Kitchen Garden Help.com

Hot Biscuits plant is an annual belonging to the family Amaranthaceae and Genus Amaranthus and belongs to cruentus species. This Annual can grow up to a height of 24-36 in. (60-90 cm) that is 36-48 in. (90-120 cm). It needs Full sun to partial shade to grow. It has herbaceous foliage which is of Bronze-Green color. The color is that of a biscuit and hence the name.
It has two inch long cinnamon colored plumes. It can be used as a wonderful cut flower both as fresh and dried and as a good landscaping material. Other than that it can be used as a border plant and in rock gardens and hanging baskets. It can grow in all zones.
It has average water needs and the bloom color is Gold (Yellow-Orange). Its Soil pH requirements are 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic), 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral), and 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline). It can self sow freely, so one needs to be cautious so that it does not overspread and cover other plants.

Growing conditions for Hot Biscuits

• It needs Full sun to partial shade to grow.
• It has average water needs.
• Its Soil pH requirements are 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic), 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral), and 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline).
• It has average water needs.
• Sow the seed direct after last frost.
• Sow the seeds at a depth of 0.5”.
• The Min. Germination Temperature that is the lowest temperature at which the seeds will germinate is at. 15°C / 59°F and Max. Germination Temperature that is the highest temp at which the Hot Biscuits will germinate is at 20°C / 68°F.
• It will take 8 days for Germination.
• Water regularly but do not overwater.
• Once the seedlings are erupted, Transplant them.
• The spacing should be 3-6 in. (7-15 cm) that is 6-9 in. (15-22 cm).

Care for Hot Biscuits

• This plant Self-sows freely, so check that it does not overspread in the place.
• The flowers are good for cutting.
• The level of acidity for Hot Biscuits, ie. The pH Range is 5.5 – 7.0.
• Hot Biscuits requires Medium amount of water.
• It needs Full sun to partial shade to grow.
• Do not overwater the plant.
• There are some diseases that affect the plant are White rust, brown rust, Cercospora leaf spot, and Phyllosticta leaf spot can affect foliage, and root rot can also be a problem. Amaranthus are also prone to aster yellows, viruses, and aphids.
• It is better to use pesticide if any of the above diseases occur.
• Add organic compost in the soil.

Photos of the plant available at this link (URL)

Family: Amaranthaceae

This plant is a Half-hardy annual flowering plant which grows up to four feet (60-120cms). Love-lies-bleeding, love-lies-a’ bleeding, pendant amaranth, tassel flower, velvet flower, foxtail amaranth, and quelite are some of the common names of the plant.
It is perfect for using as a border plant or in rock gardens, cottage gardens or cut flowers. Putting them in a hanging casket too as a decoration plant is a pretty good use. This plant looks exotic for garden beds too. It flowers in summer. This plant is tall with its erect stems that are branching. The flowers are long enough falling to the ground. As a cut flower it can keep its color for long time. They are native of American tropics.
The plant need full exposure to sun for its full growth. The flowers bloom in mid summer to late summer to early fall. The flowers are in Pale Pink, Fuchsia (Red-Purple), and Red and Purple colors. It has herbaceous foliage. The Soil pH requirements are 5.6 to 6.0 (acidic), 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic). Some parts of the plant like the leaves and seeds are edible. In India and South America, they are a food source. The red color of the inflorescences is due to a high content of Betacyanins. It’s actually given the name because of the redness of the flower, which is blood red.

Growing conditions for “Love lies bleeding” (caudatus)

• Sow the seeds in early spring.
• Add seed compost for better growth.
• The plant needs exposure to full sun.
• The temperature should be 21-24C (70-75F).
• The depth to sow the seed is 2mm (1/16in).
• For smaller species spacing can be 20-30cms and for larger species spacing should be 50cm at least.
• The soil needs to damp.
• Wet soil should be avoided.
• It will take about 10-14 days for the seeds to germinate.
• Sow the seeds indoors before last frost.
• Directly sow the seeds after last frost.
• The seedlings have to be transplanted.
• Before transplanting keep the seedlings in cool place.
• Transplant them in a sunny area in rich soil with a spacing of 30-45cm (12-18in).

Care for Love lies bleeding” (caudatus)

• The plant requires frequent watering in the summer.
• The cut flowers last well in water without loosing its original colour.
• The cut flower can also be dried.
• The plant needs exposure to full sun.
• The soil needs to damp.
• Wet soil should be avoided.
• The plants have average water needs.
• Do not overwater the plant.

Amaranthus: “Autumn Palette” is a half-hardy annual flowering plant which grows up to a height of four feet that is 90-120cm (36-48 inches). They are native of American tropics. It is an attractive plant with its feathery and tall spikes. It comes in cream and biscuit shades. It flowers from summer to autumn. It is an ideal border plants and for rock gardens and on hanging caskets as a decorative plant. It can be used as a cut flower too. As a cut flower it can keep its color for long time.
It needs exposure to full sun for best growth. The other ranges of bloom colors are Coral/Apricot, Pale Yellow, and Cream/Tan. It has herbaceous foliage. The birds love the seed heads of this plant which are on the spikes which are tall and feathery. The soil pH requirements are 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic), 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral), and 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline). The plant prefers damp soil so water the plants regularly but do not overwater.

Growing conditions for Amaranthus: “Autumn Palette”

• It needs exposure to full sun.
• Sow the seeds around February to March.
• Direct sow the seed after the lost frost.
• Sow into a well-drained and keep the soil damp.
• Add seed compost and add fine vermiculite to the soil.
• Sow the seeds on the surface itself.
• The seeds needs to be in a temperature of 20-25C (68-77F).
• The soil pH requirements are 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic), 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral), and 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
• Allow the seeds to germinate at this temperature.
• Germination will take 3-15 days with the aid of light.
• Sow indoors around 6-8 weeks before last spring frost.
• These plants can be transplanted.
• Transplant them when they are almost 7.5 (3 inches) in height.
• Space them to about 30cm (12 inches) apart.

Care for Amaranthus: “Autumn Palette”

• It needs exposure to full sun.
• Sow into a well-drained and keep the soil damp.
• Water the plant regularly. Do not let the plant dry out.
• Flowers are good for cutting.
• Flowers are good for drying and preserving.
• The soil pH requirements are 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic), 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral), and 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline).
• Keep the plant away from frost.
• Do not over water to avoid disease and wilting.
• If seeds are required, let them dry on the plant itself and then remove them.
• Add seed compost and add fine vermiculite to the soil as and when required.
• Space them properly while transplanting otherwise they tend to overshadow each other.

This plant is a hardy annual. It needs exposure to full sun to grow well. This plant attracts butterflies and beneficial insects because of its sweet scent and nectar. It needs exposure to full sun to grow well. It is a low growing plant and is of only about four to six inches height. It can spread up to 24.0 cm / 9.36″. It grows in zones of 3-14. The soil pH ranges are 5.6-7.5.
A well drained soil bed is required for its growth. The soil should be moist to enhance good growth. For second bloom, it’s often cut back to half. It is excellent for borders, rock gardens and in pots indoors or outdoors. The flowers are in clusters and in rose, soft pink, lilac, violet, lavender and white color and hence the name. The leaves are of fine texture. Once the bloom starts, it looks like carpet of flowers or rather a flower bed. It is a decoration plant. Its planted in the fall, i.e., around Feb-May. It is known to handle frost.

Growing conditions for Alyssum Honey-scented Gulf Winds

• Plant the seeds in early spring or late summer.
• Well drained soil is required.
• Exposure to full sun is required.
• Sow in 1/4th inch deep in the soil and just cover the seed lightly with soil.
• Keep the soil moist.
• It grows in zones of 3-14.
• The soil pH ranges are 5.6-705.
• The germination of the seeds usually takes ten to fourteen days.
• The minimum germination temperature is 13°C / 55°F and the maximum germination temperature is 24°C / 75°F.
• Once the blooming starts, it will look like carpet of flowers.
• Space the seeds thinly.
• These plants can be transplanted.
• Transplant cluster of seedlings in a bunch of four to five.
• Transplant them in the soil with a spacing of three to four inches apart.
• Ensure that enough space is there between the seedlings for them to grow.
• After about six to eight weeks the blooming starts usually.
• In mild-winter areas, Sow the seeds in fall.

Care for Alyssum Honey-scented Gulf Winds

• Plant the seeds in early spring.
• Well drained soil is required.
• Exposure to full sun is required.
• Keep the soil moist, avoid dry soil for growth.
• In mild-winter areas, Sow the seeds in fall.
• Cut the plant to half once a set of intense flowering is over.
• It is known to handle frost.
• These plants can be transplanted, but transplant them in clusters with spacing of three to four inches apart.
• Always check for room for the plants to grow.