Orach Care
Here are the main care requirements for growing beginner-friendly orach:
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Soil
Orach grows well in most soils, provided they are well-draining.
However, it prefersloamy soilsthat are organically rich and with an element of moisture-retentiveness.
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Orach is also known for being tolerant of high levels of salinity.
Water
While orach is a reasonablydrought-tolerant plant, insufficient water typically results in bolting.
This premature seed production means the leaf harvest might not be usable.
Adding a layer ofmoisture-retaining mulchcan be helpful during periods of drought.
Temperature and Humidity
Orach is adaptable to a wide range of temperatures.
One of its biggest advantages is its heat tolerance.
It does best in temperate climates, with temperatures between 40F to 75F.
Light freezes aren’t a problem for orach, but when they are sustained, the plant will die.
Orach is also good for exposed sites, as strong winds don’t phase it.
This ensures the focus is on foliage growth.
The red shade on the leaves remains even after cooking, making it an attractive addition to decorative dishes.
There are also white (pale green) and green (dark green) color variations.
Pruning
Orach can grow to 6 feet tall.
However, keeping it low by clipping helps produce tender leaves that aren’t too bitter.
Pruning and ample water also help reduce the chance of bolting during hot, dry periods.
Propagating Orach
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Hardy orach is typically disease- and pest-free.
However, it might become host to a couple of rare bugs.
These include the beet cyst eelworm (Heterodera schachtii) and the tortoise beetle (Cassida nebulosa).
Tortoise beetles can be removed by hand before infestations get out of control.
Aphids can also sometimes be a problem.
While rare, both these bacterial pathogens can be tricky to diagnose and treat.
Again, sometimes it’s best to dispose of infected plants and rotate with non-susceptible plant species.
But even hardy species wont thrive if you dont offer the conditions they prefer.
Yellowing Leaves
If yourplants leaves are turning yellow, you must do some detective work.
This commonly relates to insufficient light, over- or underwatering, or pest problems.
Selectingpotatoes as a companion plantcan also result in stunted growth.
Companion Plants
Generally, orach does well with companion plants also suited to spinach or amaranth.
Below are a couple of suggestions of what to plant alongside this species.
Sweet Alyssum
Sweet alyssum(Lobularia maritima)is a beautiful flower that attracts hoverflies.
These beneficial insects eat aphids, helping to control the populations which can sometimes be a problem for orach.
Legumes
Peas and beans provide a beneficial nitrogen boost to soils.
This is ideal for helping to promote the growth of leafy plants like orach.
Orach is a classic heirloom herb.
Orach leaves have medicinal and food uses.
The seeds are also sometimes used as additions to bread mixes.
Fast-growing, hardy orach is also auseful plant for erosion control.
Amaranth, on the other hand, is part of the subfamily Amaranthoideae.
You cangrow amaranthfor its edible superfood seeds and ornamental value.
Atriplex Hortensis (Garden Orache).
CABI Compendium Digital Library.
Brennan EB.Agronomic aspects of strip intercropping lettuce with alyssum for biological control of aphids.Biological Control.
3, 2013, doi: 10.1016/j.biocontrol.2013.03.017
