Hopi Red Dye Amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus)

Hopi Red Dye Amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus): extraordinarily ornamental, this variety of amaranth is another gift from the greatest growers among the Amerindian natives: the people of peace, the Hopi. The plant is over 1,5 mt tall, the dark green leaves - of beautiful red veins -and can be consumed by harvesting them before flowering, when they are still tender. The panicle (inflorescence) is of great size, it exceeds the half meter, it bares a slightly sagging posture, of the same vermilion of the veins, but even more intense.  It has megatermal needs, it is sown from April to June in the South, it provides two months for harvesting the leaves, then begins a long flowering. Once finished, the edible seeds, black in this variety, can be harvested by sifting them to separate them from the plant residues.  The seeds do not disperse immediately so they tolerate the inexperience of the first harvest.

Just as the rare Hopi Black Dye Sunflower, the Hopi use this plant as a dyer, for the decoration of artifacts, including the rattle used in rituals such as the rain dance, created by the lagenary pumpkin Hopi Rattle. This magnificent plant has many uses: ornamental, to bring a different, healthy taste to the table, and for botanical interest.

Amaranth is a pseudocereal, seeds can be used for flour or  for other recipes. Since it doesn't have any gluten, you need to add other flours in order to make dough for baking, here we share a  recipe for AMARANTH BREAD. and for PANE DI AMARANTO if you know Italian or can get a hold of a good translator, here are also some other uses for the seeds 10 RECIPES TO ENJOY Amaranth by GREENME .

1. Very low: no need for irrigation

2. Low: also suitable for hot and arid areas, irrigate only in case of prolonged drough.

3. Reduced: this variety is amongst the leas demanding of its species, hence it is highly suitable for areas with sporadic rainfall, to be irrigated only in case of prolonged droughts

4. Tolerant to water stress: it needs moderate irrigation, suitable for gardens with low water consumption.

We are currently creating a guide for this kind of cultivation, unfortunately, until the guide is published, this is only an overall indication that we can provide without causing confusion about the process. Dry farming, in fact, requires cultivation techniques suitable for the specific  pedoclimate and substrate. All of the varieties included in this category have been acclimatized in Italy.