Amaranthus CAUDATUS 'MIRA'

Amaranthus CAUDATUS 'MIRA' - Love-lies-bleeding 'Mira', Tassel flower 'Mira', Amaranthus caudatus 'Mira', Pigweed.

Amaranth is a genus of annual and perennial plants in the family Amaranthaceae, comprising about 70 species and distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of both hemispheres.

Plants of this genus are vigorous herbaceous crops with erect or spreading stems and large entire leaves. They are distinguished by ornamental and food forms, and bloom for a long time, often until frosts.

Flowering continues from June to October. Inflorescences are dense panicles, racemes, or spikelike pendulous chains. Flowers are small, densely clustered. Fruits are small nutlets containing numerous shiny seeds of various coloration.

Love-lies-bleeding 'Mira' is a spectacular cultivar with original coloration. Plant height is 80-100 cm (31.5-39.4 in). Leaves are green, oval; stems are erect, sturdy. Inflorescences are long, pendulous, forming dense "tails" up to 40 cm (15.7 in) long.

Flowering continues from mid-summer until autumn. Flowers are small, bicolored: pink-chartreuse with cream accents. Inflorescences remain ornamental even after cutting. Fruits are shiny nutlets with small dark seeds.

Seeds are sown directly into open ground in May or for seedlings in April. Sowing depth is 1 cm (0.4 in). The germination temperature is 18-22 °C (64-72 °F). Seedlings appear after 7-10 days. If overcrowded, sowings are thinned out.

Seedlings are transplanted to a permanent location after frosts have passed. A spacing of 30-40 cm (11.8-15.7 in) is left between plants. Flowering begins 60-70 days after seedlings emerge.

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Cultivation in sunny locations with good air circulation is recommended. In the shade, the plant stretches out and blooms worse. It is suitable for south and southwest locations.

During the growing season, a temperature of 20-30 °C (68-86 °F) is maintained. Young plants withstand short-term temperature drops. Watering is carried out moderately after the soil dries out. Mature specimens tolerate drought easily.

A loose, fertile soil with good drainage is used. Cultivation on loams or chernozems is preferred. Repotting is not used. On poor soils, prior application of compost is recommended.

At the start of growth, nitrogen fertilizers are applied; later, phosphorus-potassium formulations. Feedings are carried out 1-2 times a month. Over-fertilizing leads to vigorous growth of stems at the expense of flowering.

Sanitary removal of spent inflorescences and shaping if necessary are carried out. Propagation is carried out by seeds. Cuttings are not used due to the annual cycle.