Aussie Finch Forum

Amaranth is also popular over here with the Budgie breeders. Grows pretty well up our way. Never thought to give it to the finches. Wonder if Mother would notice if I start picking in her veg/seed garden.
LML

I'm not sure about the Australian native Amaranth but the central and the South American while small, 150-200mm plants can be eaten I use to get too many small plants sprouting and I use to substitute it for Spinach or Broccoli, it goes well in soups and with meat. The seeds can also be eaten as a cereal, in South America (not sure about the Amaranth) but the Quinoa is fed to infants, it is very nutritious. You can buy 40kg bags for less then $20.
I bought the Australian native Amaranth off Diggers Club, it produces lots of seeds but the leafs are small elongated, it's no-where near as good looking as the South American plants. I saw people with the beautiful tall plants planted in their front yards especially the big reds, here in Australia that's all it's been used for, I don't think they are grown as a crop. On the other hand Perilla is grown by many but the seeds for some reason are not harvested, Seeds of Perilla (both red and white) are available from the European and US Bird shops just like here Niger or Canola! I hate growing broad leaf plants, they attract lots of Snails and slugs.

i've seen the Amaranth seed you have pictured growing as a weed and always wondered if it was edible, well now that you put a name to it I googled it.

http://www.tropicalpermaculture.com/amaranth-plant.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

here's a quote
Compared to other grains amaranth seeds have a much higher content of the minerals calcium, magnesium, iron and of the amino acid Lysine. (Grains are usually low in that, corn has none. Most people get their Lysine from meat.)
Amaranth seeds are also high in potassium, zinc, Vitamin B and E and can contain over 20% protein (depending on the variety).

Amaranth leaves are nutitionally similar to beets, Swiss chard and spinach, but are much superior. For example amaranth leaves contain three times more calcium and three times more niacin (vitamin B3) than spinach leaves. (Or twenty times more calcium and seven times more iron than lettuce, which simply isn't all that nutritious...).

Amaranth is much closer genetically to its wild ancestors than our over developed and nutritionally depleted typical vegetables. Amaranth leaves are an excellent source of carotene, iron, calcium, protein, vitamin C and trace elements.

I'll definately try this on my birds next time i see it.

Thanks Netsurfer

Ive found a whole list of Amaranth seeds available on ebay, any idea which one is the right one for the finches?
http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from ... Categories" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The leaves of the one mum has look most like the 4th one down. And the flowers are not globe type. But that's all I know.
LML

thx BB
i checked out the ebay link and have just ordered the ones with the biggest seed heads

bluebutterfly213 wrote:Ive found a whole list of Amaranth seeds available on ebay, any idea which one is the right one for the finches?
http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from ... Categories" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

bb that depends on what you personally like! If you want to be a little creative you could plant the tall ones at the back than the medium than the dwarf ones along the edges. I have only used two varieties (green and red) both tall, I'm thinking of buying some more varieties as well as Quinoa (related to Amaranth) from ebay, who knows some may grow better in my area and may produce more seeds.
Does anyone know can prepaid Visa cards ("gift cards" from Post office) be used on Paypal?

Here are two more plants well worth considering:
Evening Primrose - http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/pea_the_pea_ ... m270.l1313" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Perilla - http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_kw=R ... &_kw=SEEDS" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Quinoa, does it have seeding heads? I know alot of people that buy it in powder form and use it as a base of their soft food instead of egg they believe it to last alot longer and not go rancid as quick.

djb78 wrote:Quinoa, does it have seeding heads? I know alot of people that buy it in powder form and use it as a base of their soft food instead of egg they believe it to last alot longer and not go rancid as quick.

Here is Quinoa - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/QUINOA-1000- ... 4aade36f36" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have a bag of Millet meal that I got from the supermarket that I have used to supplement a young finch, did the trick. Ive mixed it with water and offered it and most will take it. Bonus is I can use it in the bird bread too.