings from them for the next planting.

Amaranth diseases

Some pests and diseases can be dangerous for amaranth:

The biggest danger to the plant is aphids. It can completely destroy the harvest of young amaranth. Most often, aphids become active in very rainy and damp weather. To combat this pest, it is necessary to use special pesticides. Another dangerous pest is the weevil. Its larvae settle in the stems and reproduce there, thereby delaying the development and growth of amaranth. Special pesticides are also used to control weevils.

So, you have already learned everything about amaranth, growing it from seeds and about the features of caring for this crop. As you can see, growing amaranth from seeds is absolutely easy. It is completely unpretentious and can easily tolerate dry weather.

The main thing when growing is to adhere to the following recommendations - create special conditions in the room where the seeds will germinate, moisten them in time, choose the right place and prepare the soil for replanting. After the seedlings are planted in the ground, it is necessary to periodically weed and hill up the amaranth bushes. If you do not forget all these rules, amaranth will give a good harvest and will delight you with its beauty all season long.

Growing amaranth. Video

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Description: varieties and varieties of tricolor amaranth

The large Amaranth family includes more than 100 species. Among them there are weeds and varieties that are valued for their beautiful flowers. Among this variety of “relatives”, tricolor amaranth stands apart. In East Asian countries, it is cultivated as a vegetable and cultivated for ornamental purposes for its foliage, which is a unique combination of red, yellow and green. At the top, this splendor forms the effect of a blazing fire. The spectacle is mesmerizing even in the photo, let alone contemplating the annual in your own garden!

Externally, the plant resembles a pyramid. The leaves have an elongated shape, often with wavy edges. It grows up to 0.4-1.5 m. The flowers look like small panicles and decorate the bush from the beginning of summer until late autumn, until the first frost occurs. In open ground, tricolor amaranth bears fruit abundantly.

The culture has several varieties, as well as decorative varieties. The most popular of them are:

Illumination - As they mature, the red-yellow leaves turn orange and then bronze. Plant height is about 70 cm;
Aurora - the leaves at the top have a beautiful golden-yellow tint;
Early Splender - the crown leaves of the variety are colored crimson, and the lower ones are almost black.

Planting a plant in the garden: preparatory stage

Growing amaranth in open ground and caring for it is not difficult. However, it is worth remembering that frosts in early spring can destroy a young crop. Therefore, seeds are planted only after the risk of returning low temperatures has passed. With a combination of favorable conditions and proper care, the seed will germinate at temperatures of +4...+25°C. Some gardeners advise waiting for a stable mark of +10°C. The place for seeds should be illuminated and sunny.

Attention! To get early shoots, plant the seeds before winter, before the soil freezes.

If you are propagating an annual plant as a vegetable crop, make sure that the soil is fertile. Although sandy, acidic and even rocky soil is quite suitable. The only exception for growing amaranth is in wetlands and stagnant water. You need to prepare the area for planting in the fall. First, dig the soil to a depth of 0.2 m. After this, add fertilizer: compost, rotted manure or ash, superphosphate.

Methods of propagation and cultivation of plants

Since tricolor amaranth is an annual, of all propagation options, only the seed method is possible. Having prepared the beds for winter, dig up the soil again in the spring. Remove weeds and debris. Add fertilizer again, this time a mineral complex. Bury the seeds 1-2 cm and do not forget about watering. After 2 weeks, you need to thin out the sprouts so that the strongest seedlings have room to develop.

Residents of the southern regions can afford to plant the material directly in open ground. Those who cultivate land in a cooler climate should take care of propagating tricolor amaranth with seedlings. It's easy to get:

In April, prepare boxes or pots.
Fill them with nutritious soil.
Mix the seeds with sand and deepen them 1 cm.
After this, cover the containers with film or glass.
Place in a warm, bright place.
After waiting for the first leaves to appear on the sprouts, pick up the seedlings.
In May, plant them in a permanent place in open ground. Interval - 10-15 cm.

Caring for amaranth: watering, fertilizing and fertilizing, other procedures

At first, even with proper care and favorable conditions, the plant develops slowly. It only requires watering on dry days, although amaranth already adapts well to drought. As a rule, young specimens need sufficient water. As they mature, you can simply moisten the soil a little in the late afternoon.

Attention! Amaranth loves warmth, so with proper care it will withstand the summer heat. But it will react poorly to stagnant moisture in the ground.

The plant will only need 3 feedings throughout the season. As a fertilizer, you can use a ready-made mineral complex or mix ash with cow manure. The amaranth plantation should be regularly rid of weeds. Weeding is important during the active development phase of the bush. The ground around the stem can be mulched.

Diseases and pests of amaranth. Combination with other plants on the site

Errors in care can provoke the appearance and rapid reproduction of aphids on the plant. Experienced gardeners usually make an accurate diagnosis when examining the leaves. New gardeners may need a photo to compare signs of the disease. High humidity is a predisposition to aphids, so first of all adjust the watering regime.

Rainy summers often cause rot. Otherwise, the annual exhibits good immunity.

Due to its bright external characteristics, it is difficult for tricolor amaranth to choose “neighbors”. Nevertheless, its combination with alyssum, jasmine, and iberis is considered successful. This variegated plant looks good against the backdrop of lush lawn grass and evergreen bushes. Tall varieties should be planted in the background of a flower garden or along fences, while low-growing varieties can be used as borders.

Tricolor amaranth may well become a bright spot and the center of any garden composition. It will decorate even an inconspicuous corner of the garden, but only if the sun constantly shines in there.

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How to sow amaranth seeds in the ground and for seedlings

1. Sowing amaranth in open ground

It is quite simple to sow the plant: the seeds are very small, just scatter them over the surface of the bed and embed them in the ground with a rake. If in mid-April the soil at a depth of 5 cm has a temperature of 10 ºC, you can place the seed directly into it. The soil is first fertilized with mineral mixtures (30 g per square meter) or complex mixtures, according to the instructions.

When selecting fertilizers, take precautions, since amaranth converts nitrogenous components into toxic nitrates. Therefore, you should not use mixtures containing a lot of nitrogen. For successful seed germination, it is very important to complete all stages of work on time. So, if sowing is done on time, the weeds will not have time to grow and choke out the plants.

So, at the end of April, the soil is moistened and grooves 2-3 cm deep are made in it.. Seeds are carefully sown in them and mixed with sand in a ratio of 1:20 for convenience. The interval between the grooves is 45 cm wide, and between plants inside the grooves is 10 cm. Since the seeds are very small, thinning is indispensable.

Amaranth sprouts after 8-10 days, after which it is thinned out and the soil is loosened. When planting seedlings in May, do not forget to get rid of weeds. When amaranth reaches a height of 20 cm, it is fed with nitrogenous fertilizers in half the dose required according to the instructions. The ripening of a plant, be it a vegetable or decorative amaranth, occurs in 3-3.5 months.

2. Amaranth seedlings at home

Growing amaranth this way is also easy.

Seeds are sown in advance in a container in March. This can be a plastic container or low pots.
Planting is carried out as follows: the soil is moistened and small shifts are carefully scattered over the surface of the substrate, only then covering them lightly with soil (simply sprinkling it on top).
The container is placed in a bright and warm place. As soon as the humidity in the ground decreases, water is applied to the surface with a sprayer.
If the room is cool, the container is heated to a temperature of 22 ºC. If all these conditions are taken into account, amaranth will germinate in a week.
As soon as the seedlings have appeared, they are thinned out, leaving only strong shoots. After three true leaves appear, young amaranths are planted in individual small pots with a diameter of 12 cm. Remember that this should be done very carefully so that the seedlings take root. It is better to use a toothpick or fork to replant the plant with a lump of earth.
Amaranth grows quite quickly, and in three weeks you get full-fledged seedlings 15-20 cm tall.

How to sow amaranth, look at the video:

3. Planting amaranth

Amaranth seedlings are planted in late spring, when it is already very warm and frosts do not pose a threat. As a rule, this time is the end of May. Choose a well-lit area with light soil and reliable drainage. Even if the soil is not very prepared, this is not critical. This plant is unpretentious and grows in different conditions. It is only important to provide it with an optimal temperature and prevent the accumulation of excess moisture in the soil.

How to plant amaranth. Seedlings ready for planting are placed in the soil in a flowerbed at a distance of 10-30 cm in a row and 45-70 cm between rows. Then it is watered regularly, since the seedlings take root for a long time and sit without growing. If cold weather sets in at this time, the seedlings are covered, as they cannot tolerate low temperatures.

Amaranth care

This plant does not require special care. All care activities are carried out before the growth period, that is, in the first month of cultivation. At this time, they need to be watered, weeds removed, and the soil cultivated. During the growth phase, amaranth develops very quickly, so it does not require special care. There are days when amaranth increases in size by 7 cm per day. Water the flower only for the first month, until the roots deepen. Then water is added only during severe drought.

Fertilizing is carried out 3-4 times a year with ash in a ratio of 200 g per 10 liters of water or mullein in a ratio of 1:5. Fertilize the plants in the morning, immediately after watering.

Educational video about growing and caring for amaranth:

Amaranth after flowering

After flowering, amaranth may be of interest to those who want to collect seeds from it. To do this, select the largest plants and save their leaves after flowering. When the lower greens turn red and dry out, the stem turns whitish - it's time to harvest. Seed collection is carried out in dry times, cutting off large inflorescences. Then they are dried indoors until the seeds freely fall out of the boxes in panicles. They are collected in a box or paper bag and stored for next year. Their shelf life is more than 5 years.

Wintering amaranth

Description of amaranth

The flower has both simple and branched stems, on which whole leaves of lanceolate, diamond-shaped or ovoid shape are alternately located. The base of the plate smoothly passes into the petiole, and its apex is pointed and notched. The flowers sit in the axils, are red, golden, green or purple, arranged in bunches or spike-shaped panicles at the tops. The fruit of the plant is a capsule containing many small seeds. The entire plant as a whole is violet, green or purple in color. In some cases, all colors are present in one plant. Amaranth can grow from 30 cm to 3 m, depending on the species. It is cultivated in flower beds as an annual plant.

Pests and diseases

If there is excess moisture in the soil, fungal diseases can also appear. To get rid of them, fungicides are applied to amaranth by spraying. The most successful remedies are colloidal sulfur, copper oxychloride, and copper sulfate.

Types of amaranth and its varieties

Paniculate amaranth (Amaranthus paniculatus)

The most popular type of this plant, which is grown in a flower bed, for cutting for bouquets and for other purposes. Grows up to 150 cm in height. It has elongated, ovate leaves of a red-brown color with characteristic pointed tips.

It blooms with small red flowers forming erect inflorescences. Flowering time is from June until frost. Cultivated since 1798, it has several varieties, grouped into three groups. Thus, the nana group are low-growing plants up to 50 cm in height, cruentus are amaranths with drooping red inflorescences, and sanguineus are erect inflorescences.

As a rule, gardeners use small amaranths, in particular the following varieties:

Rother Dam, Rother Paris - amaranths 50-60 cm high, distinguished by pleasant dark burgundy flowers and foliage of the same color;
Tswergfakel, Grunefakel - the height of these varieties is only 35 cm, and the color of the inflorescences is purple and dark green;
Hot Biscuit is the tallest amaranth, growing up to a meter in height, with green leaves and orange-red flowers.

Dark amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus)

A medium-sized, low-branched bush with pointed oblong-lanceolate leaves of a characteristic purple-green color. It blooms dark red, the inflorescences are vertical spike-shaped panicles. Cultivated in 1548. A bright red form of amaranth, sanguineus, has also been developed, with drooping inflorescences.

The most popular varieties are:

Pygmy Torch is 60 cm tall, with dark purple flowers that turn chestnut in autumn, as well as multi-colored leaves;
Green Thumb is 40 cm high with emerald-colored flowers and leaves, which makes it popular among florists.

Tricolor amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor)

Another decorative medium-sized species, which is distinguished by special branching, as a result of which the bush has a pyramidal shape. Its leaves are ovoid, elongated, often with a wavy edge, and have yellow, red and green colors, which is extremely attractive to gardeners. Flowering time - from June until cold weather.

There are such varieties of it:

willow (salicifolius) - has narrow wavy bronze-green 20-centimeter leaves;
red-green (rubriviridis) - the leaves have a ruby-violet color, covered with green spots;
red (ruber) - blood-red leaves;
bright (splendens) - dark green leaves with brown spots.

There are also several decorative varieties, namely:

amaranth Illumination is a large plant, reaching 70 cm, with large leaves of different colors. So, the youngest leaves have a red-yellow tint, then it darkens to a red-orange color, finally turning into bronze;
Aurora - distinguished by golden-yellow wavy apical leaves;
Earlie Splender - the uppermost leaves are crimson in color, and the lower ones are purple-green, almost black.

Amaranthus caudatus

The species is native to Africa, South America and Asia. It has a large, erect one and a half meter stem, on which there are large leaves of an elongated ovate type. Their color is purple-green. During flowering, it forms long hanging panicles, in which small crimson or dark red flowers are collected in spherical balls. Flowering time is June-October. Cultivated in 1568.

There are the following forms of this amaranth:

white-flowered - has green-white petals;
green - flowers popular with florists are pale green;
bead-shaped - its inflorescence is in the shape of a whorl, which in itself resembles beads.

There are also two varieties of amaranth caudate:

Rotschwanz - distinguished by red inflorescences
Grunschwanz - has light green flowers.

Any of these varieties is a large bush 75 cm high, occupying a lot of space in the flowerbed.

The benefits and harms of amaranth

Many modern technologists note that amaranth is a plant that can solve the problem of hunger on Earth. Of course, these are exaggerated statements, but partly true. Firstly, amaranth is completely edible. Any part of it is useful for the body and has many nutrients, especially the seeds. Thus, they contain many fatty acids necessary for normal metabolism, namely oleic, linoleic, stearic, palmitic. It is not surprising that various dietary products and supplements are made from amaranth. This plant also contains squalene, rutin, steroids, carotene, vitamins B, D, P, C and E, pantothenic and bile acid, as well as other substances.

Amaranth leaves have no less beneficial properties than spinach, but they contain much more protein, which contains lysine. And this is an essential amino acid, which is absorbed from amaranth much better than from other products (soybeans, corn, wheat). According to the Japanese, the green leaves of amaranth are somewhat similar to squid meat, since they have a rejuvenating effect and also restore the body well after a tired working day.

All types of amaranth are healthy and rich in biologically active substances, even decorative. But this does not mean that decorative amaranth should be eaten, since its intended cultivation is completely different. This can also be seen from the external appearance of the seeds - decorative varieties are darker.

Vegetable oil is made from amaranth seeds, which is several times more beneficial than sea buckthorn. Therefore, it is used for cosmetic purposes (for skin rejuvenation, creating masks and creams, antibacterial protection of the skin).

And if amaranth is sprouted, its sprouts will have no less benefits than mother’s milk, which is why they are actively used in cooking and medicine. Thus, amaranth is used to treat obesity, neurosis, atherosclerosis, dysbacteriosis and other diseases. Amaranth seeds are used to treat kidneys and liver, prostate adenoma, cardiovascular problems, and diseases of the urinary system. Moreover, there is confirmed data on the successful treatment of malignant neoplasms with amaranth.

One way to use the benefits of amaranth is to add its leaves to salads.. Flour obtained from grains can be mixed with wheat flour, thereby changing the taste of prepared dishes and improving their properties. Amaranth seeds can often be found on bread and buns. To keep canned cucumbers crisp all winter, add an amaranth leaf to the jar. Let's look at several recipes using this plant.

Dessert with nuts and amaranth. Heat honey and butter, add amaranth seeds and nuts, pour everything into a mold and cool in the refrigerator. Then take it out and cut it into pieces.

Amaranto salad m. 200 g of green amaranth are mixed with 50 g of young garlic and 200 g of pre-scalded nettle leaves. All this is crushed, chopped, salted and seasoned with sunflower oil.

Sauce. Boil 300 g of cream, then mix it with 100 g of soft cheese and 200 g of chopped amaranth leaves. Heat the mixture over the fire until all the cheese has melted.

Cypriot soup. It is prepared with chickpeas, a glass of which is pre-soaked overnight and boiled. Then the carrots and onions are sauteed and crushed in chickpea broth in a blender. Amaranth seeds in the amount of 0.5 cups are boiled separately for 25 minutes, then mixed with the previously obtained puree. Add sweet canned corn to the mixture, lemon juice to taste and bring to a boil.

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Sowing amaranth: tricks and subtleties of gardening

Growing a flower like amaranth, having certain knowledge, is not at all difficult. In those places where the soil warms up to 10 degrees Celsius by April, at a depth of 5 centimeters, amaranth can be planted. Experienced gardeners advise cultivating the soil before planting, fertilizing the soil with mineral fertilizer or a complex mixture, according to the instructions.

If you sow the seeds of this flower on time, it will germinate quickly. The best time to do this is at the end of April. Also, planting a plant during this period will save you from the problem of weed control. The grains must be planted in a hole 1.5 cm deep. A distance of 35-40 centimeters must be maintained between the rows. If you mix the seeds with sand, planting will become more convenient. In a week or a little more the plant will begin to grow and needs to be thinned out.

How to plant amaranth in open ground correctly

Growing this flower in seedlings is not a troublesome task. Gardeners recommend sowing amaranth seeds for seedlings at the end of March. You can use plastic buckets or ordinary pots up to ten centimeters high as containers for planting plants.

Seeds should be sprinkled into moist soil two centimeters deep, then place the pots in a bright place. Crops should be watered with a sprayer. If you fulfill all the above requirements, amaranth seeds will sprout within a week. When the young growth grows, they should be thinned out by picking off weak stems. After you see more than three leaves on each sprout, you can plant the plants in small pots, the diameter of which is about 12 cm.

When is the best time to plant amaranth?

If you decide to grow amaranth, growing from seed and when to plant depends on many factors. It is best to plant flowers when the soil in the area is warm enough. You should check the weather forecast so that frosts are not predicted, then you can transfer the amaranth to open ground. This period usually occurs in the middle and end of May. Choose a place prepared for the plant that is well lit, the soil must be nutritious, with the required amount of lime.

Simply put, amaranth itself is unpretentious, but it absolutely does not tolerate cold weather and abundant moisture in the ground. The flower is planted at a distance of 10-30 centimeters between plants, and a gap of 45-65 cm is required between the rows. Until the seedlings take root, they need regular watering. If it is cold outside, you need to protect the plants from low temperatures.

Amaranth care

You need to care for this flower until the plant begins to grow. In the first month, amaranth seedlings grow rather slowly, for this reason they need watering and weeding. Then it accelerates in growth to such a scale that sometimes in a day the plant can grow up to 7 centimeters in height. Additional feeding of amaranth should be carried out 3-4 times per season. It is better to fertilize the flower with mullein solution in the morning after the main watering. Amaranth rarely suffers from pests and diseases. But sometimes the flower can be affected by aphids or weevils. Weevils are located in the stems of the plant and slow down its growth. Aphids attack amaranth only at the beginning of its life and in rainy summers, in “adult” age, the aphid flower is not afraid of aphids. You can destroy pests with Actellik or Fufanon. These methods give good results and permanently save plants from parasite attacks.

In the previous article we shared the experience of our reader. She told... We also asked her to talk about how she grows the plant in her summer cottage. In this article, she kindly shares her experience.

We are sure that the material will be useful not only for beginner gardeners, but also for experienced ones who decided to plant amaranth in their dacha for the first time.

How to grow agaric in a summer cottage

You can plant agarica either directly from seeds or from seedlings. It is important to choose the right site for planting. Land that has no shady parts and receives plenty of light is best suited. And the soil itself must be sufficiently nutritious.

Amaranth takes an average of 3 to 4 months to ripen. And it doesn’t matter at all what varieties we are talking about - vegetable or ornamental.

Amaranth seeds

If you are going to grow a plant from seeds, then planting them before the beginning of May hardly makes sense. The soil should warm up to 10 degrees at a five-centimeter depth.

Before sowing seeds, you need to fertilize the soil. Any mineral mixture is suitable for this - you can buy it at any gardening store. But when using mineral fertilizers and fertilizers, it is important to correctly calculate the dosage. Because amaranth has the unique ability to convert nitrogen contained in fertilizers into nitrates.

You do not need any special equipment to sow seeds. You can also sow them by hand. But here it is important to be careful - for every seven centimeters of soil you should use no more than one grain. Then the crops will not be too dense, the plants will develop normally without shading each other. The distance between rows is 40-45 centimeters.

The first shoots will appear above the ground in about 9-10 days. If necessary, you will need to thin out the sprouts.

Amaranth seedlings

I also like this method of planting amaranth. I sow the seeds in small wooden containers with soil from the dacha around March. Closer to April. The depth of my containers is 8 centimeters.

I make sure to moisten the soil and sow the seeds to a depth of 1.5 centimeters. Then I put the box in a bright and warm place. The temperature for seeds to germinate well should be approximately 20 degrees. Well, naturally, plus or minus a couple of degrees.

It is necessary to ensure that the seedlings do not suffer from hypothermia. That is, it is not advisable to place boxes on window sills if you have old windows from which the wind can blow.

Another important point is moisturizing the seedlings. I spray it with a spray bottle - there is no strict frequency. You need to make sure that the soil does not dry out and is always sufficiently moist. If you follow everything, the first shoots will appear no later than in a week.

After the sprouts appear, thinning also needs to be done. The weakest shoots are removed. It is necessary to leave enough free space so that the sprouts do not shade each other or crowd each other.

When two separate, rather powerful leaves appear on the sprout, it should be transplanted into a separate container. For example, in a plastic cup. Planting in open ground is carried out towards the end of May, and if the temperature does not allow, then even at the beginning of June. That is, when the weather has already become quite stable and warm.

Before transplanting the sprouts, I make sure to fertilize the soil. For this I use nitroammophoska. Approximately 20 grams per square meter of planting soil. I make a distance of about 15 centimeters between the seedlings. It's enough. I read somewhere that the distance can be up to 30 centimeters, but I’m not sure if this is correct. There's a lot of free space left. Although, perhaps, we are talking about some especially large varieties of amaranth. Row spacing - up to 50 centimeters, but not less than 45 centimeters.

The plant is only annual

Amaranth can withstand temperature drops to 0 degrees. Therefore, it can be in the beds until the end of September. Although the plant is an annual. Even with warm winters, it cannot remain in the ground during the cold season.

After the harvest is harvested, all amaranth residues must be removed and disposed of.

Leaves and seeds are used for harvest. Even the stems can be used for drying for later use in cooking.

But what’s left in the garden shouldn’t just be thrown away or burned. I collect all the remains of amaranth in a compost pit. It turns out to be a very good fertilizer for next year.

How to properly care for amaranth

Why do I love amaranth? Apart from its special taste and health benefits? Because after landing he no longer requires special attention to himself. But still you need to work with him a little. To get a good harvest of a large plant, there will be good leaves and a lot of seeds.

The plant needs especially a lot of water in the first four weeks after planting. So that the plant strengthens and the roots penetrate as deep into the ground as possible. After a month of growing, you no longer have to worry about watering. Unless, of course, the summer is too dry and it rains at least occasionally.

The root system of amaranth is quite developed and powerful. This is what makes it stable, even if you grow varieties up to one and a half meters high. They will be quite stable in strong winds and will not break or fall.

How to fertilize

Proper feeding is the key to a good harvest. It should be carried out the first time after planting or transplanting seedlings. Then the amaranth will quickly get stronger, put down strong roots and begin to grow actively.

The optimal solution for feeding is either ordinary wood ash or mullein solution. That is, nothing extraordinary, expensive or chemical.

By the way, if you fertilize the soil before planting, then subsequent fertilization may not be required. But I still recommend feeding the amaranth at least a little. Believe me, the effort and time spent will pay off with a great harvest.

Weeding and loosening the soil in beds with amaranth

Weeding is carried out only if weeds begin to appear in the garden bed. Often there are not so many of them, but you shouldn’t give them too much freedom. I fight them immediately after they appear.

But I do the loosening every time after I water the beds or it rains. Because water contributes to the appearance of a crust on the ground, which will prevent water from entering the ground.

How to fight insects and various diseases

In general, the plant is quite resistant to various diseases and is practically not attacked by insects. Except for things like aphids and weevils.

For example, weevils can interfere with the development of stems. If its larvae settle there. But aphids are dangerous only in the first few weeks after the sprouts appear. In addition, it appears only in very wet weather.

You can fight insects with the help of special preparations. For example, I use Karbofos. It's enough. But you can also try Actellik - they say it is also quite effective, although I personally have not tried it on my plants.

High humidity levels can cause fungus to appear. To neutralize it, you need to use copper sulfate or copper oxychloride.

Harvesting amaranth

I described in detail how to store amaranth and collect it in my last letter. I repeat that I use almost all parts at home - leaves, stems, seeds. I store it in a dark place.

I will separately note how I collect amaranth seeds. I carefully cut off the panicles and hang them in the attic at the dacha - it’s quiet and peaceful there, birds don’t enter, there are no rodents. When they are completely dry, I grind the panicles in my hands, and then sift the seeds through a fine sieve.

The panicles need to be collected a little earlier than all the seeds are ripe. Because they do not ripen evenly. And if you wait until everything is ripe, some will simply fall out in the garden.

This is how I grow amaranth and harvest it. There is nothing complicated. Just a little desire and a little work. There are no special worries. But it is possible to get a good harvest of a nutritious plant. And then enjoy it all winter!

Bon appetit and success in growing! If you have any questions, ask. I will definitely share my experience and secrets.

If you want to plant an unfading flower on your site, then amaranth would be an excellent solution. This is an effective plant that can decorate flower beds, flower beds, paths and borders. It grows in the form of a bush that is short and compact in size. Amaranth can be planted in combination with other crops or separately, using different varieties.

Description and varieties

Amaranth today comes in a wide variety of varieties. Each of them differs in size, color and cultivation characteristics. The following varieties remain popular:

Redleaf. This crop can grow up to 1.5 m. Its flowers are dark purple in color. They are presented in the form of tails that hang above the ground. The leaves of large-leaved amaranth are red in color. But how to grow Lavender angustifolia from seeds will help you understand this
Red-leaved amaranth
Gullievre. This variety allows you to grow a low-growing crop, the height of which reaches 50-70 cm. It is very popular among gardeners, as it has an incredibly beautiful lower appearance. Flowers form from the ground to the top of the bush, forming a beautiful spadix of small inflorescences. They have a dark lilac hue. In appearance, Gulliver is similar to an exotic cactus. It will also be interesting to see what it looks like in the photo
Gulliver
Using this variety, it is possible to grow a low-growing crop, the height of which reaches 70 cm. The inflorescences are presented in a pyramidal shape, their size reaches 15 cm. The variety can be distinguished by its white flowers with a greenish tint. How Iberis evergreen is planted and cared for, and what it looks like in the photo. can see
Argentinian. This variety is a classic bush amaranth, the height of which reaches 1.5 m. It has many tails, the color of which is lilac. It is this tweed culture that is actively involved in the formation of bouquets. It will also be interesting to see what it looks like on
Argentinian
White-seeded. This type of plant is highly valued for its ability to serve as food for domestic animals. The height of the bush reaches 2 m. It has large gray leaves, the inflorescences have a pyramidal shape. All of them are collected in the form of panicles, which have a bright red color. But you can see what planting and caring for red castor beans looks like in the photo:
White-seeded
Caudate. This is a classic amaranth variety. It is used when leaving bouquets. Inflorescences are presented in various colors.
Caudate
Emerald. The variety received this name due to its incredibly beautiful green color. The bush reaches a height of 70 cm.
Helios. This is a grain type of amaranth. Its leaves are light green in color and its tails are orange. Using this variety, amaranth oil can be extracted.
Aztec. This is a forage plant. It has red-green leaves and a red panicle.
Sam. This is a fodder variety of amaranth, which is used for the production of amaranth oil. The plant's stem, leaves and panicles are presented in red colors.
Kharkovsky 1. This is a versatile variety, as it can be used for animal feed and as a folk medicine. It has green leaf mass and a similarly colored panicle.
Kharkovsky
Lera. This is another grain variety that is used in the production of oil. It has a green stem, but the panicle is red.

How and when to plant

And although amaranth has many advantages, it also has its disadvantages, including long germination. If you are planting amaranth to obtain oil, then you should decide in advance on the timing of sowing. At the same time, make sure that the plant has enough light and warmth.

In the Russian climate, where summer is short, seeds should be planted in the first half of February. With such early sowing, it is necessary to provide auxiliary lighting and monitor the temperature. For the full development of young seedlings, it is necessary to ensure a room temperature of 22-25 degrees.

The substrate for amaranth can be used as a universal one. It still needs to be prepared in the fall. The soil mixture should be loose, retain moisture well and contain all the necessary microelements.

If you are going to grow seedlings, then you should use a substrate consisting of turf soil, peat and humus. Take everything in equal quantities. Saturate the soil with mineral and potassium fertilizers in advance. You can also add nitrogen and wood ash. In addition, the soil should be disinfected. To do this, pour boiling water or a solution of potassium permanganate over it. This will eliminate pathogenic microorganisms.

It will also be interesting to learn about how Ursinia Undine is grown from seeds:

Sowing seeds

In the video - growing Amaranth:

For small seedlings, moderate watering is necessary, but without stagnation of water. If the seedlings are planted tightly, they should be thinned out. Perform picking 2-3 times so that the crop develops a powerful root system.

During picking, deepen the sprout to the first leaves. Caring for seedlings also involves the use of fertilizers. Complex fertilizers, for example, Kemira, are suitable for this. It should be applied as soon as true leaves form. The second time feeding will be necessary in a couple of weeks.

Planting in open ground

To grow a full-fledged plant, it is necessary to create adequate conditions for it. When choosing a site, make sure that it has fertile soil and good lighting.

In the fall, fertilize the soil using humus with the addition of potassium-phosphorus fertilizers. This should be done not in the spring, but in the fall. Dig up the area thoroughly. Plant grown seedlings in holes located at a distance of 30 cm. Such activities should be carried out at the end of May, when the soil is thoroughly warmed up and there are no frosts.

Care

Caring for amaranth is not at all difficult. This should be done only before the plant begins to grow. The first month the crop develops slowly, so you will have to carefully water it, weed it and loosen the soil. Then the plant accelerates its development and weeds no longer form.

The video shows how to properly care for the plant:

Regular watering for amaranth in the first month is extremely important. It is during this period that the active formation of the root system occurs. When the roots of the plant have already penetrated deep into the ground, watering can be canceled. Irrigate the crop only during drought.

It is also important for amaranth to fertilize. do it 3-4 times per season. It is best to use a solution of mullein and ash in a ratio of 1:5. Fertilize in the morning, as soon as the area has been watered.

Amaranth is a crop that, although it is especially popular today, still flaunts in flower beds and flower beds. The plant has numerous properties, as it can be used as animal feed, oil is obtained from it, and it is also an excellent decoration for any garden plot.

Many people know that amaranth is a universal plant, based on which you can make tea, add it to various dishes, prepare porridge from grains and even. And if everything is very clear with flour and grains, they can be bought in specialized stores, because they are not a perishable product, then what about fresh leaves. Even in this case, everything is quite simple; amaranth can be grown not only on a personal plot, but also on the windowsill in your apartment. And we'll tell you how to do it.

Amaranth sprouts

At the beginning of the 20th century, amaranth was recognized as the plant of the future, and this happened at the UN General Assembly. During this meeting, the cultivation of the plant and its beneficial qualities were discussed. It turns out that amaranth is a completely unpretentious plant that can be grown in almost any conditions. Many, of course, in this case may object, how can you grow a plant in an apartment? But this is quite possible, it’s enough to know the step-by-step instructions and follow them. So, in order to grow amaranth on your windowsill, you will need:

Amaranth seeds. They can be bought at any gardening store;
Special soil for seedlings, you can also prepare it yourself, for this you will need three parts humus and one part sterile sand;
The container in which you will grow amaranth must be at least 10 cm high, and holes must be made in the bottom to drain moisture, otherwise the seeds will simply rot. In width, the container should be slightly narrower than the window sill, and do not forget about a special stand into which the remaining water will drain after watering;
Cling film, small shovel, watering can or spray bottle.

Once everything you need has been purchased, you can start planting the seeds. It should be remembered that amaranth is a heat-loving plant, so the most favorable months for planting it, even in an apartment, begin in May and end in September. Let's start planting amaranth seeds, step by step instructions:

Pour the soil into the pot where the amaranth will grow and stir well, making sure there are no earthen lumps;
Take a separate bucket and take a fifth of the soil into it, pour the seeds into it and mix well;
Distribute the soil remaining in the pot evenly and water it a little with settled water or spray it with a spray bottle;
Pour the soil with seeds into the pot and distribute it evenly, then pour water in the same way, or spray it with a spray bottle;
Cover the pot with cling film;
Place the pot on the windowsill. Amaranth is a light-loving and heat-loving plant, so the ideal place for growing it is window sills.

Don't forget to moisten the soil daily. If you do everything as stated in the instructions, the first sprouts will appear in 4 to 5 days. When amaranth grows 3-4 centimeters, it can already be eaten.

Amaranth sprouts, what to cook from them

Amaranth is often used in cooking, and this applies not only to spices with the addition of amaranth and fresh leaves, this also applies to amaranth sprouts.

Amaranth sprouts are not only tasty and beautiful, but also very healthy. Sprouts contain plant stem cells, vitamins and minerals, which can not only heal and rejuvenate the body, but also prevent cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetes, coronary artery disease and heart disease.

Of course, you can’t prepare a dish from amaranth sprouts on your own, but they can be an excellent addition to many dishes.

For breakfast you can have an omelet with amaranth sprouts. To prepare it, just mix eggs, a little milk or cream, add salt and pepper to taste. Amaranth sprouts can be added to the pan, both during cooking and before serving the dish.

Amaranth sprouts also go well with all boiled and fresh vegetables. You can prepare a summer salad with amaranth sprouts, or even a vinaigrette.

Amaranth sprouts can also serve as a side dish for meat or fish. To prepare a healthy side dish of green beans and amaranth sprouts, you will need:

300 gr. string beans;
100 gr. amaranth sprouts;
1 boiled egg;
150 ml. cream;
Salt and white pepper to taste.

Cook the green beans for 3 minutes in boiling salted water, then quickly drain in a colander and rinse in cold water. Then place the green beans in a hot frying pan and fry for 2 minutes, then pour in the cream and reduce the heat, simmer for 2-3 minutes. Then add amaranth sprouts, a finely chopped egg, salt and pepper to the frying pan, mix well and simmer a little. This side dish is served warm.

Growing Amaranth on the windowsill

If you want to grow a full-fledged plant on your balcony, then in this case you should be patient. After the amaranth seeds have sprouted and 3-4 leaves appear on the seedlings, this is a sign that the plant can be transplanted into a separate pot. In this case, you can use plastic cups. Transplanting seedlings:

Pour soil into plastic cups or small pots and lightly water it;
Make a small depression in each pot and plant one bore there;
Water the plant;
Lightly pinch the top of the sprout; this procedure will help strengthen the roots of each plant.

Although amaranth is accustomed to an arid climate, do not forget to water it regularly and spray it with water from a spray bottle. And also periodically slightly fluff up the soil in each pot. When the height of the plant reaches 20-25 centimeters, it can already be eaten.

Amaranth leaves are an integral part of a healthy diet. Modern research confirms the fact that amaranth contains a large amount of vegetable protein, which in its properties is not inferior to animal protein. Amaranth leaves contain another, very rare component called squalene. Which allows you to prolong youth at the cellular level.

Amaranth leaves are used in many applications. They have also gained popularity in cooking. By growing just a few amaranth bushes on your balcony, you can not only diversify your diet, but also improve your health.

In cooking, amaranth leaves are most often used in the preparation of soups and fresh salads; they can also be an addition to meat dishes, for example, you can prepare chicken soufflé with amaranth leaves. To prepare it you will need:

500 gr. chicken fillet;
2 egg whites;
50 gr. fresh spinach leaves;
50 gr. fresh amaranth leaves;
50 gr. sun-dried tomatoes;
Ground red pepper and salt to taste.

Cut the chicken fillet into small cubes and grind in a blender until it becomes a thick puree. In a separate bowl, beat 2 egg whites with the addition of a small amount of salt until a thick standing foam; the whites must be cold, otherwise the foam will not rise. Chop the spinach leaves, amaranth and sun-dried tomatoes, add salt, pepper and mix with the chicken puree, then carefully fold in the beaten egg whites.

Take cling film and place the mixture on it, then wrap it so that it forms a uniform sausage. Wrap in film a few more times and tie the tails well so that no water gets in. Place the soufflé in boiling water and cook covered for 20-25 minutes.

Amaranth leaves taste very similar to spinach, so in almost every recipe, spinach can be replaced with amaranth leaves.

You can also make very tasty hot drinks from amaranth leaves. One of these, “Moroccan tea”, to prepare it you will need:

All ingredients must be placed in a large cup, pour boiling water, stir and cover with a saucer for 5 minutes.

You can also use dry amaranth leaves in tea. You can also dry amaranth leaves in an apartment. To do this, first of all you need to prepare the leaves, they need to be washed and dried well, then cut off the cuttings. Then place them on a sheet of newspaper in a dark place. This could be a pantry or just a kitchen cabinet with tightly closing doors. Dried amaranth leaves can be used to make a delicious, soothing tea. Mix dried amaranth, mint and lemon balm leaves in equal quantities, add a couple of lavender inflorescences and pour boiling water, let it brew for 10-15 minutes, you can serve this tea with honey or jam.