Chinese Spinach ThreeColor (Amaranthus Tricolor Finesse) 200 seeds (#2221)

A magnificent annual, bushy plant with decorative, variegated, red, pink, yellow or brown leaves.
Perfect as a solitaire, for flower beds, cut flowers and dry bouquets.
The leaves may be eaten as a salad vegetable as well as the stems. In Africa, it is usually cooked as a leafy vegetable. It is usually steamed as a side dish in both China and Japan.
Prefers a light well-drained fertile soil in a sunny position, though it does succeed in heavier soils. Tolerates fairly acid soils. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.3 to 7.8.
This is basically a tropical plant and so requires a hot sheltered position in temperate climates if it is to do well.
Approximately 200 seeds in 0,2g packet.

Genus - Amaranthus
Species - Tricolor
Variety - Finesse
Common name - Chinese Spinach ThreeColor
Pre-Treatment - Not-required
Hardiness zones - 3 - 10
Height - 1 - 1,40 m
Spread - 0,50 m
Plant type - Annual flower
Exposure - Full Sun, partial shade
Growth rate - Medium
Soil PH - Acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) (pH 4,3-7,8)
Soil type - Rich, moist, well drained
Water requirements - Average, high
Landscape uses - Ornamental vegetable. Nice accent to the herb and flower gardens
Bloom season - July to September
Leaf / Flower color - Yellow, Red, Green / --

GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
***Outdoor sowing:
Sow from April to August directly in the growing position. Sow thinly in rows 30 cm apart, cover with fine soil. Firm gently and keep moist.
Germination in 7-10 days.
When large enough, thin to 7,50 cm apart for baby leaf or for mature plants thin to a final spacing of 20 cm.
Harvest from June to October (days to maturity: 40-50 days).
***Indoor sowing:
Sow from March to August in trays of seed compost. Sow thinly, cover lightly with compost.
Cover with clear glass, polythene or propagator lid.
Keep at +18-+21C moist. Remove cover when seedlings appear. Place in light airy location.
Harvest June to October.