How to grow Amaranth?
- Latin Family: Amaranthaceae
- Latin Genus: Amaranthus
- Ease of Growing: Easy
- Growing Type: Annual
Amaranth is a high protein grain that has considerable potential as a garden scale grain crop. It is sometimes referred to as a pseudocereal (as are Buckwheat and Quinoa), as it is grown as a grain crop but isn't a member of the grass family. In some parts of the tropics the Amaranths are also important as heat tolerant potherbs (under the names Hinn Choy, Tampala, Calaloo, and others). Amaranths even find their way into the ornamental garden and some varieties are grown purely for their beauty (these too are edible). Their appearance ranges from quite attractive to downright spectacular.
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Amaranth History
In this country the Amaranths are most familiar in the form of Pigweed, a weed of gardens and disturbed soils, but in other parts of the world they are important crop plants. They reached their greatest popularity in their native South and Central America, and in Pre-Columbian times they were among the most important grain crops grown there.
Soil Preference
- PH (min/max): 5.5 - 7.0
- PH Ideal (min/max): 6.0 - 6.5
Amaranth can do well on soils that are too poor and dry for most crops. However, for a good seed crop it needs a well drained and fertile soil, similar to that for corn. It doesn't need a great deal of nitrogen or phosphorus, though it does like potassium.
How to care for Amaranth?
Amaranth is one of the most carefree crops you can grow. It is practically a weed itself, so it doesn't generally have much of a problem with weeds. In fact, the biggest problem may be differentiating crop Amaranth from weed Amaranth (the former commonly having a purplish tinge).
Water
Amaranth is relatively drought tolerant and too much water may cause the roots to rot. However for maximum production of both leaf and seed the soil should never be allowed to dry out.
Fertilizer
Amaranth grows fast and produces a lot of nutrition, so it's not surprising that it is a fairly hungry plant. It does best on a well-drained and fertile soil, similar to that for corn. If growing for seed, it will require more fertilizer than if you're growing it for leaves.
Seeds
Seed Viability: 5 - 7 years
Germination Percentage: 70.0
This is pretty simple, just treat it like a grain crop and take seed from the best plants. Amaranth is monoecious, with separate male and female flowers on the same plant. They are wind pollinated, so it's best to have only one variety growing within 1000 feet (and make sure there are no wild relatives nearby). Take seed from at least 5 plants to maintain some genetic variability.
Light
Sun: min. 6 hours daily
Amaranth is a tropical plant and thrives with full sun.
Conditions:Cool, Warm, Hot
Season:Short Season, Long Season
Storage
The seed must be thoroughly dry for storage. Small quantities can be dried in a paper grocery bag. Make sure they are properly dried before storing them, or they will get moldy. Store in an airtight container at room temperature, or in the pantry.
Storage Req: Drying
Storage Temp: 55-70°F
Storage Length: 1-360 days
The leaves could be frozen like spinach.
Storage Req: Freezer
Storage Temp: 32°F
Storage Length: 1-180 days
Problems
Amaranth Types
- Ornamental
- Leaf
- Grain
Stunning varieties for the garden or for ornamental flower arrangements.
Amaranth is the best hot weather potherb we know of. It is tasty, easy to grow, productive, fast growing and requires almost no work.
Amaranth is a high protein grain that has considerable potential as a garden scale grain crop. It is of particular interest because it can be used immediately, without any hulling, leaching or other processing.
Pests
- Spider Mites
- Flea Beetle
- Blister Beetle
- Leafhoppers
- Aphids
- Cutworms
- Tarnished Plant Bug
- Leafminers
- Slugs and snails
- Gophers
- Deer
Diseases
- Damping Off
- Alternaria Blight
Related Plants
Greens, Juicing
Sprouts
Seacale
Kohlrabi
Collards
Anise
Caraway
Cumin
Cauliflower
Culantro