That's strange - maybe it's dud seed? I ordered seed of A tricolor 'Early Splendor' from JL Parker 2 years ago. It was such a big pack that I've been using it each spring ever since. It certainly remains viable a long time - I just keep it in the fridge. This year it germinated just 2 days after sowing (in heat). This is a plant well worth growing.

...they sure do bring alot of attention! I wintersowed mine for the first time last year and once out in the garden they took off growing to about 4 1/2 to 5' tall...I pinched mine back at about 12" to get bushier specimens with lots of tassles on side branches and never needed to stake...it's very windy here :) You can have fun harvesting tons of seed...I did for trades, but never sown anymore my self as I wanted to see how they would self-sow in my garden...well, I got lots of little seedlings! Also thought I'd throw this out: The current issue of Mother Earth News has an article on growing the different Amaranthus as grain crops too; pretty neat:) Wintersowed Amaranthus 'Intense Purple' this year. Vera

Sorry to bring up an old thread but I was searching the web to see pics of a plant someone was talking about in the Name that plant forum. Turns out I have an amaranthus that is a weed in the yard. We planted three of them last year from a neighbor and they came back this year on their own. So we took siz little seedings from one area of the yard and moved them to another. The darn thing spread like crazy and now covers the entire front yard right behind the fence and it is over 6 feet tall. It's in really bad soil/full sun and only gets watered when I see it wilting. I realize it may be a different variety that you guys/gals are talking about but this darn thing is a weed. I know this is silly but are you sure this is an annual? I thought perennials came back on their own and this one sure did. Here is a pic, maybe I have something mixed up. My googling says it is called Amaranthus Paniculata. Here is a link that might be useful: pic of one third of the area it is currently covering.

I got hopi red dye amaranthus fresh harvested today I let the seeds dry on the plant so they are ready now got tons of trades these grew 4 feet for me this year and branched out real nice.Looking for other types of amaranthus seeds in return please email me for a trade and don't forgot to include your gardenweb name.Let's trade