What Vegetable Is Amaranth? A Detailed Guide to Amaranth Cultivation Techniques

Amaranth, also known as Chinese amaranth, red vegetable and so on, is a common vegetable in China, generally on the market from May to August, and is deeply loved by people for its good taste, high nutritional value and low price. So what vegetable is amaranth? What cultivation techniques are there?

1. What vegetable is amaranth?

1. Amaranth is Chinese amaranth, an annual herbaceous plant of the genus Amaranthus in the family Amaranthaceae of the order Caryophyllales. Its stem is erect and stout, reaching about 100cm tall, red or green, with many branches at the top, and each branch bears green or red ovate-elliptic or lanceolate leaves that hang down and grow outward.

2. Amaranth is red vegetable, containing natural amaranth red pigment. Once steamed at high temperature or pan-fried, the red color in the vacuoles seeps out, making the whole vegetable appear red, and it tastes sweet and fragrant, and even the cooked dish is soft, smooth and sweet.

3. Amaranth is also called corn vegetable, containing rich protein, vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, iron and other nutrients easily absorbed by the human body. It has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting diuresis and removing dampness. Regular consumption can promote the growth of bones and teeth, and also promote detoxification and prevent constipation, so it is known as the “longevity vegetable”.

2. What cultivation techniques are there for amaranth?

1. Land selection and preparation: What kind of land is suitable for planting?

Amaranth is suitable for growing in an environment with loose soil, fertile soil with strong water and fertilizer retention, and slightly alkaline conditions, so when selecting land, try to choose slightly alkaline loam or sandy loam for planting. After selecting the land, deep plow the soil, apply 5000 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer per mu, dig a ditch 30cm wide and 20cm deep, and make a field bed about 1.2 m wide for later planting.

2. Seed selection and soaking: How to soak the seeds?

Select some seeds with no external damage, no disease, and full luster, then soak them in cold water for about one day, then remove and drain the water, wrap them in gauze, cover with a wet towel and place them in an environment of about 20 degrees to promote germination. After 50% of the seeds have germinated, they can be planted in the seedbed.

3. Sowing and seedling raising: How to sow?

(1) Sowing time: February to March or April to May; if in North China and Northwest China, sow from April to September.

(2) Sowing method: Evenly broadcast the seeds in the ditch, then slowly cover with soil and water lightly. If planted in spring, plant deeper; if sown in summer, plant shallower; if in winter, after sowing and covering with soil, also cover with a layer of rice straw to promote rooting.

(3) Sowing density: Generally, sowing 250-500g of seeds per mu is best.

4. Field management techniques: What are the requirements for water and fertilizer?

(1) Water requirements: Amaranth does not have high water requirements; generally, just keep the soil moist. So in summer drought, water frequently; at other times, determine the amount of watering according to the dryness and moisture of the pot soil.

(2) Fertilizer requirements: Amaranth does not have high fertilizer requirements. Generally, when the seedlings grow 3 true leaves, apply about 15 kg of ammonium fertilizer per mu, and at about 20 days, apply another 15 kg of ammonium fertilizer per mu. After harvest, apply an appropriate amount of quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer.

(3) Pest and disease control: During the growth period of amaranth, white rust, root-knot nematode disease and other pests and diseases may occur due to various factors, so preventive measures should be taken in advance. For those already affected by pests and diseases, chlorothalonil wettable powder or isofenphos-methyl emulsion can be used for control.

In general, amaranth is Chinese amaranth, red vegetable, a green leafy vegetable that exudes red color after high temperature. It not only clears heat and detoxifies, but also promotes diuresis and removes dampness, and is greatly beneficial to the body, so many people grow it. To grow amaranth well, it is necessary to do a good job in water and fertilizer, pest and disease management, and then high yield can be easily achieved.