Chenopodium quinoa (White Quinoa) is a herbaceous annual plant native to the Andes Mountains in South America. It has been cultivated for over four thousand years by tribes in the Andean regions. Quinoa is used like any other staple grain and one of its features that it is gluten-free. Frost and heat tolerant, the seeds are sown in spring and harvested in late summer or autumn.
Note: Our Quinoa seeds are good for sowing, not eating. The resultant crop from the seeds should be fine to eat. Please consult your doctor if you have any doubts about consuming Quinoa.
Quinoa is high in protein, dietary fibre, folate, antioxidants and all twenty amino acids. The rise of veganism, gluten-free and plant-based diets have seen the price of Quinoa triple in the ten years since 2006.
Other common names include Inca Wheat, Pigweed and Goosefoot.
Quinoa seeds can also be used as an insect repellent (see details below) and the plant is used to make gold and yellow dye.
Growth
Chenopodium quinoa is a fast-growing pseudo cereal plant that grows up to 2 metres (7 feet) tall. Seeds germinate quickly and even in dry soils and harvests can be ready in around 5 months.
Quinoa crops prefer long daylight hours and cool nighttime temperatures. The tolerance range is between −4 °C (25 °F) during the night to near 35 °C (95 °F) during the day. Unless the plant is flowering, they will cope with light frosts. Although studies have found that adding some nitrogen to the soil does improve crop yields.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Amaranthaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate, Sub Tropical, Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
10 to 32°C / 50 to 90°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well-draining soil
LOCATION:
Full Sun.
HEIGHT:
Up to 2 metres (7 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 15 cm (6 inches)
pH:
6.0-7.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Annual.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low
POLLINATION:
Wind.
MATURITY:
4-5 months.
GERMINATION RATES:
45-55%
GERMINATION TIME:
7-10 days
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 350
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
FACTS ABOUT CHENOPODIUM QUINOA (White Quinoa)
Quinoa was first domesticated as a food staple by the Andeans 3000-4000 years ago! The Inca’s believed Quinoa to be sacred and labelled it ‘The Mother of ALL Grains’.
There is not enough space here to write about the many health benefits of Quinoa! Apart from being high in protein and insoluble fibre and anti-oxidants, it contains all 20 amino acids, including the 10 the human body doesn’t produce on its own .. and it’s Vegan friendly and gluten free! Some health benefits that Quinoa provides are weight loss, helping to prevent and treat cancer, healthy heart support, intestinal and gut health, supports bone health, contains disease fighting antioxidants and reduces the risk of diabetes!
As a result of increased popularity and consumption in North America, Europe, and Australia, Quinoa crop prices tripled between 2006 and 2013.
The United Nations General Assembly declared 2013 as the international year of Quinoa in recognition of the historical practices of the Andean people who have preserved this plant as a human food.
How to use Quinoa Seeds as an Insect Repellent
Seeds of Quinoa, including the pack listed here contain a chemical called Saponins. Saponins don’t taste very good and should be washed off prior to eating raw Quinoa. However, it does have a beneficial use in the garden.
Insects and birds don’t like it either. Here’s how you use them:
Step 1
Place the seeds into a glass and then pour water over them. Slowly stir the water. It should be a little bit cloudy.
Step 2
Drain the seeds out of the water and then pour the cloudy water into a garden sprayer. Can be diluted to around one-part cloudy water and one part clean water.
Step 3
Spray mixture directly onto the leaves. Can also be sprayed onto fruiting trees to fend off hungry birds.
The one downside is that the next decent rain is going to wash all the saponin off and will need to be re-applied.
The one downside is that the next decent rain is going to wash all the saponin off and will need to be re-applied.
