Happy Urban Dirt

If we told you “turkey slime,” you would most likely take it as an insult. However, This is how the plant Amaranthus caudatus is called in Spain. You know her?

It is a plant characterized by colors, but also by the fact that it is evergreen. Do you want to know more about it? Do you know how to care for it? Here is a specific file for it.

What does Amaranthus caudatus look like?

As we said before, Amaranthus caudatus is also known as turkey mucus. However, it is not the only one: quihuicha, ataco, amaranth, purple atak, bledo, Castilla quinoa are other names under which it can be found and that they refer to the same plant.

It belongs to the amaranth family and grows quickly. But the most characteristic features are the leaves, stems and flowers.

It comes from Peru and Bolivia, although it is also known in other parts of the world (especially due to the gigantic variety of Amaranth species and several of its varieties).

Amaranthus caudate plant It consists of a central stem that can reach a height of 2-2.5 meters. In addition, it branches out into branches that may grow from the very base of the plant.

As for the root, it is not very gigantic, but rather tiny. Of course, it is divided into several lateral roots that anchor the plant to the ground.

The leaves are green, more or less long, and droop because they are skinny, and the plant itself tends to push them to that side because they are not tough. Next to them appear flowers, which almost always grow from the main stem. These are branches completely full of flowers, some even over 90 centimeters. They can be purple, gold or red, and unlike the whole shrubby plant, they will look like wisteria (without being wisteria, of course).

Caring for the Tailed Amaranth

Now that you know a little more about Amaranthus caudatus, you may find that its structure will attract attention to your garden. Would you like to have this at home? So, so that you don’t have a problem, here we leave you the main care that you should give him.

location and temperature

Amaranthus caudatus is a plant that likes to be outdoors. In fact, you need it. And that’s because this plant needs sunlight to grow properly. Now it all depends on the climate you have where you live.

For example, if you live in a place where the sun beats down (especially in the summer), it is best to place the plant in partial shade, because this way you will avoid the situation where the hours of maximum rainfall can affect the plant. Instead, If temperatures are high or even low, the best location will be full sun so the plant can feed well.

When it comes to temperature, it also adapts to what you provide it with, although if you want it to be good, you have to make sure that it does not drop below 0ºC, because even if you do not notice it a priori, the plant will die after frost.

You won’t have any problems with heat, because it tolerates high temperatures well.but if it is very icy or there is constant frost, it is best to protect it with a net or something similar.

Subsoil

The plant is not picky in this regard. The truth is that it adapts to everything you throw at it: sand, acid, calcium, neutral, alkaline… The only thing that might give you a problem is clay (when it is ponderous and compact), as well as arid and sandy soils.

Our recommendation is to utilize soil opulent in humus, mixed with drainage, e.g. perlite or even orchid soil, as it will oxygenate better, which will be beneficial for the roots.

Irrigation

Amaranthus caudatus is a plant that tolerates drought. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t need water. When the plant is teenage, it needs gigantic amounts of water. And keep an eye on her so she doesn’t die. On the other hand, when he’s an adult, you don’t have to throw him around as much.

Of course, it is not worth overwatering, because having tiny roots (main ones) can easily cause rot.

Subscriber

The subscriber has two phases. On the one hand, before planting, either in a pot or in the groundyou need to add some organic and agricultural fertilizer to nourish the soil base. For example, you can add some peat.

The second phase is the growth period of the plant. Because it grows very quickly, it means that it needs a lot of nutrients, which are quickly used up in the soil. Therefore, every 15 days you should add fertilizer to the irrigation wateras well as foliar.

Of course, it is used only in spring and summer; there is no such need during the rest of the year, but to take care of it, you can utilize it once a month (in autumn) and every two months in winter.

pruning

Pruning amaranth involves removing faded flowers. as well as parts of the plant that are diseased, damaged, or causing problems. Other than that, you shouldn’t do anything else.

Plagues and diseases

When it comes to plants and diseases, it is crucial to know that the plant itself is somewhat problematic in this respect. Leaf beetles, caterpillars and snails can destroy the appearance of the plant (by eating the leaves).

When it comes to diseases, the most problematic are those related to excess or lack of featherlight or irrigation, but there may also be a nutrient deficiency, which causes yellowing of the leaves (from the base to the tips or vice versa).

Multiplication

If you have this plant and would like to propagate it, you should know that it can be done using flower seeds. It is best to harvest and plant them in early spring, first in seedbeds and then transplanting.

As you can see, Amaranthus caudatus is one of the plants that will beautify your garden the most. Would you dare to have it in a pot or plant it directly in the ground?