How to grow amaranth

Amaranth was originally grown as a wild vegetable in China and was loved for its delicious taste. Over time, it gradually transformed into a widely grown vegetable that is grown all over the country. The ideal sowing period for Amaranth is usually from March to April in spring. When cultivating, special attention should be paid to land preparation, seed sowing, fertilization and irrigation during the period. Let’s take a look at how to grow amaranth .

1. Growth environment requirements

Amaranth prefers warm climates and is not cold-resistant. Its most suitable growth temperature range is 23-27℃. When the temperature is below 10℃, it will become difficult for seeds to germinate. Amaranth has special requirements for light. It is easy to bolt and bloom under high temperature and short day conditions. Although it has strong drought resistance, sufficient water can make amaranth leaves softer, juicier and taste better. The soil requirements are not strict, but fertile and well-drained soil is more conducive to its growth. Planting amaranth under suitable conditions or creating a suitable environment through artificial means can promote its growth.

2. Variety selection

When planting amaranth, you can choose some high-quality varieties, such as red amaranth. This kind of amaranth is not only nutritious and bright in color, but also has a pure taste. In production, red amaranth is the most planted variety. It is early maturing and has high yield. The leaves are purple-red in the center and green on the edges. The leaves are densely packed and the plant height is between 20-50 cm.

3. Cultivation technology

Amaranth is a fast-growing leafy vegetable that can be sown and harvested multiple times during the frost-free period. When the ground temperature in the open field reaches above 10℃, you can start sowing. In the southern regions, the sowing time is around early March, while in the northern regions it is early April.

Before sowing, sufficient base fertilizer should be applied, using 2-3 tons of decomposed farmyard manure and 50 kilograms of compound fertilizer per mu of land. The land is tilled and leveled. Because amaranth seeds are small, land preparation should be done carefully. After sowing, harrow and compact the bed surface, then water it. When sowing in spring, due to the lower temperature, the seeds take about 10 days to germinate, while in summer it only takes 3-5 days.

Before Amaranth sprouts, the soil should be kept moist, and a film can be covered after sowing to keep warm and moist. The film should be removed in time after the seedlings emerge. When the seedlings grow 2-3 leaves, you can apply nitrogen fertilizer in an appropriate amount and weed in time. About 40 days after sowing, when the plants have five or six leaves, you can start thinning out and harvesting. After harvesting, fertilizer and water management should be strengthened, and harvesting can be carried out basically every day.

4. Pest and disease management

Amaranth has fewer diseases and pests, and the use of pesticides is generally not recommended for home cultivation. In production, carbendazim or thiophanate-methyl can be sprayed once a week. In summer, aphids may increase in number, and yellow boards can be hung to attract and capture aphids. In general, Amaranth is relatively simple to grow, and it is very convenient to grow and eat it yourself.

The above is an introduction to the planting methods of Amaranth. As a vegetable with good taste, Amaranth is becoming more and more popular among consumers, and more and more users want to plant it.