‘Guarijio / Warihio’ (Seed Amaranth)

Ref: AMAR_HY_HYBR_001

Common Name: Amaranth / Αmarante / Βλύτα

Scientific Name: Am.hypochondriacus X Am. hybridus

Plant’s cycle: Annual

Light Requirement: Full Sun, it cannot grow in the shade.

Soil type: all soil types, well-drained.

Sowing in nursery: in April

Direct Planting: Mid May to beginning June

Germination: 3–5 days after sowing

Harvest: 40 - 60 days for leaves, 120 -150 days for seeds.

Spacing: 15cm/20cm/1cm deep  

Flowers are Monoecious, (flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant)

Pollination: cross pollinated by wind

Plant is Self-Fertile

Seed preservation: 10 years

Edible Parts: Leaves; Seed.

Other Uses: Dye

Medicine: Antidiarrhoeal;  Astringent

Known Hazards: When grown on nitrogen-rich soils they are known to concentrate nitrates in the leaves. This is especially noticeable on land where chemical fertilizers are used. Nitrates are implicated in stomach cancers, blue babies and some other health problems. It is inadvisable, therefore, to eat this plant if it is grown inorganically.