Amaranth Tricolor

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Amaranth tricolor (Latin Amaranthus tricolor) - another bright representative of the Amaranth genus of the Amaranth family. In nature, it grows in the southern part of Asia and the islands located between Australia and Asia (including the Indian subcontinent, the island of Sri Lanka and the Himalayas). The species is decorative, very interesting, it is actively cultivated by gardeners on their personal backyard plots.

Characteristics of culture

Amaranth tricolor is represented by annual plants up to 1.5 m in height with erect dense leafy stems, forming pyramidal bushes during growth, which are covered with wavy, ovoid or elongated foliage of an unusual tricolor color. Thanks to this feature, the species in question received such a name. It should be noted that the tricolor foliage gives the plant a special charm and attractiveness.

Yellow, green and red colors make the plant one of the most popular. It has everything - harmony, brightness and other positive aspects, in fact, forcing the plant to select the best site. The flowering of amaranth tricolor is no less bright, and even plentiful. It is observed, by the way, all summer, from the second decade of July to the coldest days (in different regions, the dates vary up or down).

Common forms and varieties

Today this species is represented by several amazing forms. Among them, the form f should be noted. splendens, characterized by dark green foliage with brownish specks. Equally attractive is the form called var. salicifolius, its distinctive feature is wavy narrow green-bronze leaves. Another form is var. rubriviridis, it has reddish-purple leaves covered with green spots. And finally, form f. ruber, it is represented by plants that form blood-red foliage. As you can see, all forms are quite unusual in color. The varieties are no less unusual.

So, from the varieties presented on the garden market, the Illumination variety can be noted. It is characterized by medium-sized vigorous plants covered with large tricolor foliage bearing yellow, red-orange and bronze foliage. Also recognized were the varieties Aurora and Early Splendour. They are actively cultivated in the southern regions of Russia, less often in the Middle Lane, but only under favorable climatic conditions, because the cold is not reflected in their growth and development in the best way. They do not like the listed varieties and cold winds, which can break the stems.

Growing features

Amaranth tricolor is grown by sowing seeds in open ground. By the way, this species, in fact, like other representatives of the genus, is not too picky about soils, although moderately moist, fertile and light soils are welcome. Sowing can be carried out both before winter and in early spring. Before sowing, amaranth seeds are mixed with fine-grained sand. Seeds are sown to shallow grooves, the distance between which should be 50-60 cm. Thinning is carried out with the emergence of seedlings. Too dense crops are highly undesirable.

For active growth and development, seedlings must be regularly watered, weeded and loosened. The second operation is very important, since weeds can suppress cultivated plants, because at first amaranth grows slowly, throwing its strength into the formation of the root system. Amaranth tricolor enters the active growth phase approximately in the first decade of June, at the same time it forms dense inflorescences. Caring for adult plants is reduced to standard procedures. Top dressing is also needed. The first is carried out when preparing the soil for sowing, humus and a complex of mineral fertilizers are introduced into it, the second - two weeks after the emergence of shoots with a mullein solution.