Amaranth , also called amaranth, is a plant with versatile use. It looks great in a flower bed and in a pot, is suitable as a cut flower and is a he althy substitute for cereals. Find out more about the properties of amaranth and the popularspecies and varieties of amaranthrecommended for growing in the garden. We advisehow to grow amaranthand how to propagate your favorite varieties of these plants on your own.
Amaranth, amaranth
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What does amaranth look like?
"Amaranth is an annual plantbelonging to the Amaranthaceae family.Over 100 species of amaranth have been distinguished. The name amaranth comes from Greek. amárant and means a flower that never fades. In their natural state, amaranths are common in the Americas, Asia and Africa. Amaranth, known as the Gold of the Incas, was an important element of the menu of the indigenous people of South America. Amaranth seed flour was used in baking, the grain was used to make beer, and the fresh leaves were used as a vegetable salad. "
Depending on the species and varietyamaranths can reach up to 2 to 3 m in heightThe erect stem is covered with egg-shaped leaves at the bottom and lanceolate at the top. Small, inconspicuous flowers gathered in dense spikes appear on the tops of the shoots.
The ornamental varieties available from usmainly belong to three species of amaranth : paniculate, pendulous and tricolor. In ruderal areas and fields, you can also come acrossrough amaranth, which is the bane of farmers
Amaranth - properties and application
The grain of amaranth is called the grain of the 21st century . The seeds are a valuable source of nutrients, and the flour obtained from them is a substitute for people suffering from celiac disease. The shops also offer groats and roasted amaranth seeds.
These plants have an extremely beneficial effect not only on humans, but also on the environment.Amaranth absorbs twice as much carbon dioxide as other plants . So it can be used to combat the greenhouse effect.
Seeds and flowers of pendulous amaranth
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The seeds of amaranth can be used to obtain squalene , which helps counteract coronary heart disease and delays the aging process. In the past, this compound was obtained only from the pituitary glands of sharks and whales. By extracting squalene from amaranth, it may be possible to save these amazing sea creatures.
Amaranth plants grown in the gardenare excellent border plants. They also look good in compositions with species associated with rural gardens, such as: garden hell, forget-me-not, nasturtium or delphinium. Amaranths also work well in pot cultivation and as a cut flower, used for fresh and dry bouquets.
Greyscale for fresh flower arrangementsis harvested when half of the flowers are unfolded. Plants are uprooted and placed in water for several hours. Then the roots are removed. Prepared in this way, they stay fresh for 5-7 days.
We pick plants for dry bouquets after setting the seeds. Before drying, you need to remove the leaves from the inflorescence shoots. Dry tied in bunches, with the inflorescences down.
Szarłat - species and varieties
Below we present several species of amaranth that are available in interesting garden varieties. Depending on their size, they can be grown in flower beds or in containers.
pendulous amber
Pendid Amaranth(Amaranthus caudatus) - native to Asia, it reaches 60-200 cm in height and 50 cm in width. Erect, highly branched shoots are covered with large leaves with clearly distinguished veins. Depending on the variety, the stem can take different shades of purple. The pride of this species are dense spikes, resembling fox tails, in an intense purple, maroon and even white color. Fruits are bags containing edible black, edible seeds.
Amaranthus caudatus
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Manyvarieties of pendulous amaranthis characterized by extremely original inflorescences in beautiful colors. Some of them are:
Pendulous amber 'Fat Spike'- plants with dense, raised, thick ears of a deep reddish purple color. The variety is characterized by a compact and dense habit.
Amaranth pendulous 'Golden Giant'- a variety with lush, arched, golden inflorescences. It is grown as a cereal plant.
Amaranth 'Grünschwantz'- plants grow up to 80 cm in height. The pride of the variety are hanging fox putties in a pale shade of green.
Amber 'Tower Green'- it works perfectly both as an addition to fresh and dried bouquets … Green, dense and raised ears resemble a column - hence the name of the variety.
Amaranth 'Ribbons and Beads'- variety suitable for flower beds and for growing in containers decorating the terrace. It grows up to 2 m in height. It is decorated with dark red dangling inflorescences forming characteristic pompoms.
Amaranth 'Viridis Green Cascade'- this is a green variety of dangling amaranth. Lime blooms that turn cream with age form profuse tassel-like panicles. They reach a length of 60 cm.
Amaranth pendulous 'Atropurpureus'- plants grow up to 120 cm in height.Purple, dangling inflorescences are not the only decoration of this variety. The large purple leaves are equally decorative.
Tricolor amber
Amaranth tricolor(Amaranthus tricolor) - grows up to 80 cm high and has a shrubby habit. The decoration of this species is not inflorescences, but interesting foliage. Crimped, folded leaf blades are yellow, green, red, orange and brown. They can also be multi-colored. Small, greenish flowers appearing in summer have no decorative value.
Amaranth tricolor
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The most beautiful varieties of tricolor amaranth:
Tricolor amber 'Early Splendor'- has beautiful brown-green leaves that turn red with time. This variety is perfect for fringes, adding color when other plants have already faded.
Tricolor amber 'Illumination'- the lower leaves of the plants are green-brown, and the upper leaves are pink-red with yellow edges.
Amaranth 'Perfecta'- this variegated variety is characterized by green-maroon lower leaves and yellow-red upper leaves.
Amber 'Yellow'- the lower leaves are green and the upper leaves are bright, yellow-green.
Szarłat panchowaty
Amaranth paniculat , also known as Amaranthus paniculatus, grows up to 150 cm in height. It produces raised, highly branched shoots covered with large leaves, sometimes turning purple in color. The sumptuous ears of the inflorescences are erect and are often used as cut flowers. They appear in July.
Amaranth paniculatus
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Among the interesting varieties of amaranth paniculate, it is worth mentioning:
Amaranth paniculata 'Autumn Palette'- bushy variety with amazing fox-colored inflorescences (orange-golden).
'Marvel Bronze'- has purple leaves and darker panicles of inflorescences.
Amaranth paniculate 'Foxtail'- is a showy variety with beautiful, red-purple erect tassels and brown-red leaves.
Rough amber
Rough amaranth(Amaranthus retroflexus) commonly occurs in Poland, growing over wastelands, meadows, roadsides and clearings. As a nuisance weed, it appears in root crops, legumes, maize and cereals. This species, depending on the conditions, reaches a height of 30 to even 130 cm in height. The plant forms a strong tap root, thanks to which it is resistant to water shortages.
Single, erect, thickstalk of rough amaranthis covered with egg-shaped, serrated leaves, the underside of which is maroon.The entire plant, including the inflorescence, is roughly hairy. In summer, pale green paniculate inflorescences form at the top of the stem.
Numerousseeds of rough amaranthare dispersed by the wind over long distances. Their service life reaches up to 40 years. Due to its expansiveness, this species of amaranth is not recommended for gardens.
Amaranth retroflexus
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Szarłat, amaranth - cultivation
Amaranths are thermophilic plants , and the position for them should be quiet and sunny. They prefer light, well-drained soils. The recommended soil pH for amaranths is 6.0-6.5. Only the amaranth tricolor has higher requirements and needs fertile and humus-rich soil for optimal growth.
Plants respond favorably to organic fertilization, so they can be fed with vermicompost or mature compost. It is also worthfertilize amaranths with calcium nitratestiffening their stems, which is especially important for tall varieties.
Grays need regular watering(even daily). This is especially true for plants grown in containers.To stimulate the blooming of amaranths, you can pinch off the tops of growth . Tall varieties should be grown near the supports.
Amaranth - reproduction
Reproduce the greyhounds by sowing seedsThe seeds are sown in April in a warm inspectorate. The boxes or pots are filled with the substrate for the production of seedlings or with garden soil mixed with vermiculite in a ratio of 1: 1. After sowing, the boxes are covered with glass or foil to maintain adequate humidity. We place them in a bright place, but not directly in the sun. Remember to air the plants frequently to avoid fungal diseases.
Amaranth seeds germinate at a temperature of 12-18 ° CWhen 2-3 leaves develop, pluck the seedlings into single pots. About 14 days before planting in a permanent place, start hardening the plants.
The amaranth seedlings should be planted in the ground in the second half of May , when the risk of frost has passed. Recommendedspacing for planting amaranthsis 40-60x60 cm (spacing between plants in a row from 40 to 60 cm and spacing between rows 60 cm).
We can alsosow amaranth seedsdirectly into the ground, but only in the second half of May, when the risk of frosts is over.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
