Quinoa is an ancient grain grown in the Andes mountains of south America near the equator. It was called the “the mother of all grains” by the Incas and there are records of it grown 3000 to 4000 years ago. It is not really a grain, but a “pseudocereal” and a member of the Chenopodium family of plants – the same as beets, spinach and lamb’s quarters. The seed heads are the part that are generally eaten and are very nutritious.

There are many different varieties of quinoa, this one is Brightest Brilliant Rainbow from Botanical Interests seed company. It is beautiful when ripe with seed heads colored from hot pink to burgundy, orange, yellow and green. This variety will grow to 6 – 7 feet tall. They grow in temperatures from 25 F at night to 95 F during the day, but prefer the cooler end of the temperature range – the plants were not happy in the 100 degree weather we were having last week! They are in our PowerGrower systems (one plant in each) and need about 2 gallons of water/day. I don’t think they will get much taller, hoping the weather does not get too hot so they will finish ripening over the next month. I will post a photo when the plants are blooming.

The United Nations has declared 2013 International Year of Quinoa. I have 3 more varieties of quinoa growing in different hydroponic systems. An ancient food grown with modern technology, looking forward to seeing how they grow.

Those with sharp eyes will note the plants are growing in GH Solar Systems.
More on them to come……