By Julie Christensen
Most bedding annual have a compact , tidy kind and are used to fill in the spaces leave by shrubs and perennials – the tangible workhorses of any sundry bed . Not so with amaranthus cruentus , also make love as crimson amaranth . Native to Central and South America , this annual plant life wastes no time in making a freehanded statement . It is one of the grain amaranth variety — grown for its texture as well as its beauty .
Amaranthus cruentus raise 3 to 6 metrical unit tall and all-inclusive in just one season . It produce extravagant , feathery plume in shades of red to purple . It ’s equally at home among tropic plants or cold climate perennials . practice it as you would annual grasses – as an accent piece or mixed with other plant .
CC flickr photo by gardengrrrl
Planting Red Amaranth
Most multitude buy nursery graft and plant them out of doors after the last expected icing , but you may also start this plant from seed . Sow the seeds right away in the ground in mild climates , after temperatures are reliably above 60 degree Fahrenheit , or set about it inside four to six weeks before the last expected icing .
When you ’re ready to found amaranthus cruentus , choose a sunny location for it . This tight - growing plant needs at least six to eight hours of sun day by day to perform well . Amend pitiful soils well with compost , manure or peat moss . genus Amaranthus cruentus needs moderately fertile , but consistently moist soil , and grows good with a soil pH between 6.5 and 7.5 . ameliorate acid land with lime tree , or alkaline soils with sulfur , to adjust the territory pH. In dry status , irrigate it two or three times weekly , or as involve to keep the dirt moist 1 column inch beneath the control surface .
Fertilize amaranthus after planting and every six calendar week with 2 tablespoon of granular 10 - 10 - 10 fertilizer per plant life . Spread the plant food on the soil 6 column inch from the industrial plant and till it in light .
Pests and Disease Problems
Amaranthus cruentus is subject to more pestis and disease problem than most one-year plants . rusting , leaf smirch and ascendant buncombe all can be problem . aphid are also attracted to this plant . Hot , humid weather lean to aggravate disease and pest issues .
To downplay problems , plant amaranthus cruentus in well - draining soil . Space it so air circulates freely around the plant life . withdraw and discard diseased leaves and pick up debris off the ground . Because the plant grow for only one season , it ’s rarely necessary to treat them with antimycotic , although in some typeface , you may have to demolish in earnest infected plants .
aphid stimulate terms by take up the sap from the leave and the stem of the plant , causing them to droop . You might also notice honeydew , a sticky substance secreted by the aphid on the works and ground . Aster yellow is a fateful plant disease that is circularize by aphids and sometimes touch amaranthus cruentus . contend with the aphids and you ’ll concentrate the risk of this disease . To combat aphids , spray the leaves of the plant with a steady stream of water or cover both the tops and bottoms of the leaves with insecticidal fossil oil or grievous bodily harm . These chemical are safer than most pesticides , but they can burn plants if utilize on a hot , sunny day .
Other Uses for Amaranth
Amaranth has been grown for hundred as a grain and vegetable . The seed can be cooked whole , pop like popcorn , or crunch into a type of flour . This extremely nutrient cereal has a protein subject of 12 to 17 pct . Amaranth is also high in lysine , an amino superman usually absent from cereal crop .
The leaves of amaranth are often used as a leafy vegetable . handle them like spinach plant . Saute them in olive oil and a bit of bacon or steam them and attend to them with butter , salt and common pepper . sure amaranth varieties are grown specifically for their parting , such asAmaranthus tricolour .
To learn more , visit the pursue links :
Amaranthfrom Purdue University
Rethinking a gage : the Truth about Amaranthfrom United Nations University
How to Cook Amaranth Grainby Kristen Kons
Amaranth , a superfood for the home gardenon Youtube .
Julie Christensen teach about garden on her grandfather ’s farm and female parent ’s vegetable garden in southern Idaho . Today , she lives and gardens on the high-pitched plains of Colorado . When she ’s not grasp in the dirt , Julie pen about food , education , parenting and horticulture .
