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Amaranthus tricolor. Callaloo Amaranth seeds are grown all over the Caribbean to cultivate baby leaves for the dish known as Callaloo. There are many regional variations to this dish of cooked greens, some with spicy peppers added, some with meat or fish. Callaloo Amaranth makes excellent micro-greens, but we grow them to the immature size of about 30cm (12") tall, while the leaves are still tender. Left to grow to full maturity, the plants will develop elegant, dangling flower clusters just like our Green Tails. The flowers and seeds are also edible, but may end up in a vase instead.
Matures in 40-60 days. (Open-pollinated seeds)
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Latin
Latin
Amaranthus sp. (Many species are edible).
Family: Amaranthaceae
Difficulty
Difficulty
Easy.
We Recommend
We Recommend: Burgundy Grain Amaranth (MU551). This variety has very tasty, nutritious immature leaves, but can also be grown to produce grain – and it is very productive in this respect.
Season
Season: Warm season. Amaranth is very much a summer crop.
Exposure: Full sun. Amaranth needs a nice hot summer for its entire growth period of 40-50 days.
Timing
Timing
Direct sow in late spring, once night time temperatures are steadily above 10°C (50°F). Optimal soil temperature for germination: 18-24°C (65-75°F).
Starting
Starting
Sow seeds 5mm (¼”) deep in well drained soil in full sun. Seeds should germinate in 4 to 10 days. Thin seedlings to 25-35cm (10-14″) apart in rows 50cm (20″) apart.
Days to Maturity
Days to Maturity
From direct sowing.
Growing
Growing
Ideal pH: 6.0-7.5. Keep moist until germinated, and then simply keep the area weeded.
Harvest
Harvest
Pick baby or mature greens as needed. Simply cut them with scissors as one would with mescluns. The leaves have an appealing, nutty flavour. If growing for seed, choose A. hypochondriacus and provide ample spacing. Seed will ripen in late summer or early fall. Watch for birds visiting the plants. Rub the flower heads between your hands over a bucket or tray. Doing this into paper yard waste bags works well. If the seeds do not fall easily, leave the plants for one more week and try again.
Seed Info
Seed Info
In optimum conditions at least 70% of seeds will germinate. Usual seed life: 3 years. Per 100′ row: 1.5M seeds, per acre: 392M seeds.
Diseases & Pests
Diseases & Pests
Watch for slug/snail damage to young plants. Amaranth is not prone to pest damage.
Companion Planting
Companion Planting
Plant with corn to shade the soil and retain water. Amaranth attracts beneficial predatory ground beetles.
More on Companion Planting.
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For over 35 years, we have upheld our strong reputation as a leading seed supplier, seeking out the highest quality untreated seeds for organic growing and putting them through rigorous independent testing. We built our company on the exchange of generational wisdom in a masterclass community of newbies and masters alike. Our world may have changed, but our commitment to our people, our customers, and our planet has not.
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At West Coast Seeds we believe in the power of small and that little can be large. Like the tiniest seed germinates to evoke incremental change with massive potential, so to can our community of gardeners and growers together. Gardeners are the earth’s stewards, planting seeds of creative declaration. The soil provides the canvas, we provide the seeds.
Direct sow in late spring, once night time temperatures are steadily above 10°C (50°F). Optimal soil temperature for germination: 18-24°C (65-75°F).
Sow 5mm (1⁄4”) deep in well drained soil in full sun. Thin to 25-35cm (10-14”) apart. Seeds germinate in 4-10 days, depending on conditions.
Ideal pH: 6.0-7.5.
Keep moist until germinated, and then simply keep the area weeded.
Days to maturity: From direct sowing.
In optimum conditions at least 70% of seeds will germinate. Per 100’ row: 1.5M seeds, per acre: 392M seeds.
Pick baby or mature greens as needed. Simply cut them with scissors as one would with mescluns. The leaves have an appealing, nutty flavour.
If growing for seed, choose A.hypochondriacus and provide ample spacing. Seed will ripen in late summer or early fall. Rub the flower heads between your hands over a bucket or tray. Doing this into paper yard waste bags works well. If the seeds do not fall easily, leave the plants for one more week and try again.
Amaranth attracts beneficial predatory ground beetles.
