What’s Eating My Amaranth?
What’s Eating My Amaranth? Something’s eating the tender shoots. When this much of the shoot gets eaten, there’s not enough energy in the plant to recover.
Not much left her for the plant to recover
I confess I planted Amaranth because the description on the seed packet sounded so enticing. “Elegant burgundy plumes add rich color to the back of a border. Striking maroon leaves in fall. Blooms summer to fall, 5′-8′ tall.” <Click to ORDER THESE SEEDS> Well I’m off to a slow start. About half my shoots have the leaves chewed off.
I suspect sow bugs did this damage
And I have yet to catch any critters feasting on them. They took weeks to germinate. I guess the soil wasn’t warm enough. A few have escaped being eaten.
Tender shoot after the rain
Fingers crossed I get that burgundy border! There is really no back to my garden so I planted them along the driveway. If they make it, I could harvest “seeds very high in protein and other nutrients that cook like rice or pop like popcorn, or pick the leaves when very young for salad or steaming.” I’m afraid I’m not going to have enough young leaves to sacrifice in a salad. I’m hoping for that burgundy plume.
Update 10/4/15 – I had much more success in 2013 with Amaranth! Watch Summer Garden Update Part 1! Also, broadcast Diatomaceous Earth (DE) powder around your shoots to protect them from sow bugs. Reapply after rain or watering.
Please let me know what you would like to see on Late Bloomer in Season 5, more of what’s growing in my front yard, or more interviews with other people, or both? Thanks for your continued support! I am grateful. – Kaye
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Category: Critters, Pests, Vegetables, Warm Season
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