Amaranth, Rio San Lorenzo

Amaranth, Rio San Lorenzo, Amaranthus sp., 4in Potted Plant, Organic, heirloom, GMO Free

4in Potted Plant

Name: Amaranth, Rio San Lorenzo
Scientific Name: Amaranthus sp.
Family: Amaranthaceae

Rio San Lorenzo amaranth can be grown both for its leafy greens and its seeds for grain. Growing quite tall, up to 8 feet, it is easy to get a good harvest. This plant also makes a great warm season ornamental plant due to its pink and cream seed heads. Seeds from amaranth plants have also been traditionally used to make sweets, and is high in protein. Because of the seeds palatability and its nutritional content, it is often used as a pseudocereal.

Origination: Mexico
Recommended Uses: Culinary, ornamental
Height: 8 ft. (2.5 m)
Hardiness: zones: USDA 7-10
Flower Color: Marbled Pink-red and yellow-gold
Maturity: 100 Days

Growing Instructions: Start indoors 30 days before last expected frost date or direct sow after danger of frost has passed. Space plants 1.5 to 2 ft., plant in full sun, and water moderately. Amaranth adapts to most soils, but does best if it is fertile and well-draining.
The leaves can be eaten fresh when young, or older leaves may be prepared like spinach.

The seeds will be ready for harvest when they readily fall from the flower heads, they should be hard when bitten and not doughy. For easy harvest, when the weather and seed heads are dry, gently bend them over a container or bucket and clip them off. The seeds can then be separated by gently rubbing them, and separating them from the chaff which is easily cleared using blowing/wind. Using a seed screen is recommend as it can speed up the seed cleaning process but is not required.