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Amaranth 'Molten Fire'
Seed Packet

Amaranth 'Molten Fire'

Amaranthus tricolor
Luther Burbank, the famed plant breeder and scientist, introduced this "glistening, fiery, rosy-crimson" flower in 1922. Its young, leafy seedlings make delicious and nutritious cooked greens. As summer progresses, the bronzy maroon leaves develop the rich coloring that gives it its name. Grow with fine-textured grasses or pair with its kissing cousin Joseph's Coat for a vibrant late summer garden.
SKU #S1222
$3.25
Growing Companions
Amaranth 'Joseph's Coat'
Amaranth 'Joseph's Coat'
Agastache 'Lavender Hyssop' Organic
Agastache 'Lavender Hyssop' Organic
Sunflower 'Black Beauty' F1
Sunflower 'Black Beauty' F1
Fennel 'Smokey Bronze' Organic
Fennel 'Smokey Bronze' Organic
Grass - Feather 'Pony Tails'
Grass - Feather 'Pony Tails'
Details
Approximate Seeds Per Packet
750
Lifecycle
Annual
Annual Hardiness
Half Hardy Annual
Mature Size
3.5' h x 2' w
Sun
Full sun
Soil
Regular to rich, well-drained
Season
Summer
Color
Red and maroon foliage.
Features
Heat or Drought Tolerant
SOWING INSTRUCTIONS
Depth:
Barely cover 1/16"
Sprout Time:
3-14 days
Seed To Bloom:
12 weeks
Starting Indoors:
Six weeks before last frost, sow thinly into pots filled with a mix specifically for seed germination. Keep at 65-75°F with evenly moist conditions by placing a humidity dome over the containers until germination occurs, or by sprinkling a thin cover of vermiculite over the pots.
Starting Outdoors:
Direct sow after last frost.
WHEN TO SET OUTSIDE
After all danger of frost has passed.
PLACEMENT & CULTIVATION
Introduced in 1922 to great acclaim, 'Molten Fire' continues to charm with brilliant foliage, its love of heat and humidity, and its ease of growth in varied soils. No additional fertilizer is needed, for leaner soils encourage more vivid foliage colors. Sow the small seeds thinly and remove any weed competition when young, for the best garden performance.
Final Spacing:
1.5'
Water Requirements:
Medium Water Use
Watering Details:
Drought tolerant. 1" a week until established; then water during dry spells.
Soil pH:
Slightly acidic to neutral
Fertilizer:
If soils are particularly poor, mix in an organic granular fertilizer once seedlings have reached 6-8" in height. Avoid excess fertilizer.
Diseases & Pests:
Tarnished plant bugs can infest flower heads. Use an organic insecticide to control. Provide freely-draining soils, for, in wet soils, emerging seedlings may die from soil pathogens. Overly moist soils also encourage various fungal root and stem rots on mature plants, causing collapse.