Amaranth how to grow at home

 

Amaranth is a very beautiful plant that will decorate any summer cottage. It is an annual crop, reaching 2 m in height, with a fleshy stem and leaves in red, purple and green colors. Amaranth belongs to weed crops, so it is not afraid of prolonged droughts, is little susceptible to diseases and pests, loves light and warmth. Amaranth is absolutely picky, grows on any soil, except swampy, and in all weather conditions, with the exception of the desert and the extreme north. Feels comfortable at air temperatures up to 30 ° C, easily tolerates light frosts.

Amaranth is used in livestock and poultry farming. This plant is an efficient and environmentally friendly food. It contains 18 of the existing amino acids. In addition, the plant is used in human nutrition. Amaranth flour is used in baking bakery products, grains and leaves - in conservation and as an additive in vegetable salads. Leaves and inflorescences are used to make medicinal tea that can remove harmful salts and radionuclides from the body. Amaranth oil is very useful and widely used in the food industry and in cosmetology.

   

Amaranth: varieties

 

There are many varieties of this beautiful and healthy plant. Let's consider the most popular ones:

 

Amaranth "Red-leaved"

The variety is decorative. Plant height can reach up to 1.5 m in height. Inflorescences of dark purple color in the form of "tails" hang down almost to the ground. The leaves are deep red in color.

 

Amaranth "Gulliver"

The variety is decorative. This 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 flowers of deep purple or almost black color. "Gulliver" is very similar to an exotic cactus.

 

Amaranth "Elbrus"

The variety is decorative. It is a dwarf plant about 70 cm tall. Unusual 15 cm pyramidal inflorescences are white with a greenish tint.

 

Amaranth "Argentinian"

This 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.

 

Amaranth "White-seed"

This is a very valuable amaranth species that is used for pet food. The plant reaches 2 m in height, has large grayish leaves. Panicle-shaped pyramidal inflorescences are bright red or green in color.

 

Amaranth "Tailed"

The classic type of amaranth, which is used to decorate bouquets. Has inflorescences of various colors.

 

Amaranth "Emerald"

The variety got its name for its beautiful green color. Amaranth grows up to 70 cm in height.

 

Amaranth "Helios"

This is a grain type of amaranth. Its leaves are light green, "tails" are orange. The largest percentage of amaranth oil is extracted from this variety.

 

Amaranth "Aztec"

It is a forage amaranth species. In addition to fodder for livestock, it is used to make amaranth oil, and grain is used for baking bakery products. The height of the culture reaches 1.5 m. It has red-green leaves and a red panicle.

 

Amaranth "Sem"

It is a forage amaranth species. Used to make amaranth oil. Has a high protein content. The stem, panicle and leaves are red.

 

Amaranth "Kharkovsky 1"

A universal variety of amaranth (food, feed, grain and medicinal). Has green leaves and a panicle of the same color

 

Amaranth "Lera"

This predominantly grain variety of amaranth is also used to make butter. It has a green stem and green leaves with red veins. The panicle is always red.

 

Amaranth: growing from seed

 

Sowing amaranth seeds in open ground.

 

Amaranth should be sown directly into the soil only in the southern regions of our country. For sowing, select a sunny and dry place, sheltered from the wind. Please note that the plant does not tolerate stagnation of moisture in the soil. The preparation of the site for sowing depends on what goals you are pursuing. If you plant amaranth as an ornamental plant, then any soil will suit it, even the most scarce and stony ones. And if for consumption, be sure to make sure that the earth is light, well-drained, moderately acidic and rich in nutrients.

When to plant amaranth seeds in open ground? Sowing is carried out from late April to mid-May. It is important that by this time constant warm weather has already been established and the earth warmed up to 10 ºC. In the fall, the site is dug up, bringing compost, peat or rotted manure into the ground. In the spring, the digging is repeated, adding mineral fertilizers to the soil, carefully loosen it and level it. For amaranth, the content of phosphorus and potassium in the earth is especially important. If you are growing amaranth for food, you should avoid fertilizers with a high nitrogen content, which can turn into dangerous nitrates. Spill the soil well and prepare furrows on the beds at a distance of 40-50 cm from each other and about 1.5 cm deep. Then sow seeds in them, cover them with a thin layer of soil and compact them slightly.

In case of frost, young plants must be covered. In the first month of the seedlings' life, it is important to carry out regular weeding and loosen the soil. Be very careful when using a hoe or hoe, as the lateral roots of the amaranth are shallow. When the amaranth grows up, remove weak plants: for healthy growth, the distance between the bushes should be at least 30 - 40 cm.The grown amaranth is no longer so demanding and does not need constant care.

In the Urals, sow amaranth in open ground can be closer to the end of May in a greenhouse, and in June transferred to open ground. You can also sow amaranth before winter, right after the ground is frozen. The crops are covered with sawdust or non-woven material. In the spring, the shelter is removed, but arcs must be placed over the garden bed and the film is stretched.

 

Growing amaranth seedlings

 

You can start germinating amaranth seeds for seedlings in early March. Since the plant has a long germination capacity, pre-soak the seed so that the seeds hatch a little, but do not germinate. Soil for amaranth can be prepared by mixing leaf humus, peat and garden soil in equal proportions. Add a little superphosphate or wood ash there. If you do not want to engage in self-preparation of the soil, you can purchase peat pots for amaranth, the plant is very fond of a loose, nutrient medium.

For the emergence of seedlings, it is important to maintain the temperature at a level not lower than +20 ° C. It is best to cover the boxes with plastic and put them in a warm place with adequate lighting. At this stage, watering should be moderate but regular, using a spray bottle to moisturize. Seedlings will appear in about two weeks, after which the amaranth must be thinned out to enable the seedlings to fully develop.

 

Picking amaranth seedlings

 

When 3-4 leaves appear on the sprout, each seedling must be transplanted into a separate pot. The pot must be at least 12 cm in diameter. Fill each pot with soil. It will be correct to use the same soil in which you germinated the seeds. Moisten the ground in which your seedlings grow in advance, and only then carefully remove each sprout. Make depressions in the soil and plant seedlings in it. Water the plant. After transplanting each seedling into a separate pot, pin the top of the sprout. This will help the roots of the plant grow stronger. Before planting in open ground, seedlings are fed twice: after the appearance of the first true leaves and 10-15 days after that. Any complex mineral fertilizer can be used as top dressing.

 

Amaranth: transplanting seedlings into open ground

 

Planting amaranth seedlings in open ground in the Urals it is possible at the end of May, when the average daily air temperature will be at least 5 ° C. By this time, the soil has already warmed up enough, and there is no danger that frosts will hit. It is preferable to carry out this procedure on a cloudy day or at sunset. The seedling plot is prepared in the same way as for sowing. At a distance of about half a meter from each other, holes are dug about 20 cm deep. Three to four plants are planted in each of them. After that, the seedlings are abundantly watered and spud with leaf humus. In order for the plants to take root better, about a month before planting, it is worthwhile to carry out daily hardening of amaranth seedlings on the street, gradually increasing the time it is in the open air.

 

Outdoor care for amaranth

 

Amaranth is completely unpretentious to care for, it does not require a lot of moisture and any special conditions. But in order for the plant not to die and give a good harvest, it is necessary to follow some rules for caring for it. Throughout the summer, amaranth needs feeding with organic and mineral fertilizers. Although amaranth is drought tolerant, it must be watered regularly during very hot summers, otherwise it will simply stop growing. Weed and huddle plants as needed. It is imperative to tie up a tall amaranth so that its branches do not break under the weight of 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 more.

 

Amaranth: diseases and pests

 

Amaranth can be affected by aphids. Aphid can harm amaranth only at the beginning of its life, and, as a rule, it happens in a damp rainy summer. To avoid this, for prevention, it is necessary to treat plants with biological preparations - acarin and phytoverm (karbofos). The same preparations give a good result in the fight against the weevil, the larvae of which develop in the stems of the plant, retarding their growth. If too much moisture accumulates in the soil, amaranth can get sick with fungal diseases, which are treated by spraying plants with fungicides - colloidal sulfur, copper sulfate, copper oxychloride and other similar preparations.

 

Getting amaranth seeds

 

In order to grow amaranth, seeds can be bought at any specialized store. But you can get amaranth seeds yourself. To do this, cut off the amaranth at the very base and hang the panicles to dry completely for 2 months. The room in which the amaranth will dry must be dry and well ventilated. After 2 months, sift the panicles with a very fine mesh sieve. Place the extracted seeds on the surface in the same well-ventilated area and leave for another 7-10 days. Stir the seeds periodically. Make sure that no rodents get to the seeds. To do this, spread elderberry twigs around the seeds. Place dried seeds in paper envelopes or boxes. You can store them for 4-5 years.

Amaranth, more recently, was a plant of little interest to amateur gardeners. Interest has increased in connection with the emergence of information about its unique healing properties. In the XX century, in our country, the cultivated species of Amaranth, imported from Mexico, were grown on an industrial scale, used as animal feed. They made silage from it, which was used to feed pigs and cattle. In the village, poultry, rabbits, goats, and calves were fed with greenery and amaranth seeds.

Thanks to scientific breeders, decorative varieties were obtained, which are successfully used to decorate home gardens and gardens. Amaranth is an excellent decoration for any garden: low varieties are suitable for decorating borders, ridges and containers, tall species look great in hedges and in the center of flower beds.

Description of the plant with a photo

Amaranth is a genus of annual grasses common in Africa, South America and other countries with subtropical and tropical climates in temperate climates, this plant is much less common. In Europe and Russia, there are about 16 species of amaranth.

The genus amaranth includes up to 70 species of plants with a height of 15 to 80 centimeters and above. In nature, tall species can be found, reaching a height of 2-3 meters. The root of this plant is thick, pivotal, goes into the ground by two, or even three meters.

The color of the stem and leaves can be either green or purplish red. In some types of amaranth, a root crop is formed. The leaves are elongated, pointed at the end, and come in different shapes: lanceolate, diamond-shaped or ovoid.

The leaf petioles at the bottom of the thick trunk are longer than those on the taller ones, so the upper leaves never shade the lower ones. The flowers are small, collected in paniculate inflorescences. There are axillary and apical flowers.

In the most ornamental varieties of amaranth, the length of the panicles is large, it can reach up to 1.5 meters.

The vegetative period in plants of this genus lasts from 3 to 5 months, the duration depends on the climate. Amaranth is sown in the spring in warm soil. The temperature should not be lower than 8 ° C. The seed ripening period is from August to September. Stems and leaves turn creamy during this period. Ripe seeds fall off easily when the stem is shaken. The fruits resemble a round box. Up to 500 thousand small, dark brown seeds are formed on one plant per season.

Types and varieties

A wide variety of species and varieties of amaranth should not be misleading for a novice gardener or gardener. Before opting for a particular variety, you need to decide for what purpose it will be planted.

All varieties of amaranth, according to their purpose, can be divided into types:

• decorative;
• vegetable;
• grain;
• stern.

Decorative varieties are usually thermophilic and photophilous. Lack of light leads to a significant loss of decorativeness, they stretch out, the leaves lose their brightness and color.

Forage varieties are very productive, they increase a large volume of green mass during the season. The composition of the fodder plant is no less useful and also has medicinal properties.

Vegetable varieties:

• Valentine
• In memory of Kvasov
• White list
• Sturdy

They are grown for fresh consumption of young shoots and leaves. They can also be used to prepare various dishes; during heat treatment, the plant retains its beneficial properties.

Grain varieties contain a large percentage of squalene in grains - a liquid hydrocarbon so necessary for the human body for its anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial and fungicidal properties. From grain varieties of amaranth, oil is produced, which has medicinal properties.

Amaranth Tricolor

Amaranth Tricolor

Beautiful and showy, the plants of this species are annuals: erect, pyramidal shrubs. Narrow, slightly wavy leaves have a three-color color: green, yellow, red. All varieties of this species are very decorative. Plant height from 0.6 m to 1.5 m.

Variety Illumination

Variety Illumination

This is a beautiful, light-loving plant. Stem height from 0.5 m to 0.7 m. Large leaves are painted in different colors. On one sheet plate there can be patterns: green, yellow, red. Young leaves, which have just appeared on the crown, are yellowish-red, change color over time and become reddish-orange. The lower leaves are bronze.

Prefect Grade

Prefect Grade

Refers to the type of amaranth tricolor. As with all plants of this species, it is characterized by a tricolor color of the leaves. The lower leaves are colored green, covered with brownish-red spots. The leaves located at the top of the stem have a traditional tricolor color.

Earley Splendor variety

Earley Splendor variety

Plants of this variety have an original color. The lower leaves are dark, almost black, purplish green. The upper leaves are bright crimson.

Variety Aurora

Variety Aurora

Plants of this variety are bushy. The leaves are beautiful, wavy, painted golden yellow.

Amaranth Dark

Amaranth Dark

Amaranth dark is an annual herb. Weakly branched bush, grows up to 1.5 meters. Leaves are medium in size with a pointed end. The color of the leaves is red-brown or greenish-red-brown. Inflorescences are erect, spike-shaped. The color is red-violet.

Pigmy Torch variety

Pigmy Torch variety

A compact bush-shaped plant with inflorescences reaching a length of 0.4 m, at first they are red-purple, later they turn brown. Young green leaves growing up become multi-colored. The height of the bush is 0.6 meters.

Green Tamb variety

Green Tamb variety

A low-growing plant of emerald green color.

Amaranth Tailed

Rothschwants variety

Tailed amaranth can be found in natural conditions in Africa, Asia, South America, these are tall one and a half meter plants. Stems are powerful, erect. The elongated, egg-shaped leaves come in two colors, purple or green. Inflorescences are paniculate, long. The colors are crimson or yellowish green. Plants of this species bloom from June to October. Popular varieties:

1. Grunschwarz. Tall plant. Inflorescences are light green.
2. Rothschwants. Tall bush (0.75 m.). Inflorescences are red.

Amaranth Panicled

Roter Dam grade

Amaranth paniculata is an annual herb that came to us from Asia.The varieties were bred as tall up to 1.5 meters in height, and undersized (dwarf) no higher than 20 cm.The color of the leaves is dark red. Erect inflorescences of purple color, appear in June, bloom until frost. Dwarf varieties popular among gardeners:

• Rother Dam;
• Rother Paris;
• Grune Torch;
• Hot Biscuit;
• Zwergafakel.

Growing from seeds at home

The climate in our country, for the most part, is harsh and amateur gardeners have to grow amaranth in seedlings. In southern regions with warm winters, sowing can be carried out directly into the soil. Seeds germinate quickly enough at a soil temperature of 15 ° C.

When to plant seeds for seedlings?

A common question a grower has when breeding a new crop. In the case of amaranth, seeds can be sown as early as mid-February. But then you need to be ready to light up young shoots. Since in February - March there is still little sun. So that the seedlings do not stretch out, without supplementary lighting, in the Middle Lane, Moscow region, in the Urals, I recommend sowing amaranth no earlier than mid-March.

First, prepare containers for sowing - they should be wide and not very deep, their height should not be more than 10 centimeters.

Soil preparation

For growing amaranth seedlings, a universal soil sold in flower shops is suitable. The soil, home-made, should consist of garden soil, peat, humus. The basic requirements for it are simple, it must be: nutritious, loose, breathable, with a neutral reaction.

Both purchased and home-made soil must be disinfected before use. Any old-fashioned processing methods are suitable: steaming, calcining, freezing, processing with a solution of potassium permanganate, and modern methods using various drugs. Today, soil cultivation products are popular:

• copper sulfate;
• colloidal sulfur;
• systemic fungicides (Fitosporin, Alirin-B, Gamir, Extrasol).

Sowing

Planting boxes must be filled with soil and watered. Scatter the seeds over the surface and cover them with a layer of 0.5 cm. Spray the top layer of earth from a sprayer and close the boxes on top with cling film, you get mini-greenhouses.

Put greenhouses in a warm place, the higher the air temperature, the faster the seeds will sprout. Usually, if the room temperature is 22 ° C and higher, the sprouts hatch within a week, after the appearance of green sprouts, the film must be removed.

To obtain strong seedlings, the seedlings must be cut into separate cups, and a pick should be carried out after the appearance of a real leaf.

Seedling care

Caring for amaranth seedlings does not differ from caring for seedlings of other garden and horticultural crops. Amaranth seedlings must be watered, the soil in the cups must be constantly moist. In February and March, the daylight hours are short, the seedlings need illumination, fluorescent lamps can be used to supplement the illumination of the seedlings.

It is necessary to carry out hardening. Start ten days before planting young plants in a permanent place. You can harden in two ways:

• take boxes with plants to the street or balcony;
• open the window for ventilation.

All about growing amaranth: video

Landing in open ground

The last days of May are the most suitable time for planting seedlings in open ground. Place the ridges in a place well-lit by the sun; amaranth loves light.

Plants growing on the sunny side have brighter leaves and flowers.

Plant seedlings in an ordinary way. The optimal track width between two rows is 0.5 meters. In a row, place plants 12 cm apart, thin out as they grow. If amaranth is planted to obtain young greenery, you can use a 15 cm by 15 cm pattern.

It is better to carry out work on transplanting seedlings on ridges in cloudy weather or in the evening; in sunny weather, young plantings can be covered from the sun for several days.In the shade, plants adapt faster to a new place and grow.

Summer flower care

After transplanting on a ridge, amaranth grows slowly for a month, it has an active root formation, at this time the ridge must be weeded out at least twice. Then the amaranth begins to grow rapidly by almost 6 cm per day.

During active growth, the need for weeding disappears, amaranth inhibits all weeds. Care at this time consists of periodic thinning of plants, shallow loosening of row spacings, watering, top dressing.

Without fertilizers, a good harvest cannot be obtained. Amaranth responds well to fertilizing, loves watering with an ash solution. Nitrogen fertilizers are not often used, as increased leaf growth can slow down flowering. Top dressing should be done in the morning after the soil has been well watered.

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Growing and caring for amaranth: video

Diseases and pests

There are pests that interfere with the normal growth of amaranth. Basically, the plantings suffer from weevils and aphids, penetrating into the stems of the plant, the larvae of the weevil damage the plants, inhibit its growth.

Large colonies of aphids are also capable of inhibiting the plant. It is recommended to treat plants infected with pests with drugs. Popular treatments for aphids and weevils:

• karbofos solution;
• actellic.

If the summer is rainy, the air is humid, then favorable conditions are created for the reproduction of the fungus and the occurrence of fungal diseases. For medicinal purposes, plantings must be treated with a solution of colloidal sulfur or copper sulfate.

How to collect seeds

Usually, in late August, early September, amaranth panicles change color, turn orange. The plant stems and color change, they become light. It is by these signs that they learn that the seeds are already ripe, if the seeds begin to fall off the panicle.

To harvest the seeds, the plants must be cut off. Lay out the plucked panicles in the shade in a draft. Dry for a week, then thresh, sprinkle the seeds after threshing in a thin layer to dry and dry for at least two weeks. Seed germination lasts for 4-5 years.

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Useful properties of amaranth

Amaranth, regardless of the type, is endowed with useful properties. For treatment, tailed amaranth is usually used. All parts of the plant are medicinal raw materials. Leaves are harvested until the amaranth has bloomed. In summer, when the plant is in bloom, panicles are cut. At the end of August or at the beginning of September, the seeds are collected, and later the roots are dug up.

Amaranth seeds contain more protein than all other crops grown by humans. Amaranth protein is not inferior in composition to cow's milk.

Seeds are rich in vitamins and microelements necessary for a person. The phytosterols, squalene and polyunsaturated fatty acids contained in it give particular value to the product. Oil obtained from seeds is used to treat and prevent many diseases:

• atherosclerosis;
• heart disease;
• hypertension;
• cervical erosion;
• ovarian cyst;
• fibroids;
• cataract.

Amaranth is considered an effective immune stimulant due to its high content of squalene. Preparations containing squalene are used in the treatment of:

• burns;
• stomach ulcers;
• tumors;
• dental diseases (periodontitis).

Amaranth leaves are valued for their content: carotenoids, zooxanthin, rutin and calcium. Salads can be made from amaranth leaves plucked before flowering, they are especially useful for patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, people who are overweight and constipated. Leaves can be dried, used as a seasoning in winter.

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Useful properties of amaranth: video

Homemade oil recipe

Healing amaranth oil can be bought, or you can cook it yourself at home.First grind the seeds in a coffee grinder, then transfer them to a glass container and cover with vegetable oil. Oil, for these purposes, you need unrefined. Insist for a week, then strain. Already strained oil, you can re-fill the seeds and stand for another 7 days, this will increase the concentration of nutrients in amaranth oil.

Oil prepared in this way can be used to treat psoriasis. For the first week, drink a dessert spoon of oil, twice a day, half an hour before meals. Then, for three months, a tablespoon, three times a day before meals. For three months drip into the nostrils with a full pipette of oil: once in the morning, once in the evening. Affected areas of the skin, lubricate with oil several times a day. With oil, you can treat periodontitis, for this you just need to rinse your mouth twice a day.

How to lose weight with amaranth oil

To lose weight you need:

1. Go on a low-calorie diet.
2. Limit the consumption of animal fats.
3. From vegetable fats, use only amaranth oil: a tablespoon 2 times a day before meals in a course of 2 weeks.

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Amaranth and traditional medicine

At home. you can prepare decoctions and infusions from amaranth, taking as a basis proven folk recipes.

Cooking the broth:

1. Grind dry leaves, flowers and roots of amaranth, 2 tbsp. pour 2 tablespoons of the mixture. boiling water.
2. Put the container with the mixture on fire and heat slowly for 15 minutes.
3. Cool the broth, strain and drink half a glass 30 minutes before meals.

Useful for the skin, both diseased and healthy bath infusion. It will take about 300 g of dry leaves and flowers and 2 liters. boiling water. Boil the infusion in a closed saucepan for 15 minutes, strain the cooled infusion and add to the bath.

In case of gastrointestinal problems, an infusion of dry leaves and flowers of amaranth, prepared in a cold way, helps: take 1 part of leaves and flowers and 10 parts of water. The water should be cold. Insist for about 20 minutes, drink the strained infusion in half a glass before meals.

For sore throat and gum problems, fresh amaranth juice helps, it must be diluted with cold boiled water. Take 1 part juice and 5 parts water, mix, rinse your mouth or throat.

Infusion for diseases of the genitourinary system is prepared from 1 liter of boiling water and 3 tbsp. spoons of crushed leaves and flowers. Drink infusion one glass a day.

Amaranth planted in a garden or a summer cottage will not only decorate it, but also help fight pests of the garden garden. If amaranth is planted next to carrots, then you can get rid of the carrot fly. Caring for him is minimal, and the benefits for the treatment and prevention of diseases are great.

Hello everyone! Amaranth - growing from seeds at home in our material. Amaranth is a very beautiful plant that will decorate any summer cottage. It is an annual crop, reaching 2 m in height, with a fleshy stem and leaves in red, purple and green colors.

Amaranth belongs to weed crops, so it is not afraid of prolonged droughts, is little susceptible to diseases and pests, loves light and warmth.

Amaranth is absolutely picky, grows on any soil, except swampy, and in all weather conditions, with the exception of the desert and the extreme north.

Feels comfortable at air temperatures up to 30 ° C, easily tolerates light frosts.

Amaranth is used in livestock and poultry farming. This plant is an efficient and environmentally friendly food. It contains 18 of the existing amino acids.

In addition, the plant is used in human nutrition. Amaranth flour is used in baking bakery products, grains and leaves - in conservation and as an additive in vegetable salads. Leaves and inflorescences are used to make medicinal tea that can remove harmful salts and radionuclides from the body.

Amaranth oil is very useful and widely used in the food industry and in cosmetology.

Amaranth varieties

There are many varieties of this beautiful and healthy plant. Let's consider the most popular ones:

Amaranth "Red-leaved"

The variety is decorative. Plant height can reach up to 1.5 m in height. Inflorescences of dark purple color in the form of "tails" hang down almost to the ground. The leaves are deep red in color.

Amaranth "Gulliver"

The variety is decorative. It 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 ground to the top of the plant, forming a beautiful ear of small flowers of dark purple or almost black color. "Gulliver" is very similar to an exotic cactus.

Amaranth "Elbrus"

The variety is decorative. It is a dwarf plant about 70 cm tall. Unusual 15 cm pyramidal inflorescences are white with a greenish tint.

Amaranth "Argentinian"

This 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.

Amaranth "White-seed"

This is a very valuable amaranth species that is used for pet food. The plant reaches 2 m in height, has large grayish leaves. Panicle-shaped pyramidal inflorescences are bright red or green in color.

Amaranth "Tailed"

The classic type of amaranth, which is used to decorate bouquets. Has inflorescences of various colors.

Amaranth "Emerald"

The variety got its name for its beautiful green color. Amaranth grows up to 70 cm in height.

Amaranth "Helios"

This is a grain type of amaranth. Its leaves are light green, "tails" are orange. The largest percentage of amaranth oil is extracted from this variety.

Amaranth "Aztec"

It is a forage amaranth species. In addition to fodder for livestock, it is used to make amaranth oil, and grain is used for baking bakery products. The height of the culture reaches 1.5 m. It has red-green leaves and a red panicle.

Amaranth "Sem"

It is a forage amaranth species. Used to make amaranth oil. Has a high protein content. The stem, panicle and leaves are red.

Amaranth "Kharkovsky 1"

A universal variety of amaranth (food, feed, grain and medicinal). Has green leaves and a panicle of the same color

Amaranth "Lera"

This predominantly grain variety of amaranth is also used to make butter. It has a green stem and green leaves with red veins. The panicle is always red.

Amaranth growing from seeds

Sowing amaranth seeds in open ground.

Amaranth should be sown directly into the soil only in the southern regions of our country. For planting, select a sunny and dry place, sheltered from the wind. Please note that the plant does not tolerate stagnant moisture in the soil.

The preparation of the site for sowing depends on what goals you are pursuing. If you plant amaranth as an ornamental plant, then any soil will suit it, even the most scarce and stony ones.

And if for consumption, be sure to make sure that the earth is light, well-drained, moderately acidic and rich in nutrients.

When to plant amaranth seeds in open ground

Sowing is carried out from late April to mid-May. It is important that by this time constant warm weather has already been established and the earth warmed up to 10 ºC. In the fall, the site is dug up, bringing compost, peat or rotted manure into the ground.

In the spring, the digging is repeated, adding mineral fertilizers to the soil, carefully loosen it and level it. For amaranth, the content of phosphorus and potassium in the earth is especially important. If you are growing amaranth for food, you should avoid fertilizers with a high nitrogen content, which can turn into dangerous nitrates.

Spill the soil well and prepare furrows on the beds at a distance of 40-50 cm from each other and about 1.5 cm deep. Then sow seeds in them, cover them with a thin layer of soil and compact them slightly.

In case of frost, young plants must be covered. In the first month of the seedlings' life, it is important to carry out regular weeding and loosen the soil. Be very careful when using a hoe or hoe, as the lateral roots of the amaranth are shallow.

When the amaranth grows up, remove weak plants: for healthy growth, the distance between the bushes should be at least 30 - 40 cm. The grown amaranth is no longer so demanding and does not need constant care.

In the Urals, sow amaranth in open ground it is possible towards the end of May in a greenhouse, and in June it can be transferred to open ground. You can also sow amaranth before winter, right after the ground is frozen. The crops are covered with sawdust or non-woven material. In the spring, the shelter is removed, but arcs are necessarily placed over the garden bed and the film is stretched.

Growing amaranth seedlings

You can start germinating amaranth seeds for seedlings in early March. Since the plant has a long germination capacity, pre-soak the seed so that the seeds hatch a little, but do not germinate.

Soil for amaranth can be prepared by mixing leaf humus, peat and garden soil in equal proportions. Add a little superphosphate or wood ash there.

If you do not want to engage in self-preparation of the soil, you can purchase peat pots for amaranth, the plant is very fond of a loose, nutrient medium.

For the emergence of seedlings, it is important to maintain the temperature at a level not lower than +20 ° C. It is best to cover the boxes with plastic and put them in a warm place with adequate lighting. At this stage, watering should be moderate but regular, using a spray bottle to moisturize.

Seedlings will appear in about two weeks, after which the amaranth must be thinned out in order to enable the seedlings to fully develop.

Picking amaranth seedlings

When 3-4 leaves appear on the sprout, each seedling must be transplanted into a separate pot. The diameter of the pot must be at least 12 cm. Fill each pot with soil.

It will be correct to use the same soil in which you germinated the seeds. Moisten the ground in which your seedlings grow in advance, and only then carefully remove each sprout.

Make depressions in the soil and plant seedlings in it. Water the plant. After transplanting each seedling into a separate pot, pin the top of the sprout. This will help the roots of the plant grow stronger.

Before planting in open ground, seedlings are fed twice: after the appearance of the first true leaves and 10-15 days after that. Any complex mineral fertilizer can be used as top dressing.

Amaranth transplanting seedlings into open ground

Planting amaranth seedlings in open ground in the Urals and Siberia it is possible at the end of May, when the average daily air temperature will be at least 5 ° C. By this time, the soil has already warmed up enough, and there is no danger that frosts will hit.

It is preferable to carry out this procedure on a cloudy day or at sunset. The seedling plot is prepared in the same way as for sowing.

At a distance of about half a meter from each other, holes are dug about 20 cm deep. Three to four plants are planted in each of them.

After that, the seedlings are abundantly watered and spud with leaf humus. In order for the plants to take root better, about a month before planting, it is worthwhile to carry out daily hardening of amaranth seedlings on the street, gradually increasing the time it is in the open air.

Outdoor care for amaranth

Amaranth is completely unpretentious to care for, it does not require a lot of moisture and any special conditions. But in order for the plant not to die and give a good harvest, it is necessary to follow some rules for caring for it.

Throughout the summer, amaranth needs feeding with organic and mineral fertilizers.Although amaranth is drought tolerant, it must be watered regularly during very hot summers, otherwise it will simply stop growing.

Weed and huddle plants as needed. It is imperative to tie up a tall amaranth so that its branches do not break under the weight of 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 more.

Amaranth diseases and pests

Amaranth can be affected by aphids. Aphid can harm amaranth only at the beginning of its life, and, as a rule, it happens in a damp rainy summer.

To avoid this, for prevention, it is necessary to treat plants with biological preparations - acarin and phytoverm (karbofos). The same drugs give a good result in the fight against the weevil, the larvae of which develop in the stems of the plant, retarding their growth.

If too much moisture accumulates in the soil, amaranth can get sick with fungal diseases, which are treated by spraying plants with fungicides - colloidal sulfur, copper sulfate, copper oxychloride and other similar preparations.

Getting amaranth seeds

In order to grow amaranth, seeds can be bought at any specialized store. But you can get amaranth seeds yourself. To do this, cut off the amaranth at the very base and hang the panicles to dry completely for 2 months.

The room in which the amaranth will dry must be dry and well ventilated. After 2 months, sift the panicles with a very fine mesh sieve. Place the extracted seeds on the surface in the same well-ventilated area and leave for another 7-10 days.

Stir the seeds periodically. Make sure that no rodents get to the seeds. To do this, spread elderberry twigs around the seeds. Place dried seeds in paper envelopes or boxes. You can store them for 4-5 years.

Where to buy amaranth seeds

The Scientific and Production Association "Sady Rossii" has been introducing the latest achievements in the selection of vegetable, fruit, berry and ornamental crops into the wide practice of amateur gardening for 30 years.

In the work of the association, the most modern technologies are used, a unique laboratory for microclonal reproduction of plants has been created.

The main task of NPO Sady Rossii is to provide gardeners with high-quality planting material for popular varieties of various garden plants and novelties of world selection. Delivery of planting material (seeds, bulbs, seedlings) is carried out by Russian post.

We are waiting for you for shopping at the NPO Sady Rossii.

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The Internet is replete with articles about the exceptional benefits of amaranth. They say that the vegetable culture of the twenty-first century, surpasses milk in protein content, can feed the whole world, prolong people's youth and help to improve the health of the body. And with all its many advantages in growing, amaranth is unpretentious and undemanding.

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

Growing technology of vegetable amaranth

Amaranth is a light-loving plant, thermophilic and responsive to watering. It grows in almost all types of soil, including sandy, rocky and salt marshes. Greens ripen 60-70 days, seeds - 100-120 days.

Amaranth is an excellent green manure and green manure. Therefore, you should pick off leaves, stems and tops for food, leaving roots in the ground. The summer resident receives a vitamin salad, and soil microorganisms - the necessary organic matter. And everyone is good!

Amaranth can be grown in two ways: seedling and seedless.As a rule, amaranth grain varieties are planted on seedlings to accelerate the growth and maturation of seeds, or decorative varieties for early flowering. Growing amaranth for the sake of leaves is quite possible by direct sowing of a seed into the ground.

Growing amaranth through seedlings

Amaranth seeds are planted on seedlings in late March - early April. First, the seeds are sown in a common box and sprinkled with wet soil. Then they are covered with foil and sent to a dark, warm place. After 7-12 days, shoots appear, then the box is rearranged on the windowsill.

With the appearance of the first true leaf, amaranth seedlings dive into pots. He tolerates a transplant well, so there should be no problems.

After the threat of frost has passed (in late May or early June), the seedlings are planted in a permanent place.

Growing amaranth by direct sowing

The 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 growing. If you need powerful plants, with a large number of panicles and seeds, a 70x30 cm scheme is used.If preference is given to delicate greenery, then you can thicken the planting and use the 15x15 cm scheme.

For those who decide to plant a large area with amaranth, it will be more convenient to mix seeds with sand, ash or sawdust in a ratio of 1:20, sow in rows, and then thin out. It is not worth deepening the seeds too much, it is enough to sprinkle them with a layer of soil of 1-2 centimeters 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 little blades will soon turn into powerful tall bushes. Therefore, you need to periodically weed the garden bed, mulch with mowed grass in order to prevent drying out, if you wish, you can feed it with mullein and ash infusion (or liquid fertilizer from grass).

Starting from the second month, amaranth starts to grow rapidly and adds 5-7 centimeters per day. Now he himself is able to drown out any weed, and all that he needs from the gardener is regular watering.

Amaranth is cut for greens when it reaches a height of 20-25 centimeters. After cutting off the tops, new shoots begin to grow from the lateral sinuses.

Seeds ripen in early September. At this time, the panicles begin to turn brown, and the lower leaves dry out and fall off. Amaranth seeds ripen unevenly and crumble very quickly, so it is preferable to cut the panicles in advance and dry in a dark place. At the same time, the seeds ripen perfectly.

Amaranth varieties

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

Valentine... An excellent early vegetable variety with a lot of shoots along the entire length of the stem. The leaves and stems are purple, the flowers are erect purple. Seeds are translucent, light brown, with a red border. It grows in height up to 1.7 meters. Ripening period of leaves 45-60 days, seeds - 110-120 days.

Giant... A fodder variety that can be grown for grain. The leaves are dark green, the flowers are red or yellow, the seeds are white disc-shaped. It grows in height 1.6-1.9 meters. The period from germination to seed ripening is 115-127 days.

Sturdy... Early ripening vegetable variety, grown for the sake of fresh herbs. The leaves are green, juicy and delicate, the flowers are brown with red spots. Seeds are light yellow. It reaches a height of 1.3-1.4 meters. The growing season is 70-80 days.

White list (White Leaf). Vegetable dwarf 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 delicious.This variety can be grown on a windowsill in winter.

Kharkiv-1... A versatile variety, one of the best for grain cultivation. 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 in color, very juicy and tender. 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 period is 90-100 days.

Helios... Grain early ripening variety. Light yellow leaves with orange veins, erect orange panicles, white grain. It can grow up to 1.5-1.7 meters high. 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. Inflorescence is a straight panicle of yellow-green color, when ripe it turns red. Seeds are round, light yellow. Plants reach 1.2-1.6 meters in height. Grain ripening period 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, this is an ornamental amaranth, which is grown for 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.