Content
Amaranth Cherry velvet is a decorative annual variety that stands out effectively from other species with its rich hue. It is highly decorative and unpretentious. Thanks to these qualities, it is widely used as an element of landscape design. In order for the plant to maintain its spectacular appearance throughout the season, you need to know the peculiarities of its planting and the rules of cultivation.
Cherry velvet is one of the representatives of the paniculate species
Breeding history
The species was obtained as a result of painstaking selection work. Who is its originator and what species became the basis is not known for certain. The widespread occurrence of the species makes it impossible to trace its origin.
Description of amaranth Cherry velvet
Varieties Cherry velvet is a herbaceous plant, the height of which varies between 70-150 cm, depending on growing conditions. The stems are powerful and erect.The leaves are elongated, ovoid, with an elongated apex. The plates have a bottle or dark green tint, depending on the light level of the plant. Its shoots are densely covered with foliage.
The inflorescences of the amaranth flower of the Cherry Velvet variety, as seen in the photo, are apical, pyramidal, growing vertically with spike-shaped pointed branches. They have a rich, deep cherry hue with a purple tint. The apical spike confidently rises above the lateral ones. The linear awl-shaped bracts of amaranth are larger than the perianth with lanceolate lobes.
After pollination of flowers, transversely opening capsule fruits appear, containing small seeds up to 1.5 mm in size. When ripe they are brownish-red in color.
The root system is taprooted and fibrous, which allows the annual plant to withstand even prolonged drought.
This variety has inflorescences up to 40 cm long.
Taste qualities
Amaranth of this variety is a purely ornamental plant and is used only for aesthetic purposes. It should not be confused with vegetable crops, which are widely used in cooking. Therefore, there is no need to talk about its taste.
Timing and flowering period
The flowering period begins in the first ten days of July and continues until September. If there are favorable weather conditions, decorative amaranth can bloom before the onset of frost.
Methods of application
Amaranth as an element of landscape design. The annual plant is widely used for landscaping areas and local areas.It is also possible to use it as a dried flower, because its inflorescences retain their decorative effect and bright color for a long period even after drying.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The variety has high natural immunity. The plant does not suffer from diseases, which greatly simplifies its care.
Of the pests, only aphids and weevils can cause damage to it. Therefore, if alarming signs of damage appear, it is necessary to treat the amaranth with Twix or Fufanon. A one-time spraying of the above-ground part is sufficient.
Advantages and disadvantages
This decorative variety of amaranth has many advantages, which is why it is so popular among professionals and amateur gardeners. However, Cherry velvet also has some disadvantages that need to be taken into account when choosing it.
The variety is prone to self-seeding
Main advantages:
- unpretentiousness;
- high life potential;
- accelerated growth rate;
- long flowering;
- the possibility of using seeds for sowing;
- versatility of application;
- good compatibility with other garden crops;
- drought resistance.
Flaws:
- places increased demands on the soil;
- needs good lighting;
- capable of spreading uncontrollably in the area.
Features of growing amaranth Cherry velvet
To successfully grow an annual plant on a personal plot, it is necessary to plant it taking into account the requirements of the crop. It is also important to ensure proper care for her in the future.
How to plant amaranth Cherry velvet
For the plant, you need to choose open sunny areas, protected from cold gusts of wind. It is also worth considering that Cherry Velvet amaranth prefers loose, nutritious soil with a neutral acidity level.
Well-drained loams are the best option.
Planting can be done by seedlings and direct sowing in open ground. In the first case, it is possible to obtain strong amaranth seedlings by the beginning of the season, which allows for faster flowering.
To obtain timely seedlings, it is necessary to prepare a wide container with drainage holes, no more than 10 cm high. It must be filled with a nutritious loose substrate consisting of turf, sand, humus and peat in a ratio of 2:1:1:1.
Before sowing, the soil must be well watered and its surface leveled. After this, you should spread the amaranth seeds Cherry velvet at a distance of 1.5 cm and sprinkle with a 0.5 cm layer of substrate. At the end of planting, the soil surface should be moistened with a spray bottle, cover the container with film or glass and transfer to a dark place, ensure the temperature is +22° C.
If all conditions are met, friendly shoots appear on the 5-6th day. After this, the container should be moved to a well-lit windowsill and the temperature should be reduced to +18-20 °C. At the stage of 2-3 true leaves, it is recommended to plant the seedlings in separate pots, using the same substrate as when sowing. You can transplant seedlings into open ground when the threat of return frosts has passed.
A distance of 40 cm must be maintained between plants; they should not be buried
Sowing amaranth directly into the ground can be done at the end of May, when the soil has warmed up sufficiently. The optimal planting depth is 1 cm.You can plant annuals in rows or directly in separate holes. After sowing, the bed should be well watered by sprinkling and covered with agrofibre. In this case, amaranth sprouts appear after a week. When they adapt well, it is recommended to remove the cover and pinch the seedlings.
At the initial stage, there is a slow growth of annual seedlings
Caring for amaranth Cherry velvet
Decorative amaranth requires regular watering at the initial stage of growth. It is recommended to carry it out in the evening, using settled water at a temperature of +20 °C. After rain and moisture, it is necessary to loosen the soil to allow air to flow to the roots of the plant.
There is no need to shape amaranth. It is enough just to cut off the wilted peduncles and remove damaged shoots that spoil the appearance of the annual.
It is recommended to fertilize three times per season:
- The first time it is necessary to fertilize it during the active growth of shoots and leaves. During this period, you can use chicken manure 1:15 or mullein 1:10.
- It is necessary to feed the annual plant a second time when flower stalks are forming. For this purpose, nitroammophoska is suitable at the rate of 1 tbsp. l. on a bucket of water.
- And after two weeks, you can carry out the third feeding of decorative amaranth, using superphosphate 30 g and potassium sulfide 25 g per 10 liters of water. Under each plant it is necessary to pour 0.5-1 liters of nutrient solution, depending on its size.
With the arrival of the first frosts, decorative amaranth dies
Application in landscape
The Cherry Velvet amaranth plant always attracts attention and cannot go unnoticed in the garden. It goes well with rock alyssum, evergreen iberis, and chickweed.
The plant looks impressive in group plantings against the backdrop of a green lawn, which allows you to create bright contrasting spots on the site that remain decorative until the onset of cold weather.
Amaranth of the Cherry Velvet variety can be planted along the fence, successfully camouflaging it, as well as in the background in multi-component compositions
Conclusion
Amaranth Cherry velvet belongs to the category of garden crops that, with minimal care, retain their decorative appearance throughout the entire season. It must be sown annually and collected seeds can be used for this. You just need to cut off the pyramidal inflorescences in a timely manner and dry them on the windowsill. If this is not done, the seeds will simply spill out onto the ground.
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