Amaranth OPOPEO Red Flower Edible Leaves & Grain Grow Microgreens Non-GMO 1500 Seeds!
Heirloom – Non GMO – 100 % pure seed
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
- Amaranth 'Opopeo'
- Amaranthus cruentus
- One of the most productive and easy to grow summer fillers you can find, this towering beauty is the best dark variety of amaranth on the market.
- The large, rich burgundy-toned stems add a unique textural quality to arrangements.
- While the underside of the leaf is dark, the top side is a dusty plum.
- Beautiful, large, red, upright flower spikes and bronze-green foliage make this Mexican heirloom a real knockout in the vegetable garden.
- Tasty leaves are tender when picked young and can be cooked like spinach.
- Easy to grow from seed.
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- Tasty. Seeds can be eaten raw, sprouted, toasted, roasted, or ground into flour for baking. Amaranth leaves have a flavor similar to spinach.
FAST FACTS
- Plant type: annual
- Seed Head: up to 20 inches (see photos)!
- Height: up to 8 feet tall!
- Site: full sun
- Days to maturity: 65-75 days
- Plant spacing: 12”
- Pinch: when 12” tall
- Edible
HOW TO GROW
- We recommend direct seeding. Amaranth can also be direct seeded into the garden once all danger of frost has passed. I direct sow many of my seeds and did so with this Amaranth!
- Start seed indoors in trays 4-6 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed.
HARVESTING/VASE LIFE
- Harvest when seed heads are about ¾ of the way open.
- Remove most of the foliage so the colorful spikes are more visible.
- Expect a vase life of 7 days.
MICROGREENS AMARANTH
- Microgreens growing instructions: Here are the basics:
- Cover the bottom of the container with an inch or two of moistened potting soil/mix or coir.
- Flatten and level it with your hand or a small piece of cardboard, taking care not to over-compress the soil.
- Scatter seeds evenly on top of the soil.
- Press gently into the soil using your hand or the cardboard.
- Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil. Dampen the surface with a mister.
- If you prefer, you can skip this step and instead cover the container with a clear lid or plastic wrap until the seeds are sprouted.
- While waiting for sprouts to appear, usually within three to seven days, use the mister once or twice daily to keep the soil moist but not wet.
- Once seeds have sprouted, remove the cover (if you've used one) and continue to mist once or twice a day.
- Microgreens need about four hours daily of direct sunlight to thrive (south facing window).
- In winter months, some may need even more. Leggy, pale greens are a sign of not enough sunlight.
- Light needs can also be satisfied with a grow light that has a low heat output — you don't want to scorch your delicate greens.
- Microgreens will be ready to harvest about two to three weeks after planting. Look for the first set of "true leaves" as a sign of readiness.
- Then grab your scissors and snip the greens just above the soil line.
HOW TO GROW AMARANTH FROM SEED
How to Grow Red Garnet Amaranth Seeds
WHEN TO PLANT AMARANTH SEEDS
Amaranth can be planted inside or outside in the Spring, but we’d recommend starting the seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost. If you decide to plant outside, wait until the soil is warm.
Amaranth needs full sun and can be grown in almost any well-drained soil besides dense clay.
HOW TO PLANT AMARANTH SEEDS
Plant your seeds about 10-12 inches apart and cover lightly with soil. They will germinate within 3-4 days if the temperatures are between 60-90 degrees F. When moving your seeds outside, sow them 1.5 to 2 feet apart. Amaranth is drought and heat resistant, so it is only necessary to water once or twice a week during dry periods. For taller plants, add fertilizer once or twice a year or add compost. Amaranth grows between 4 and 6 feet tall but with particularly rich soil with plenty of nitrogen and phosphorous, the plants can get to around 8 feet!
HOW TO HARVEST AMARANTH
Amaranth will flower until the first hard frost, so there will be plenty of seeds to harvest! Seeds from the flowers are usually ready for harvest after 3 months. To harvest, shake the flower heads and catch the falling seeds.
Please print the planting instructions. Your success and happiness is our success and happiness!