Siderata – the excellent decision for those gardeners who want to receive natural fertilizer without special efforts and expenses. From numerous plants-sideratov the amaranth is allocated.
Amaranth history
The history of its cultivation is traced from civilization of Aztecs for whom the amaranth, along with beans and maize, was the main grain culture. For Aztecs the seeds of amaranth were also important food product, and "rated coin". They were appreciated not less gold. It was possible to pay in them taxes to the emperor, to render gifts to deities, to raise newborns and to treat serious illnesses.
Uautli, as Indians still called amaranth, was used also in many ceremonies. Figures of gods of rain for the Festival of descent of water, the image of mountains for the Holiday of mountains were made of amarantovy flour or paste, in some sacred rituals of figure did with addition of honey and sacrificial blood. It has also served subsequently, at emergence in the Mexican territories of the Spanish conquerors and the power of Catholic church, as the reason of universal destruction of amaranth and the most strict ban on its cultivation. The amaranth has been announced by "plant of devil" and as for its cultivation and use death threatened, for several centuries is forgotten. Today the amaranth revives not only as valuable food culture, but also as ornamental plant, and as plant-siderata.
Amaranth – fine siderat. It improves fertility of the soil, saturates it with nitrogen, stimulates activity of soil microorganisms. The native of Central and South America, amaranth successfully grows also in many European countries. At us this unpretentious plant with centuries-old history is called shchiritsa and also cock combs, cat's tail, subbeetroot soup, barkhatnik and aksamitnik.
Cultivation of amaranth
As the amaranth is culture one-year, grow up it annual crops of seeds the open ground at once after beds are exempted from early cultures — garden radish, cauliflower, broccoli, siliculose haricot, green peas. As plant unpretentious, he does not demand special conditions for contents, being content with any soil and the minimum watering. The plant is capable to maintain direct sunshine and short-term drought, develops at temperature of +25 … 35ºС. In spite of the fact that the amaranth is from tropical countries, short-term frosts to-3ºС to adult plants are also not terrible. When landing amaranth it is necessary to consider that some grades grow up to 3 meters high. This silnorosly plant, vegetative weight accrues quickly therefore at its use as siderat you should not allow to gather peduncles. If seeds dissipate, to get rid of plant will be difficult. The amaranth gives green material to 200 leaves on plant. It just is also necessary for cultivation of amaranth as the siderat. As soon as formation of inflorescences begins, it should be cut off, crushed and closed up to the soil till spring.