Amaranthus

The genus amaranth (Amaranthus) has more than 60 species-tender herbaceous perennial plants, usually grown as annuals. The leaves are very beautiful, variously colored; the inflorescences are bright, often drooping. Many decorative forms were obtained. Amaranth caudatus (Amaranthus caudatus) is a very common annual with long (up to 1.5 m) drooping stems, slightly branching, ending in dense long (up to 80 cm), first erect, then curved inflorescences. They look like lush tails, consisting of small, tightly fitting dark, purplish-red flowers on the peduncle. Amaranth gangeticus (A. gangeticus) - a species 90 cm tall, with scarlet-red or purple leaves with spots of different colors: yellow, green, bronze. Brushes of intensely red flowers are formed in late summer and early autumn. In a variety of this species (A. g. melancholicus) young leaves are purple, then turn dark purple with age. Dark amaranth (A hypochondriacus) - a species similar to the tailed amaranth, but with spikes of dark red flowers. Paniculate amaranth (A. paniculatus) is a species up to 2 m tall, with smooth leaves and erect chestnut-red inflorescences. Amaranth tricolor (A. tricolor) - a species with a height of 50-100 cm. The leaves are narrow-lanceolate, in various shades of yellow, pink, orange, bronze, red and other colors, which makes the plant decorative. Apical ears do not represent any decorative value.

The genus amaranth (Amaranthus) has more than 60 species-tender herbaceous perennial plants, usually grown as annuals. The leaves are very beautiful, variously colored; the inflorescences are bright, often drooping. Many decorative forms were obtained.

Amaranth caudatus (Amaranthus caudatus) is a very common annual with long (up to 1.5 m) drooping stems, slightly branching, ending in dense long (up to 80 cm), first erect, then curved inflorescences. They look like lush tails, consisting of small, tightly fitting dark, purplish-red flowers on the peduncle.

Amaranth gangeticus (A. gangeticus) - a species 90 cm tall, with scarlet-red or purple leaves with spots of different colors: yellow, green, bronze. Brushes of intensely red flowers are formed in late summer and early autumn. In a variety of this species (A. g. melancholicus) young leaves are purple, then turn dark purple with age.

Dark amaranth (A hypochondriacus) - a species similar to the tailed amaranth, but with spikes of dark red flowers.

Paniculate amaranth (A. paniculatus) is a species up to 2 m tall, with smooth leaves and erect chestnut-red inflorescences.

Amaranth tricolor (A. tricolor) - a species with a height of 50-100 cm. The leaves are narrow-lanceolate, in various shades of yellow, pink, orange, bronze, red and other colors, which makes the plant decorative. Apical ears do not represent any decorative value.

Cultivation

Amaranths are grown in the open ground and on balconies and terraces in pots and flower boxes. Use for single plantings, small groups and for cutting. A fertile, well-cultivated soil is required; it responds well to the application of organic fertilizers at the rate of 5 kg/m2. Low-fertility soils are also suitable for tailed amaranth. Plants are planted, depending on their size, at a distance of 30-50 cm from each other. The substrate for growing in a pot is 2/3 of fertile land and 1/3 of peat, with the addition of a mineral complex fertilizer at the rate of 20 g per bucket. During the period of active vegetative growth, amaranth is fed with a full mineral fertilizer in the amount of 15 g per bucket: once a month when watering plants planted in the open ground, and once every 15-20 days when watering plants in a pot, which contributes to the bright color of the foliage.

Amaranths are grown in the open ground and on balconies and terraces in pots and flower boxes. Use for single plantings, small groups and for cutting. A fertile, well-cultivated soil is required; it responds well to the application of organic fertilizers at the rate of 5 kg/m2.

Low-fertility soils are also suitable for tailed amaranth. Plants are planted, depending on their size, at a distance of 30-50 cm from each other. The substrate for growing in a pot is 2/3 of fertile land and 1/3 of peat, with the addition of a mineral complex fertilizer at the rate of 20 g per bucket. During the period of active vegetative growth, amaranth is fed with a full mineral fertilizer in the amount of 15 g per bucket: once a month when watering plants planted in the open ground, and once every 15-20 days when watering plants in a pot, which contributes to the bright color of the foliage.

Location

All types of amaranth require an open sunny place.

Temperature

Amaranths are resistant to high air temperature.

Watering

Water often and abundantly.

Care

Remove withered inflorescences and yellowed or damaged leaves.

Reproduction

In early spring, seeds are sown under glass in seedling boxes, in greenhouses. Grown seedlings are unpicked and transplanted into the ground or in separate pots until the end of the cold weather. You can sow seeds directly into the ground in May, but then the plants develop worse, and flowering occurs later.

Diseases

Aphids provoke yellowing and wilting of plants. Chemical treatment is carried out. Root decay begins in the waterlogged and warm soils. To prevent such a nuisance, use a suitable soil.

Acquisition

Seeds and ready-made seedlings in cellular containers are purchased in flower nurseries and horticultural centers. Make sure that the seeds are fresh, then you will have a guarantee of germination. Plants in seedlings should be compact, not too elongated.