How to Grow Amaranth? A Detailed Guide to Planting Time and Key Techniques
Amaranth, also known as green fragrant amaranth, corn vegetable, red amaranth, thousand-vegetable grain, red vegetable, scallion weed, cold vegetable, han vegetable and so on, is one of the summer vegetables that people relatively enjoy, rich in certain nutrients, especially in minerals such as iron and calcium. Amaranth is grown in all parts of our country and has the characteristics of being drought-tolerant and heat-loving. Let us take a look below at the introduction to amaranth planting time and key planting techniques.
I. Amaranth Planting Time
In northern regions, sowing generally takes place from late April to early September each year, with harvesting from late May to early October, and the growth period is generally 30-60d.
Generally, from late February to late March, it is suitable to choose early-maturing and relatively cold-tolerant varieties such as pointed-leaf red rice amaranth and pointed-leaf flower red amaranth.
From early April to late May, varieties such as red amaranth, Dahongpao, white rice amaranth and willow-leaf amaranth are suitable.
From early June to early August, for summer and autumn cultivation, it is suitable to choose relatively heat-tolerant varieties such as white rice amaranth, willow-leaf amaranth and red amaranth.
II. Key Amaranth Planting Techniques
1. Seed soaking and germination
Soak amaranth seeds in cold water for 24 hours. During the soaking process, rub and wash them several times to facilitate water absorption. In winter and early spring, remove the soaked seeds, rub and wash them clean with clear water, take them out and drain off the water, wrap them well in gauze with good air permeability, then cover with a wet towel and place them under 15-20 degrees C to promote germination. When 30-50% of the seeds show white sprouts, they can be sown. In other seasons, direct sowing is used for cultivation.
2. Land preparation and fertilization
For amaranth planting, it is advisable to choose a plot with few weeds. Although amaranth is not strict about soil requirements, soil that is loose, fertile and good at retaining fertilizer and water is preferable, and amaranth likes slightly alkaline soil. Apply 5000 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer and 50 kg of 25% compound fertilizer per mu, plough and harrow carefully, and make raised beds with a bed width of 1-1.2 m, a ditch width of 0.3 m and a ditch depth of 0.15-0.2 m.
3. Sowing method
Amaranth seeds are relatively small. Mixing in some fine sand or fine soil when sowing can make sowing more even. The seeding rate is 0.25-0.5 kg per mu. Flat beds can be broadcast-sown or drill-sown. For broadcast sowing, a four-tooth rake can be used to shallowly rake or not rake. For drill sowing, it can be slightly deeper in spring and should be shallow in summer, with light soil covering, then compacted, after which watering can begin and emergence can be awaited. In winter and early spring, add a thin layer of straw to retain moisture, then cover with a layer of plastic film for insulation. In summer, add a sunshade net.
4. Temperature management
In winter and early spring, after the amaranth emerges, remove the plastic film and covering. After watering, build a small arch shed inside the greenhouse to help with insulation. When the outside temperature is relatively low, add a layer of straw curtain over the small shed in the evening for insulation. In summer, after emergence, promptly add a sunshade net, covering early and uncovering late.
5. Water management
In winter and early spring, amaranth should be kept with constantly moist soil, watered frequently with small amounts, and watering should preferably be done in the morning on sunny days. After the seedlings are fully established, apply a 0.2% urea water solution once, and thereafter apply it once every 7-10 days to promote growth. In summer, appropriately increase the watering amount, generally watering in the morning and evening.
6. Reasonable topdressing
Amaranth needs multiple rounds of topdressing. Generally, the first fertilization is done when the seedlings have 2 true leaves, the second fertilization is done after 10-12 days, and thereafter fertilize once after each harvest. The fertilizer type is mainly nitrogen fertilizer. Each time, 1500-2000 kg of dilute human excrement and urine can be applied per mu, with 5-10 kg of urea added.