Amaranthus

Home > All > Amaranthus

Climate and soil

Temperatures of 20-30 degrees celsius. Single monsoon season lasting four months from June to September. Rainfall amount 700 mm/year. Basaltic soil (black cotton soil).

Seed to plant

Packet of seeds Rs. 150/-. Plant a seed at a time an inch apart at one inch depth. Water once a day. Pack gave good harvest. First generation plant seeds just fell on the ground and produced new generations.

Timeline and harvest

Plant all year round (avoid peak summer). Ten days from seed to germination. One month from seed to first harvest. Amaranthus is self-pollinating. 10 x 7 feet area gives 1 bunch of leaves every few days once. The plant grows well in all seasons except the peak monsoon. Market rate of one season's harvest is > Rs. 600/-

Treatment

Jeevamrutha = 1 part cow dung + 1 part cow urine + 0.2 parts jaggery + 0.2 parts pulse flour and some soil. Cover, keep in shade, mix thrice a day. Incubate and use. Apply once a month.

Ecosystem function

The plants grow in hot weather as well providing fresh leaves and flowers. The deep purple-red flowers attract butterflies, bees and even birds.

Nutrition

It is a really economic source of proteins, essential amino acids, dietary fibre and minerals.

Storage

Since the plant grows all year round and grows further generations, we haven't tried to find ways to store the leaves or seeds.

Amaranthus recipes

Lal Math

Thotakoora pappu

View all recipes!