Amaranthus cruentus 'Twin Towers Red'

Trial: Annual

Years Trialed: 2001

Good Qualities:

Excellent red color (4); Very dramatic size (42 inches); Excellent form; Nice Auser friendly@ amaranth B Good head form; Produced very well.

Problems:

Too short (3); Insect damage (2); The plants were very variable, some grew to 14; others were shorter, a few taller B Novelty; Seedling flats showed distorted new growth, looks like broad mite damage but no sign of mites, may be related to over-fertilization?; Turned brown; No harvestable stems; Did not germinate; Too costly to direct seed, does not respond well to plugs.

Comments:

Nothing special; Great amaranth; Upper foliage of most plants Acrinkled@ and not expanding (probably problem w/pH and Ca); Some plants more Acandle-like@ in appearance, these plants were superior; don't know if this condition was genetic or cultural B Plants also attacked by beetles and/or caterpillars; Similar to 'Red Cathedral Superior'.

Trial Data

Amaranthus cruentus 'Twin Towers Red'
  Yield (stems/plant) Stem Length (inches) Market Appreciation Rating - Wholesale (1) Market Appreciation Rating - Retail (1) Market Appreciation Rating - Consumer (1) Repeat Again Rating (2) Ease of Cultivation Rating (2) Average Spacing (in2)
Average 2.9 30.7 2.8 3.0 3.6 3.8 3.9 148
Range of Responses 0-7 17-49 1-5 3-5 1-5 1-5 2-5 36-324

(1) 1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the best. Market ratings are based on sales to wholesalers, retailers, or final consumers direct.

Supplier

Kieft Seeds

P.O. Box 618

Conway, WA 98238