Garden flower Amaranth: characteristics and care of the plant

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Amaranth (Amaránthus) is a predominantly herbaceous annual plant with more than a hundred species. It grows in tropical and subtropical areas with a warm and temperate climate. The amaranth plant is used for ornamental , food and medicinal purposes.

Amaranth grass: height, reproductive capacity and other characteristics

On the territory of Russia, 12 varieties of this flowering plant grow, most of which are among the malicious weeds.

  • Family: Amaranth.
  • Origin: South America.
  • Rhizome:
  • Stem: erect, powerful, branched, juicy. The height of amaranth can reach 150 cm.
  • Leaves: elongated, stalked, ovate, mostly green or purple-green, arranged alternately on the stem.
  • Flowers and fruits: the flowers are very small, collected in complex drooping or straight inflorescences, the fruit is a rounded box.
  • Reproductive capacity: by seeds
  • Illumination: photophilous, tolerates a weak shadow.
  • Watering: moistening during the heat period is moderate.
  • Content temperature: in summer + 18-22ºС, when grown in a greenhouse 16-20ºС.
  • Flowering time: June to September.

What does an amaranth flower look like

Amaranth flower is a very unpretentious plant, therefore, as a rule, there are no special difficulties with its cultivation.

All types of soil are suitable for its planting, the plant normally tolerates dry periods and low temperatures.

Amaranth flower, the photo of which can be seen below, is grown in many countries. There are ornamental and vegetable varieties of this crop.

Decorative species of this plant that can decorate any flower garden , include varieties:

Caudate.

Sad.

Tricolor.

Paniculate.

Such an agricultural crop as vegetable amaranth is able to provide a bountiful harvest of seeds that contain complete protein, superior in quality and composition to cow’s milk. Of particular value is the oil from the seeds of this plant, which is used for culinary purposes. Also, amaranth grass has a lot of useful properties that are widely used in medicine.

The yield of amaranth is very high, each adult plant produces about 500 thousand seeds, the weight of 2500 pieces of such seeds weighs 1 g. Depending on the variety, the seeds may have a purple-red or green color. Seed germination lasts up to four years, depending on the correct storage conditions.

The history of amaranth: eating and other interesting facts

Many people know what amaranth looks like, although only a few know the name of this plant, often flashing in front gardens and gardens. Even fewer people know what a dramatic and ancient history it can boast of. It is known that even the Ancient Aztecs used it to feed their newborn children. The seeds of the amaranth plant served as a source of strength, health and sanity to the Aztec warriors who went on long, difficult campaigns.

The Aztecs and Incas ate amaranth, revered it not only as a food and medicinal culture, but also as a sacred one. Celebrations were held in his honor, there was even a cult of amaranth, involving human sacrifice.

In Asia, this plant as a grain and vegetable crop is very popular among the tribes of Pakistan, India, China and Nepal. In the mountainous regions of Nepal and India, tailed amaranth is especially popular. Another interesting fact about amaranth is that its seeds are soaked in milk and cooked like popcorn.

The seeds and fruits of amaranth were brought to Europe by the Spaniards, who positioned it as an ornamental plant. Starting from the 18th century, it began to be cultivated as a high-yielding cereal and fodder crop. Soon the popularity of amaranth increased so much that in 1653 the Swedish Queen Christina Augusta founded the Order of Knights of Amaranth.

The plant, whose other names sound like shiritsa, axamirnik, cat’s tail, cockscombs, velvet, came to the territory of present-day Russia almost three centuries later and now grows in many of its areas due to its unpretentiousness.

Photos of the amaranth plant presented below demonstrate all its unusualness and beauty:

The use of seeds, fruits, roots and leaves of the amaranth plant

The plant is rightfully considered unique, since absolutely all its parts (roots, stems, leaves, seeds, fruits) are extremely nutritious and valuable. The seeds of the plant are most valued, because the amount of protein in them exceeds soy and wheat. Due to the high content of essential amino acids, it is a very important product for people who do not eat meat for medical reasons or personal beliefs.

The characteristic of amaranth as a medicinal plant is very voluminous, as it is able to cure many ailments and improve health. The composition of the leaves, flowers and stems of this plant includes such important substances for the human body as serotonin, steroids, bile acids, choline, B vitamins, vitamins E and D, pantothenic acid, etc.

The leaves of the plant are a rich source of carotenes and are also used as an antioxidant and antacid.

The shoots of the plant contain up to 10% Ca, they contain a lot of vitamins C and A, iron, manganese, magnesium, zinc and fiber.

This product, which has a high nutritional value, is used in the treatment of many diseases, namely:

  • diseases of the cardiovascular and central nervous system;
  • with colds and skin diseases;
  • in germinated form, seeds are especially useful in oncological pathologies;
  • leaves help to improve the condition in diabetes mellitus, frigidity, impotence, enuresis.

In addition, amaranth leaves are often used in the preparation of salads, soups and borscht, they serve as an excellent seasoning for various pickles and marinades.

Amaranth grass, the photo of which is shown below, is an excellent food for pets, thanks to its use they remain cheerful and cheerful even in old age:

Amaranth roots are used to make healthy compost rich in vitamins and minerals.

From the seeds of this plant, an excellent flour is obtained with a rich vitamin and mineral composition. It does not contain gluten, has found wide application in the preparation of sauces, cereals, unsweetened dough for baking bread. Flour from the seeds of this plant is an indispensable food product for young children, pregnant and lactating women.

Oil from the seeds of this plant can replace any vegetable oil. It can be added to pastries, fried on it, used for cooking first courses. But best of all, amaranth oil shows its taste in salads, since heat treatment changes its taste and reduces its usefulness.

Growing amaranth in the garden

Growing amaranth in the garden is quite simple. The only condition that should certainly be met when choosing a place for his landing is that he likes to be warm and light. Therefore, the place where this flower grows must be protected from drafts and cold winds.

The plant is not demanding on the soil, although it prefers a light nutrient soil with a high lime content. Does not tolerate high acidity of the soil and its excessive moisture. It blooms almost all summer, inflorescences, cut and dried at the end of August, can retain their beauty until spring.

There are several ways to grow garden amaranth from seeds. If you need the plant to bloom as early as possible (already at the end of May), then you need to sow seeds for seedlings in March. In this case, the placement of seedlings should be very light and warm enough. Plants are planted in the ground after the threat of frost has passed, after hardening the seedlings.

If there is no free space on the windowsill, it is quite possible to sow seeds for seedlings in a greenhouse, only do this in mid-April. Seedlings in a greenhouse, as a rule, appear already on the 4-6th day. They are sown directly in open ground in May, while seedlings should be expected no earlier than in 12-18 days.

Sowing seeds in the ground should not be too deep. At the same time, it should be moist and well loosened, but even. If the soil temperature is below 14ºС, the seeds will not germinate.

Care for amaranths (video with recommendations can be viewed below) consists in regular weeding and loosening of the soil, moderate watering. 2 weeks after planting, seedlings need to be fed with mullein solution or complex fertilizer .

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