A superfood in disguise
Beautiful and unique, the red orach is an ancient vegetable not only ornamental in the garden but also highly nutritious. This annual plant is a native from the Eastern part of the world with large red-purple leaves growing on tall stems that can reach 1m. It is eaten traditionally as a vegetable in India in parts of Africa. Young leaves are cooked like spinach.
Scientific Name: Atriplex hortensis
Plant Life Cycle: annual
Optimal Germination Temperature: 18C
Germination time in days: 10-15 days
Indicative Days to maturity: 60-75 days
Sunlight: Full sun with Late Shade
Soil requirement: Moist, fertile, well drained
Sowing and cultivation: Start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost. Sow on surface, lightly covered at a 18C soil temperature. Direct sow outdoors after last frost. Grows to 60-120 cm . Space 35 to 60cm cm apart.
