Amaranth is millet, the plant height is about 80- 150 cm, the stem is stout, the color is green or red, and it is often branched. Amaranth leaves are ovoid, rhombic, ovoid or lanceolate, with blunt or sharp tips, wedge-shaped bases and entire or wavy edges. Amaranth flower clusters are spherical, mixed with male and female flowers, and bracts and bracteoles are ovate-lanceolate. Amaranth seeds are nearly round or obovate, and the color is black or dark brown.
Amaranth originated in India and was introduced to China as early as 10 century. Now it is distributed in South Asia, Central Asia, East Asia and other places, and cultivated all over China. Amaranth likes warm, humid and sunny climate conditions, and avoids high humidity, summer heat and stagnant water. Strong drought and alkali tolerance, not cold tolerance. It is best to use fertile and loose clay.
Planting method of amaranth
1, sowing time
Amaranth likes warmth, and its seeds can germinate and grow in the temperature environment above 10- 12℃. If the temperature exceeds 35℃, it will adversely affect its germination and growth. Therefore, it is generally best to sow amaranth in March-April in spring, when the climate is most conducive to germination and growth.
2. Land selection and preparation
Amaranth is best sown in sandy loam with flat terrain, loose and fertile soil and convenient irrigation and drainage. Before planting, some decomposed organic fertilizer and phosphorus and potassium fertilizer should be applied to the soil cm, and then the soil should be deeply turned into ridges with ridge height 10cm and ridge width1m.
Step 3 sow correctly
Amaranth seeds are relatively small. When sowing, you can mix their seeds with fine sand evenly, and then sow them directly in the soil and cover them with a thin layer of soil. Amaranth should be watered properly after sowing to keep the soil slightly wet, and it will emerge and grow in a few days.